When I was diagnosed with hearing loss, something that sort
of came as a surprise because I had lots of misconceptions about hearing loss,
I felt as if I was missing something. There were so many questions and I needed
answers.
Fortunately a friend insisted I join what is now known as
Hearing Loss Association of America www.hearingloss.org. To bolster his point, he gave me a copy of
their publication, Hearing Loss magazine, to read. What an eye-opening experience! Here was a real community of people who were
like me. My wonderful husband insisted
we both join and that we attend that year’s convention.
What an experience!
Suddenly I was among peers.
Everyone around me understood the challenges I faced. Meetings and sessions were made accessible to
me so I could get information without feeling exhausted from trying to hear and
understand. I learned so much.
A few years later, after repeatedly driving 90 minutes to
attend HLAA chapter meetings in another city, I worked with a dedicated group
to start a chapter closer to home. HLAA
had become that important to me.
There are other resources out there if you are looking for
information and community. ALDA, the Association of Late-Deafened Adults, has
chapters across the country. You can
find it online at www.alda.org. ALDA also has publications and conventions.
It is amazing just how much you can learn from other people
who have walked the path you currently walk.
It is gratifying to get so much acceptance and understanding from those
same people.
B. Burton
