hearing loss imageAs soon as I met other Deaf kids, and fostered a friendship with them, I realized that I wasn’t so different! And it’s okay to stick up for myself and to get what I need, because I am not alone.

an adolescent with hearing loss

 

The Hearing Loss Experience Journal is a collection of stories and personal experiences from patients, families, and clinicians who are or work with those who are deaf or hard of hearing.

There may be some emotional discomfort associated with reading the stories of children and parents describing their experiences with deaf or hard of hearing, but we hope that families learn from the stories of others facing similar experiences.

Visit the Glossary to read definitions for words in bold. Visit our Resources page to learn more about parent and clinician recommended websites on deaf or hard of hearing.


Video Interview:

Rebekkah, a 6 year-old-girl who is Deaf, shares about being an older sister and advice for others.

Child & Adolescent Stories:

…do whatever you can do to embrace it, celebrate it, and learn to love it as a special gift.

Melanie, 23, a young adult with acquired hearing loss

Caregiver Stories:

There are so many people out there who can and want to help you and you don’t realize how many children and families have dealt with this before and who are going to deal with it in the future. There are so many people out there who can help you and who are interested.

A parent

Clinician Insights:

There are many kids who see themselves as Deaf, and they are happy for it and proud of being Deaf. Having an accepting and affirming attitude within the family helps to prepare kids for anything. When kids are not too embarrassed to wear hearing aids, or a cochlear implant, or use sign language in public…when kids feel in their core they are completely “okay,” they’ll handle themselves well outside the family and in life.

Terrell Clark, PhD, Pediatric Psychologist


The Hearing Loss Experience Journal was created by the Boston Children’s Hospital Department of Psychiatry and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program. A group of parents and health care providers reviewed these contributions for appropriateness.

Acknowledgements

Editor’s note: Please keep in mind that every patient is different, and discussions of alternative treatments, complications, and timelines may not apply to you. Additionally, some families identify medications and treatments that work well for them. The Experience Journals do not endorse specific methods. Each individual is different, and we invite you to discuss treatments with your doctors and nurses to see if they are right for you.