I broke at that point. I don't have hearing loss but the "end of an era" thing is definitely applicable to physical issues I have, so the last part of the video hits very close to home for me.
Weirdly, yesterday I was watching one of her videos at 12, then I opened my eyes and it was 2. As well, I was watching a video of hers in bed, and I fell right to sleep.
At my old job, my disabilities were treated as a massive inconvenience. I just started a new job and the little things I need to make my day easier are just accepted and its not a problem at all.
My husband is legally deaf. He started losing his hearing as a young child and has trained himself to 'pass'. He doesn't talk about it much, so sometimes I sort of forget (like if I start to talk to him if I'm standing behind him). It takes a lot for him to lose his temper or get frustrated, but when it happens I'm reminded how difficult/exhausting it must be. Thanks for explaining your POV, I want to help my husband without him feeling like I'm trying to treat him differently.
@@ChloeLouiseeB He's not 100% deaf, but his hearing loss is significant enough to where, legally, he counts as being deaf. It's an actual legal description.
I'm losing my hearing and in the process of getting hearing aids, I also changed schools recently but there is a girl in my class who has hearing aids and she has really helped me! She has taught me signlanguage and helped me with everything, it's really great to have such a friend, I'd reccomend everyone get someone like that!💗💗
I am losing my hearing as well. I’ve had hearing aids for over a year now and just in the last couple months my hearing has rapidly decreased, so my audiologist made me go to a ENT, and the ENT are sending me to a cochlear implant specialist in Charleston, bc they ENT told me I will loose all my hearing but I’ll be able to get a cochlear. And I am nervous, and scared. I’m only 15 and I started losing my hearing at about 13 and 1/2.
My mom knows that she has hearing loss since she was about 24 or so but her hearing seems to have gotten worse and she doesn't want to go to a doctor about it. She can't speak English though so I just have to use other ways to get her to a doctor.
My Uni had colored lines painted on the ground that lead from building to building. This made communicating with people slightly easier with both auditory issues or second language students. Pointing to the ground and showing someone to follow the lines sounds insulting, but helped out immensely with a large camps.
I would be grateful if someone would just point me to a colored line on the ground when giving me directions, just makes life so much easier than your usual long explanations where I have forgotten half of it by the time they have finished.
I’m one of those second language speakers in the country where I live and our central hospital did the same thing with painted lines. Different colors indicate each department and they give you a folder at reception in the same color as the line you’re meant to follow. For me, it was hugely helpful and dignity preserving. I can mostly understand the language here, but I also need to watch faces carefully to get it and have to guess words within streams of speech, especially if people mumble or are in a hurry. It’s exhausting in a similar way and when you’re sick, it’s doubly hard. I find a lot of accommodations for deaf and hard of hearing people help second language speakers too. We really should be collaborating as allies more and advocating for each other.
I had a HoH friend who got yelled at by HIS SIGN LANGUAGE TEACHER, for being """""rude"""" when he said "what" cause he didnt hear her. I'm pretty sure that teacher didn't last
@@insertname1857 Yea, I think the previous sign language teacher had retired the year before and the school only started looking for a replacement last minute and ended up hiring her. She had never been a teacher before and worked as an interpreter, but according to my friend she was incredibly ableist so idk how she got any jobs
I think it was because he didn't ask it in a polite way. The teacher probably expected him to say "Sorry, I didn't quite catch that. Can you repeat that again?" or "Sorry I haven't heard what you just said. Can you repeat it?"
@@abelmolnar2519 it was but as Jessica pointed out that is getting kinda close to apologizing for being deaf, and I think that wanting someone to essentially apologize for not being able to hear is miles more rude than saying 'what' Beyond that I dont think it is ok for a teacher to yell at a student like that anyway, especially for something like being slightly rude. If you are that fragile you shouldn't be a teacher. Kids, and especially teens will be rude
I really needed to hear this. As I was going into year 13 I decided that "Oh I should probably get my hearing tested again, I find it hard to listen to the teacher, don't need that this year" and "I'm going to ask for a blood test, I feel sluggish and tired all the time but it's probably anemia". Now here I am just about to finish my first half term of year 13 and applying to unis while getting my first pair of hearing aids and being tested for hypothyroidism. I'm not asking for sympathy, but this is just what I needed to hear (haha) at this moment in my life
I'm in the exact same situation. Except I'm a summer child so I'm only 17 and am on a massive ENT wait list, so I can't get my hearing tested (pretty much all gone in one ear). You aren't alone!
I'm so glad you thought to get a blood test, a lot of people don't think that symptoms like that might warrant one. We don't really know what the cause is, but despite whatever I eat, I'm quite frequently deficient in B12, and it was discovered by chance in a routine blood test years ago. It explained a lot of what I was going through. Actually managing it really changed my life (and got me over my fear of needles - I get a lot of B12 injections).
Rosie Cooper yeah I’m still 17 too. I know I made it sound like the whole thing was really quick but I started seeking out hearing help at the beginning of the last term last year so it took me practically four months to get to the point of getting hearing aids (🎉🎉🎉) try to be patient, I know it sucks but they will sort you out once you get to the top of the list. We all need to be here for each other
Rosie Cooper if it’s just 1 ear, you may find that they won’t give you any sort of hearing aid, it took 3 years for them to give me mine, and I find that I don’t wear it a lot because I can cope, if you’re a high achiever at school, and you cope well, then they may be reluctant to help ❤️
I went through the whole hearing loss/getting hearing aids process this year, and honestly I'd never felt more isolated. This video is something that should've existed since forever, but I'm so glad it exists now! 💕
Ouch Mouse hey there! I went through a similar thing this year as well. I’m lucky to have family who have experienced hearing loss and lots of friends who are very supportive, but it can still be pretty isolating and exhausting. I wish you all the best moving forward and learning to cope; we can get through it!! ❤️
Same! It’s very difficult to face the changes, but I promise it’ll be okay in the end. I found a lovely community on Twitter that’s helped me a lot with this, so I highly recommend using socials to your advantage!
I know very well about shame and the urge to belong to 'the hearing world' and 'be/hear just normal like anyone else'. But I'm becoming deaf since 15 years now and you're not doing yourself any favour with this behaviour. It's so exhausting, above the difficulty to hear anyway... Don't get me wrong please, I can totally understand you. But I wish you courage and a brave heart to be yourself and learning to demonstrate that it's ok not to be/hear perfect. I'm no native speaker, so I hope it wasn't too hard to unterstand my point if view. Keep your head up. Ears aren't important. Only the space between them is. =)
Me too. I don't have a hearing aid though, and my right ear is the one that's partially deaf, though both ears are getting worse. I part my hair so that my bad ear has no hair over it....
I am an Audiologist, this is such a great video. Its so important, especially for younger people developing hearing loss to hear from peers about experiences of hearing loss. The earlier we can detect and aid a hearing loss the better. I definitely second the idea of being bold about your hearing loss, if you are upfront people can adjust how they communicate.
So I know that you can't give medical advice to people who aren't patients, but in what cases would you suggest or not suggest getting your hearing tested? (ex: I only have issues hearing lower pitched sounds/deep voices, so I feel like I would be wasting people's time since I can hear most things.)
@@yellowbubble7 if you feel you are having problems, get a referral and get tested. If it turns out fine, it's one appointment, that's it. If you do have a loss addressing it earlier is better for everyone. Definitely speak to your GP about a referral.
You missed the top tip - watch a video by a lovely, caring person giving helpful information in a very reassuring tone. Another tip for people in the UK and Isle of Man, get a hidden disabilities lanyard. They are green with sunflowers. People in airports, train stations etc have been trained in how to approach people wearing the lanyards and ask if they need help or special consideration. This can make travelling so much easier.
"You're too young for a hearing aid!" is the most ridiculous unhelpful response I have ever received. I was told in my mid-twenties that I was losing my hearing in one ear (I'm very prone to ear infections, which is believed to be the cause) and that I should consider a hearing aid in the next few years. I'm still considering it, but the massive lack of support from family and friends due to my age is just painfully unhelpful.
OMG that is the WORST thing to get from someone about any disability... "Oh, you're too young for that!" OH I AM SO SORRY, I DIDN'T REALISE, NOW THAT I KNOW I AM MAGICALLY CURED BY MY YOUTHFULNESS. -___- Children. Can get. Leukemia. (and I got permission from my friend who had childhood leukemia to use that example). Hell, there's a disease called Progeria that's basically old age in childhood, so you're never even too young for old age!! No one is too young for ANYTHING when it comes to medical conditions or disabilities. That's the dumbest thing anyone can say! What are we supposed to say when they spout that bullcrap?! "Oh, sorry, the doctors didn't check my ID before I was diagnosed, I'll go back and let them know I'm too young for this debilitating pain."
Not only that. Doctors who say, "Your hearing problem is just something that just naturally occured because your hearing has always been less than perfect for a while." Like your an ENT doctor and saying it's natural or it's surgery time and not suggest other sinus or head related problems... Like give a clear answer why and not just a 'I'm in the same boat and can't do anything as well' bs.
@@jessa.4529 It's a kinda of chat server. Chat rooms where people can type to each other , similar to Facebook Messenger or texting but on the internet and public.
