I am not so sure I like what I see today. Sags under the eyes, a mass of hair twisted into a low ponytail, my ears completely exposed. It took me two years before I’d let this much of myself show. My bottle blonde hair and palette of cosmetics usually help me blend in with … Continue reading »
Filed under Hearing Loss Depression …
How Can *You* Stop Hearing Loss Bullying?
Someone shared an interesting story about a teacher who gave her students a writing prompt: “Can hate be stopped?” Nine out of her 10 students answered, “No, hate cannot be stopped.” Only one student answered, “Yes, it can.” That student, the teacher said, is the most bullied student in the school. How can we stop … Continue reading »
Do You Have a Hearing Loss Question? Ask Lipreading Mom!
I’ve always wanted to be Dear Abby. In the fourth grade, I taped an envelope to my school desk with the words “Have a question? Ask Shanna!” scribbled on it. Friends would write notes with questions about homework, friendship, and when to start dating (My advice to the latter: “You’re too young!”). So it seemed … Continue reading »
The Oklahoma Town Where My Hearing Loss Story Begins
Washita, Oklahoma, is the inspiration for my 2009 novel, Lip Reader, a story of one family dealing with genetic deafness. I hadn’t visited that town in 13 years, not until I drove down the dusty two-lane road in search of answers to my own hearing loss. The reason I wrote Lip Reader—a book that is … Continue reading »
One Thing I Wish I’d Learned Before Becoming Deaf
Would life be better if I could hear better? Would I notice the subtle differences in people’s voices, or the tones used in their speech? Or be able to hear the door bell ring or the microwave beep, or the wall clock tick? Or distinguish instantly who is calling me by listening to voice, not … Continue reading »
How I Overcame My Hearing Loss Fears
My hearing loss progressed after I quit working to become a stay-at-home mom. It really scared the heck out of me that one day I would probably re-enter the workforce. How would I be able to hear my employer, fellow employees, clients, and even the office phone when it rings? It stressed me out to … Continue reading »
How Hearing Loss Made Me More Compassionate – By Elise Bateman
Lipreading Mom Note: Going to college can be stressful, so imagine heading there with a new hearing loss. Elise Bateman was that student. Her story of grieving the loss of her hearing ends on a happy note. Through grief, she found the ability to help others. Elise’s Story Four and a half years ago, I … Continue reading »
What is Meniere’s Disease? An Insider’s Perspective
I met DJ Evans online several months ago through our shared interest in hearing loss awareness and advocacy. Like me, she is a mom with hearing loss. Unlike me, she also lives with Meniere’s Disease. Those of us who don’t live with Meniere’s likely have a vague idea of what it is. Before interviewing DJ, I thought … Continue reading »
It Was One of Those Days
(Lipreading Mom’s Note: I wrote this story when my oldest son was 4 and my daughter was a baby. Neither one of them is in diapers anymore. My, how time flies…) Maybe it was the sun shining just a little too brightly in my eyes while I tried to sleep in. Or perhaps … Continue reading »
Can You Help Me Count My Lost Decibels?
Are you like me: not deaf, but close to it? Every year, I head to the audiologist for a hearing test. Ninety-five percent of the time, the result is the same: more hearing decibels lost. Eleven years ago when I was diagnosed with progressive hearing loss, each ear tested at 20 percent hearing loss. The … Continue reading »
