Hearing Loss Across the Ages…in One Family

By Terri Patterson, H&V Headquarters

I was initiated into the world of hearing loss when my son was diagnosed with profound hearing loss at two months of age. We’ve navigated our way through a lot of hearing technology since then, from hearing aids (and molds every few weeks) to cochlear implants (six generations of interior and exterior devices), first unilateral at age 13 months and bilateral implants at eight years of age… and then a third at 18 years (a revision in one ear). Lots and lots (and then some more) visits to the audiologist (five of those). All parents will know all the good stuff that goes with that. We’ve lost and found CI processors at school festivals, basketball games, soccer fields, roller coasters and haunted barns, never retrieving the one dropped somewhere in the Gulf. We learned that bouncing on furniture is not only dangerous, but it also produces enough static electricity to “zap” out the older processors. Also, summer sports in Georgia are a recipe for sweating a processor out of operation. However, caring for equipment now falls to my 22-year-old son. He remembers to bring his rechargeable battery charger with him when he travels, because stopping to buy extra disposable batteries isn’t possible if you haven’t brought the disposable battery case needed with the processor. So, as my son has become the master of his own equipment, I sighed (a bit) with relief as I handed over that responsibility, otherwise known as “empowering” him.

Then, it was my turn.

To give a little background, I vaguely remember further testing recommended to my parents when I did not pass a hearing screening in elementary school. I refused and continued on in school without any noticeable problems. As I got older, I also got louder (maybe my personality, maybe something more). Then, my husband and I were blessed with two beautiful children, the second one being the son I’ve already mentioned. As the television volume got louder, the whispering got softer and I got wiser about hearing loss, I went back to the audiologist for me this time. I was diagnosed with a “cookie bite” loss in both ears fifteen years ago. Technology was limited, so it was determined I wasn’t a good candidate for hearing aids at that time. Through the years since, I learned all sorts of strategies, and found myself in the perfect field as an advocate for families with children who had hearing loss. The conferences I attend are captioned, generally have soundfield systems, and following somewhat effective communication rules.

I continued to fake it… until I couldn’t anymore. Back when I had my hearing loss confirmed, I was also told it was not likely progressive, so I could continue to use the hearing I had to fill in the blanks that I couldn’t understand. However, my family suspected, and my audiologist confirmed what I feared…my hearing loss was progressive. My strategies no longer served me well. Flash forward–I now am a bilateral hearing aid consumer. I was learning this new technology all over again from what I had previously learned in my son’s journey. I was also gaining a whole new perspective on hearing loss. Now, I rarely lose my technology because it is in my ears almost all day. However, I have jumped in the shower more than once with them on. I also curse (sorry!) when something happens, and they quit working. But I have learned a few things about my own technology use that might resonate with other families:

• One reason that your child may send their technology flying while you drive down the road: car noise is LOUD and DISTRACTING and ANNOYING with technology on. Be warned and make a plan together.
• At the end of the day, I can’t wait to flip that technology off my ears, and I catch myself sighing out loud. Why? My ears are sore, I am tired of focusing and filtering sounds all day long, and because I long for that muffled, softened time of day.
• Battery power seems to go out at the most inopportune times…usually with no extra batteries available (like during the 2^nd half of a Broadway show) and then it’s saddening and frustrating. So, plan ahead.
• Hearing isn’t perfect with technology, nor without. I have learned to adjust and power through. Admittedly (and mistakenly), I thought once I was aided, I would hear better than I ever had, but the adjustment period was, and is, challenging.
• Sometimes it’s great talking to and educating others on hearing loss and technology, but sometimes…it just isn’t, times 100.
• Today’s accessories to hearing technology are the best! My son loved that he could listen to his music on his phone and devices by using hearing hooks that paired with his processors, and now he streams through Bluetooth! I used a device that I could wear around my neck, paired it with my phone and could participate in hands-free conference calls while hearing directly into my hearing aids…awesome. Now, as I finally bit the bullet and upgraded my devices (I won’t get into the cost of technology here, ouch), I can stream directly into my H.A.s, which is AMAZING, not to mention, I don’t hate using the phone as much anymore (because I really did).
• Technology isn’t perfect. It doesn’t fix everything, and sometimes you choose the lesser of two evils. Sometimes a given situation chooses that lesser evil for you. I do know that hearing loss has changed our family and hearing technology has changed our lives. I miss what my hearing aids provide if I don’t have them on. I know that my son appreciates what his cochlear implants provide and the ability to choose when he uses them (there is a real bonus to doing your homework without sound, and while travelling, he sleeps much better on the plane than the rest of us).

As this journey continues on for my son and me, I look back at how my father began using hearing aids late in life with late onset noise-induced hearing loss. (He grew up on a farm operating loud farm equipment.) He could hear some speech better, but due to the distortion of amplifying sound in his ears…most times more was not better. My husband had a bout of vertigo and tinnitus compromised his hearing in one ear. Funny enough, I am usually seated on that side—is that coincidence or strategy?  “Getting” hearing loss is a family affair.  Is all of this related genetically? We don’t know, probably, but we do know that as common as the diagnoses of hearing loss is in our family, each person’s story looks different and comes with a variety of individual challenges. Are we grateful for our technology? Yes, mostly. We still grumble about it.  Am I scared about what my progressive loss may lead to as I continue to age? You bet. Do I know that I will always have a strong network (or as I like to think of as extended family) through Hands & Voices to support, guide, advise and encourage me? ABSOLUTELY.   ~

H&V Communicator – Fall 2021