Teen in Denial About Hearing Loss
Sunday December 14, 2003
Teen in Denial About Hearing Loss - I am ministering to a teen girl who has just turned 18 years old and has been suspended from every high school in the state due to disciplinary and truancy problems. Her mother says that she was a wonderful student until the 8th grade and then her academic performance declined rapidly and she became depressed and rebellious.
She admits to drug use and promiscuity but recently it occurred to me that she's also hard of hearing. The reason I suspected it is because I kept noticing that if I was talking and my head was turned away from her (in the car, for example), she would not answer me when I was talking. If I was facing her, she would answer. It dawned on me that she is not hearing me but rather she is reading lips. So I asked her if she was hard of hearing and she admitted that she was and that she had a hearing aid that she never wore.
—MINISTERPAUL
***
Related article on About.com: Denial of Hearing Loss
Comments
I am 56 years old. I was born hearing impaired. I was educated through public schools. I had speech lessons, reading lessons one on one, but was mainsreamed. That was the back ground. I urge the young teen to find something that motivates you to acheive a goal. Being hearing impaired should be challenging for you, but the real challenge here is YOUR PERSONALITY. Hearing loss should not prevent you from acheiving a goal. So go for it!
Also, work on a sense of humor…you need it in life!
I ws 3 years old when i lost about 70% of my hearing. When I wear my hearing aids it improves my hearing by 90%. I can relate so much because I had a hard time growing up dealing with people who treat you differently then others. It is hard not feeling angry at those who pick on you and judge you. I went through so much and it helped me to be a stronger person today. I am a certified pharmacy tech for walgreens and instead of being mad at the world we have to take care of ourselves. Always remember those who look down on you are not perfect, they have faults and they don’t take care of you.If they see that you are bothered by their words or actions they will continue to do it.I agree with robin saunders…acheive your dreams.go for it you can do it!
I was diagnosed with a 75% hearing loss in my left ear when I was just a few years old. It was a struggle as a child to overcome this, and participate in normal classes but I did because I wanted to proove I could handle what I was given. Now, I do not let my hearing loss effect any goals I would like to acheive. Also if someone is going to judge you for your hearing loss, that doesn’t say much about their character. Don’t try to change yourself for other peoples’ acceptance, and never settle for less than what you want in life!