I started losing my hearing in my 30's. I finally had to get hearing aids earlier this year. I still have problems hearing in a crowded situation. However, for safety reasons, at least I can now hear someone walking up behind me. This is something I was not able to do and it was always a safety concern.
I just got hearing aids a month ago, and Jessica saying "you'll be alright darling, you really really will" made my tears run down my cheeks. I'm only 30% deaf on one ear and 11% on the other, but it's a scary and lonely process to go through, feeling like no one understands. Thank you Jessica for being there for all of us, it means the world
Vilde Brahimi Augestad hey what’s up I got my hearing aid around the same time as u and my hearing is similar, I have mild loss on my left side and moderate on my right. I hope your hearing aid is helping you too!!
@@emmafaith6284 thank you! I'm actually getting new hearing aids in January, turns out they gave me the crappiest cheap ones at first to check if I'd be happy enough with them 🙃 I hope you're doing okay too, it's so weird and scary in the beginning!
When Jessica was like “or auotiry processing disorder” I was like thatsssssssss meeeeeeeeee I am in my late teens and was first diagnosed with a simple pressure change in my ear, so I took a medicine for I year! Eventually my gp realise that it really wasn’t a pressure change so after another year I finally met with a sepsilist told me I had apd. I have been struggling with this ever since but this video helped at little more. Thanks Jessica edit; thank you guys for the likes!!
Sarah F well I am currently still coming to terms with it but so far I have been bartering with my school to ask for extra notes, as I struggle to lip reading of write etc. I also have tried to learn to lip read by being in a quite room with some so I can understand them easily- this can also be done through UA-cam videos. I have being nervous about saying Parod so I often trail off in class. I think it is about trying to get used to paying attention- I often have something to fliddle with as this helps me concentrate. Although I am stuggling, learning new techies can really help
I was diagnosed as an adult even though I should have been diagnosed as a child. Lip reading gets easier. I've been reading lips most of my life without realizing it. Don't give up on getting accommodations from your school! I know it can be a battle sometimes but remember that you deserve them and you are your own best advocate for what you need for academic success.
I was diagnosed as an adult but I have had APD all my life. My family and friends just thought I was lazy or obstinate. After I was diagnosed I went to grad school. I found the Echo Pen to be very helpful because it records as you write. So when you can't figure out what was said when studying, you can just touch the pen to that part of the page and it will jump to that point in the recording. I also arranged to share notes with someone from my classes. Here in the USA it is required that teachers and professors match you up with a note taking student or their own notes if you request that. It is hard but I did learn to read lips as a child out of necessity. And now there are captions on so many things. ( Though sometimes they are terrible) I was exhausted after each 3 hour class I took and weekend immersive classes I avoided as much as possible. Guard your energy as Jessica says. Relax with captions on TV when you're tired and need a break. Or just shut the normal hearing world out and read a book for awhile. You deserve breaks from constantly actively trying to understand the world around you. Good luck! You are not alone!💜 I am happy to help in any way I can.
It’s so sad that my grandpa decided to deny his hearing loss for the last 30+ years and not just get hearing aids when we all know about it 🙄 I guess it’s similar to how my grandmother hides her age and worries about being minorly overweight. I really hope that I age with more acceptance when the time comes.
Jane Doe so unfortunate, it’s too bad they didn’t have content like Jessica’s to help them with self-acceptances. I don’t think I could get my grandparents to watch a UA-cam video at this point, sadly.
My grandma to a T, she insisted she was fine without hearing aids! And then when her doctor told her she had dementia, she kept it a secret from her children for four years until they were forcing her to go to assisted living and the facilities wanted medical records. That's when my dad found out she had been diagnosed four years prior. If we had known right away, we would have been able to have conversations about her dementia care and how she wanted it to go... denial didn't do her any favors.
My paternal grandfather got hearing aids, didn't like that he could hear the traffic outside and the cuckoo clock going off and could no longer use the excuse that he didn't hear you when he decided to get mad so he tossed them away. Wasted all that money cause he got mad and couldn't be bothered to get used to the sounds again.
I have worried slightly that my hearing seems to not be the best anymore and although I'm not at a point when it's a genuine concern, this is still reassuring :)
When i was 3 years old, I completely lost my hearing and I completely relied on lip reading. I slowly got some if my hearing back but I still had/have perforations in my eardrums. When i was in year 2, I was offered hearing aids ( as I had had grommets twice but they both fell out) I said no at the time coz I was scared people would make fun of me. WhY dId I nOt GeT tHeM sOoNeR!?!?!?!? They help sooooooooooooooooooooooo much!!!
Don't be affraid to try new options when you're suggested them as new technology comes out or otherwise. I *hate* it when people who I know will benefit from certain levels of help choose to not do it. If you have the means try it then choose to not continue it if then. I've met so many wonderful people in my life that just need a push in the right direction.
I know you meant it in a snarky way, but "take a breath and reassess" was exactly what I needed to hear today. Life has been hard and that was grounding
I lost a great part of my hearing when I was 4, now I'm 23, nearly deaf. It's hard sometimes, but its okay 😁 Also good topic, most of people seems to neglect their hearing and take it for granted.
Pro Tip: Something that has helped me with my husband and closest friends (or friends that have explicately told me they want to help me understand.) I have APD and moderate hearing loss in my left ear. I spent 37 years of my life thinking I was just lazy and obstinate because that is what I was told. Now when my husband/friend is talking to me but looking away or walking in another direction or talking while washing dishes, I say, "I can't understand you because you are (insert whatever behavior is making it difficult for me)" We have found this really helpful in changing the behaviors making it difficult for me to understand. And it highlights what needs to change for both of us. But even though I say it in a polite and caring manner, it can sound rude to others around us. We have stopped caring about that. It's too important that we understand each other to worry about what others think of our conversation. I hope maybe that helps someone else here too. :-)
Either the tv is at 40 and I'm straining to hear, I'm unable to tell the volume I'm speaking at and I'm screaming or it sounds like a bomb just went off! But I can hear your videos and it's comforting to know I'm not alone in all these different experiences. Thank you for that and for bringing attention to these disabilities and experiences, it's so nice to see so many people asking questions and receiving answers...
So I have been 'losing my hearing' for the past 2 years now.got my hearing tested and just have an auditory processing disorder.... i am 20, i went through my entire school life with out knowing this... Thankyou teachers for putting up with my nonsense!
Maximellow you can still get accommodations for it at work or school! It’s a recognized disability in most places. But yes I’ve experienced the same thing. Many people don’t take it seriously mostly because they don’t know what it is. I usually explain it as auditory dyslexia. That seems to get the point across to most people. It is hard because some days (or moments) it’s worse than others.
@@maximellow5745 Honestly I'm about to just bite the bullet and start learning ASL. Thankfully one of my girlfriends is culturally deaf (very deaf as a child and had medical interventions that I'm not privy to) and my other girlfriend that I live with took ASL as her second language because of growing up with the previously mentioned person as a dear friend
I don’t even have hearing loss, and I was just so touched by everything from 14:42 forward. It felt like I could relate to it as someone who was diagnosed with EDS in my young 20’s. When Jessica said “You will be alright, my darling” I just broke into tears. I didn’t know how much I needed to hear that, even now, just before the 3 year anniversary of being diagnosed.
I may or may not have listened to the last thirty seconds of this video a few times over-- the 'you're going to be alright; you really are...' bit; and had a good cry, and am now ready to face the world again... Thank you, lady, SO MUCH, for what you do. 💗
I seriously love you, Jessica! You're an absolute inspiration! I'm partially deaf in my right ear. I grew up with a friend who is 100% deaf. I know enough ASL to talk to him, but I'm learning more. I also have a crippling autoimmune disease called Ankylosing Spondylitis. It affects EVERYTHING and I'm in pain 100% of the time. I don't remember what it's like to not feel pain. This disease also affects my eyes and ears. I've always worn glasses and my eyes aren't deteriorating as fast as my ears. I can't lip read super great, but I'm trying. And when it's loud or someone has a thick accent, etc., I can only understand them if I can see their lips. I also suffer from tinnitus. So as a disabled, hard of hearing queer woman, your videos mean the world to me. Thank you!
Oh gosh, I've looked forward to this video for so long. Thank you so much for doing it. I was diagnosed with Meniere's Disease during the holidays in 2018 and I've been terrified of the hearing fluctuations ever since. I'm already disabled so the thought of losing something else and becoming more vulnerable is incredibly daunting. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I’ve always been completely deaf in my right ear, and while my parents had some basics down, I’ve had to learn the limits of my monaural hearing, which some of these tips definitely apply to. I also now have to cope with temporary hearing loss in the left for a week twice a year roughly from my ménière’s disease. I’m honestly just grateful now for a mostly fully functional left ear most days so I don’t have to learn lip reading.
I've had issues with auditory processing for a while and a sinus infection has left my hearing much reduced. The hope is it clears but this video has been very helpful for the short term as well
OMG SAME!!! I have a sinus problem going on and off for over a year now and went to an ENT who didn't suggest check my sinuses for my tinnitus problem. Like are they not related or common-ish reasons why a 21 year old could have it? At this point I have no idea what to do. 😟
I've been having processing issues the last few years, and was delighted to see that our local airport has put up screens all around that only display what's being announced on the audio system.
