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My silent world
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| Sue with her partner, Tony Long. |
I have been deaf in one ear since childhood but about four years ago I was diagnosed with Meniere's disease which has left me partially deaf in the other ear.
The condition also causes vertigo (severe dizziness and nausea) and Tinnitus, which means I hear constant sounds in my head, ranging from a buzzing noise to a jet engine.
I've got a hearing aid but it is difficult to set because my hearing constantly oscillates from partially to profoundly deaf.
I've also had complications with the volume causing too much vibration to the fluid in my inner ear and triggering the vertigo.
Deafness has changed my whole life.
I'm 45 years old and I don't have my independence.
I used to love my motorbike but it's too dangerous to drive now. I miss listening to music and I can only watch television with subtitles.
I don't feel confident enough to go out on my own anymore. I feel isolated and vulnerable at times and I haven't really got a social life. It can be lonely when you see people having a laugh in a conversation and you're not included.
Being deaf can be scary. Crossing the road is difficult and my balance can be affected, especially if it's dark.
It's also very awkward at work. I'm a workshop manager at a jewellery repair shop. I have a specialised amplified phone but I'm really struggling at the moment. Most of the customers are great but some people can be rude. Somebody once told me that if I couldn't hear I shouldn't be doing my job.
Deafness is an invisible disability and until you tell people what's wrong they can get confused.
Even at the hospital, there can be a lack of understanding. I was at the Ear Nose and Throat unit at the Royal South Hants Hospital recently and when my name was called it was just mumbled - even though it said in my notes that I was deaf.
All people need to do is look directly at me, speak clearly and a bit slowly.
Strangers sometimes look at me as if I'm stupid or talk to my partner Tony and ignore me.
People don't realise how much deafness can affect a person. Often when I tell people I'm deaf they say "pardon?" as if they think it's funny. I feel like telling them to put the radio on loud and out of tune and stuff cotton wool in their ears and see how they cope.
There are times when I get very down. Until now I always hoped it would get better but the medical profession say there is nothing more they can do so I'm having to face up to it and get help from the Hampshire Deaf Association.
I'm going to learn how to lip read properly and learn sign language.
I hope these things will help to improve my life.
Hampshire Deaf Association said:
Unfortunately this is not a unique situation and there are many people in Hampshire who face similar problems. As deafness is a hidden disability it can sometimes be overlooked and many people often don't realise how isolated and frustrated deaf people can feel. It is also very difficult for individuals to admit they are losing their hearing. Hampshire Deaf Association supports individuals suffering with a hearing loss by encouraging them to live independently through advice, guidance and training. We have been looking closely at people who are isolated and alone and are expanding our community support service to help these people. We are looking to recruit new support workers to meet this demand. We help a wide range of people from parents with advice for newborn babies, to deaf teenagers seeking employment and deaf elderly people in our residential care facilities. For more information about HDA call 023 8051 6516.
n Julie Dawes, of Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, said she was disappointed to hear of Sue's experience at the Ear Nose and Throat clinic.
She said: "We have recently tried hard to improve the reception we provide to patients through customer care training for all front line staff. This includes how to communicate with patients, including those with visual or hearing impairment. We have issued posters and guidance to staff to support this. We welcome feedback as it is essential to allow us to improve services and we will investigate with the ENT department."
12:16pm Tuesday 6th May 2008
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