Hearing Differently: Growing Up with a Cochlear Implant

Hearing Differently: Growing Up With a Cochlear Implant

by Karl G. Yoneda

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	877 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	76 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

I was born deaf in one ear and have severe hearing loss in the other. When I was three years old, I received a cochlear implant, a surgically implanted device that helps me to hear. This memoir is about my experiences growing up with a cochlear implant, exploring the challenges and triumphs of living in a hearing world.

Growing up, I always felt different from my peers. I couldn't hear as well as they could, and I had to wear a hearing aid or cochlear implant to help me hear. This made me feel self-conscious and isolated. I was afraid of being made fun of or excluded, so I often kept my hearing loss a secret.

As I got older, I began to learn more about my hearing loss and the cochlear implant that I had. I also began to meet other people who were deaf or hard of hearing. This helped me to feel more connected to the world and to understand that I was not alone.

Today, I am a successful adult who lives a full and happy life. I have a career, a family, and a wide circle of friends. I am grateful for the cochlear implant that has given me the opportunity to hear and to participate in the world around me.

This memoir is my story of growing up with a cochlear implant. It is a story of challenges and triumphs, of heartache and joy. It is a story about what it means to be different and to find your place in the world.

Challenges

Growing up with a cochlear implant was not always easy. I faced many challenges, including:

• Communication difficulties. I had to learn to speak and understand language in a different way than my peers. This was challenging, and it took me years to develop my communication skills.
• Social isolation. I often felt isolated from my peers because I couldn't hear as well as they could. I was afraid of being made fun of or excluded, so I often kept my hearing loss a secret.
• Self-esteem issues. I felt different from my peers because of my hearing loss. This made me feel self-conscious and insecure.

Triumphs

Despite the challenges, I also experienced many triumphs growing up with a cochlear implant. These included:

• Educational success. I was able to succeed in school despite my hearing loss. I graduated from high school and college with honors.
• Career success. I have a successful career in the field of education. I am a teacher and a writer, and I am passionate about helping others to learn.
• Personal fulfillment. I have a happy and fulfilling personal life. I am married to a wonderful man, and I have two beautiful children.

My message

My message to others who are deaf or hard of hearing is that you are not alone. There are many people who have overcome the challenges of hearing loss and have gone on to live successful and fulfilling lives. I hope that my story will inspire you to do the same.

If you are struggling with hearing loss, please know that there is help available. There are many resources available to help you to learn to communicate, to succeed in school and in your career, and to live a full and happy life.

Don't let hearing loss define you. You are capable of anything you set your mind to.

Hearing Differently: Growing Up With a Cochlear Implant

by Karl G. Yoneda

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	877 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	76 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE