“The Darker Side of Hearing Loss” published at Gobblers & Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Essays

Hello, everyone. I’m happy to let you know that a series of essays I’ve written about my experience as a deaf guy in a hearing world is being published at Gobblers & Masticadores, and the sixth and final installment in the series has gone live today. Sincere thanks to Juan Re Crivello for this opportunity to share my experiences with his readers. Today’s essay is “The Darker Side of Hearing Loss” and you can read it by following this link:

“The Darker Side of Hearing Loss”

It’s my hope that sharing my life as a deaf person will raise awareness of this “invisible disability” and the impact it has on those of us with hearing loss, and perhaps enlighten those with normal hearing in order to bridge the gap between us. I hope you enjoy it. Once again, much gratitude to Juan Re Crivello for his kindness and generosity. It’s truly an honor for me.

Don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Gobblers & Masticadores, where you’ll find some wonderful writing and plenty of food for thought.

42 thoughts on ““The Darker Side of Hearing Loss” published at Gobblers & Masticadores”

  1. I am going in to read my friend. Thank you so much for sharing with us and I know that it has helped me immensely to try and understand and to focus more on what a silent world would mean to me. I can hear the birds and yet I have complained considerably about missing a wren, who has an extremely loud morning song. She set up house at our house in North Carolina, and so I got to wake up to her beautiful voice every morning and go to bed with her last song of the day. Then it was the beautiful peeping that her fledglings made every spring. I have thought about that a lot and realized how selfish that seems now. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful work with us, and helping to educate us as to what it is like to live without hearing. many blessings and much love, Joni

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    1. Thanks, Joni. I miss birdsong like you wouldn’t believe. I remember how it sounds, all the different species I recall from when my hearing was much better. Life is so empty without birdsong, crickets, the thrumming of little dogs’ feet on the floor as they run to you, the shrill barks of chipmunks, the breeze in the trees, the yipping of coyotes at dusk, the bugling of elk as the sun sets… It’s one of the worst parts of being deaf: the sounds of nature fade away and you lose much of that close bond to the natural world. As a kid, I used to talk to mourning doves, mimicking their cries by blowing into my cupped hands. They’d return the calls, and this would go on for minutes at a time. Memories of these things just aren’t the same as experiencing them, but I’m glad I have the memories.

      I hope you enjoy the essay. 🙂

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  2. Looking forward to checking this out. Although it’s not the same, having just been approved for a hearing aid due to severe damage & hearing loss in my left ear, I’m sure it will be useful. I also understand about bridging the gap, the ability to hear can often be taken for granted until you no longer possess that ability.

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    1. Thanks so much, Tammy. I’m sorry to learn you’re experiencing hearing loss, too. I truly hope your hearing aid works for you so you won’t lose out on too much. You’re right, of course, when you say good hearing is taken for granted until it’s gone. I suppose it’s human nature to take things for granted, particularly our five senses, but man, it’s devastating when we lose one of them. It’s a major life-shift, and not everyone is good at adapting to the new reality (after more than forty years, I’m still struggling to accept myself as a deaf person and be okay with who I am now).

      I hope you enjoy the essay. This is actually the final essay in a series of six essays on my deaf experience. All of them have now been published at Gobblers & Masticadores, but they’re also available here on my blog in the Essays section if you’re interested. 🙂

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    1. Thanks a bunch, Filipa. I value your wonderful support and enthusiastic positivity so much! You’re like the sun peeking through the clouds, my friend! I appreciate you and your kind words. I hope you enjoy the essay. 🙂

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    1. Thanks, Cindy. This is the final essay on deafness I’ve written, although that doesn’t preclude the possibility of penning more in the future. I’m glad to have you along for the ride, my dear friend. I hope you enjoy the essay. 🙂

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    1. Thank you kindly. Yes, this final installment was difficult to write. A lot of darkness in this one, guilt, pain and hopefully resolution and closure. Grandfathers are special people, and we don’t get to have them around for very long. Thanks as always for your kind words and stalwart support. You’re very much appreciated, my friend. 🙂

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    1. Thanks so much, Friedrich. Yes, it’s been sort of busy this month as far as having some pieces published. Exciting and humbling, too, and most definitely motivating. 🙂 Thanks as always for your wonderful support, good sir. It means more to me than you can imagine. 🙂

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  10. Very well written essay Mikey. I share the comment here as well.

    I feel you in so many ways in this easy Mikey. The grief, the loss the guilt.
    «But guilt is a funny thing. When it get to yammering, nothing will shut it up..»
    I felt that line most.
    You’re battling a lot my friend. One skirmish at a time. The insomnia and depression we share ..we mask so well sometimes too
    But I also sense in this essay an unspoken and disavowed resilience. You’re a fighter Mikey. A warrior. A victorious man who still stands up daily no matter what haymakers life may have caught you with. It’s within the lines of your dark poetry and melancholic stories. I see it reverberating in all your creative energy. It is inspiring bro bro.
    Even if you don’t feel it..I’ll say it.
    You’re a strong brotha, my friend. Creative as hell… talented.. gifted..impacting lives with your writing and your very presence.
    Thank you for sharing your story Mikey. And thank you for sharing of your resolve with me 🙏💪💪

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    1. Thank you, my friend. I left a longer reply over at Gobblers, but just wanted to say I appreciate your kindness more than you can ever imagine. We’re all in this together in this difficult world, and it’s good to be brothers-in-arms with you and many other talented and wonderful folks here in this community. You are inspirational, man. Boundless talent with an amazing heart and soul. Thanks again for your thoughtful words and support. Means a lot to me. :)

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      1. Anytime brother. As they say..game gotta respect game. And I’m always learning from the writers in the community. It keeps me humble, and wanting to get better. One could never settle for mediocrity when surrounded by people who work hard at their craft. I appreciate you bro. You’re a game changer in my approach to life and my writing aspirations. 🙏

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  14. Tranature - quiet moments in nature's avatar Tranature - quiet moments in nature

    Congratulations with your publication Mike, another powerful essay showing a deep awareness of where healing and light are needed. I hope you will be able to to let your intuition an inner wisdom guide you to finding the sleep, support and connections you need 💚

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    1. Thanks so much, Xenia. Dealing with deafness, depression and insomnia is an ongoing process and it’s hard at times, to be sure. Existing in a constant state of fatigue is difficult, and it certainly has an effect on my ability to write. I do my best, and I have a wonderful counselor to talk to twice a month. Knowing my mom was spared of any cognitive decline gives me hope. I must make sure I worry about this as little as possible. The philosopher Seneca said, “We suffer more in imagination than in reality.” I think, at least in my case, this is so true. I worry about stuff I can’t control, which doesn’t help, you know? A little self-compassion can go a long way, and I need practice with that, too.

      Anyway, thank you for reading and stopping by to leave such a warm and thoughtful comment. I truly appreciate you. :)

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