The Profound Isolation of Being a Deaf Teen
I lost my hearing—and with it, a lot of the conversations I used to treasure
Think about all the conversations you have throughout your day.
You might chat with the barista about the weather as you order your coffee. As you walk down the street, someone compliments your jacket. You thank them and say where you got it. A friend calls you to tell you some important news, and you chat idly for a while. You overhear a group of acquaintances talking about a video game you’ve played, so you chime in. They invite you to eat lunch with them. At the restaurant, everyone talks over each other. It’s noisy, brash, and fun. You laugh until your sides hurt and go home happy: You’ve made some friends.
Several years ago, I had days like that every day. While I was never particularly popular, I had friends I’d hang out with and acquaintances I’d stop to say hi to. People would compliment me in the street, and I’d compliment them back—that was something I always tried to do. I’d hang out in groups, with friends of friends I didn’t know, and we’d always find something to laugh about together by the end of the night. I’d go to movies, to watch my friends in school musicals, and to crowded malls and loud concerts.