Empaths typically have a lower threshold for noise and are more sensitive to sounds than average people. We need to be aware of how sensitive we are to noise and do everything we can to create a quiet place to work.
Does the sound of someone chewing make you feel sick to your stomach that you have to throw up? Or does the sound of someone cracking their knuckles make you feel like screaming and shouting? You may have sound sensitivity if your reactions to sounds seem exaggerated to other people.
When someone has difficulty with their hearing, it might cause them to be extremely sensitive to sounds that other people would consider normal. People would like to steer clear of these sounds, but it is to their best advantage to cultivate tolerance for them.
Today, we will discuss an interview with a woman in her late thirties who has personal experience with deafness; her name is Lindsay Morgan. By the conclusion of this article, you will have a comprehensive understanding of how to deal with noise sensitivity. Let’s plunge in!
How Were You dealing with your deafness?
It’s not easy to live a life of deafness, but it eventually becomes a part of you, so you eventually forget about it and deal with it as necessary. Complete deafness is distinct from mild hearing loss, yet both predictably impact you, and as technology advances, it becomes simpler to adjust to hearing loss.
For me, learning how to read lips, sign, or keep up with the latest in hearing aid technology was only possible because my family took me to speech therapy and audiology appointments on a regular basis throughout my childhood.
There will always be aspects of being deaf that irritate me, but I don’t allow that to stop me from participating in sports, being an active outdoors person, and generally having the time of my life. It impacts me significantly whether I visit a noisy bar, restaurant, or baseball game, but I’ve adapted and will continue to do so for several years.
When did you discover it?
My hearing loss is profound in both ears, and it started at birth. Before I turned one, I was equipped with hearing aids and given instructions on how to use them. Due to the fact that I perceived noises in my own unique way, I never felt that my hearing was subpar.
There are at least two times when I understood the differences, but I don’t remember the dates:
- Being unable to participate in group activities in an appropriate manner
- Having to take off my hearing aids in order to go swimming with my friends
I used to rely heavily on my hearing aids, but thankfully I’ve developed the ability to lip-read well on my own. If someone initially attracted my attention, then I was able to comprehend what my buddies or the lifeguard were saying. I have lost count of the number of times that I have upset lifeguards, only to have them apologise after they have discovered why they thought I was ignoring them in the first place.
When placed in noisy situations, hearing aid microphones quickly reach their maximum capacity—because of this, differentiating amongst the many voices is an extraordinarily challenging task. To put it simply, I have a hard time understanding women because of the excessive volume of their vocalisations (e.g., birds, crickets, plates clashing, music, etc.).
It makes me wonder if the experience of living with hearing loss is less challenging for women than it is for men. According to the results of my hearing tests, I am able to recognise ninety percent of words in quiet settings. This score, however, drops to 70% in areas with a lot of background noise.
Given what’s been said so far, I feel like I have to say that I first realised I had a disability when I was three and started taking swimming lessons in the summer.
What Has Changed in Your Daily Life Habits?
The greatest obstacle you face is the lack of knowledge you receive from others. People have been known to fix their gaze on the deaf. Astonishingly rude. You must also be very aware of your environment, which is a difficult challenge. I recall reading about the murders of two deaf people many years ago. Some gang members mistook the flashing signs for those of a rival gang and failed to consider the possibility that they were, in fact, indicators of another language. Shockingly depressing.
Most people with disabilities, including them, are viewed as unable to perform specific jobs because of their perceived limitations. They can do anything you or I can. You can communicate with deaf people by writing back and forth, by using a Teletype Relay Service, or by using an interpreter or translator.
The inability to hear horns or approaching trains has astonished some people who thought they couldn’t possibly drive. The aforementioned is correct. They can’t hear them. As a result, a few of my deaf community friends and I have a greater sense of awareness of their environment.
Deaf people have a distinct advantage when it comes to driving. They can’t use their phones or text while driving, and they can’t listen to the radio or any other external noise. They pay greater attention to the road, railroad crossings, and other vehicles than they do to other road users. We’re easily side-tracked. They don’t do it at all, unfortunately.
What Kind of Support Did You Get to Deal with It?
Hearing aids are the most commonly used method of improving one’s hearing. People with severe hearing loss may benefit from this technique, akin to placing microphones in their ears. Even though it’s hard for me to tell people apart by their voices, I’m glad I have hearing aids.
Also, standard are cochlear implants. The cochlea, a portion of the brain that processes sound, is surgically implanted with this device. An external device captures the sound. Take the time to familiarise yourself with the Cochlear Implant (CI). One explanation would require a book. Before getting a CI, do a lot of reading and research.
Recognize and accept your hearing loss, and then use it to your advantage. Engage in activities such as sign language and lipreading, and in the process, you can cultivate relationships with people who are deaf.
Is it comfortable?
Being deaf can have upsides and downsides, like everything else in this universe. Some of the benefits of being deaf are:
- Even if your neighbours above you are playing loud music, having a loud, angry quarrel, or a baby is wailing at 2:30 or 3 in the morning, it does not bother you.
- You won’t be ashamed or feel like a voyeur if your roommate is having sexual relations with a partner who is quite talkative when you are in the next room.
- You are not bothered by the fact that they begin construction on the street at seven in the morning.
Below are some of the cons of deafness:
- fewer options for employment and education as a result of communication difficulties.
- Withdrawal from society because people have less access to services and find it harder to talk to others.
- Emotional issues arise as a result of a decline in one’s self-esteem and confidence.