This might sound rude but....I'm not at all sorry about this!⠀
While of course there are things that have frustrated me, challenged me, pulled me down and brought me to helpless tears there have always been silver linings to find and celebrate. Someone asked me if I had any good things/advantages when it came to having a hearing loss - and this is the best one! ⠀
⠀When I do turn my ears off - I'm taking a break. A breather. Giving myself some quiet time. When my world is chaotic and I just need a minute to recollect myself - ears off and lights if I'm able! My husband is super supportive of this as he knows I've a tendency to pile on too much.⠀
"Turn your ears off - bye bye," he says. I've done it rudely (likely to my brother or parents when I was younger) but I've also done it gracefully and with warning.
I say gracefully because think about the person on the receiving end-when/if it’s done without warning, it’s RUDE. It’s like turning your back on them mid conversation, like shutting the door or walking away. The way I see it it’s a privilege that should not be abused.
Another favorite part about having a hearing loss is that because I take my devices off at night - I get great quality sleep! Nothing wakes me up except for lights or touch. ⠀
My alarm clock has both as it's connected to my beside lamp and a shaker which resides in my pillow case. ⠀
A few of my friends have been lucky enough to have been "SURPRISED" by my alarm clock pranks or have experienced being able to hang out in the dorm/hotel room with me sleeping through it all!
One more-I love that my other senses are heightened. I'm a highly sensitive person in many ways so I'm not sure how much of this is solely because of having hearing loss. ⠀
Not only sight, smell, touch or taste. I can hear messages beyond the words and I can relate/empathize. ⠀
This isn't always the best thing since I've read TOO much into things sometimes but I have been told that I have an uncanny ability to help others feel supported and loved - great for parenthood and being an audiologist!⠀
