Adjustment to late onset deafness

I have just been referred to this post by one of the members, so here goes:

It was October 2018, I was 52 years old and suddenly I couldn't hear, walk, use my left hand. In fact I couldn't understand much, I was a bit of a wreck.I had no idea what had happened to me, other than that they had just brought me round from an induced coma and I had suffered a series of mini strokes when they were bringing me round. They explained that I was going to Rehab later that week.

Once there they provided me with a notepad, it was then that I found out that I was taken into hospital with {bacterial) meningitus and immediately put into the induced coma. I had been under for 3 weeks.

I came out of Rehab on December 23rd 2018, able to walk a few steps with support and able to grip with my left hand, but my hearing had totally gone. I had been told that hearing aids wouldn't help and that I had been referred for a cochlear implant.

I was so relieved to think that I would be able to hear again. I had my implant in April 2019 and it was activated on May 2nd. They have told me that I need to learn to listen again and that it can take years to be able to hear music again.

Everything seems to be on the up and up, I am slowly learning how to walk again, nobody would notice that I have weakness in my left hand now and I can hold a conversation with my husband. But why am I not feeling happier?

The emotional side I feel that I am over, after months of crying. I tend to avoid people that I knew prior to my illness, as I cant stand the pitying looks when I tell them that I have now become deaf.

My husband has been very supportive, as have the rest of my family, My attitude has always been "Right this has happened, now lets get on with it" but I am feeling so isolated.

So now I would like to ask a few questions:

I am not sure if to learn British Sign Language or Makaton?
Are there any deaf social clubs left in the UK?
Is there anything like Late onset deafness association in the UK?

Thanks for reading this.
 
Biscuit01 said:
I have just been referred to this post by one of the members, so here goes:

It was October 2018, I was 52 years old and suddenly I couldn't hear, walk, use my left hand. In fact I couldn't understand much, I was a bit of a wreck.I had no idea what had happened to me, other than that they had just brought me round from an induced coma and I had suffered a series of mini strokes when they were bringing me round. They explained that I was going to Rehab later that week.

Once there they provided me with a notepad, it was then that I found out that I was taken into hospital with {bacterial) meningitus and immediately put into the induced coma. I had been under for 3 weeks.

I came out of Rehab on December 23rd 2018, able to walk a few steps with support and able to grip with my left hand, but my hearing had totally gone. I had been told that hearing aids wouldn't help and that I had been referred for a cochlear implant.

I was so relieved to think that I would be able to hear again. I had my implant in April 2019 and it was activated on May 2nd. They have told me that I need to learn to listen again and that it can take years to be able to hear music again.

Everything seems to be on the up and up, I am slowly learning how to walk again, nobody would notice that I have weakness in my left hand now and I can hold a conversation with my husband. But why am I not feeling happier?

The emotional side I feel that I am over, after months of crying. I tend to avoid people that I knew prior to my illness, as I cant stand the pitying looks when I tell them that I have now become deaf.

My husband has been very supportive, as have the rest of my family, My attitude has always been "Right this has happened, now lets get on with it" but I am feeling so isolated.

So now I would like to ask a few questions:

I am not sure if to learn British Sign Language or Makaton?
Are there any deaf social clubs left in the UK?
Is there anything like Late onset deafness association in the UK?

Thanks for reading this.
Click to expand...

Hi! Welcome to this site. I found some useful links that may help you.

Your hearing

Learn about about the problems that can affect ears and hearing - easy to follow information with clear diagrams and subtitled videos - aimed at people new to hearing loss.
www.hearinglink.org www.hearinglink.org

Home - Open Ears

Home
www.openears.org.uk www.openears.org.uk

this one seems to list local groups that you could join and mingle with others dealing with hearing loss.
www.hearinglink.org

Affiliated groups and clubs

Join a group with other hearing impaired people for lipreading classes, outings and trips. Find a group in your local area.
www.hearinglink.org www.hearinglink.org

You could also search for meningitis support groups online as well. Or anything with cochlear implants forum/support group

If you have a local community college or adult education center that offers BSL British Sign Language that is a new way to meet people. Of course it's a little hard now with all the coronavirus restrictions but something to think about in the future.

I'm in USA so I use American Sign Language (ASL) I'm not fimalar Makaton signs but do ask others if it's worth learning. I assume BSL would be better as it's widely common in your country.

Hope that helps you out
Cheers! Annie :)
 
Biscuit01 said:
I have just been referred to this post by one of the members, so here goes:

It was October 2018, I was 52 years old and suddenly I couldn't hear, walk, use my left hand. In fact I couldn't understand much, I was a bit of a wreck.I had no idea what had happened to me, other than that they had just brought me round from an induced coma and I had suffered a series of mini strokes when they were bringing me round. They explained that I was going to Rehab later that week.

