As I navigate through the world of hearing loss on social media, I am discovering that the spectrum of hearing loss is wide and varied. This tiny space of in-between deaf and hearing worlds that I thought was my own is actually quite large. It comprises of people who are newly diagnosed, coming to terms with their lifelong hearing loss, or those who are afraid of identifying as Deaf. It also includes people who yearn who learn sign language as well as those who already know some sign. Some people are angry, while others are happy.
The conversation about this space is new to me. In the past it felt like you either were or weren’t part of the deaf community. Now many people are speaking up on social media. It turns out that it’s not so black and white but gray. This quiet isolated space is in fact quite crowded. A conversation has started about this community.
“This quiet isolated space is in fact quite crowded.”
Read more: Why lowercase “d” deaf culture matters
My in-between space is no longer alone. It is now peaceful. My world is much more connected. What changed?
I think it’s important for those with a hearing loss to reach out and explore their community. It’s important to connect and share your stories with others who may have the same feelings as you.
Read more: Finding community in the deaf/Deaf world
Here are some ways you can meet deaf and hard of hearing peers:
Read more: Follow these inspiring deaf Instagrammers
As more people speak up, connect, and share their stories, we discover that we’re not as alone as we thought. Let’s continue to share our stories!
Cookie | Duration | Description |
---|---|---|
Strictly Necessary Cookies | 11 months | These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information. |