Finally facing my silent world

hohDougRN

hohDougRN

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:dance: :dance: Hello AD Members,
I have severe hearing loss and have spent many years in denial. I lost >80% of my hearing from an illness, and receiving drugs which proved to be ototoxic. I have spent time making myself emotionally and psychologically exhausted. I have recently grown to accept my situation and now look forward to life with much more significance. Out of fear of perception of coworkers and friends I have suppressed my frustrations and fears from all. I feel out of increasing maturity and spirituality- and great encouragement from my wife, I have thrown all this aside. I am getting hearing aids for the first time tomorrow. I wonder what things I have missed out on, by being shallow and immature and closing my mind to options that have always been there for my defecits . I used to love music and to sing, but haven't participated in this for a long time. I bet many people who have been born hearing know how I have felt. Especially those who have had normal hearing taken from them in nearly an instant. I am glad I found this site and look forward to the potential support it will provide me. :grouphug:
 
hohDougRN said:
:dance: :dance: Hello AD Members,
I have severe hearing loss and have spent many years in denial. I lost >80% of my hearing from an illness, and receiving drugs which proved to be ototoxic. I have spent time making myself emotionally and psychologically exhausted. I have recently grown to accept my situation and now look forward to life with much more significance. Out of fear of perception of coworkers and friends I have suppressed my frustrations and fears from all. I feel out of increasing maturity and spirituality- and great encouragement from my wife, I have thrown all this aside. I am getting hearing aids for the first time tomorrow. I wonder what things I have missed out on, by being shallow and immature and closing my mind to options that have always been there for my defecits . I used to love music and to sing, but haven't participated in this for a long time. I bet many people who have been born hearing know how I have felt. Especially those who have had normal hearing taken from them in nearly an instant. I am glad I found this site and look forward to the potential support it will provide me. :grouphug:
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I think you have made a good decision to accept yourself for what and who you are. Remember that over 90% of the things we worry about never come to pass. You will find your life to me much more fulfilling if you focus your energy on the things that are in your control and not the things that aren't. Ask yourself, what are the things in life that are REALLY important to me? Music certainly has its place but when compared to love, family, friends and career, where does it stack up. I wish you all the best!
 
hohDougRN said:
:dance: :dance: Hello AD Members,
I have severe hearing loss and have spent many years in denial. I lost >80% of my hearing from an illness, and receiving drugs which proved to be ototoxic. I have spent time making myself emotionally and psychologically exhausted. I have recently grown to accept my situation and now look forward to life with much more significance. Out of fear of perception of coworkers and friends I have suppressed my frustrations and fears from all. I feel out of increasing maturity and spirituality- and great encouragement from my wife, I have thrown all this aside. I am getting hearing aids for the first time tomorrow. I wonder what things I have missed out on, by being shallow and immature and closing my mind to options that have always been there for my defecits . I used to love music and to sing, but haven't participated in this for a long time. I bet many people who have been born hearing know how I have felt. Especially those who have had normal hearing taken from them in nearly an instant. I am glad I found this site and look forward to the potential support it will provide me. :grouphug:[/QUOT
Let me see.. Ummmm.... i guess you are trying to get involved in the deaf culture... Learn ASL...meet more deafies nearby Join deaf club..
SxyPorkie
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Welcome to AD, Doug! :wave: You have found a good place full of good people. And some of us have experienced first-hand the denial of needing hearing aids. Yup, me included. Been there, done that.

I could have used hearing aids since 1st grade but for some reason my parents chose not to go that route. As I entered adulthood, I decided still to put off getting hearing aids. I went a long time, too long, saying I did not need them things. Huh? Huh? What did you say?

Finally about 10 years ago, my wife convinced me that I needed hearing aids. Wow! So that is what a pond full of frogs sound like. :eek: A whole new world opened up for me.

You've come to the right place, Doug. I hope you find this place as helpful as I have found it! :)

Dave

P.S. In case you read some of my other posts where I will possibly lose my hearing altogether (according to the doctors); this is not neccessarily your case. I have a rare degenerative neuromuscular disorder called MELAS.
 
Thanks For The Support

Thank you for your support so far. To answer one question, I do want to become more familiar to deaf culture and ASL usage. My wife and I have already agreed that we will take ASL down at Univ. of Ga when we transfer down there in January. She is supportive and wants me to pursue all my aspirations in life whether it be med school, or just achieving a successful relationship and communication with each other, my friends, or collegues. At the same time I want to sustain my relationships with my 'hearing' family and friends. I hope my new heaing aids will only enrich all my abilities to achieve all I set out to do.
:kiss:
 
hohDougRN said:
Thank you for your support so far. To answer one question, I do want to become more familiar to deaf culture and ASL usage. My wife and I have already agreed that we will take ASL down at Univ. of Ga when we transfer down there in January. She is supportive and wants me to pursue all my aspirations in life whether it be med school, or just achieving a successful relationship and communication with each other, my friends, or collegues. At the same time I want to sustain my relationships with my 'hearing' family and friends. I hope my new heaing aids will only enrich all my abilities to achieve all I set out to do.
:kiss:
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I admire your wife hohDougRN. You're lucky to have her in your life :)

I have experienced smilar issues as you did. You're not alone in here :hug:
 
:wave: :welcome: to Alldeaf hohDougRN!! Tomorrow is a very special day for you, where a brand new world will open for you once you get your new hearing aids. Do not hesitate to ask anyone here for help or information. We are all here to support each other, and you will find our members so very understanding, and willing to help one another. Have fun posting and welcome aboard!
 
