Meeting the needs of the hearing impaired is an unending task; it is a struggle of effort, against financial resources for the provision of improved facilities, expanded services and educational techniques.

This year the Trinidad and Tobago Association for the Hearing Impaired hosts “Deaf Awareness Week” from Sunday, March 4 to Sunday, March 11. The week will host a number of events, beginning with a fund-raising Walk-a-Thon under the patronage of Dr Jean Ramjohn Richards, the official opening on Monday, March 5 at the DRETCHI centre, and open house days at schools for the deaf across the country.

Most normal hearing people are unaware of the emotional and behavioural consequences of the deaf or hard-of-hearing. Knowledge of these consequences can be most useful if one is to understand what causes the feelings to which the disabled person is subjected. An understanding of the disability could also assist the family and friends of a hearing impaired person more constructively.

Fortunately, a sudden loss of hearing is much less common than a gradual deterioration. A few are, through disease or accident, faced with the traumatic experience of having to make a transition from normal hearing to deafness. Far more, the loss of hearing is progressive and the individual is able to adjust gradually to his limitations.

Even in the early stages of progressive hearing loss however, some behavioural characteristics may be seen. Although the person might not be regarded as “deaf” his friends may notice that he is preoccupied, unsociable and absentminded and the comment that “he lives in a world of his own” or “hears what he wants to hear” is often voiced.

If and when the loss becomes severe enough to be a practical handicap and especially when it cannot be remedied by surgical or other means, the person concerned is likely to experience both fear and depression.

The fear is usually due to uncertainty about the effect of hearing loss on a way of life previously taken for granted. Family relationships, employment prospects or even the capability to retain a job might cause anxiety. The dulling of the aesthetic pleasures of music, inability to enjoy convivial company become haunting possibilities.

Every social encounter holds the threat that by giving a wrong answer one might appear stupid. Even a casual request for elementary information from a passing stranger might well be a source for embarrassment.

Fear however tends to be an initial reaction to hearing loss and diminishes as one adjusts to the disability and learns how to cope successfully with some of the problems.

Depression is more persistent. The causes of depression are varied and may arise from despair through the loneliness created by silence, or fatigue caused by the energy expended in trying to cope with the demands of an environment in which good hearing is taken for granted.

The emotions of fear and depression may express themselves in outward conduct. It is not unusual for a hearing impaired person to develop an aggressive reaction, withdraw from social situations which he perceives as threatening or become suspicious because he probably feels that someone is speaking about him.

A conclusion reached by Lee Meyerson, an American psychologist, is worth quoting “The psychologically and socially undesirable behaviour that has been reported for physically handicapped persons does not arise because the disabled are different kinds of people but because they had been subjected to different kinds of life experiences.”

Three possible reasons why impaired hearing may have these effects are: loss of effective “tone”, frustration and social attitude to disability.

Loss of background noise

An interesting theory about the cause of depression that often accompanies impaired hearing has been put forward in Hallowell Davis, Hearing and Deafness by (DA Ramsdell). He states that sound is normally perceived simultaneously at three levels: primitive, warning and symbolic.

The primitive level is the constantly changing pattern of background noise to which we give little attention unless our interest is aroused. Thus it is only when you stop reading these lines and listen that you become aware of a bird singing outside your house, of a television programme in another room or of a passing street car.

When we actively respond to auditory signals as is done by footballers to a referee’s whistle, we are hearing at the warning level.

The most complex level of hearing is the use of sounds as symbols for the purpose of communication; for example, transmitting and receiving messages in the course of conversation. Ramsdell believes that it is the diminution or loss of hearing at the primitive rather than the symbolic level that is responsible for the depressive effects of impaired hearing.

The loss of the sensation of background has a two-fold effect. It is this background noise that relates us to our environment. When this tone is lost, there is a feeling of solitariness and social isolation.

One has only to consider how much the enjoyment of a football match is heightened by the atmosphere generated by the roaring and singing of the crowd.

Coping with the emotional effects

It is easier to write about the effects of hearing impairment on personality and behaviour and their causes than to suggest just how they may be overcome. Adjustment to loss of hearing depends not only on the cause, severity and progress of the disability, but also on such variables as age, intelligence, personality, education and support received from family, friends and co-workers.

If one is to modify the effects of hearing loss it is necessary to cultivate at least five virtues: knowledge, honesty, empathy, activity and courage. The limitation of one’s ability to hear is not an indication of his ability to acquire knowledge. Through education, deaf persons have been known to attain their greatest potential.

Honesty in this context means a firm resolve to avoid bluffing. No hearing impaired person can bluff for long. Most people will not tell him that they are aware of his impairment. It is much better to admit to a disability at the outset.

Empathy is the ability to identify with others. It is true that some people shy away from all types of handicap because they are embarrassed and uncertain as to what to do. In such cases empathy enables the handicapped person to take the initiative and put the normal person at ease, by informing him how he could best assist.

It is all too easy for a hard-of-hearing person to become so full of self-pity that he is oblivious to the needs, difficulties and rights of others. A television set at full volume can turn a home into a hell for others. A hearing impaired person has to try to extend the same understanding to others that he expects to receive.

Activity - this is the best method for counteracting depression and social isolation. This could be best achieved through some planned physical or mental occupation.
A person who believes himself to be a victim of inherited disabilities thwarts his own best efforts and retards his development by feelings of hopelessness.

Through courage and acceptance a disability might be used as a stimulus, which impels towards greater achievement. It is worth remembering that character is a measure of the things one has overcome.

The prayer of the great St Francis is most inspiring in this respect.
“Lord, give me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference”.