The Way I Hear It: A Life with Hearing Loss

by Gael Hannan

If you think hearing loss is just a condition of old age—think again.In The Way I Hear It, Gael Hannan explodes one myth after another in a witty and insightful journey into life with hearing loss at every age. Blending personal stories with practical strategies, Gael shines a light onto a world of communication a marriage proposal without hearing aids in, pillow talk and other relationships, raising a child, going to the movies, dining out, ordering at the drive-thru, in the classroom, on the job and hearing technology.Part memoir, part survival guide, The Way I Hear It offers tips for effective communication, poetic reflections, and heart-warming stories from people she has met in her workshops and at conferences throughout North America. Gael’s humorous stories are backed by hearing loss research, and she offers advice on how to bridge the gap between consumer and professional in order to get the best possible hearing health care. The Way I Hear It is a book for people with hearing loss—but also for their families, friends and the professionals who serve them. Gael Hannan shares not only the daily frustrations, but also a strong message of hope and optimism for living successfully with hearing loss.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 31, 2015

About the author

Gael Hannan is a public speaker, humorist and hearing health advocate
who grew up with a hearing loss that is now severe to profound. She writes
a weekly blog on hearing loss for HearingHealthMatters.org, and is the
Consumer Editor for two Canadian professional hearing-related journals.

Gael’s articles have appeared in many North American publications and
she is a sought-after speaker for her funny and insightful performances on
living with hearing loss.

Gael lives with her husband and son and divides her time between Ontario
and Canada's west coast.

Reviews

[Gretchen Rubin]

A practical, thoughtful guide and memoir about living with hearing loss.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book combines an equal amount of useful information and communication strategies with humorous personal anecdotes to keep the reader engaged. I think it is a very informative read for anyone with hearing loss, close to a person with hearing loss, or working with individuals with hearing loss. I would like to read it again and focus on the specific communication strategies that she discusses throughout the book. And its written by a Canadian so it is nice to recognize the places and organizations she talks about.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

On the plus side, the book is quite informative. You learn about different technologies, the social difficulties, etc. I found this one worth reading since I have a relative who's losing his hearing, but it's not a particularly good book. I assume Hannan is quite charismatic in person, but charisma that may be evident in person or on stage is a lot harder to pull off on paper. The poems are of varying qualities, the humor is weak, and the book rambles a bit. A chunk of the book is based on old columns, and I tend to dislike column compilations in book form though.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a person who is Hard of Hearing, and has been her entire life, this book really resonated with me. I definitely related to most of what Gael was saying, though I believe my own hearing loss is slightly less severe than hers is. I liked how she said that we needed to be advocates for ourselves, so that if we cannot have improved hearing, at least we can have closer to 'optimal' communication. Because of some things she said in the book, I was able to have a conversation with my husband and adult son about things I need from *them* in order for us to communicate better as a family.
(note to clean readers: a few minor swears, but nothing offensive)

[Lona Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally enjoyed this book. Informative and I liked the familiar style. Definitely a journey I could relate to as a person with hearing loss. Shared it with a parent of a child with hearing loss and will share it with my family as well. Well worth the read. Thanks Gael.

[Kathleen Panec]

Very validating for those with hearing loss

Validating for those with hearing loss. Informative for them and those who live with someone with a hearing loss, as well.

[Brad McKenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another really good book about being hard of hearing! The poems didn't always work for me but there was so much helpful stuff in the book that it didn't matter. Being such a short book, the number of notes I took were impressive!

Speaking of my notes, here they are:
The 7 Phases of the Big Picture (16-17)
The Internal Debate
Professional Assessment
Mental Preparation
Adoption of Technology
Other Communicating Strategies
Other Supports
Learning to Live with Hearing Loss

“We don’t look it. This is one of the major challenges of having a hearing loss.” (18)

“Hearing loss is the most common birth defect, occurring in three in 1000 babies, and more than fifty per cent of prelingual hearing loss is genetic.” (20)

The question of what to call herself covered on pp. 25-28 is the same one I went through…and am still going through. I think Hard of Hearing is winning for me.

Never say nevermind. If it’s worth saying once it’s worth repeating. (38)

A 2012 study by K.S. Henry and M. G. Heinz “shows that background noise causes the ears of those with hearing loss to work differently than those with normal hearing.” (40)

She has the same aversion to drive-thrus as I do…but I’d guess most HoHs do. (42)

She asserts that one sense does not become better if we have another that’s not up to par, but rather we just rely on another sense more. I’d be interested in reading more about this to see if she’s right. (42)

Every HoH bluffs from time-to-time. But we shouldn’t. It’s not honest. (50)

The not-quiet-smile, the slightly arched eyebrow, the hands clenched in front of her are all signs that Gael points to to show that the Mona Lisa was HoH. (51)

How to Stop Bluffing (53)
Fess up as soon as we realize
Be aware of our Bluff Patterns
Find the courage to say “I’m not following!”
Verify and clarify what’s said
Use tech
Create the best environment
Good Lighting
Low Background Noise
People talk one at a time (yeah, like that’ll happen)
Train people to let you know when there’s a topic change
Get Kith and Kin to help you kick the habit
Believe that we have the right to understand and participate.

We have to adjust to how loud things sound, and how they sound in general, with every successive aid, not just the first. (65)

"There are many types of tears in hearing loss." (77)

When one partner is severely deaf, divorce rates are 4x higher. (84)

The HoH cook should never leave the kitchen, you may not hear important/concerning sounds. (125)

“Most people have moments of anxiety when they travel by air. Even seasoned travelers are uptight about being late for a flight or making their connection. But [people with hearing loss] percolate at a higher level of anxiety, afraid of missing crucial, time-sensitive information.” (139)

“Anxiety doesn’t create tinnitus, but studies have shown that anxiety increases the ‘loudness’ of the ringing as well as the perception of it.” (170)

[Heather Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank goodness for this book. I'm overjoyed to read a book like this. It's like Gael knew me. I laughed so hard in places since I go through many of the frustrations and challenges she humorously describes.Gael also has a lot of helpful information. I think I will seek out an HL association again as I realize I've spent the last few years in a bit of denial and, I hate to admit, a great deal of bluffing. Big sigh. Thank you Gael! Blessings to you and the great work you're doing.

[Lysle Barmby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could have written it. I could add to it. Bang on. I advice anyone with hearing loss or hearing impairments to not only buy and read this book, but to pass it on to friends, family, heck to perfect strangers, so that there is more understanding regarding the daily struggle faced by the deaf and HOH. (Ya, I'm a HOH) It's a disability but to approach it with positivity and humour is so refreshing. Hearing loss is isolating but it's not a death sentence. Do not let it hold you back. Give 'er!

[Dalene Flannigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been lucky enough to attend one of Hannan's presentations and I was emotionally rocked. She is a charismatic speaker and it comes through in her book; it is funny, intelligent, poignant and honest. Hannan has a way of using humour to get at often painful truths. Not only was this book edifying and insightful, it was a really enjoyable read.