“Honestly, we live a pretty cool life. It is harder, but it is unique. I think of it like a superpower, we can take off our cochlear implants or hearing aids and enjoy complete silence.”
1. When did you become aware of your hearing loss?
Bilateral, I'm deaf in both ears, and it's in the inner ear. Sensorineural hearing loss. I have no hearing on either side, and the professionals didn’t know when I lost it. They estimated it happened between six months and two years old because I was born with full hearing in both ears. Since I was a baby, they didn’t realize I had lost my hearing until I was two. One moment, my granddad was playing the drums literally banging them next to my ears—and I just wasn’t responding. Before that, my dad kept calling my name while I was watching TV, and I didn’t react. Then my granddad rang the drums, and that’s when they knew something was wrong. At first, they thought I had autism or Asperger’s because I was ignoring everyone. They realized it was because I was deaf, and I probably had no idea what was going on at that age.
2.What kind of speech intervention did you have growing up?
I had speech therapy from around age two to six. So it started when I was a baby until I was about six years old. I could speak properly by the time I started grade school. My mum quit her job immediately and took me to speech therapy every day after school. On weekends, we would drive about two hours north for more sessions. It was expensive. I did not receive speech therapy classes at school. We had to go elsewhere and pay for it. It was once a week and very expensive. I did not do brilliantly with my speech, but more than that, I was picked on for having cochlear implants. For obvious reasons, no one knew what they were. If I misheard something, or if I used a radio aid—like the teacher wearing a microphone, I hated it. I hated anything that drew attention to me, like if they announced it in an assembly or made any kind of big deal about me.
3. Did you face any academic challenges growing up with your hearing loss?
In school, it was difficult because I was quite insecure about my cochlear implants just like you were with your hearing aids. I was afraid to ask the teacher to repeat themselves, so I would ask my friends to copy their notes. Then the teacher would ask, “Why are you copying these notes?” These were confidence issues I struggled with. I would even go as far as teaching myself everything, which was a lot, but it was how I adapted in school. That approach worked for me. With cochlear implants, it is exhausting to keep up with everything, especially in a classroom. You have paper rustling, chairs scraping, and all these horrible background sounds. Even people chatting can be overwhelming. It is hard to describe. It takes a lot of energy to listen, and trying to process all those sounds while focusing on the teacher can feel impossible. Sometimes, it is just easier to zone out.
4. What were your experiences being in a university in comparison to grade school?
Everyone is so mature. I guess when you get to university, it feels like a fresh start. It is not about social dynamics or being the most popular anymore. It is more about finding new people. They thought my hearing loss was cool. It is just a completely different way of living. They would laugh when I mispronounced words, but never in a mean way. It was just part of who I am, and I learned to joke about it, too. In school, I was insecure about it, but when I got to university, I completely embraced it. I reached a point where I was proud of being deaf. It became part of who I am.
5. Do you think Hearing Loss Awareness is important?
Yes, I think awareness is so important. The deaf community is completely underrepresented right now. There is not enough understanding. Many people have no idea what cochlear implants are. They think they give perfect hearing, but they do not—we still miss out on a lot. For example, if a teacher is facing the whiteboard, we cannot read their lips. People do not realize how challenging that is. Greater awareness would make life much easier for deaf individuals. Most people are not intentionally unkind—they just do not understand. They might make a joke or comment about cochlear implants without realizing how it can affect someone, especially if they are insecure. Even without bad intentions, the impact can still hurt. When my friends found out about my cochlear implants, I explained everything, and they found ways to support me. That made our relationship stronger. The people who truly care will help you. If someone leaves because of your deafness, then they are not the kind of person you want around.
Key Takeaways
Miles’ experience highlights how hearing loss can affect education, communication, confidence, and social interactions, even with cochlear implants. His story also emphasizes the importance of early intervention, supportive relationships, hearing-loss awareness, and simple accommodations that reduce communication barriers.