I'm not deaf! - Deafness
For the person who is losing their hearing, denial is the first response. In fact most people deny their hearing loss for on average 6 years before even considering getting their hearing checked. So why do people deny their hearing loss when ... [... more]
Bella Online |
Noise is Beautiful - Deafness
People with full hearing take noise granted and they will often tell you how annoying they find some sounds. But deafened people, particularly those deafened after they have had hearing, miss noise - even the noise hearing people choose to ... [... more]
Bella Online |
Deafness impact on friends and family - Deafness
When deafness strikes later in life it is hard, however the impact of deafness is not just felt by the person who has lost their hearing because family members and friends often suffer. Children often become their parent's ears, partners or ... [... more]
Bella Online |
Hearing loss and self esteem - Deafness
Not many people realise that losing your hearing can have a major impact on your general health and in particular your mental health. Often the onset of profound deafness is gradual. Because of this we learn new coping mechanisms at each step. We ... [... more]
Bella Online |
Deaf people become Hidden in full View - Deafness
Those who experience deafness look just the same as everyone else. They have two ears (but they are only good for decoration or hanging earrings), many speak clearly; lip read with skill and do not 'sound deaf'. While this can cause communication ... [... more]
Bella Online |
Deaf or Blind - Deafness
I meet many people and they often say to me I am 'lucky' because I lost my hearing and not my vision. They tell me it would be far easier to live with deafness than blindness. I've often wondered why they should think this when the issues of ... [... more]
Bella Online |
Hearing loss self-evaluation - Deafness
Are there some situations where you feel you are not hearing as well as you should? Here's a self-evaluation which may help you decide whether to seek professional help and have your hearing checked. Remember, that unfortunately it is 'natural' ... [... more]
Bella Online |
The importance of language - Deafness
Communication is the very basis of our existence. Without communication we cannot interact with our peers, we cannot learn language and at a very basic level we cannot even think. Language is the centre of our existence, the way we understand our ... [... more]
Bella Online |
Deafness Denial - Deafness
What can family and friends do to help someone recognise they may have a hearing problem? It is most likely family, friends or colleagues will notice the changes in someone's hearing ability before they do. When confronted this person's first ... [... more]
Bella Online |
The impact of Deafness on the community - Deafness
In an another article I discussed the impact that deafness has not just on the deaf person but also on the family and friends of that person. However, there are wider implications for deafness; the impact it has on the wider community. Recently I ... [... more]
Bella Online |
Defined by Deafness - Deafness
Have you ever felt you are defined by your deafness not for yourself and your achievements? I can remember saying the first thing I had to tell everyone about myself was that I was deaf but that it really was the least important thing about me ... [... more]
Bella Online |
Gradual Hearing Loss - Deafness
Someone who has a gradual hearing loss goes through many stages and these are some of the characteristics. Blames others - "I am not deaf, people are mumbling, walking away, not looking at me when they speak". Family and friends often recognise [... more]
Bella Online |