Ahhh great video. Very good tips. People don't get upset when I ask them to repeat themselves...it's usually me getting angry from saying "WHAT?" over and over. One of the issues I have is with anxiety. If I'm having a conversation with someone in person, I don't really stare at them because eye to eye contact has never been my forté. Having to stare at someone's mouth will embarrass me 😩. Hopefully that changes though because it's exhausting. Looking forward to the next one!
Started losing my hearing in one ear in my early 20’s. My hearing actually fluctuates because of my condition and it’s currently not quite as bad as it once was but it will trend downward as I get older. I am thankful to have one good ear. I don’t think I could cope with becoming severely deaf. I am a singer and music is a really important part of my life.
Hi, I'm 20 and two months ago I experienced a sudden severe unilateral hearing loss as a (opera) singer. Making music is now twice as difficult so I can understand
Thank you so much for this video. I recently have lost hearing in my right ear and no one can tell me if it's coming back or not. It's been two months now... I'm having a hard time with this, no one seems to understand that I really can't hear them and acts like it's a huge burden for them to repeat themselves. I'm having a lot of feelings with little sleep and this video is comforting. Thank you so much.
Why do I feel like Jessica straight up has the NSPCC and various charities on speed dial ready to fight injustice, she just gives off vintage superhero vibes and idk why
i’m 18, i’ve been losing my hearing in my left ear for around 4 years due to constant strain. my right ear isn’t that bad, but it isn’t the way it used to be either. i can’t have people speak to me from my left side, or i can’t process what they said. working in a loud grocery store is terrible. i wish i could put up a sign that says “this employee is hard of hearing! please only reply yes/no to basic questions to avoid confusion.” so many people will reply with bad jokes. especially when i ask “did you find everything you need today?” and they reply with “didn’t find a bag of a million dollars anywhere!”. P L E A S E reply with yes or no. good god i can’t hear you. sweet jesus.
I have the exact same problem as a cashier! Whenever I ask if they found everything okay they either reply with a godawful joke or go on and on about how they did find everything okay. It’s a grocery store for God’s sake, reply with either yes or no.
I hope this doesn’t come off as rude, but maybe this isn’t the right job for you. You are young now, and you don’t have to work in a grocery store for all of your life.
This is fabulous! As someone who often works with those who are losing their hearing ... (and with the families of those who are losing their hearing ...), I think your video is one of the BEST resources I'd seen! I've shared it now on professional forums I belong to as well as on Facebook and Twitter. You rock! This should be a Ted Talk, actually!
What a fantastic video, Jessica! It should be shown in schools, on TV and get millions of viewers here. You're so good at making something so serious sound so light and still speak like you're talking "directly to me" . Kudos and thanks!
I've watched Jessica's Chanel for a little over 2 years now, and I started losing my hearing recently, I'm 17, and it's really scary, it's going away really fast, and I remembered about this video today, and came here to watch it, I'm actually crying Right now
I was diagnosed with Meniere's disease many years ago. Initially I just had the vertigo and the drops, but as time passed I developed tinnitus and then hearing loss. Quick side note for anyone with Meniere's and is suffering tinnitus, go to see an audiologist, getting a behind the ear open fit hearing aid can really help with tinnitus. It won't cure it, but the boost in hearing can help to drown out the tinnitus. I'm lucky that the severe hearing loss is only in one ear, down side is that eventually I will lose all hearing in that ear. Up side is it's not happening in both ears. I do have some hearing loss in my 'good' ear, but a hearing aid in that ear too, helps. Getting the hearing aid made a huge difference. It's great in almost all situations and puts me back on a par with 25 year old me with perfect hearing. The only real problem I have is in a busy room. The human ear / brain is great at focusing in on a single source of sound. Hearing aids don't do this as well. Mine does have a setting that I can turn on that only uses a forward facing microphone and turns off the mic that picks up noise from the surroundings. In these situations lip reading would help. I'm not very good at it, but if I can hear the person and see their lips, my brain kind of uses the persons lips to clarify what I'm thinking. Anyway, hearing aids were the best thing I did. They are almost invisible, even the behind the ear kind. In the last 9 years or so I've had maybe one or two people notice them. Several friends were surprised to learn I'd been wearing them for a few months or even years before they came up in conversation. Go see an audiologist, it will improve your life. Jessica, thanks for a great video. I learnt several great tips.
I don't have hearing problems, but I do have chronic health problems, and the end of this video made me cry. Most of the time when I hear sentiments like that it really gets my hackles up and I get defensive and angry. But you're so incredibly genuine. Thanks, I think I really needed that message this week.
I'm so grateful that you arent afraid to show affection and care to us at the end of your vids. Some ppl NEVER hear such kind words and all of that can mean so much to them. Thank you :)
My hearing is better than good but my mom is hard of hearing and sometimes still overestimates other people's hearing. She has the awful habit of talking to people in another part of her apartment and no she isn't yelling, she thinks we can understand her normal volume just fine. She has been hard of hearing for over 40 years now and at this point I have given up and just go to her when I hear this quiet talking from another room whenever I visit.
@@DieAlteistwiederda the struggle is real 😔 I'm happy you're strong enough to at least go to her though :) some people don't have that level of patience.
watching Jessica's videos really calm me down whenever a mood swing or dissociation episode comes on, really feel safe with the way she speaks and her fabulousness💕 thank you Jessica for your videos!
I've been losing my hear since I was 3. It's very slow which I am greatful for. It's getting much worse now that I'm I'm college, I couldn't hear very much. Thankfully I'm in Canada which has a great healthcare system. I'm currently seeing a ENT (ear nose and throat specialist) thank you for these tips!!! ♥️♥️
that last line really got me 😭 I've been going through one of the worst months of my life and that was,,, the most comforting thing i have heard this whole time. including things from my friends and family. thank you, jessica. 💜💜💜
I have an auditory processing disorder, thank you for mentioning us!!!! ❤️ EDIT: If anyone feels they may have an undiagnosed APD, please talk to me and I can go over some common signs as well as my own experiences if that would be helpful for you or someone you know. I was diagnosed as an adult after an entire lifetime of struggling to hear, because APD is often overlooked or unknown as a potential option! If I can help, I will. It is often comorbid with Autism and ADHD (I have ADHD and I am currently being screened for Autism), so APD can overlap with other cognitive disorders or learning disabilities. My hearing is fine as far as my ears are concerned, but my brain can't make out sounds, so I have no directional hearing and I can't distinguish any sounds or noises on street level, for example.
Thank you, Jessica! This video helped me a lot. I'm not even 20 and it stresses me too that most people with my issue are elderly people and people getting annoyed that "I don't listen"
What an amazing human you are, Jessica. Putting this wonderful video out there for someone who may be having difficulty is a truly unselfish act. I wish I could nominate you for some type of humanitarian award. Keep putting videos like this out there, young lady ... you’re amazing and heartfelt thanks are comin at ya 💜👍🏽🏳️🌈 🥰
Jessie, can I just give you giant gentle cuddle! You’re so wonderfully informative and caring. I adore watching your videos. You and Claud are seriously my favourite people, and I feel like we’ve been friends for ages.... even though I’ve never met you. Big love from Australia 💜
I've had tinnitus for years due to being around my dad at his work as a sound technician for theatre, musicals, and concerts and I have been working as a sound technician just like him for three years now. It had taken me a year to realize the connection, and two years to find suitable workarounds to be able to do my job. Sound teaching, a job that requires a good hearing, makes my job as a sound tech harder because it made me start losing my hearing. The irony here is not lost on me. Edit: I have quit sound tech now. For obvious reasons. I want to be able to somewhat hear.
I can hear perfectly well and actually make and fix music. I just really love your videos. I always take breaks to have at least 2 hours of silence a day. Sleeping does not count as you don't hear when you're sleeping so you don't know if your ears are actually relaxing. I love your videos.
YES! - I can't wait for the discord!! 😃 I have what is known as "glue ear" I have had this since I was around 5 years old and the doctors said it would go and I would "grow out of it" but it never did. I went thought hearing aids,2 operations,many many many hospital/doctor/specialists visits. And no one knows what is going on I am now 14 and the appointments etc etc are carrying on and on! I have been put back on the list for hearing aids again and I am praying they will work and it will be quick. I just want to hear properly. I can relate to everything you said at the beginning. About asking to repeat again and again and again. School is hard and frustrating when you can barley hear the teacher. I remember coming out of my first operation (aged 9) and thinking WOW everyone is shouting but I was told that this was a NORMAL level of noise and I could hear things I could never hear before - Beautiful small things I never knew made sounds. And i could hear voices and instructions clearly not catching a few words or it being extremely muffled. I should also say that the Beautiful bliss after the operation does not last (it lasts a few months - for me anyway) they say it should last longer. This is why we are re-applying for hearing aids etc
Excellent video, Jessica. Superb! Every one of your six tips is exactly what my brother worked through & applied to his life as a youngster and on into adulthood. I am so very proud to say that not only has he thrived, but excelled at school and now in his career. It was a struggle for a while, but he most certainly overcame the challenges thrown at him. As I've said before, I wish there were videos such as yours when he was growing up. No matter, they are here now. You, Jessica, are here now. And this community, and the world, is definitely better for it. Thank you so very much. You truly are an inspiration. Lovely as always! Take care 👍🤟💝
You are so very soothing and helpful. I’m not losing my hearing, I just love learning especially about people and all their lovely differences, but I do have extremely bad anxiety and listening to your videos, your voice and the atmosphere you create make me feel very calm and even help to give me a sense of control when things feel like they’re spiraling away. Thank you so much for all you do for all of us. :)
Ok honestly the kindness and support from this video is amazing and really helpful. I'm currently going through the the process of trying to get an official diagnosis and hearing aids and this helped put a lot of things in perspective. So thank you again
Same here. I have a genetic condition which makes me more prone to that. I really don't do too much that would damage my hearing, if anything it's EXTRA sensitive.
same I'm 16 and in the last 5 years my tinnitus has gotten really loud(its expected to get louder) to the point in which I sometime struggle making out what people are saying because it just sounds like a mumbling sound
My audiologist told me some hearing aids can help with tinnitus (even if hearing isn't affected otherwise, he said something about training the brain to unhear the tinnitus sound). And just as an fyi because I certainly didn't know: tinnitus is very often an indicator of hearing loss. Treat the hearing loss, the tinnitus might go away. I don't know what countries you are from and to what extent visits to the doctor and audiologist are free or insurance covered but if you can afford it, get advice from a pro.
