2025 Mar 14, 13:50
Estelle Erasmus, a writer and author shares her journey of living with hearing loss. Despite wearing virtually invisible hearing aids since her thirties, Erasmus often felt isolated because hearing loss is an invisible disability. According to the World Health Organization, about 430 million people worldwide have disabling hearing loss, a number that is expected to rise to 700 million by 2050. Unfortunately, the stigma associated with hearing loss prevents many people from seeking help, and only 16 percent of adults who need hearing aids actually use them
Erasmus comes from a lineage of poor hearing and struggled with accepting her own hearing loss. She initially denied her disability, often using closed captioning and telling her husband to speak louder. However, as her daughter grew older, she began using Erasmus' hearing loss against her, causing tension and frustration. It wasn't until an incident where Erasmus injured her arm due to not wearing her hearing aids that she started wearing them consistently
Wearing hearing aids, however, does not instantly fix the problem. They amplify all sounds, making it necessary for Erasmus to focus and concentrate when listening. Despite the challenges, Erasmus decided to have an open conversation with her daughter about her disability, setting boundaries and requesting that she speak clearly. This strategy has been effective in reducing conflicts between them
To further raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding hearing loss, Erasmus is involved in advocacy and has joined a local chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America. She hopes to encourage her daughter to also become involved and meet other children of hearing-impaired parents. Erasmus emphasizes the importance of regular checkups, maintaining social connections, and staying involved in her community to mitigate the risks associated with hearing loss, such as developing dementia. She recently shared her journey with a friend, who acknowledged her own hearing issues and decided to seek help
This experience reinforced Erasmus' belief that talking about her disability can empower others to take action. In 2022, the FDA enabled access to over-the-counter hearing aids, making it easier for Americans to purchase them without a prescription or an audiologist's adjustment. This change marks a significant step in reducing the stigma surrounding hearing loss. Erasmus concludes by stating the importance of talking about her fears and experiences, as it diminishes their power to shame her
She is grateful that her daughter now understands her hearing loss, realizing that it is a part of her but does not define her. Above all, her daughter knows that despite not hearing everything perfectly, Erasmus loves her and is listening.