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Living With Hearing Loss and Deafness: A guide to owning it and loving it
'Highly informative, told with warmth and humour' - Adam Kay, author of This is Going to Hurt
'Heartfelt and hilarious - deaf awareness beautifully told through Sam's unique voice' - Laura Whitmore
'This book is important' - Mark Atkinson, CEO of the Royal National Institute for Deaf People
'Samantha is a strong and powerful woman who talks so openly about her life and about being a part of the deaf community. To have someone who wants to help and wants to make a difference is so important and Sam is that person.' - Gaby Roslin
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This is an all-you-need-to-know book about hearing loss and deafness, including facts, experiences and words of wisdom from experts at the RNID, audiologists, deaf activists and people who use and teach sign language. Having been on her own deaf journey, Samantha Baines has met wonderful, interesting, courageous people of all ages who also happen to be deaf. In this book, alongside the experts, she weaves together their insights and advice and, importantly, teaches those of us who aren't deaf, what it is like for those who are. Along the way, she looks
* The first signs of hearing loss
* What is tinnitus?
* What to expect at a hearing test
* Will I lose my job?
* Am I disabled?
* What are hearing aids and why do you need them?
* Deaf dating
* Lipreading
* What is sign language?
* What not to say to someone with hearing loss
* And much more...
'This is the book I wish I could have bought when the audiologist told me I needed a hearing aid, and I hope it can help you understand this new world you are stepping into. Welcome to the deaf club.' Samantha Baines
'Heartfelt and hilarious - deaf awareness beautifully told through Sam's unique voice' - Laura Whitmore
'This book is important' - Mark Atkinson, CEO of the Royal National Institute for Deaf People
'Samantha is a strong and powerful woman who talks so openly about her life and about being a part of the deaf community. To have someone who wants to help and wants to make a difference is so important and Sam is that person.' - Gaby Roslin
-----------------
This is an all-you-need-to-know book about hearing loss and deafness, including facts, experiences and words of wisdom from experts at the RNID, audiologists, deaf activists and people who use and teach sign language. Having been on her own deaf journey, Samantha Baines has met wonderful, interesting, courageous people of all ages who also happen to be deaf. In this book, alongside the experts, she weaves together their insights and advice and, importantly, teaches those of us who aren't deaf, what it is like for those who are. Along the way, she looks
* The first signs of hearing loss
* What is tinnitus?
* What to expect at a hearing test
* Will I lose my job?
* Am I disabled?
* What are hearing aids and why do you need them?
* Deaf dating
* Lipreading
* What is sign language?
* What not to say to someone with hearing loss
* And much more...
'This is the book I wish I could have bought when the audiologist told me I needed a hearing aid, and I hope it can help you understand this new world you are stepping into. Welcome to the deaf club.' Samantha Baines
- GenresNonfictionDisability
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 27, 2023
12 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 21, 2023
Friends and family, maybe even strangers - do not be surprised if you get a copy of this at any point in the next year, I will be gently encouraging (read: forcing) everyone I know to read it
There was so much to relate to as a deaf person but I don't think I'll ever be able to put it into words - simply, please read this.
(Definitely could have done without the two HP references, though)
There was so much to relate to as a deaf person but I don't think I'll ever be able to put it into words - simply, please read this.
(Definitely could have done without the two HP references, though)
July 17, 2023
"So how did I end up writing this book? Well, after the success of my children's books I came back to this idea of writing a funny, honest guide to hearing loss and deafness, the book I wanted to read when I got my hearing aid...thank you to Headline for not dismissing this book as niche. Thank you from the 12 million people in the UK who have some form of hearing loss or deafness. Whether or not they read the book, they might feel for a moment that deaf people have at least a tiny glimmer of representation in literature."
Following an ear infection, perforated eardrum and labyrinthitis at Easter, I have been diagnosed with profound, single-sided deafness. This was a shock, because until I saw an ENT consultant, I had been constantly reassured my hearing would return. As ever, when faced with a new challenge, one of my solutions is to find others who have or are experiencing similar, and having found the author (also a comedian, actress and broadcaster) on Instagram, I purchased her book. What I found was a well-researched, reassuringly accessible guide, informed by the author's experiences and those she interviewed; her practical advice explained so much I did not know, helping me to understand what to expect about finding myself suddenly deaf and disabled, aged 43. The book is also a manifesto and a call-to-arms for deaf activism and against abelism, for allies of the deaf community and for society to embrace its deaf members, celebrating their strengths. The author's voice and approach is helping me to navigate this huge change, with a resilient and empowered attitude, for which I am very grateful.
Following an ear infection, perforated eardrum and labyrinthitis at Easter, I have been diagnosed with profound, single-sided deafness. This was a shock, because until I saw an ENT consultant, I had been constantly reassured my hearing would return. As ever, when faced with a new challenge, one of my solutions is to find others who have or are experiencing similar, and having found the author (also a comedian, actress and broadcaster) on Instagram, I purchased her book. What I found was a well-researched, reassuringly accessible guide, informed by the author's experiences and those she interviewed; her practical advice explained so much I did not know, helping me to understand what to expect about finding myself suddenly deaf and disabled, aged 43. The book is also a manifesto and a call-to-arms for deaf activism and against abelism, for allies of the deaf community and for society to embrace its deaf members, celebrating their strengths. The author's voice and approach is helping me to navigate this huge change, with a resilient and empowered attitude, for which I am very grateful.