Thank you so much for this video. I started to lose my hearing after multiple ear infections that doctors let go untreated and it caused nerve damage in my eardrums, so now I have a hard time heard certain sounds and pitches. I’ve struggled with the idea of having to wear my hearing aids because like you said, as a young adult it’s difficult to grasp that you don’t have good hearing anymore and you feel old and strange? After this video, I’m going to give it a shot. There’s no point in me making my life more difficult than it needs to be! Also, one professor accused me of having hearing loss (in a passive aggressive manner) because I listen to music loudly while I’m working and asked if my hearing loss came before or after the loud music. I replied “Before because I have permanent nerve damage in my ears from multiple ear infections.” . The audacity of people who ask questions like that are baffling to me. 😒
I love the advice you give at the end. That is something that everyone can benefit from hearing when they are struggling with something. Things can be difficult, but you can get through it. I was recently listening to one of my favourite jazz singers, Sophie Milman, and she sings a beautiful version of "It's Not Easy Being Green", and this could be your theme song. It is all about struggling with being different, but then realizing that being yourself is wonderful. Keep up this awesome work Jessica!
Wow, this video was perfectly timed! I have hearing loss that's gotten worse lately, along with really bad tinnitus, and am now starting the process to get hearing aids. You've given me hope that I'll make it through this transition. Thanks Jessica!
I have Ménière’s disease for 8 years and slowly started loosing hearing...I’ve had hearing aids for the past year. Yep the smile and nod I do that!! I’m glad for this video it’s the first time someone has made a video I can connect with! I’m 34 but was in my 20’s when it began. What a journey of ups and downs. So isolating, I still have to tell my husband to look at me when he speaks! I’ve learned basic ASL (taught myself) to communicate with my husband...also I have Narcolepsy with cataplexy and my symptom is slurred and sometimes in general form words in general. I’ve struggled w/ lip reading. Thanks from America! If anyone reads this and relates to my story please comment I’d love to connect.
I absolutely love your spike in sassy-ness recently! I've just started my UA-cam channel with vlogs but recently I posted my first 'sit-down' vlog and I was inspired by you to put CC's in it and all my future sit-down videos too! :)
I just happened upon this video and I can’t tell you how much that helped me I’m and ASL Interpreting student in America and a year I started having serious hearing and speech understandability problems not I’m considered hard of hearing so I started learning to lipread and became more involved in the deaf and signing community that really put a lot of things in perspective for me thank you!!
Hi Jessica. First of all, thank you for your videos. I really appreciate them. It’s amazing yet disheartening to know that someone is going through what I’m going through. I wish I had a friend like you. I feel so alone.
You are amazing and I'm really happy I've seen this video. I'm not (currently) deaf but I know how to have a nice conversation and it really helps put things in perspective!
My hearing is still completely functional but I have a lot of buzzing and ringing in my ears seemingly at random. I worked at a dog daycare for a long time and I’m only 20 years old, so I came here for some comfort and you always prove so very helpful
I’m in grad school right now to become an Audiologist. We are here to help you and you’ll be amazed how many resources can be available to you. I’m located in the U.S. and everything in this video applies over here as well. Thank you Jessica for pointing out that Audiologists are a great resource to help. 💚
This is a beautiful video that I really appreciate. I’ve been just realising how isolated my gradual hearing loss has been for me. And I really appreciate you talking about it. Thank you! Can’t wait for the “losing your hearing” forum thing. ❤️❤️❤️ The bit at the end felt like a hug made of words. Thank you for this video!
when you said 'the only constant in life is you' I felt something clickI've had BPD since I was 7. and this made me realise that although my appearance, relationships, beliefs and thought patterns have changed I am still the same person.
This is such a good video 🥺 I’ve been slowly losing my hearing since I was born. My genetic disorder gave me very weak eardrums and tubing in my ears. They’re deformed. So my hearing has been getting worse and worse. I’m 18 now and my doctors told me I have %15 hearing loss in my left ear and %25 in my right now 🤠. I’ve started using subtitles almost constantly (I used to only use them when the audio wasn’t as clear as others but I was still the only one needing subtitles). I also have developed mild tinnitus. It also sucks because I’m a musician. I know one day I’m gonna need hearing aids. I’ve already started learning ASL 💀
I have both visual and hearing impairment. My kids are pretty clued up by now about helping me and don't mind repeating themselves. Some of the things I've misheard them say give us all a laugh. I didn't realise it was as bad as it apparently is though until the buildings inspector for our flat mentioned weekly fire alarm testing. This was news to me, I'd been here 3 years already and had never heard it. I now have extra loud flashing alarms in every room.
Jessica is my disability 101. I have issues and I dont know how to word them or ask for help. Then I watch your videos and I am just like oooh that what I mean! Sent so many of your videos to my husband to get him to understand. Thank you Jessica.( and team)
"You'll be alright my darling" this was so touching I almost cried 😭
I did!
I broke at that point. I don't have hearing loss but the "end of an era" thing is definitely applicable to physical issues I have, so the last part of the video hits very close to home for me.
@@TristianBlake I feel that way too, mine isn't hearing loss but like having someone tell it's ok, it helps.
I cried (& have lost significant hearing in 1 ear)!
Same.
Is it just me or is Jessica’s voice like really soothing and calming? Like I could fall asleep to her but in like a good way
We've all requested that she dictate audiobooks and guided meditations for us to listen and relax to.
My 3 year old son felt asleep during this video. ))))
Omgness a guided meditation of Jessica's voice would be amazing! 😍
Yess, definitely one of those affirmations guided meditation
Weirdly, yesterday I was watching one of her videos at 12, then I opened my eyes and it was 2. As well, I was watching a video of hers in bed, and I fell right to sleep.
Jessica, I don’t know if anyone has told you this yet, but your lipstick helps me read your lips. :D
I wonder if that's strategic on her part
Lipstick helps me too! Beards are the worst
I think because its such a defined feature and a vibrant color which draws your eyes to it
Lol, I thought it was just me.
Brittany 2H Amen
"A lot about disability is managing other people's emotions" so so true!
At my old job, my disabilities were treated as a massive inconvenience. I just started a new job and the little things I need to make my day easier are just accepted and its not a problem at all.
My husband is legally deaf. He started losing his hearing as a young child and has trained himself to 'pass'. He doesn't talk about it much, so sometimes I sort of forget (like if I start to talk to him if I'm standing behind him). It takes a lot for him to lose his temper or get frustrated, but when it happens I'm reminded how difficult/exhausting it must be. Thanks for explaining your POV, I want to help my husband without him feeling like I'm trying to treat him differently.
What on earth is ‘legally deaf’ 🤔
@@ChloeLouiseeB He's not 100% deaf, but his hearing loss is significant enough to where, legally, he counts as being deaf. It's an actual legal description.
In what country is that. We don’t have any such ‘legal’ deaf level in the UK.
Your system bizarrely implies that someone can be illegally deaf 🤣🤣🤣
I'm losing my hearing and in the process of getting hearing aids, I also changed schools recently but there is a girl in my class who has hearing aids and she has really helped me! She has taught me signlanguage and helped me with everything, it's really great to have such a friend, I'd reccomend everyone get someone like that!💗💗
So glad you have someone amazing by your side! Good luck with your sign language 💖
Wow, I wish I had a friend like that.
I am losing my hearing as well. I’ve had hearing aids for over a year now and just in the last couple months my hearing has rapidly decreased, so my audiologist made me go to a ENT, and the ENT are sending me to a cochlear implant specialist in Charleston, bc they ENT told me I will loose all my hearing but I’ll be able to get a cochlear. And I am nervous, and scared. I’m only 15 and I started losing my hearing at about 13 and 1/2.
"if someone sent this video to you, i think they're probably trying to tell you something" I wanna send this to my mum now XD
me too! except her english isn't that good and I don't know if she could understand it properly.
My mom knows that she has hearing loss since she was about 24 or so but her hearing seems to have gotten worse and she doesn't want to go to a doctor about it. She can't speak English though so I just have to use other ways to get her to a doctor.
i support you
me after moving closer to my friends and asking them to repeat for the 5th time: *nods and laughs praying it wasnt a question*
Literally me haha. Or I answer a question that really wasn't anywhere close to what they asked..
Meeeee. Also hoping that they didn't say something really sad or tragic!
@@beckybaker703 "my cat passed away yesterday". Smile and wave boys....smile and wave hahahaha
@@clarissapriest1289 EXACTLY. "My family member just died!" Me - HAHAHAHAHAHA so funny! Wait, what?
Same
My Uni had colored lines painted on the ground that lead from building to building. This made communicating with people slightly easier with both auditory issues or second language students. Pointing to the ground and showing someone to follow the lines sounds insulting, but helped out immensely with a large camps.
I would be grateful if someone would just point me to a colored line on the ground when giving me directions, just makes life so much easier than your usual long explanations where I have forgotten half of it by the time they have finished.
I’m one of those second language speakers in the country where I live and our central hospital did the same thing with painted lines. Different colors indicate each department and they give you a folder at reception in the same color as the line you’re meant to follow. For me, it was hugely helpful and dignity preserving. I can mostly understand the language here, but I also need to watch faces carefully to get it and have to guess words within streams of speech, especially if people mumble or are in a hurry. It’s exhausting in a similar way and when you’re sick, it’s doubly hard. I find a lot of accommodations for deaf and hard of hearing people help second language speakers too. We really should be collaborating as allies more and advocating for each other.
That's very helpful
Someone acknowledged auditory processing disorder, yes!
♥️♥️♥️
♥️♥️♥️
I can hear fine most of the time but throw in background noise and BAM ya girl can't hear a word
I had a HoH friend who got yelled at by HIS SIGN LANGUAGE TEACHER, for being """""rude"""" when he said "what" cause he didnt hear her. I'm pretty sure that teacher didn't last
that was years ago and I'm still pissed tbh
i would HOPE that teacher didn't last like wtf
@@insertname1857 Yea, I think the previous sign language teacher had retired the year before and the school only started looking for a replacement last minute and ended up hiring her. She had never been a teacher before and worked as an interpreter, but according to my friend she was incredibly ableist so idk how she got any jobs
I think it was because he didn't ask it in a polite way. The teacher probably expected him to say "Sorry, I didn't quite catch that. Can you repeat that again?" or "Sorry I haven't heard what you just said. Can you repeat it?"
@@abelmolnar2519 it was but as Jessica pointed out that is getting kinda close to apologizing for being deaf, and I think that wanting someone to essentially apologize for not being able to hear is miles more rude than saying 'what'
Beyond that I dont think it is ok for a teacher to yell at a student like that anyway, especially for something like being slightly rude. If you are that fragile you shouldn't be a teacher. Kids, and especially teens will be rude
I really needed to hear this. As I was going into year 13 I decided that "Oh I should probably get my hearing tested again, I find it hard to listen to the teacher, don't need that this year" and "I'm going to ask for a blood test, I feel sluggish and tired all the time but it's probably anemia". Now here I am just about to finish my first half term of year 13 and applying to unis while getting my first pair of hearing aids and being tested for hypothyroidism. I'm not asking for sympathy, but this is just what I needed to hear (haha) at this moment in my life
I'm in the exact same situation. Except I'm a summer child so I'm only 17 and am on a massive ENT wait list, so I can't get my hearing tested (pretty much all gone in one ear). You aren't alone!
I'm so glad you thought to get a blood test, a lot of people don't think that symptoms like that might warrant one. We don't really know what the cause is, but despite whatever I eat, I'm quite frequently deficient in B12, and it was discovered by chance in a routine blood test years ago. It explained a lot of what I was going through. Actually managing it really changed my life (and got me over my fear of needles - I get a lot of B12 injections).
If it turns out that you have hypothyroidism or any other derivative, there is a support subreddit on a social media app called r/hypothyroidism
Rosie Cooper yeah I’m still 17 too. I know I made it sound like the whole thing was really quick but I started seeking out hearing help at the beginning of the last term last year so it took me practically four months to get to the point of getting hearing aids (🎉🎉🎉) try to be patient, I know it sucks but they will sort you out once you get to the top of the list. We all need to be here for each other
Rosie Cooper if it’s just 1 ear, you may find that they won’t give you any sort of hearing aid, it took 3 years for them to give me mine, and I find that I don’t wear it a lot because I can cope, if you’re a high achiever at school, and you cope well, then they may be reluctant to help ❤️
Omg I want a "Take a breath and reassess" poster/shirt so bad
And a mug!
mousepad
All of the merch, please!
I went through the whole hearing loss/getting hearing aids process this year, and honestly I'd never felt more isolated. This video is something that should've existed since forever, but I'm so glad it exists now! 💕
Ouch Mouse hey there! I went through a similar thing this year as well. I’m lucky to have family who have experienced hearing loss and lots of friends who are very supportive, but it can still be pretty isolating and exhausting. I wish you all the best moving forward and learning to cope; we can get through it!! ❤️
Same! It’s very difficult to face the changes, but I promise it’ll be okay in the end. I found a lovely community on Twitter that’s helped me a lot with this, so I highly recommend using socials to your advantage!
@@kendalleflore8584 Thank you so much ❤️ we can absolutely get through this 💪🏻
@@StaramarianQueen I have tried so hard to get into Twitter, I'm so bad at it haha. But yes, the online community is so helpful 💕
"You'll be all right, my darling, you really, really will" made me tear up a little, because I really needed to hear that today
I know very well about shame and the urge to belong to 'the hearing world' and 'be/hear just normal like anyone else'. But I'm becoming deaf since 15 years now and you're not doing yourself any favour with this behaviour. It's so exhausting, above the difficulty to hear anyway...
Don't get me wrong please, I can totally understand you. But I wish you courage and a brave heart to be yourself and learning to demonstrate that it's ok not to be/hear perfect.
I'm no native speaker, so I hope it wasn't too hard to unterstand my point if view.
Keep your head up. Ears aren't important. Only the space between them is. =)
Me too. I don't have a hearing aid though, and my right ear is the one that's partially deaf, though both ears are getting worse. I part my hair so that my bad ear has no hair over it....
Greatly appreciate Clara making sure that British terms are defined.
^^^
I am an Audiologist, this is such a great video. Its so important, especially for younger people developing hearing loss to hear from peers about experiences of hearing loss.
The earlier we can detect and aid a hearing loss the better.
I definitely second the idea of being bold about your hearing loss, if you are upfront people can adjust how they communicate.
So I know that you can't give medical advice to people who aren't patients, but in what cases would you suggest or not suggest getting your hearing tested? (ex: I only have issues hearing lower pitched sounds/deep voices, so I feel like I would be wasting people's time since I can hear most things.)
@@yellowbubble7 if you feel you are having problems, get a referral and get tested. If it turns out fine, it's one appointment, that's it. If you do have a loss addressing it earlier is better for everyone. Definitely speak to your GP about a referral.
You missed the top tip - watch a video by a lovely, caring person giving helpful information in a very reassuring tone.
Another tip for people in the UK and Isle of Man, get a hidden disabilities lanyard. They are green with sunflowers. People in airports, train stations etc have been trained in how to approach people wearing the lanyards and ask if they need help or special consideration. This can make travelling so much easier.
"You're too young for a hearing aid!" is the most ridiculous unhelpful response I have ever received. I was told in my mid-twenties that I was losing my hearing in one ear (I'm very prone to ear infections, which is believed to be the cause) and that I should consider a hearing aid in the next few years. I'm still considering it, but the massive lack of support from family and friends due to my age is just painfully unhelpful.
OMG that is the WORST thing to get from someone about any disability... "Oh, you're too young for that!"
OH I AM SO SORRY, I DIDN'T REALISE, NOW THAT I KNOW I AM MAGICALLY CURED BY MY YOUTHFULNESS.
-___-
Children. Can get. Leukemia. (and I got permission from my friend who had childhood leukemia to use that example).
Hell, there's a disease called Progeria that's basically old age in childhood, so you're never even too young for old age!! No one is too young for ANYTHING when it comes to medical conditions or disabilities. That's the dumbest thing anyone can say! What are we supposed to say when they spout that bullcrap?! "Oh, sorry, the doctors didn't check my ID before I was diagnosed, I'll go back and let them know I'm too young for this debilitating pain."
Everyonen should read this reply.
Not only that. Doctors who say, "Your hearing problem is just something that just naturally occured because your hearing has always been less than perfect for a while." Like your an ENT doctor and saying it's natural or it's surgery time and not suggest other sinus or head related problems... Like give a clear answer why and not just a 'I'm in the same boat and can't do anything as well' bs.
Just keep going "what" at them when they say that
my mum, who's in her 50's doesnt want to get a hearing aid due to people assuming the same thing. its quite saddening because she needs it!
I literally screamed in happiness when you said there’s going to be a discord server for your channel! :D
Ahh!!! I’m so excited!!!
Me too tho I'm so here for it
Same
what what's this mean
@@jessa.4529 It's a kinda of chat server. Chat rooms where people can type to each other , similar to Facebook Messenger or texting but on the internet and public.
I started losing my hearing in my 30's. I finally had to get hearing aids earlier this year. I still have problems hearing in a crowded situation. However, for safety reasons, at least I can now hear someone walking up behind me. This is something I was not able to do and it was always a safety concern.
I had hearing aids at the age of 6 due to an infected bone in the ear
I just got hearing aids a month ago, and Jessica saying "you'll be alright darling, you really really will" made my tears run down my cheeks. I'm only 30% deaf on one ear and 11% on the other, but it's a scary and lonely process to go through, feeling like no one understands. Thank you Jessica for being there for all of us, it means the world
💕
Vilde Brahimi Augestad hey what’s up I got my hearing aid around the same time as u and my hearing is similar, I have mild loss on my left side and moderate on my right. I hope your hearing aid is helping you too!!
@@emmafaith6284 thank you! I'm actually getting new hearing aids in January, turns out they gave me the crappiest cheap ones at first to check if I'd be happy enough with them 🙃 I hope you're doing okay too, it's so weird and scary in the beginning!
When Jessica was like “or auotiry processing disorder” I was like thatsssssssss meeeeeeeeee
I am in my late teens and was first diagnosed with a simple pressure change in my ear, so I took a medicine for I year! Eventually my gp realise that it really wasn’t a pressure change so after another year I finally met with a sepsilist told me I had apd. I have been struggling with this ever since but this video helped at little more.
Thanks Jessica
edit; thank you guys for the likes!!
me too! I was really excited when she mentioned it!
I'd love to hear more about your experience with this
Sarah F well I am currently still coming to terms with it but so far I have been bartering with my school to ask for extra notes, as I struggle to lip reading of write etc. I also have tried to learn to lip read by being in a quite room with some so I can understand them easily- this can also be done through UA-cam videos. I have being nervous about saying Parod so I often trail off in class. I think it is about trying to get used to paying attention- I often have something to fliddle with as this helps me concentrate. Although I am stuggling, learning new techies can really help
I was diagnosed as an adult even though I should have been diagnosed as a child. Lip reading gets easier. I've been reading lips most of my life without realizing it. Don't give up on getting accommodations from your school! I know it can be a battle sometimes but remember that you deserve them and you are your own best advocate for what you need for academic success.
I was diagnosed as an adult but I have had APD all my life. My family and friends just thought I was lazy or obstinate. After I was diagnosed I went to grad school.
I found the Echo Pen to be very helpful because it records as you write. So when you can't figure out what was said when studying, you can just touch the pen to that part of the page and it will jump to that point in the recording.
I also arranged to share notes with someone from my classes. Here in the USA it is required that teachers and professors match you up with a note taking student or their own notes if you request that.
It is hard but I did learn to read lips as a child out of necessity. And now there are captions on so many things. ( Though sometimes they are terrible) I was exhausted after each 3 hour class I took and weekend immersive classes I avoided as much as possible. Guard your energy as Jessica says.
Relax with captions on TV when you're tired and need a break. Or just shut the normal hearing world out and read a book for awhile. You deserve breaks from constantly actively trying to understand the world around you.
Good luck! You are not alone!💜 I am happy to help in any way I can.
You look like a royal at Christmas already and I’m enjoying it
It’s so sad that my grandpa decided to deny his hearing loss for the last 30+ years and not just get hearing aids when we all know about it 🙄 I guess it’s similar to how my grandmother hides her age and worries about being minorly overweight. I really hope that I age with more acceptance when the time comes.
Well since you care and understand about all this now, I'm sure you'll do great in the future :)
Jane Doe so unfortunate, it’s too bad they didn’t have content like Jessica’s to help them with self-acceptances. I don’t think I could get my grandparents to watch a UA-cam video at this point, sadly.
My grandma to a T, she insisted she was fine without hearing aids! And then when her doctor told her she had dementia, she kept it a secret from her children for four years until they were forcing her to go to assisted living and the facilities wanted medical records. That's when my dad found out she had been diagnosed four years prior. If we had known right away, we would have been able to have conversations about her dementia care and how she wanted it to go... denial didn't do her any favors.
Ever curious: Michelle so sad :( I don’t know what it is about older generations and secrecy, but I think it’s unhealthy
My paternal grandfather got hearing aids, didn't like that he could hear the traffic outside and the cuckoo clock going off and could no longer use the excuse that he didn't hear you when he decided to get mad so he tossed them away. Wasted all that money cause he got mad and couldn't be bothered to get used to the sounds again.
I have worried slightly that my hearing seems to not be the best anymore and although I'm not at a point when it's a genuine concern, this is still reassuring :)
When i was 3 years old, I completely lost my hearing and I completely relied on lip reading. I slowly got some if my hearing back but I still had/have perforations in my eardrums. When i was in year 2, I was offered hearing aids ( as I had had grommets twice but they both fell out) I said no at the time coz I was scared people would make fun of me. WhY dId I nOt GeT tHeM sOoNeR!?!?!?!? They help sooooooooooooooooooooooo much!!!
Don't be affraid to try new options when you're suggested them as new technology comes out or otherwise. I *hate* it when people who I know will benefit from certain levels of help choose to not do it. If you have the means try it then choose to not continue it if then. I've met so many wonderful people in my life that just need a push in the right direction.
I'm losing my hearing and I also have a processing disorder. I'm struggling to hear my partner, and he's a major mumbler
sorry to hear that, sounds tough
Tell him he needs to enunciate his words and speaking slowly but clearly. You need to make sure you are looking at him while he is talking.
I know you meant it in a snarky way, but "take a breath and reassess" was exactly what I needed to hear today. Life has been hard and that was grounding
I lost a great part of my hearing when I was 4, now I'm 23, nearly deaf. It's hard sometimes, but its okay 😁
Also good topic, most of people seems to neglect their hearing and take it for granted.
Pro Tip: Something that has helped me with my husband and closest friends (or friends that have explicately told me they want to help me understand.) I have APD and moderate hearing loss in my left ear. I spent 37 years of my life thinking I was just lazy and obstinate because that is what I was told. Now when my husband/friend is talking to me but looking away or walking in another direction or talking while washing dishes, I say, "I can't understand you because you are (insert whatever behavior is making it difficult for me)" We have found this really helpful in changing the behaviors making it difficult for me to understand. And it highlights what needs to change for both of us. But even though I say it in a polite and caring manner, it can sound rude to others around us. We have stopped caring about that. It's too important that we understand each other to worry about what others think of our conversation. I hope maybe that helps someone else here too. :-)
Okay, so I might not have issues regarding my hearing, but hearing Jessica so kindly say that I’ll be alright made all my other issues just vanish.
Same! She's so soothing :)
I'm 17 and I just got a hearing aid! It's amazing. The world is unexpectedly loud...
when I got my first glasses the world was unexpectedly clear 😳
@@anniebe4992 it's a proper weird feeling, isn't it?!
@@heatherspill5817 yes!
My mom said the same thing when she got her cochlear implant.
A proud Hufflepuff I see. I wish I was one, Hufflepuffs are so cool
was anyone else nearly moved to tears when she said “you’ll be alright, darling”?
Either the tv is at 40 and I'm straining to hear, I'm unable to tell the volume I'm speaking at and I'm screaming or it sounds like a bomb just went off!
But I can hear your videos and it's comforting to know I'm not alone in all these different experiences. Thank you for that and for bringing attention to these disabilities and experiences, it's so nice to see so many people asking questions and receiving answers...
So I have been 'losing my hearing' for the past 2 years now.got my hearing tested and just have an auditory processing disorder.... i am 20, i went through my entire school life with out knowing this... Thankyou teachers for putting up with my nonsense!
OliveBean same here! Just got diagnosed with APD, and I’m in my 30’s. It totally explains why school was so hard for me, lol .
Same, I just got diagnosed in my last semester of my masters. We got this far!!
I have an auditory processing issue, 'tisn't fun
hi! i have apd too! :D
Same, it's fun how every once in while it gets really bad and you find yourself wondering if it's actual hearing loss
Yeah, same, but nobody will help me because I don't have actual hearing loss.
Maximellow you can still get accommodations for it at work or school! It’s a recognized disability in most places. But yes I’ve experienced the same thing. Many people don’t take it seriously mostly because they don’t know what it is. I usually explain it as auditory dyslexia. That seems to get the point across to most people. It is hard because some days (or moments) it’s worse than others.
@@maximellow5745
Honestly I'm about to just bite the bullet and start learning ASL. Thankfully one of my girlfriends is culturally deaf (very deaf as a child and had medical interventions that I'm not privy to) and my other girlfriend that I live with took ASL as her second language because of growing up with the previously mentioned person as a dear friend
"Tannoy= loudspeaker" I love how educational your videos are...on so many different aspects!
I don’t even have hearing loss, and I was just so touched by everything from 14:42 forward. It felt like I could relate to it as someone who was diagnosed with EDS in my young 20’s. When Jessica said “You will be alright, my darling” I just broke into tears. I didn’t know how much I needed to hear that, even now, just before the 3 year anniversary of being diagnosed.
I may or may not have listened to the last thirty seconds of this video a few times over-- the 'you're going to be alright; you really are...' bit; and had a good cry, and am now ready to face the world again...
Thank you, lady, SO MUCH, for what you do. 💗
I seriously love you, Jessica! You're an absolute inspiration! I'm partially deaf in my right ear. I grew up with a friend who is 100% deaf. I know enough ASL to talk to him, but I'm learning more. I also have a crippling autoimmune disease called Ankylosing Spondylitis. It affects EVERYTHING and I'm in pain 100% of the time. I don't remember what it's like to not feel pain. This disease also affects my eyes and ears. I've always worn glasses and my eyes aren't deteriorating as fast as my ears. I can't lip read super great, but I'm trying. And when it's loud or someone has a thick accent, etc., I can only understand them if I can see their lips. I also suffer from tinnitus. So as a disabled, hard of hearing queer woman, your videos mean the world to me. Thank you!
I don't have hearing loss and doesn't know one who has, I'm just here to listen to Jessica's voice 💕 And it's useful information!
Oh gosh, I've looked forward to this video for so long. Thank you so much for doing it. I was diagnosed with Meniere's Disease during the holidays in 2018 and I've been terrified of the hearing fluctuations ever since. I'm already disabled so the thought of losing something else and becoming more vulnerable is incredibly daunting. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I have been an audiologist for 26 years and learn every day and absolutely love my job. This was fabulous 💕👂
I’ve always been completely deaf in my right ear, and while my parents had some basics down, I’ve had to learn the limits of my monaural hearing, which some of these tips definitely apply to.
I also now have to cope with temporary hearing loss in the left for a week twice a year roughly from my ménière’s disease.
I’m honestly just grateful now for a mostly fully functional left ear most days so I don’t have to learn lip reading.
I've had issues with auditory processing for a while and a sinus infection has left my hearing much reduced. The hope is it clears but this video has been very helpful for the short term as well
OMG SAME!!! I have a sinus problem going on and off for over a year now and went to an ENT who didn't suggest check my sinuses for my tinnitus problem. Like are they not related or common-ish reasons why a 21 year old could have it? At this point I have no idea what to do. 😟
I've had hearing loss since I was 4. Now I'm in my early twenties and I'm getting my first hearing aid at the end of the month
I've been having processing issues the last few years, and was delighted to see that our local airport has put up screens all around that only display what's being announced on the audio system.
I already knew I had some sort of hearing issue but I’m glad I’m watching this
Ahhh great video. Very good tips. People don't get upset when I ask them to repeat themselves...it's usually me getting angry from saying "WHAT?" over and over. One of the issues I have is with anxiety. If I'm having a conversation with someone in person, I don't really stare at them because eye to eye contact has never been my forté. Having to stare at someone's mouth will embarrass me 😩. Hopefully that changes though because it's exhausting. Looking forward to the next one!
Started losing my hearing in one ear in my early 20’s. My hearing actually fluctuates because of my condition and it’s currently not quite as bad as it once was but it will trend downward as I get older. I am thankful to have one good ear. I don’t think I could cope with becoming severely deaf. I am a singer and music is a really important part of my life.
Hi, I'm 20 and two months ago I experienced a sudden severe unilateral hearing loss as a (opera) singer. Making music is now twice as difficult so I can understand
Yes, as a singer who can hear pitch but not volume I struggle with volume a lot. I get it.
I'm losing my hearing. Thank you for being so reassuring that things don't have to be horrible. I appreciate you!
Thank you so much for this video. I recently have lost hearing in my right ear and no one can tell me if it's coming back or not.
It's been two months now... I'm having a hard time with this, no one seems to understand that I really can't hear them and acts like it's a huge burden for them to repeat themselves.
I'm having a lot of feelings with little sleep and this video is comforting. Thank you so much.
Why do I feel like Jessica straight up has the NSPCC and various charities on speed dial ready to fight injustice, she just gives off vintage superhero vibes and idk why
i’m 18, i’ve been losing my hearing in my left ear for around 4 years due to constant strain. my right ear isn’t that bad, but it isn’t the way it used to be either. i can’t have people speak to me from my left side, or i can’t process what they said. working in a loud grocery store is terrible.
i wish i could put up a sign that says “this employee is hard of hearing! please only reply yes/no to basic questions to avoid confusion.” so many people will reply with bad jokes. especially when i ask “did you find everything you need today?” and they reply with “didn’t find a bag of a million dollars anywhere!”. P L E A S E reply with yes or no. good god i can’t hear you. sweet jesus.
I have the exact same problem as a cashier! Whenever I ask if they found everything okay they either reply with a godawful joke or go on and on about how they did find everything okay. It’s a grocery store for God’s sake, reply with either yes or no.
I hope this doesn’t come off as rude, but maybe this isn’t the right job for you. You are young now, and you don’t have to work in a grocery store for all of your life.
This is fabulous! As someone who often works with those who are losing their hearing ... (and with the families of those who are losing their hearing ...), I think your video is one of the BEST resources I'd seen! I've shared it now on professional forums I belong to as well as on Facebook and Twitter. You rock! This should be a Ted Talk, actually!
What a fantastic video, Jessica! It should be shown in schools, on TV and get millions of viewers here. You're so good at making something so serious sound so light and still speak like you're talking "directly to me" . Kudos and thanks!
I've watched Jessica's Chanel for a little over 2 years now, and I started losing my hearing recently, I'm 17, and it's really scary, it's going away really fast, and I remembered about this video today, and came here to watch it, I'm actually crying Right now
I was diagnosed with Meniere's disease many years ago. Initially I just had the vertigo and the drops, but as time passed I developed tinnitus and then hearing loss.
Quick side note for anyone with Meniere's and is suffering tinnitus, go to see an audiologist, getting a behind the ear open fit hearing aid can really help with tinnitus. It won't cure it, but the boost in hearing can help to drown out the tinnitus.
I'm lucky that the severe hearing loss is only in one ear, down side is that eventually I will lose all hearing in that ear. Up side is it's not happening in both ears. I do have some hearing loss in my 'good' ear, but a hearing aid in that ear too, helps. Getting the hearing aid made a huge difference. It's great in almost all situations and puts me back on a par with 25 year old me with perfect hearing. The only real problem I have is in a busy room. The human ear / brain is great at focusing in on a single source of sound. Hearing aids don't do this as well. Mine does have a setting that I can turn on that only uses a forward facing microphone and turns off the mic that picks up noise from the surroundings. In these situations lip reading would help. I'm not very good at it, but if I can hear the person and see their lips, my brain kind of uses the persons lips to clarify what I'm thinking.
Anyway, hearing aids were the best thing I did. They are almost invisible, even the behind the ear kind. In the last 9 years or so I've had maybe one or two people notice them. Several friends were surprised to learn I'd been wearing them for a few months or even years before they came up in conversation. Go see an audiologist, it will improve your life.
Jessica, thanks for a great video. I learnt several great tips.
I don't have hearing problems, but I do have chronic health problems, and the end of this video made me cry. Most of the time when I hear sentiments like that it really gets my hackles up and I get defensive and angry. But you're so incredibly genuine. Thanks, I think I really needed that message this week.
I'm so grateful that you arent afraid to show affection and care to us at the end of your vids. Some ppl NEVER hear such kind words and all of that can mean so much to them. Thank you :)
Thank you for this video. I’m dealing with healing loss in my late 20’s. This video gives me hope
I have great hearing but I clicked anyway 😂
Sksksk heres the motherfucking tea same
😂😂
My hearing is better than good but my mom is hard of hearing and sometimes still overestimates other people's hearing.
She has the awful habit of talking to people in another part of her apartment and no she isn't yelling, she thinks we can understand her normal volume just fine.
She has been hard of hearing for over 40 years now and at this point I have given up and just go to her when I hear this quiet talking from another room whenever I visit.
@@DieAlteistwiederda holy dang
Hey every watch & like to the vid helps her get more traction of views, so its not a bad thing at all! 😊
@@DieAlteistwiederda the struggle is real 😔 I'm happy you're strong enough to at least go to her though :) some people don't have that level of patience.
watching Jessica's videos really calm me down whenever a mood swing or dissociation episode comes on, really feel safe with the way she speaks and her fabulousness💕
thank you Jessica for your videos!
I've been losing my hear since I was 3. It's very slow which I am greatful for. It's getting much worse now that I'm I'm college, I couldn't hear very much. Thankfully I'm in Canada which has a great healthcare system. I'm currently seeing a ENT (ear nose and throat specialist) thank you for these tips!!! ♥️♥️
that last line really got me 😭 I've been going through one of the worst months of my life and that was,,, the most comforting thing i have heard this whole time. including things from my friends and family. thank you, jessica. 💜💜💜
I have an auditory processing disorder, thank you for mentioning us!!!! ❤️ EDIT: If anyone feels they may have an undiagnosed APD, please talk to me and I can go over some common signs as well as my own experiences if that would be helpful for you or someone you know. I was diagnosed as an adult after an entire lifetime of struggling to hear, because APD is often overlooked or unknown as a potential option! If I can help, I will. It is often comorbid with Autism and ADHD (I have ADHD and I am currently being screened for Autism), so APD can overlap with other cognitive disorders or learning disabilities. My hearing is fine as far as my ears are concerned, but my brain can't make out sounds, so I have no directional hearing and I can't distinguish any sounds or noises on street level, for example.
Thank you, Jessica! This video helped me a lot. I'm not even 20 and it stresses me too that most people with my issue are elderly people and people getting annoyed that "I don't listen"
What an amazing human you are, Jessica. Putting this wonderful video out there for someone who may be having difficulty is a truly unselfish act. I wish I could nominate you for some type of humanitarian award. Keep putting videos like this out there, young lady ... you’re amazing and heartfelt thanks are comin at ya 💜👍🏽🏳️🌈 🥰
Reassuring “You are special, just the way you are” Jessica is the best.
