Youth and Counseling
I was 16 years-old at the time. It was unusual for both of my parents to accompany me to a hearing test. After completing the test, I was seated in the waiting room, while my parents met in conference with the audiologist. 20 minutes later, I was called into the meeting with all three.
The audiologist informed me that instead of one hearing-aid, I now needed two. Bursting into tears, I shouted, “No way, I’m freaky enough with one. I’ll not wear two!”
And I got my way.
This outburst clearly signaled all was not well with me. If ever there was a time for counseling, this was it. But there was no attempt to address my frustrations and attitude; not from the audiologist, nor from my parents.
As a teenager who was hearing-impaired most all of my life, my mind would automatically substitute words for the ones I didn’t hear. It was very confusing whenever I realized my information was wrong. I hated everything about who I was, what I had become. And I would not let on how much it bothered me. Thus, the frustration festered to the point... I wanted out.
I can’t imagine how different life could have been with counseling help as a teenager.
In summation, all you Mom's and Dad's out there, with hearing-loss, the stress weighs heavily. No matter what age one loses hearing, we all can benefit from counseling.
7 comments:
I came off a bicycle at 12 years old and hit a telegraph pole. Initially everything was upside and I couldn't stand up but then I passed out for 3 days and my parents visiting me in hospital thought I was dead.
When I woke up everything was the right way up again but I had a permanent high pitched noise in one ear which has never gone away.
I went for tests on a regular basis until I was 16 and left school. For years the specialists never did anything except test my ear so I stopped going after I left school. Iwas considered bright but my grades plummeted, I was subjected to bullying and abuse which resulted in my having violent outbursts.
I never had couselling of any kind and must have heard every deaf joke known to man. It is bad enough losing hearing in one ear and the effects were devestating for me to lose it in both must be horrendoua you have my deepest sympathies although if you are like me sympathy is like a red rag to a bull.
Good luck.
Phil,
Oh Yeah, going over the handle-bars, i did that one too. Falling from the top of the playground slide too... it's a wonder i live to talk about it!
I'm curious.. what was the bullying like, and how did you deal with it?
l8r
jimm
The bullying started before the accident. I went to a posh boarding school and I was working class.
When I first had the accident it upset my balance and I used to have a walking stick.
I come from a tough mining village and I hit back at the bullies. One froma year above I was constantly feuding with for five years.
The one in my year, we ended up with a mutual respect and actually teamed up to get some revenge on the other.
The bullying was sometimes harsh I was thrown naked into thorny brambles. Another time I was held down while they stuffed nettles up my jumper and down my trousers.
The list is endless really but for my part I did go a bit mad with a cricket bat.
The worst part was because everybody knew I wouldn't put up with it the taunts became whispers which bred a paranoia because I couldn't hear what was said.
I walked past two boys once who were talking as I drew level they started laughing so I hit them.
It wasn't a good time.
wow, 5 years is a long time to carry on a feud. But standing up to the bully seems to get some results, as i did so myself.
I feel bad for the ones who 'go it' alone.
If you visit http://biphobia.blogspot.com/ and look under pages 'First Year' and 'Second Year' it shows how the bullying developed.
I also run another blog http://teenboyissues.com on which are links to helpful sites.
Do you have any objection if I link your blog from TBI for the benefit of others who may be hearing impaired?
Anything that helps the youngsters, I'd welcome the link.
http://teenboyissues.blogspot.com/2011/09/for-hard-of-hearing.html
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