Cherishing one's own hearing

That is, the remaining hearing you have left. This is true among the millions of people with hearing loss who use their hearing aids or cochlear implants to help them hear. Whether a person was born with a hearing loss or acquired it later in life, it doesn't take long to realize the importance and value of being able to hear. Some hear more than others based on the range of frequency available to them and amount of decibels loss, the feeling is generally the same and that many of us, like me, do in fact cherish what hearing we have left. It's the joy of hearing sound whether it's the sweet environmental sounds of the outdoors, to kids laughing at a play park to having conversations with friends and families over the phone. It's the amazing technology of hearing aids and cochlear implants that can easily open doors to these wonderful experiences. Which is why I support organizations such as Starkey Hearing Foundation and people who help donate and provide free hearing aids to people who are unable to afford or even have access to them. At least they are actively reaching out and provide the needs and services to those who can benefit the amazing world of sound.

I had a forum discussion covering this very topic. A few did answer my question that, yes, they do cherish their hearing while most of them either didn't answer or said 'no' which could mean that they do not derive any real benefits from their hearing aids or that simply do not want to elevate the status on the quality of hearing. The problem is that if they do wear hearing aids and say they do not cherish their hearing then why wear one? Some would respond that they see their hearing or even their hearing aid as simply a "tool." Not sure what that means but probably to mean to use it to just get by.

Next, we have those who actually believe that kids to late deafened adults with hearing loss in poor countries should not receive their free hearing aids donated by organizations that travel and give out free hearing aids. Some think the only answer is to set up deaf schools, which is nice but there are even caveats to this approach. The problems are really about the prejudices and discrimination experienced in third world countries that go against people with hearing loss in the area of education, communication access, and jobs. For example, Peru where deaf/hh people are faced with huge barriers when it comes to communication access. Even the World Federation of the Deaf acknowledges these problems exist in third world countries. So, for a start, providing free hearing aids to those who can benefit from such a technology is a big head start jump for many of these people. Rather than be critical of such missions embrace them like Marlee Matlin has been doing who sees the value of hearing.