A FRIENDLY EAR

I don’t really know when I started to go deaf-although the signs were there of course…not quite catching all of the conversation, the TV being turned up more and more, and realising that whomever was standing behind me was almost completely out of earshot.

I had had trouble as a youngster hearing in class,but war and disruption that went with it meant that many kids suffered the same and their answer was to syringe and send away…how lucky we are to live 2012…

I suppose it surfaced for me while looking after my first grandchild not hearing her words unless she faced me and I realised that I honestly was deaf in my forties, but like many didn’t want to recognise that I was, anyhow not wanting to miss any time with my grandchild I visited my GP who refereed me on to a specialist.

After tests I learned that I had nerve deafness which was congenital and had no cure (my son has the same) I was provided with one hearing aid but this quickly followed with a second-these are among my most precious possessions for without them I would be living in an almost silent world. The one blessing was that although none of my sibling brothers and sisters suffer from deafness my dad had come back from the war with a perforated eardrum and for that reason we all talked quite loud this meant that I often had to turn my aids down which was something that I didn’t expect to do!

While I was in the hospital I noticed that Lip-Reading classes were held locally so thought I would give it a go…Sue was a wonderful lady with so much patience (as indeed all the 5 LR teachers I have had do too) from her I learned how to cope with my disability how light/dark affected how I interpreted someones facial expressions/conversation, along with other helpful things but to always try and be upfront with people about my deafness…I carried those lessons with me and still do…although I know that it isn’t easy for all…

Then circumstances changed for us and we found ourselves in retirement in Suffolk so for me it was a new LR teacher and from there onto a hearing support club (Bungay and Waveney Valley Hearing Support Club) where I was to stay for coming up to 18yrs. I have met so many lovely people there and been in awe at what some of them have picked themselves up from but in the way of all good families…which is how we see ourselves…we have always been there for one and other…

Being deaf has its funny moments though and I have often though of writing a book on some of the howlers we have all made by mishearing things…believe me it would be hilarious…

I would urge anyone reading this who believes they are having hearing problems to visit their GP…you have no idea how much you are missing until you put those aids on for the first time.

If you would like any information on the club please call Roger on 01986 896712 or email [email protected] we would always be pleased to see you and to try and help in any way we can.