Hearing loss: telling it like it is
By Jayne Warren - 24/04/2008
The charity Hearing Concern has just published "Life After Hearing Loss: Telling It Like It Is" - a wonderfully practical, honest and up-to-date book for the UK's nine million deaf and hard of hearing people, their families, colleagues and healthcare professionals.
The author, Val Tait, has drawn on her own experiences as a deaf person and some ten years working as a hearing therapist and lipreading teacher. She writes: “This book is an account of a quiet - even silent - world. It is a map of hearing loss made by those who have travelled through it, and reflects the experiences of over 140 people who have crossed over the world of complete hearing to the world of living with some kind of hearing loss.
"Like many voyages of exploration, there are several different routes. Each person in this book has left sign posts, sketch maps and directions for others: 'Watch out for the road here', or 'You'll find this route easier'. Above all, don't forget to watch out for the rainbows."
The book begins by addressing the very real experience of gradual loss of hearing - usually due to old age - which slowly affects people over many years. But because it is painless, or has no outward symptoms such as a bruise or a rash, most people do not notice - and unlike, eye tests, there is no national screening programme to detect it.
Then there is the issue of admitting to hearing loss - the 'badge of old age'. But not admitting it will not make it go away. Instead, the symptoms remain: getting irritable in general conversations, turning up volume controls and complaining that young people are "muttering". And many people find that they unconsciously start to lip read.
Those relating their experiences speak plainly about their gradual loss of confidence, their frustration and anger, the reluctance to go out - and the inevitable depression and isolation that follows. But it is precisely by sharing these experiences that others can come to realise that they are anything but alone in struggling to come to terms with hearing loss.
On a practical level, "Life After Hearing Loss: Telling It Like It Is" sets out simple tests for the reader and their families, as well as offering sound, practical advice on everything from benefits, travel, socialising and hearing aids to job applications and working with unsympathetic colleagues. And Val Tait also breaks taboos by addressing an awkward subject - how those with a hearing loss can make a close companion into "an unpaid hearing dog", and how over-protective helpers can end up making their hard of hearing friend feel inferior and helpless. She writes: "We may be deaf, but there is no need to be dependent."
Val also interviewed audiologists, GPs, hearing therapists, ENT doctors and lipreading teachers, and includes a comprehensive glossary of terms and the names and addresses of useful organisations.
Invaluable reading for anyone affected by hearing loss - whether personally or professionally.
For further information contact Hearing Concern, 95 Gray's Inn Road, London, WC1X 8TX Tel: 020 7440 9871,Text: 020 7440 9873.
Alternatively visit the website listed below.