•  1 in 4 Canadians report having a hearing loss;
•  8 in 10 Canadians have worked with or have family or friends with deafness or hearing loss;
•  1 in 6 Canadians would rather live with hearing loss than use a hearing aid;
•  1 in 8 people avoid dealing with someone who is hard of hearing;
•  Average age of those experiencing hearing loss is 51 - nearly 1 in 4 are under age 40 and 7 in 10 are under age 60.

People with hearing loss often report that their communication difficulties result in "increased feelings of isolation, depression, loneliness, anger, fear, frustration, and disappointment". All any of us want is to be understood, to be appreciated and to feel worthwhile.

You are an active person who just happens to have a hearing loss. Your hearing loss must become a secondary issue in your life instead of a primary obstacle in being able to live your life. Your lack of hearing is not an indication of who you are. You just happen to have a hearing loss. You are still you. You are the same person as you were before your hearing loss. Your life may be a little different now but it doesn't have to be any less than before. The best weapon to ease anxieties and to regain control of your life is through education. The more you know, the more you can pass on to the family and friends, the better things will be for you. Again, that's what I call a "win-win" situation! As we get older, we discard some roles and we take up new ones. Change what you can. Accept what you must. Live your life as richly as before. It's all part of our life's journey so why not make the best of it and enjoy life!

Today's society values physical perfection and beauty. As we were growing up, we all tried to be like everyone else, wear the latest fashions and not be different from our friends. Sometimes people are uncomfortable when they see that you wear hearing aids. They are not sure how to talk to you. Do they shout? Do they raise their voice? Uncertain of what to do, they sometimes don't even try. They walk away. They ignore you. When they don't try to communicate with you, you are left with not knowing why they won't talk to you and your feelings may be hurt. If this happens a few times, you stop even trying to communicate with others, thereby perpetuating the viscous cycle. You need to let people know how you want to be treated in order to change how people will interact with you. Help them to help you. Explain that you have a hearing loss and that it is best if they face you when speaking; speak a little slower and to speak clearly. With this understanding, communication becomes a success. It is said that we change the world one person at a time! Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to communicate with everyone in your world!

I encourage you to continue learning and taking in all life has to offer. I encourage you to learn about assistive listening devices or learn speech reading.

I encourage every one who suspects that they have a hearing loss to recognize that it is just another avenue that your life is taking, one phase has ended - another begins. Here is an opportunity to learn more about yourself and utilize your inner resources. Take up a new hobby, memorize a poem, learn a new song, and use that brain which has served you well all through your life. Like they say "if you don't use it, you'll lose it"!