I am the mother to a child with a moderate hearing loss. I am also the wife of a man with profound hearing loss. I have been audience to their struggles in a world of sound. I have also been front seat for many victories.
I remember sitting in primary one of the first Sunday's my daughter attended. The primary president began speaking very quietly. I knew even with hearing aids, my daughter would not hear what she was saying. She began talking about how when you feel the spirit you should become quiet in speech and action. My daughter was staring out the window, not hearing, not invited, not understanding. A distinct message was being sent to me and her. If you can't hear...you can't feel the spirit.
I talked to my husband about this later, asking him what his experience had been like in church. He talked about how much he missed. How often he sits through meetings unable to make out the mumblings of the brethren in priesthood, missing countless talks and lessons simply by sitting near a window, in front of two chatty friends, or a teacher that talked into the chalkboard. Even with hearing aids, these situations exist, as hearing aids make everything louder. And pulling out the main sound can often be an exhausting battle, especially when you add an organ into the fray.
To address this need in my daughters life, I brought her FM system to church. Which is a device that brings the wearer's voice to my duaghters ears. I was shocked when someone refused to wear it. REFUSED. It is not invasive, it is worn simply as a necklace and then transmits directly to my daughters hearing aids, no one else. I left church angry and heartbroken and to this day I have not brought the FM system back to church.
I have a new admiration for members who have a hearing loss. For showing up, even when they know they may get very little out of the meetings.
5 comments:
I think there are many who don't realise the struggles people with hearing loss have to go through. I admit, I don't understand it completely (as far as being able to know what it is like) but I do sympathise. Nikki, I cannot BELIEVE someone actually refused to wear the aid you brought. What serious insensitivity. I think it would be a very good thing to create more awareness in the Church. Maybe you should bring this up with your Bishop.
I don't think being able to hear properly is the only thing that helps one feel the Spirit. I know plenty of people who don't feel it in meetings who don't have any hearing problems at all. It is more a state of mind, but of course, when you are trying to learn, that is a whole different issue.
You teach Kia the Gospel, she knows Heavenly Father loves her, and I am sure that even when she can't hear all that is being taught and said, she is being taught by the Spirit. The miracle of her birth is enough to show that the Lord is very well aware of her, wants her here and has sent her to you and Russ specifically to learn of Him.
They shouldn't have refused to wear it. wow. That says a lot about your dh & family that you guys are working around the obstacles to be able to attend the service.
This is something with which I have to deal regularly at work—accommodating people with challenges using the Internet.
I was reminded of this this morning as my son was playing a game on the Internet. They are simple games, but there is no visual equivalent for the audio. Children with hearing loss will be unable to play the games unless the can independently figure out the game's objectives on their own.
Nikki,
I worked in the hearing industry for about 7 years in the late 80's and early 90's and became aware of the multitude of problems that hearing impaired people suffer.
However, about 3 years ago in mid December, I suddenly recognized that i wasn't hearing as clearly as I had been. After exhaustive testing, I was told my severe loss was due to a virus. I now enjoy Church services at about the same level your husband does. I rarely pick up more than 50% of what is said from the pulpit.
It does, however, give me a legitimate excuse for not responding to my wife. She mumbles too much... :>)
I appreciate your comments and empathy expressed and shared. It is a journey and lessons are usually learned through experience...
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