“They don’t treat my hearing loss like it’s a problem; instead, they just adjust, and that makes all the difference in helping me feel included, seen, and understood.”
1. When did you first become aware of your hearing loss?
I first became aware of it in elementary school. There were these yearly physical tests done to make sure everything’s good, and one of them included the hearing assessment. I still remember that day, I remember when they tested my right ear, and I wouldn’t raise my hands to any of the sounds. I remember some worried faces and feeling like an odd person in the room. I remember them putting me aside so that they could call my parents. I still don’t know to this day whether I was born with it or if it happened over time. After checking it out, the doctor had told me that my cochlea in my right inner ear was completely dead and told me some options I could do. One of the options was the BAHA, which is a bone-anchored hearing aid. It’s essentially a black box attached to the skull behind the ear. I remember my first thought being, “What if I want to put my hair up in a ponytail? I don’t want anyone to see that.” I remember feeling a little ashamed about it since I was just a kid; it was very hard being so young and realizing there was something wrong with me. It was even more difficult growing up and realizing how expensive it was to be able to help a disability of mine. I guess you could say I was in denial, not admitting that being half deaf is a part of who I am.
2. Have you ever felt left out of a conversation or social situation because of your hearing loss?
Always. Part of it was on me, just because I still have those denial thoughts about my hearing loss, and subconsciously will not listen in conversations because I know I won’t be able to hear every word they are saying. I still feel uncomfortable at times when people have to repeat themselves multiple times for me to hear what they said. I always feel bad for the other person because I feel as if it can be an inconvenience. There are even times when a person would repeat themselves three times, and I still wouldn’t understand what they said, so I would just nod and smile. It’s one of those uncomfortable smiles where I start overthinking “What if they asked an open-ended question?” It’s when they are still staring at me as if they were waiting for a response, when I realize “Oh. They asked a question, and now I feel embarrassed.” But I’ve grown to be okay with it, and it’s something I can’t control. The best thing I can do is make the people I’m conversing with know that I am hard of hearing so that they can understand.
3. What’s something someone did that made you feel included or supported?
My friends are always supportive and know when I have a confused look on my face, indicating that I didn’t hear what was said, so they repeat it to ensure I understand. If we’re in a group and I miss part of a joke or someone says something quietly, one of my friends will lean over and fill me in without me even having to ask. It makes me feel like I’m not being left behind or left out. It’s moments like those that remind me how much of a difference it makes when people are aware and kind. They don’t treat my hearing loss like it’s a problem; instead, they just adjust, and that makes all the difference in helping me feel included, seen, and understood.
4. What was your experience like in school or at work as someone with hearing loss?
I will start by saying I am extremely grateful for all my friends in school and at work who know about my disability and help me out as much as they can. There are many times when I’ve had to ask them to repeat themselves multiple times, but they are always understanding about it, which I appreciate heavily. At work, it’s a little more difficult to be able to hear customers at times, and I would get a little nervous about it. Especially in busy or loud environments, it can be hard to catch what people are saying. But knowing I have people around me who have my back minimizes the pressure. It hasn’t been easy, but I’m proud of how I’ve learned to navigate it.
5. What does hearing loss awareness mean to you?
To me, hearing loss awareness means being seen and understood. It’s not just about knowing that people like me exist; it’s about recognizing the daily challenges we face and creating space where people don’t have to explain or justify their hearing differences all the time. It’s about people understanding that hearing loss isn’t just black and white; it’s that there’s a whole spectrum. I can hear some things, but I still miss a lot, which still impacts conversations, work, and even confidence. Hearing loss awareness means helping others understand what it’s like and making the world feel a little more welcoming so that we can all thrive.
Key Takeaways
Dabah's experience shows that embracing hearing loss as part of who you are and communicating openly about your needs can build confidence, understanding, and acceptance.