If you’d like to know why I named my blog Sudden Silence and read about my unexpected plunge into deafness, you can read my first post, which explains it all.
I detailed my simultaneous bilateral cochlear implant surgery here:
I’m a 44 year old mom to two teenagers. I’ve been married to Dave since 2002, and we’ve been together since 1998.
Dave, the kids and I share our home with one dog, two guinea pigs and five cats. All of our animals have been rescued either from shelters or in the case of 3 of our cats, previously feral.
I grew up hearing impaired, with a sensorineural loss of unknown origin, although it’s apparently progressive. I communicate orally and lip-read well. I do not know sign language although I’m attempting to learn it now.
My hearing loss was discovered when I was around 4 years old, and I wore one hearing aid in my right ear, the “worse” ear. I went to regular schools in mainstream classrooms with no accommodations, other than sitting at the front of the class. My hearing was stable until 1993. For unknown reasons, I lost what was left of the hearing in my right ear, rendering my hearing aid useless. My left ear was not affected and I changed to bi-CROS Beltone hearing aids, which I just loved. They helped bring my hearing pretty much back to what I had been used to, even though I was now profoundly deaf in my right ear, with a moderate-to-severe loss in the left ear.
In April of 2008, I had another episode of sudden hearing loss, this time in my left ear. This has been even more traumatic because I now have a profound loss in both ears, making my hearing aids useless. Having never been raised as deaf, and rarely even acknowledging the fact that I was hearing impaired, it’s left me feeling like I’ve joined a new secret society where I don’t know the language. Learning sign language is something I’ve always been interested in but I think it will be a slow process. Luckily my whole family is also interested in learning right along with me.
I received simultaneous bilateral cochlear implants on July 22, 2008.
My husband and I work together from home, making scented candles (including favors for weddings, showers and parties). Dave is also hearing impaired and wears a hearing aid in his right ear. He is my soul mate — having a spouse who understands firsthand what it’s like to be hearing impaired makes a huge difference. He is unfailingly patient, kind and supportive. I can’t imagine my life without him!
My son is ‘discovering himself’ now that he’s out of high school. He’s over a foot taller than me and has a great sense of humor. Never one to follow the crowd, he’s been the child to test limits, assert his own style and personality. He’s also amazingly polite, friendly and intelligent.
My daughter is currently in high school. She’s an animal-rights supporter, a wonderful writer and an amazingly thoughtful, generous girl. She loves interior design, cooking, making lists and organizing events. She does really well in school and still likes to hang out with her mom from time to time, even though she’s a teenager now. She’s just beginning to try out new personas, at just about the same age her brother did. She’s a little more reserved than he was, though…thank goodness!
I love to read, and I used to quilt (something I will probably get back to someday soon). Dave and I enjoy watching TV together in the evening while we work on candles (cleaning votives, wrapping favors). I like walking and weight training for exercise, although I don’t do it enough these days. We roast our own coffee and Dave has a nice collection of unique coffee makers — especially vacuum pots. He also has quite a few antique sewing machines and used to help me quilt back when we first met!
Finally…I talk too much. 
When I was a kid, I always thought I’d grow up to be a “writer”. I think I’m making up for lost time!
Hi! I think this is a new blog? And I didn’t realize you were so recently late-deafened. It’s hard to lose your hearing so suddenly. I’ve had a progressive bilateral hearing loss for over thirty years. My husband only recently started losing his hearing in the past few years due to Menieres. We have a lot in common. Will you be getting a CI?
Hi Kim!
Yes, I just started my blog a couple of weeks ago when I lost more of my hearing. It really helps to write about it!
Thanks so much for your nice comments.
I’m hoping to get a CI, and I’ll be going for an evaluation soon. If that becomes a reality, I’ll be writing about the whole CI process here as well.
Take care!
Hello –
I’m a mom of 2 boys… my oldest son, who is 11, has a moderate hearing loss in both ears. We found out when he was 4. I JUST started a blog myself regarding this… with the hopes to offer support… share resources… and continue to learn and get support for myself.
You wrote: “Having never been raised as deaf, and rarely even acknowledging the fact that I was hearing impaired – it’s left me feeling like I’ve joined a new secret society ”
Sometimes, I feel like that is what everyone expects from people that are HOH. Since my son is not deaf, and does not use ASL, and can hear pretty well (with assistance) – it’s like everyone wants to just treat him the same as the rest of the hearing population – when he’s not. I think he feels like he should try to be the same also. When I mention differences to people – they are quick to blow things off or act like I’m making excuses for him or trying to get him special treatment… It can be frustrating.
I want him to learn more about the deaf culture and meet other HOH people. It would be escpecially cool if he could meet more kids that are HOH and wear hearing aids. He is the only kid we know that does – and, it’s a bit hard on him sometimes.
He also wants to learn ASL in middle school as his language – and that will be cool. I’d like to learn it also – just because. His hearing loss does not seem to be progressive… but, your story shows how things can change.
Deb
I just found your blog via Deaf Village – wow, your implants are just 2 days away now! I had my own on June 26 and was switched on just over a week ago and it is fanTAStic. I can talk to my kids again – wow! I heard a bird tweet for the first time in 25 years… I learned that a mouse click actually emits a clicking noise!
I wish you all the best for this very exciting time!
Hi Wendi,
I’m a college sophomore and my mom recently found your blog and sent it to me. Thank you so much for writing this! I have a similar story to yours – a progressive deafness, grew up completely mainstream and never knew a single deaf person until recently, still don’t know ASL – and I will be getting a cochlear implant on Sept. 9, 2008! Reading your “First Post” was pure deja vu because the same thing happened to me in December 2007 – I was at work (I worked at Hollister, with the crazy loud music) and all of a sudden the music became unbearable! The bass had always bothered me a little, but suddenly I couldn’t stand it, because I had lost even more hearing. In April 2008 I finally decided to get a CI, but I’m not brave like you…one ear at a time! I have a little residual hearing in my right ear that I want to preserve, so I’m doing the left.
I’ll be honest, reading your posts about your actual surgery absolutely terrified me. But it’s good to know what the surgery was like – I kept laughing at the parts about your glasses – I have poor sight myself without my contacts so I’ll be a little deaf-blind during my surgery too!
Hope your recovery is going well and I look forward to reading more about it!!
~Tania
Hey there, Wendi!!!
Tomorrow is the day for your activation!! I am so stoked for you and can’t wait to hear all about it!!
Jennifer
hi wendy
i am a mother of a 2 yr old bilaterally deafened child. I started my blog in hope for raising funds needed for her CI. We are from the Philippines, health care system here is so poor that we have to raise the money on our own.When my daughter was assessed by a neurootologist (the one who will operate), the physician requested for a CT scan which till now we havent done yet. The physician wants to make sure if LARGE VESTIBULAR AQUEDUCT SYNDROME is present in her two ears because if it is present we have to restrict her activities to preserve her right ear.Her hearing loss is assymetrical in both ears. She has moderate-severe in her right ear but very profound in her left . We are considering CI for her worst ear. Have you heard of LVAS wendy? I’ve done research about it and based on what you have experienced with your hearing it fits very well with the symptoms of the syndrome.
GOD bless you and your family always.
berose
You are indeed a good writer. You catched my interest and got me to read about your CI experiences for several hours – even though it is a topic that I have never been interested in. Keep on writing, and be proud of the fact that you have created an amazing resource through your blog and your experiences. I am sure that a lot of people appreciate that, even random visitors like me.
By the way, I have a slight hearing impairment and quite severe tinnitus myself – but hearing is one of those things that is very easy to take for granted. Being reminded that nothing should be taken for granted is always useful!