I had to replay the part where you said "You'll be alright my darling". It brought a tear to my eye.
Jessie, can I just give you giant gentle cuddle! You’re so wonderfully informative and caring. I adore watching your videos. You and Claud are seriously my favourite people, and I feel like we’ve been friends for ages.... even though I’ve never met you. Big love from Australia 💜
Thank you thank you Jessica, I so needed this. When you said 'You'll be alright my darling' I was crying. 💗💗💗
oh jessica you're so sweet, the last few sentences that you said actually made me tear up
I've had tinnitus for years due to being around my dad at his work as a sound technician for theatre, musicals, and concerts and I have been working as a sound technician just like him for three years now. It had taken me a year to realize the connection, and two years to find suitable workarounds to be able to do my job.
Sound teaching, a job that requires a good hearing, makes my job as a sound tech harder because it made me start losing my hearing. The irony here is not lost on me.
Edit: I have quit sound tech now. For obvious reasons.
I want to be able to somewhat hear.
I can hear perfectly well and actually make and fix music. I just really love your videos.
I always take breaks to have at least 2 hours of silence a day. Sleeping does not count as you don't hear when you're sleeping so you don't know if your ears are actually relaxing.
I love your videos.
YES! - I can't wait for the discord!! 😃
I have what is known as "glue ear" I have had this since I was around 5 years old and the doctors said it would go and I would "grow out of it" but it never did. I went thought hearing aids,2 operations,many many many hospital/doctor/specialists visits. And no one knows what is going on I am now 14 and the appointments etc etc are carrying on and on! I have been put back on the list for hearing aids again and I am praying they will work and it will be quick. I just want to hear properly. I can relate to everything you said at the beginning. About asking to repeat again and again and again. School is hard and frustrating when you can barley hear the teacher. I remember coming out of my first operation (aged 9) and thinking WOW everyone is shouting but I was told that this was a NORMAL level of noise and I could hear things I could never hear before - Beautiful small things I never knew made sounds. And i could hear voices and instructions clearly not catching a few words or it being extremely muffled. I should also say that the Beautiful bliss after the operation does not last (it lasts a few months - for me anyway) they say it should last longer. This is why we are re-applying for hearing aids etc
Excellent video, Jessica. Superb! Every one of your six tips is exactly what my brother worked through & applied to his life as a youngster and on into adulthood. I am so very proud to say that not only has he thrived, but excelled at school and now in his career. It was a struggle for a while, but he most certainly overcame the challenges thrown at him. As I've said before, I wish there were videos such as yours when he was growing up. No matter, they are here now. You, Jessica, are here now. And this community, and the world, is definitely better for it. Thank you so very much. You truly are an inspiration. Lovely as always! Take care 👍🤟💝
You are so very soothing and helpful. I’m not losing my hearing, I just love learning especially about people and all their lovely differences, but I do have extremely bad anxiety and listening to your videos, your voice and the atmosphere you create make me feel very calm and even help to give me a sense of control when things feel like they’re spiraling away. Thank you so much for all you do for all of us. :)
Ok honestly the kindness and support from this video is amazing and really helpful.
I'm currently going through the the process of trying to get an official diagnosis and hearing aids and this helped put a lot of things in perspective. So thank you again
I can hear well but as I get older, my tinnitus gets louder so 🤷♀️
Same here. I have a genetic condition which makes me more prone to that. I really don't do too much that would damage my hearing, if anything it's EXTRA sensitive.
same I'm 16 and in the last 5 years my tinnitus has gotten really loud(its expected to get louder) to the point in which I sometime struggle making out what people are saying because it just sounds like a mumbling sound
me toooo
Im starting to experience hearing loss, and have (sometimes overwhelming) tinnitus
My audiologist told me some hearing aids can help with tinnitus (even if hearing isn't affected otherwise, he said something about training the brain to unhear the tinnitus sound).
And just as an fyi because I certainly didn't know: tinnitus is very often an indicator of hearing loss. Treat the hearing loss, the tinnitus might go away.
I don't know what countries you are from and to what extent visits to the doctor and audiologist are free or insurance covered but if you can afford it, get advice from a pro.
Thank you so much for this video. I started to lose my hearing after multiple ear infections that doctors let go untreated and it caused nerve damage in my eardrums, so now I have a hard time heard certain sounds and pitches. I’ve struggled with the idea of having to wear my hearing aids because like you said, as a young adult it’s difficult to grasp that you don’t have good hearing anymore and you feel old and strange? After this video, I’m going to give it a shot. There’s no point in me making my life more difficult than it needs to be! Also, one professor accused me of having hearing loss (in a passive aggressive manner) because I listen to music loudly while I’m working and asked if my hearing loss came before or after the loud music. I replied “Before because I have permanent nerve damage in my ears from multiple ear infections.” . The audacity of people who ask questions like that are baffling to me. 😒
I love the advice you give at the end. That is something that everyone can benefit from hearing when they are struggling with something. Things can be difficult, but you can get through it. I was recently listening to one of my favourite jazz singers, Sophie Milman, and she sings a beautiful version of "It's Not Easy Being Green", and this could be your theme song. It is all about struggling with being different, but then realizing that being yourself is wonderful. Keep up this awesome work Jessica!
That pep talk at the end applies to so many situations. I'm going to return to this video if I need reassurance!
Wow, this video was perfectly timed! I have hearing loss that's gotten worse lately, along with really bad tinnitus, and am now starting the process to get hearing aids. You've given me hope that I'll make it through this transition. Thanks Jessica!
I have Ménière’s disease for 8 years and slowly started loosing hearing...I’ve had hearing aids for the past year. Yep the smile and nod I do that!! I’m glad for this video it’s the first time someone has made a video I can connect with! I’m 34 but was in my 20’s when it began. What a journey of ups and downs. So isolating, I still have to tell my husband to look at me when he speaks! I’ve learned basic ASL (taught myself) to communicate with my husband...also I have Narcolepsy with cataplexy and my symptom is slurred and sometimes in general form words in general. I’ve struggled w/ lip reading.
Thanks from America! If anyone reads this and relates to my story please comment I’d love to connect.
I absolutely love your spike in sassy-ness recently! I've just started my UA-cam channel with vlogs but recently I posted my first 'sit-down' vlog and I was inspired by you to put CC's in it and all my future sit-down videos too! :)
I just happened upon this video and I can’t tell you how much that helped me I’m and ASL Interpreting student in America and a year I started having serious hearing and speech understandability problems not I’m considered hard of hearing so I started learning to lipread and became more involved in the deaf and signing community that really put a lot of things in perspective for me thank you!!
I turned this on because I was having a really frustrating morning and Jessica‘s voice is always so calming. So thank you for that!
Such a calming and informative way to explain a tough and (possibly) anxious subject. We love Mama Jessica
Hi Jessica. First of all, thank you for your videos. I really appreciate them. It’s amazing yet disheartening to know that someone is going through what I’m going through. I wish I had a friend like you. I feel so alone.
You are amazing and I'm really happy I've seen this video. I'm not (currently) deaf but I know how to have a nice conversation and it really helps put things in perspective!
My hearing is still completely functional but I have a lot of buzzing and ringing in my ears seemingly at random. I worked at a dog daycare for a long time and I’m only 20 years old, so I came here for some comfort and you always prove so very helpful
I’m in grad school right now to become an Audiologist. We are here to help you and you’ll be amazed how many resources can be available to you. I’m located in the U.S. and everything in this video applies over here as well. Thank you Jessica for pointing out that Audiologists are a great resource to help. 💚
This is a beautiful video that I really appreciate. I’ve been just realising how isolated my gradual hearing loss has been for me. And I really appreciate you talking about it. Thank you! Can’t wait for the “losing your hearing” forum thing. ❤️❤️❤️
The bit at the end felt like a hug made of words. Thank you for this video!
Thanks for this precious gem, Dr Kellgren-Fozard
when you said 'the only constant in life is you' I felt something clickI've had BPD since I was 7. and this made me realise that although my appearance, relationships, beliefs and thought patterns have changed I am still the same person.
This is such a good video 🥺 I’ve been slowly losing my hearing since I was born. My genetic disorder gave me very weak eardrums and tubing in my ears. They’re deformed. So my hearing has been getting worse and worse. I’m 18 now and my doctors told me I have %15 hearing loss in my left ear and %25 in my right now 🤠. I’ve started using subtitles almost constantly (I used to only use them when the audio wasn’t as clear as others but I was still the only one needing subtitles). I also have developed mild tinnitus. It also sucks because I’m a musician. I know one day I’m gonna need hearing aids. I’ve already started learning ASL 💀
I have both visual and hearing impairment. My kids are pretty clued up by now about helping me and don't mind repeating themselves. Some of the things I've misheard them say give us all a laugh. I didn't realise it was as bad as it apparently is though until the buildings inspector for our flat mentioned weekly fire alarm testing. This was news to me, I'd been here 3 years already and had never heard it. I now have extra loud flashing alarms in every room.
Jessica is my disability 101. I have issues and I dont know how to word them or ask for help. Then I watch your videos and I am just like oooh that what I mean! Sent so many of your videos to my husband to get him to understand.
Thank you Jessica.( and team)