This was my script before I edited it down to make the one minute mark!
when i was 3 months, i lost my hearing.
by a year and a half after multiple surgeries, it was back.
i couldn’t read until i was 10, but my hearing was perfect.
last january, i got sick. it was just the common cold that everyone in the dorms had, so i did nothing about it.
3 months later i finally went to the doctor.
i had a double ear infection.
she asked if i was ever in pain because i must have had it for a while.
i said “no, i’m used to my ears being in pain, i guess i didn’t notice it.”
in july, i went in for my annual physical.
i failed my hearing test for the first time since i was 3 months old.
she asked if i noticed any hearing loss.
i said “no”
in august, i failed my hearing test again.
she asked if i noticed any hearing loss.
i said “yes”
she said i needed to see an audiologist.
in november, i had a real hearing test.
they said that i was on the boarder of normal hearing.
they said they didn’t understand.
they said i was too young.
they said they don’t know what to do.
they said to come back in 3 months.
in january, i had another real hearing test.
i was hopeful this time.
i thought things were better.
they said i was below normal.
they said i have lost 30% of my hearing.
they said they didn’t understand.
they said i’m too young.
they said they don’t know what to do.
they said it’s going to get worse.
•••
i’ve learned to look at people when they are speaking, to read their lips. i’ve learned to watch tv with subtitles. i’ve to listen to music at volume level 41 in my car. i’ve learned that when it rains, i can’t hear anything but the rain. i’ve learned that planes don’t affect me. i’ve learned that when i swallow or yawn my ears pop. i’ve learned that when i’m chewing, the whole world goes silent. i’ve learned that it’s worst at night. i’ve learned not to scream when i talk, because just because i can’t hear myself, doesn’t mean others can’t as well. i’ve learned that some days i can’t hear at all. i’ve learned not to cry about it. i’ve learned that i’m going deaf at the age of 19. but i’ve also learned to laugh about it.
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