March 19, 2023
I was SO delighted to be sent a proof copy of this book, and will be thrusting it towards patients, colleagues and loved ones alike. I learnt more about deafness and hearing loss in one chapter of this than I did in 4 years of medical school, it’s truly a remarkable feat, and should be compulsory reading for all healthcare practitioners. It’s also funny! What’s not to love?! Get pre-ordering NOW.
May 20, 2023
Finished this book the day I received it. I loved it, the positive empowering attitude was infectious. I enjoyed the humour and often laughed. I’ve also found it a release to see my own experiences existing here in a book. Although for me, my hearing aid does not improve my background noise experience, being an NHS one that is well… behind the times.
I also happen to be bisexual with moderate hearing loss but it stops there as I’ve never been married, let alone divorced.
It made me reflect on what I could do to bolster representation. I’ve always had a desire to write. Im currently planning out my 3rd year history degree dissertation on deafness in early modern England as this is a really underrepresented area of historical research with only one deaf scholar writing about it amongst the less than a dozen hearing scholars. I have been thinking I would like to write a history book one day on this. I wish id have had that history growing up (I was 18 months old when my hearing loss was identified but 14 when I got my first HA).
Throughly recommend this book.
I also happen to be bisexual with moderate hearing loss but it stops there as I’ve never been married, let alone divorced.
It made me reflect on what I could do to bolster representation. I’ve always had a desire to write. Im currently planning out my 3rd year history degree dissertation on deafness in early modern England as this is a really underrepresented area of historical research with only one deaf scholar writing about it amongst the less than a dozen hearing scholars. I have been thinking I would like to write a history book one day on this. I wish id have had that history growing up (I was 18 months old when my hearing loss was identified but 14 when I got my first HA).
Throughly recommend this book.
October 13, 2023
As a deaf reader I loved this book - feels like a 101 guide to deafness, even I learnt some stuff from this but it would benefit literally anyone and everyone to have a read. There’s humour, facts and statistics and lots of information and resources! Highly recommend it to anyone who wants to educate themselves on the world of deafness!
October 28, 2023
4.5 stars.
I've learnt a lot and I want to learn a lot more. I'd recommend everyone reads it; it's a really good read. It's also under 300 pages, well-written, and easy to take in.
I've learnt a lot and I want to learn a lot more. I'd recommend everyone reads it; it's a really good read. It's also under 300 pages, well-written, and easy to take in.
May 18, 2023
A really good book chock full of information I didn’t even know, and I’m deaf! Love the added bits of humour, it makes the book feel lighthearted and friendly. I really love that this exists. I feel a lot of advice for deaf people are geared towards children rather than adults and if you become deaf later in life, one can feel lonely! I especially relate to Baines’ comment on all the hearing loss brochures featuring elderly people, where’s everyone else?!
One thing I would like to point out is that I, (personally, so take this with a pinchhh of salt because I do still love this book), felt the tips given were geared more towards those with hearing aids and not so much those who are profoundly deaf or use CIs, or cannot have hearing aids at all. It would be useful for people to know that not all CIs can go through MRIs or airport detectors. This is a small point. But this book has done a hefty amount of research and is definitely an important read!
Overall, read this book! You won’t regret it, it’s very useful and I feel a bit prouder about my deafness than before.
One thing I would like to point out is that I, (personally, so take this with a pinchhh of salt because I do still love this book), felt the tips given were geared more towards those with hearing aids and not so much those who are profoundly deaf or use CIs, or cannot have hearing aids at all. It would be useful for people to know that not all CIs can go through MRIs or airport detectors. This is a small point. But this book has done a hefty amount of research and is definitely an important read!
Overall, read this book! You won’t regret it, it’s very useful and I feel a bit prouder about my deafness than before.
June 12, 2023
This warm, witty and wise book has been incredibly helpful in helping me with some research, and educating me about hearing loss and Deafness. It’s really made me stop and think about what the Deaf community has to navigate every single day in a world that is set up for hearing people.
It’s packed with valuable advice, sources of help, and anecdotes from Samantha’s own experience as well as information and facts from audiologists, British Sign Language teachers and the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID). I’d really recommend this to anyone who’s experienced hearing loss or is concerned about it, and actually to everyone without hearing loss, too. One of the things that really hit home is the fatigue that Deaf people experience from having to do the work when communicating with hearing people. Samantha’s book raises important points about how hearing people can help and take some of that pressure off.
It’s packed with valuable advice, sources of help, and anecdotes from Samantha’s own experience as well as information and facts from audiologists, British Sign Language teachers and the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID). I’d really recommend this to anyone who’s experienced hearing loss or is concerned about it, and actually to everyone without hearing loss, too. One of the things that really hit home is the fatigue that Deaf people experience from having to do the work when communicating with hearing people. Samantha’s book raises important points about how hearing people can help and take some of that pressure off.
April 26, 2023
I may be biased because I was interviewed for this book and also had some some editorial involvement, but this really is a fantastic guide to the world of deafness and hearing loss. Sam maintains a great tone throughout that makes the reader feel safe, while also being highly informative. I believe this book is going to help so many people. 💕
August 21, 2024
Useful and quick to read. Also quite relatable as a young-ish person with hearing loss :)
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews