• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Akoio

Take control of your soundscape with Akoio.

  • Home
  • Akoio Guides
  • Blog

Why I’m STILL Grateful for My Hearing Loss

November 24, 2020 by Bill Schiffmiller

Using Hearing Aids in 2020

For many of us, Thanksgiving weekend heralds the official start of the holiday season. It’s a time for food, family, celebration, and reflection. Last year, I wrote about how grateful I am for my hearing loss. That post quickly became (and remains) one of our most popular articles. 

Of course being (and remaining) grateful has been particularly challenging in 2020. But, even in such a troublesome year, I find I’m still grateful for the unique perspective my hearing loss gives me. 

Grateful, even during a pandemic

There is plenty of evidence that being thankful is good for your health. But it takes practice and effort — especially in a year marked by a global pandemic. The coronavirus has created truly terrifying and trying conditions. I earnestly hope that relief and comfort comes to any who have lost jobs or homes or loved ones during this difficult time.

However, even amidst the grief, I see hope. Just take a look at Twitter UK’s top picks for acts of kindness during COVID-19. Impressively, many businesses organized quickly to donate and give back in response to the pandemic. And thousands of people still spend countless hours making masks for front-line workers and those most at risk.

Sure … but what about those masks?

Woman making masks under lamp lighting when dark outside.

Of course, mask wearing and conversations through plexiglass  can be uncomfortable and frustrating — especially if you are hard of hearing. But still, it’s another area where I find good reasons for hope. 

First, I’m impressed with how many people recognize that masks pose particular problems for lip readers like me. Further, many manufacturers and do-it-yourselfers not only saw the problem, but also found solutions. Now, it’s not uncommon to see clear-windowed masks or face shields that accomodate lip reading.

Secondly, communication difficulties related to masks and barriers have given our “hearing friends” some appreciation for what life with hearing loss can be like. As Professor of Linguistics Valerie Fridland points out, masks make it harder for all of us to understand each other, whether or not we have hearing loss. So, masks have reminded us all about the need for good visual cues in effective communication.

More room at the table

News article clippings for clear-windowed masks

Perhaps most encouragingly, these problems (and solutions) — specific to those with deafness or hearing loss — have received significant airtime. Despite broader pandemic concerns and election woes, agencies like  NBC News, CNN, and The Washington Post, regularly remind us how the hearing loss community is particularly affected. I believe the increased awareness helps us all.

Recently, I needed to ship a package overnight. The poor young woman helping me (and many others) had to communicate through her own mask, a plexiglass wall, my mask — and any further barrier created by my own hearing loss. Thankfully, I was confident and comfortable enough to say, “I am hard of hearing. You don’t need to speak louder, but please keep eye contact and talk with me face to face as much as we can.” She seemed to immediately understand and made the extra effort to help me ship my package.

In the past, even in the best of times, concern for those with hearing loss may have been a mere afterthought. Now, even during our greatest challenges, we’re better at keeping those with hearing loss in mind. That’s real progress. And it’s something I’m very grateful for.

So, be thankful

Even with all the chaos and uncertainty around us (and even from behind my mask), I’m still thankful. I’m thankful that, today, I am more comfortable than ever in acknowledging my own hearing loss. I’m also thankful that others are informed enough, aware enough, and kind enough to communicate with me effectively.

I’m especially thankful to live in a world that, despite dark shadows from crises and controversy, still shows flashes of laudable light. Along with Jud Brewer of Elemental, I believe that kindness is more contagious than COVID-19. So, I’m hopeful. From small acts of kindness and consideration to broader inclusivity for our society at large, I find much to be grateful for. And, as we head into this season thanksgiving and reflection, I hope you do too.

Even in silence, one can see beauty and appreciate the world around them.

Akoio™ is dedicated to helping everyone improve health and wellness through better hearing health and personal soundscape management. Founded and led by life-long hearing aid user and accessibility advocate, Bill Schiffmiller, Akoio is a certified Disability-Owned Business Enterprise (DOBE). We want to help you Conquer Life.™ © 2020 Akoio Enterprises, Inc.

Footer

Akoio Enterprises, Inc.
PO Box 231317
New York, NY 10023-9998
Contact
(833) 844-5050
  • Akoio Guides
  • Blog
  • About Akoio
  • About Bill Schiffmiller
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Copyright Policy

Akoio Enterprises, Inc. BBB Business Review

  • © 2019–2022 Akoio Enterprises, Inc.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT