Are you feeling terrified or overpowered by a familiarly loud atmosphere? Ok, well, you’re not the only one. Although the degree to which an individual is affected by noise sensitivity anxiety varies from person to person, dealing with this condition is challenging for everyone.
For some, loud, unexpected noises like fireworks, backfiring autos, or abrupt shouting can bring on a panic attack. To others, the sounds of daily life, such as eating, music, and coughing, can be highly upsetting. Some of the worst things that can happen because of noise sensitivity are avoiding social situations and feeling alone.
Dylan Jacobs, a young man with first-hand experience with deafness, is the subject of our interview today. After reading this, you should have a much better grasp of how to deal with noise sensitivity. Then, come on, let’s get started.
How were you dealing with your deafness?
Hello, my name is Dylan, and I have moderate to severe hearing loss on both sides from both conductive and sensorineural damage.
After having drainage tubes put in for an infection when I was 3, the damage to my eardrums was irreversible. My mother did not discover I had a hearing problem until preschool, when my instructor told her I wasn’t attentive.
After 15 years and four attempts at repairing my eardrums surgically, here I am. I have severe hearing loss on my right side and gradual mild-to-moderate loss on my left (I still have chronic ear infections).
The sound is different between the bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) on my right side and the hearing aid on my left side.
Do you no longer have the ability to perceive auditory stimuli?
So much of my life has gone by without me noticing that my brain has learned to tune it out as background noise, and my relationships have suffered because I worry that we can’t communicate well or that we often misunderstand each other.
What methods do you employ to deal with your deafness?
It’s been one of the most trying experiences of my life and learning sign language has been a lifesaver.
It’s essential for someone with hearing loss to realize that although their worldview will be different from everyone else’s, that uniqueness can be used to their benefit. Self-advocacy is essential, as is refusing to accept “no” for an answer and connecting with others who share your hearing loss.
Sign languages don’t have any big problems that would make someone not want to learn them like spoken languages do. Learning sign language gives you a lot more ways to connect with people who can understand and relate to you.
When did you discover it?
At the time, I was maybe three years old. For the first time, my hearing aid was tailored to my precise needs. I was introduced to an entirely new world of sound that I had never encountered before. Everyone could hear this information without any amplification!
At first, I couldn’t believe what I was “hearing,” but then I realized it was a teapot whistling, and I nearly lost it. Based on the steam rising from it, when was it ready? What was the point of making such a high-pitched noise?
I wasn’t sure if it was a good idea to proceed because of all the distracting noise. In the years since then, I’ve come to grips with both the things and the useless noises that the world generates.
What Changed Your Daily Life Habits?
I suffered a terrible flu last month. As soon as I opened my eyes that morning, I realized I couldn’t hear a thing. Although the steroids and antibiotics the doctors administered helped restore some of my hearing, I still have a significant permanent loss of hearing and extremely painful tinnitus. Tinnitus is the worst part of it. It’s always present and loud, so it constantly reminds me of my condition.
Using headphones or going to loud locations are also off-limits since I worry about aggravating the problem. I’m only 26, and something has taken much of my life. Even though I was feeling sad before this, this event kicked me while I was down.
I’m aware that one of stoicism’s tenets is to worry only about one’s actions. Unfortunately, the tinnitus in my ear is making it very difficult for me to adjust.
However, everything in our lives has an end, or you eventually discover a habit that can alleviate the struggles. Stoicism tells us to be thankful for what we still have and to take charge of the things we can.
Regarding AFA and the deaf community, I’ve found that people are friendly and open. They’re some of the most stoic people I know, yet they’re also excellent with new students and have patience. It’s amazing how different life can feel when you’re not constantly bombarded by other people’s rants and moans.
What Kind of Support Did You Receive in Dealing with It?
While coming to terms with your deafness is a lengthy journey, the first step is realizing the many advantages that come from your hearing loss. How about being more modest, persistent, or empathetic? Do you have a keen sense of lipreading and body language? Being deaf can enrich one’s life in seemingly infinite ways. Take some time to reflect on your existence to identify such means.
Nothing else about you is damaged but your hearing. You’re still the person you were before you lost your hearing if you were a good father, a lovely friend, a chronic latecomer, or a soccer fan.
But what if there are communication barriers due to hearing loss? Only when verbal communication is your priority will you run into difficulties. Despite this, you are still entirely at liberty to rely on visual modes of expression for communication, such as, for example, written language of any kind, sign language, photography, picture art, and so on.
If you put your mind to it, you can become an expert in many fields. Let go of the idea that you can only succeed with verbal exchanges. Consider the CI a convenience that will make your life easier in specific situations, but don’t put too much stock in your ability to hear.
Is it comfortable?
These days, technology can be used to solve a wide variety of problems. It is unnecessary to call if you can just as easily reach the desired outcome by sending an email. One method is to use a vibrating alarm clock, while another is to use mirrors more frequently while driving.
A few friends who refuse to change their communication methods may leave you, but you’ll likely find much more worth getting to know. If you have hearing loss, you don’t have to feel isolated. Participate in gatherings with other Deaf individuals to pick up valuable hints and to learn sign language as a means of communication.
Overall, you shouldn’t put too much stock in your hearing and should instead highlight your other strengths. It doesn’t make sense to let hearing loss keep you from noticing and improving the skills you already have.
Conclusion
When you’re feeling pressured, anxious, or agitated, your sensitivity levels rise. It is beneficial to take whatever measures you can to reduce your stress levels. In addition, you can find individuals who share your sensitivity to noise by joining one of several online support groups. Please make sure they are helpful and based on solid evidence.
If you want to thrive in this world, do the opposite of whining and crying about how hard life is for you and actively seek daring solutions. Instead of trying to avoid all bad things, it might be better to be brave, face some of them head-on, and learn how to use exposure-based strategies. In the long run, you’ll be better off.
Comments are closed.