Hey, I am 24 and was accepted into RIT/NTID for Interpreting (soon will change). I’m trying to reach out and understand my hearing loss and know how others perceive this type of loss.
I have around a 55 dB low frequency hearing loss, I am losing my higher frequency hearing as well, but not at the same speed as my low frequency. In my normal everyday life everything is speech. It is only when I am with a handful of friends that I can sign (Interpreting students and some Deaf friends). I feel so much more comfortable signing, it feels right. If there are three or more people are talking, I am lost, the same goes for sitting in a classroom (I pick the front corner desk so I can turn sideways and see everyone when they speak). I just really don’t know where I fit. Am I hearing, am I hard of hearing? I just know that I have this hearing loss, and unless I focus hearing is not easy for me.
Doctors believe I have Ménière’s Disease, but have told me my hearing is “nothing of concern.” Doctors have told me I am “not Deaf enough” to think about hearing aids. Is there really such a thing as being “not Deaf enough” or “Deaf enough”?
Any comments are welcome. I’d like to understand more and hear other people's opinions/perspective.
Thanks,
K
I have around a 55 dB low frequency hearing loss, I am losing my higher frequency hearing as well, but not at the same speed as my low frequency. In my normal everyday life everything is speech. It is only when I am with a handful of friends that I can sign (Interpreting students and some Deaf friends). I feel so much more comfortable signing, it feels right. If there are three or more people are talking, I am lost, the same goes for sitting in a classroom (I pick the front corner desk so I can turn sideways and see everyone when they speak). I just really don’t know where I fit. Am I hearing, am I hard of hearing? I just know that I have this hearing loss, and unless I focus hearing is not easy for me.
Doctors believe I have Ménière’s Disease, but have told me my hearing is “nothing of concern.” Doctors have told me I am “not Deaf enough” to think about hearing aids. Is there really such a thing as being “not Deaf enough” or “Deaf enough”?
Any comments are welcome. I’d like to understand more and hear other people's opinions/perspective.
Thanks,
K