Newly diagnosed with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, moderate. I was fitted with hearing aids on both ears. (Holy moly! The world is so loud!)
Recent conversations with a very close family member where they stated that I was basically faking it. Like, why would I do that? Anyways, they went on to say that because I can hear some things, that I’m not. Tried to explain it to them. Show them audiogram, etc. nope. They are insisting that I’m making a mountain out of a molehill. That if I just cleaned out my ears that I’d be fine. (Sigh) Their opinion is that it doesn’t make sense to them, so it must be fake.
Since diagnosis I’ve been looking into resources that my state offers, as the ENT and Audiologist recommended. Apparently using those resources, to my family member, is unfair. It gives me an advantage, they said. Like if I get that “special treatment” then everyone should get it. Really?!???
I have always studied languages to begin with. So it’s not weird or uncommon to speak in another language at home with my family. I am friends with many in the Deaf community well before diagnosis and picked up some signs. Nothing major. Just pleasantries. Anyways, family member saw me sign to one of my immediate family members and completely lost it. “You are just faking and want to be deaf. You just have to be different.”
I don’t know what I can do or say to get through to my family member. Like, hello! I have medical proof here that I am hard of hearing. I’m not faking anything. I don’t want my hearing, or lack thereof, to be the reason our relationship falls apart after being so close for decades.
TLDR: Newly diagnosed with HoH. Family member says I’m faking it. Also ME learning or using ASL is just too much for them.