Hey there. I know the feeling (your rant) I was born Deaf in left ear, Hard of hearing in right, I never was taught sign, and relied totally on my residual hearing (like hearing underwater) to lip read and to communicate. Then in the fall I lost all my residual hearing, I dont hear anything at all and its been tough. Its an adjustment, the thing i get tired of is feeling like I have to explain myself to people because i kept my hearing loss a secret. I have learned to except it and move on, its not the end of the world, it just feels like it right now. You had 18 years of hearing I had 30 then POOF nothing. Hang in there bro, and hit me up if you want to chat.

Nick