Once there they provided me with a notepad, it was then that I found out that I was taken into hospital with {bacterial) meningitus and immediately put into the induced coma. I had been under for 3 weeks.

I came out of Rehab on December 23rd 2018, able to walk a few steps with support and able to grip with my left hand, but my hearing had totally gone. I had been told that hearing aids wouldn't help and that I had been referred for a cochlear implant.

I was so relieved to think that I would be able to hear again. I had my implant in April 2019 and it was activated on May 2nd. They have told me that I need to learn to listen again and that it can take years to be able to hear music again.

Everything seems to be on the up and up, I am slowly learning how to walk again, nobody would notice that I have weakness in my left hand now and I can hold a conversation with my husband. But why am I not feeling happier?

The emotional side I feel that I am over, after months of crying. I tend to avoid people that I knew prior to my illness, as I cant stand the pitying looks when I tell them that I have now become deaf.

My husband has been very supportive, as have the rest of my family, My attitude has always been "Right this has happened, now lets get on with it" but I am feeling so isolated.

So now I would like to ask a few questions:

I am not sure if to learn British Sign Language or Makaton?
Are there any deaf social clubs left in the UK?
Is there anything like Late onset deafness association in the UK?

Thanks for reading this.
Click to expand...
I suggest learning BSL. This a language of Deaf people. Makaton is general for people can hear but not speak or other communication challenges. BSL will help you social with Deaf people and doing so may help you be less isolated and adjust to the new you. It will also give you the option to have an interpreter to make things more accessible.

Like any language it will take time and be frustrating. It will be worth the effort.

I'm in the US so I can't make club or event recommendations but I know they are out there. You may want to check out Action on Hearing Loss - UK based organization.

actiononhearingloss.org.uk

RNID - National hearing loss charity

We are RNID and together, we’ll make life fully inclusive for the 18 million people in the UK who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus.
actiononhearingloss.org.uk actiononhearingloss.org.uk
 
I'm slow to post here for a reason, I wanted to learn sign when young never thinking that one day I would need it for myself, my long and slow slid into deafness helped me accept it when it came, enough said:welcome:
 
I live alone in a first class Assisted Living apartment and voluntarily gave up driving three years ago. I am a Lymphoma Cancer Survivor that is currently in Partial Remission. I remain pretty independent but use a walker. My biggest problem is trying to communicate with my doctors, Assisted Living staff and care takers. I will be going to the VA Audiology doctor on the 31st of August to see if they can fix or adjust my left ear Cochlear implant to give me some hearing. I use texting, email and captioned phoning.
 
deerheart12 said:
Hi! Welcome to this site. I found some useful links that may help you.

Your hearing

Learn about about the problems that can affect ears and hearing - easy to follow information with clear diagrams and subtitled videos - aimed at people new to hearing loss.
www.hearinglink.org www.hearinglink.org

Home - Open Ears

Home
www.openears.org.uk www.openears.org.uk

this one seems to list local groups that you could join and mingle with others dealing with hearing loss.
www.hearinglink.org

Affiliated groups and clubs

Join a group with other hearing impaired people for lipreading classes, outings and trips. Find a group in your local area.
www.hearinglink.org www.hearinglink.org

You could also search for meningitis support groups online as well. Or anything with cochlear implants forum/support group

If you have a local community college or adult education center that offers BSL British Sign Language that is a new way to meet people. Of course it's a little hard now with all the coronavirus restrictions but something to think about in the future.

I'm in USA so I use American Sign Language (ASL) I'm not fimalar Makaton signs but do ask others if it's worth learning. I assume BSL would be better as it's widely common in your country.

Hope that helps you out
Cheers! Annie :)
Click to expand...
If I were younger I would learn ASL but at 86 with not that many years left what's the point, besides, who would I talk with?
 
At 60+ with no one to sign with I find it very useful, it helps with my memory loss, being disabled (I know 60 the new young, but not for me, I've been rode hard and put up wet) it's better than puzzles and encourages those around to take it up, all at my local grocery work with me and I found some one in particular know some sign, help spread sign if not for you then for those to come, your usefulness not over yet, it's time to be an encouragement! To all those staff and care takers, don't let the audiologist discourage you, if you don't know deaf history it's time to learn about AGBell, what is the name of that you-tube video ? through deaf eyes? I think, I'll have to check if not I'll get back with you :ily:
 
Stop trying to be that what you used to be, you have a new normal ,embrace it, don't let others define you:hug:
 
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