Welcome to AD.. I hope you will find what you are looking for...I hope you will enjoy the stay with us and happy posting away!!!! :)
 
:welcome: To All Deaf hohDougRN!! Good luck on your hearing aids:) Just take it one step at a time. Things can always get better for you. Great that you have a wife that will be by your side all the way through it.




hohDougRN said:
:dance: :dance: Hello AD Members,
I have severe hearing loss and have spent many years in denial. I lost >80% of my hearing from an illness, and receiving drugs which proved to be ototoxic. I have spent time making myself emotionally and psychologically exhausted. I have recently grown to accept my situation and now look forward to life with much more significance. Out of fear of perception of coworkers and friends I have suppressed my frustrations and fears from all. I feel out of increasing maturity and spirituality- and great encouragement from my wife, I have thrown all this aside. I am getting hearing aids for the first time tomorrow. I wonder what things I have missed out on, by being shallow and immature and closing my mind to options that have always been there for my defecits . I used to love music and to sing, but haven't participated in this for a long time. I bet many people who have been born hearing know how I have felt. Especially those who have had normal hearing taken from them in nearly an instant. I am glad I found this site and look forward to the potential support it will provide me. :grouphug:
Click to expand...
 
WOW!

What a great day! I got my hearing aids today and am still enjoying all the stimulation. I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight. At my classes tonight, I heard my professors' voice. Isn't it funny how we can be so stubborn and resistant to change, even if it's for a significant improvement. I have been going through the evening taking mental notes like: wow! I heard that! or even, wow, what was that I just heard? lol I am greatful to have the opportunity to expand my horizons. I don't know why I was ever worried about any altered appearance.....I guess that's normal??? After I left my Audiologist, I have been so caught up in "hearing" that I never though about my preconceived fears of being worried about appearance. Ironically, I even have a level of pride already about wearing my hearing aids.

Doug:dance2:
 
Hey Doug.. welcome aboard! Glad you're able to post your experience on what you went thru. Thanks for sharing with us. Hope you'll continue to stay in Alldeaf and be a "part" of our family!!!!!!!! Your wife can join with us too if she'll create her own acct and she'll learn alot more too.
 
hohDougRN said:
WOW!

What a great day! I got my hearing aids today and am still enjoying all the stimulation. I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight. At my classes tonight, I heard my professors' voice. Isn't it funny how we can be so stubborn and resistant to change, even if it's for a significant improvement. I have been going through the evening taking mental notes like: wow! I heard that! or even, wow, what was that I just heard? lol I am greatful to have the opportunity to expand my horizons. I don't know why I was ever worried about any altered appearance.....I guess that's normal??? After I left my Audiologist, I have been so caught up in "hearing" that I never though about my preconceived fears of being worried about appearance. Ironically, I even have a level of pride already about wearing my hearing aids.

Doug:dance2:
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I felt that way at first went to a meeting and wastotaly swamped too much noise..I got a bad head alot tooat first but this is normal .Dont get them any more
 
Hi Doug!

It's really awesome that your wife is being very supportive of you and that's what makes it all the better! Welcome to All Deaf! Do make yourself at home here and there are different kinds of people in here which is really great because that is a big help to learn about something new and different. ;)
 
hohDougRN said:
:dance: :dance: Hello AD Members,
I have severe hearing loss and have spent many years in denial. I lost >80% of my hearing from an illness, and receiving drugs which proved to be ototoxic. I have spent time making myself emotionally and psychologically exhausted. I have recently grown to accept my situation and now look forward to life with much more significance. Out of fear of perception of coworkers and friends I have suppressed my frustrations and fears from all. I feel out of increasing maturity and spirituality- and great encouragement from my wife, I have thrown all this aside. I am getting hearing aids for the first time tomorrow. I wonder what things I have missed out on, by being shallow and immature and closing my mind to options that have always been there for my defecits . I used to love music and to sing, but haven't participated in this for a long time. I bet many people who have been born hearing know how I have felt. Especially those who have had normal hearing taken from them in nearly an instant. I am glad I found this site and look forward to the potential support it will provide me. :grouphug:
Click to expand...

Welcome!! It must be a very hard adjustment for you having been born hearing but it sounds like you are moving forward in a positive way. Many of us who were born deaf have had our whole lifetimes to accept our situation although it does get lonely when interacting with hearing peers. But you know what? Deafness is a great friend sorter - you discover who your real friends are.

Please join us also at the hearing aids and cochlear implant subforum of this board for support when you get your hearing aids.
 
Long day today at school, lots of new auditory stimulation today, nine boring hours of it to be exact. I'm burned out....whew. I just want to let all of your know that you are so great!!! I am enjoying the interaction I am having with you and hope to get to know you all better in the future. :grouphug:
 
Hey

Hi there

Am so glad you accepted your disability, for me accepting my deafness has been where I have turned over a new leaf and moved on. For me to accept that I wasn’t quite like my mother, my father, my brother, my family and my friends, was a challenge. However, that is where the whole process of discovering one’s individuality starts.

Kashveera
 
Hi, I'll like to welcome you! Getting out of the River deNial isn't easy ;), but we're here for you!
 
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