Have you noticed that people with hearing loss are a pretty quiet group? Many of us choose to just “get by” rather than disclose our hearing loss to others. We all want to fit in and we fear looking weak, unattractive or foolish. So we don’t raise our hand when a presenter asks “Can everyone hear me? I’m not going to use this mic, okay?” We let people get away with saying “nevermind.” Over time, the message seems to be that we’re not worth the effort, so we withdraw. It’s understandable to feel this way and yet it keeps us stuck in a lonely, unfulfilled place. Advocacy suffers and our problems remain hidden and unaddressed by society. I believe that to live life to its fullest with hearing loss, we must reach a point of acceptance. Where are you on this journey? I hope you strive hard to stay connected and speak up for what you need. Connection brings joy and when you advocate, you help other people as well, probably more than you realize.

Where we need advocacy for people with hearing loss:

• Medicare coverage for hearing aids and services for people with hearing loss not helped by OTC products
• free captions on every video conference platform –  sign the petition
• better TV captions – learn more about FCC rules
• captions for all airplane entertainment content
• more visual information in public transportation
• more looped venues –  GetInTheHearingLoop

Support organizations like HLAA and ALDA, who strive every day on our behalf. Request captions if you need it. Use public listening systems and provide helpful feedback to management.

Collectively we must find our voice. We are worthy of connection.