Let me introduce myself.
I've been hard of hearing as long as I can remember.
My parents were in denial about my hearing problem, it took me 8 years to grow big enough for an independent walk to a clinic where I got my trouble documented: 60% hearing loss on both ears, unknown cause, untreatable, ears too tiny for hearing aids.
Well, I managed to go through school, a couple of unviresities in two different countries, learn foreign languages, etc.
When I was 30, I got my first hearing aids, top of the line at that time. Life got slightly bit easier, but I still can't believe other people are able to hear salt pouring out of a salt shaker or a dog's wiggling tail. But that's alright.
Using phones is way worse, and looking like a weirdo, answering questions people didn't ask, unintentionally acting aloof to others who are just trying to be polite... I know, you know how it feels. There is no sign "hard of hearing" on your front, and you do not look like one, but you keep on acting like a jerk.
And you are never in control of the situation around you, most of the time it's just a guess work.
Little by little, that hard feeling accumulated into a huge bubble of pain, despair and depression.
And here I am. Looking for people who would understand. 
