Perfection was what children’s entertainer Rachel radiated when dressed as a fairytale princess. So, when her hearing rapidly deteriorated in her early thirties, Rachel decided to challenge perfection and proudly show off her hearing aid.
Rachel’s story
I’ve had problems with my ears since age seven and had grommets throughout my childhood. While they did help, I think I just managed, to be honest. Then, last year my boyfriend started to ask me if I could hear him. I thought it bizarre at first.
However, I also have my own business – I run children’s parties – and suddenly I noticed I was having to get really close to the kids’ faces to hear them. I noticed it with music as well. I sing at the parties, and I could not hear my backing track. I felt embarrassed and realised something was not right. Something had got worse.
I went to the doctor, but they said my ears looked fine. I was so frustrated.
So, I did something a bit silly, something I now realise was incredibly dangerous and I want no one else to do, ever – I bought an ‘ear camera’ off the internet. The camera goes in your ear and sends a video to your phone so you can see what’s going on. Unfortunately, the camera snapped off inside my ear and perforated my eardrum.
Never insert objects into your ear. Inserting anything in your ear can push ear wax deeper, damage the skin of the ear canal and damage your eardrum.
A life-changing diagnosis
I had to wait a few months for an audiology appointment, in which time I had shingles which affected my right ear again, but when the appointment came, I thought they’d just say I needed an operation on my eardrum.
Instead, I was diagnosed with moderate to severe loss in my right ear and told I needed a hearing aid – and I froze.
I was in a daze while they did the mould, but as soon as I stepped out into the car park, I crumbled to the floor. It was such a shock. At this point I had such a negative perception of hearing aids. It sounds silly, but I thought my life was ending.
I did not like the thought of being seen with a hearing aid in public, and I remember thinking I’d never wear my hair up again. I thought I’d be bullied, that people would see it as a weakness, and that I’d have to scrap my business – fairytale princesses are perfect, they do not have hearing loss!
A turning point in Wolverhampton
I went to Wolverhampton for a football match and while walking down the street I saw a young person with a hearing aid. And then I saw another. It was so strange. We went to a café and sat on a table next to two young men in their 20s. One had two hearing aids, and the other was signing to him.
This was the first time I’d seen young people with hearing aids with my own eyes – I live in the lakes, so it’s very remote! I felt I needed to talk to them, and when I did, they just inspired me.
It turned out that this day we were in Wolverhampton was the same day as Deaffest (the UK’s leading Deaf-led film and arts festival). I saw so many young people with hearing aids, and it was so positive. It was a massive turning point for me.
Discovering the superpower of a hearing aid
From the moment they put the hearing aid in, my life changed. I stepped out into that same car park – the one where a month before I’d sobbed on the floor like the world was ending – and I looked up and heard the birds singing. It was the most beautiful experience. My hearing aid was not my weakness. It was going to be my superpower!
I decided to wear my hearing aid at my next party. I wear wigs anyway, so I put a wig over it. Well, I cannot explain to you how I felt when I heard the music and came in at the right time. I could hear the kids talking from across the room, and I could interact with them so much more.
At one party I saw a little girl with a hearing aid in. I went over to her and said, “Can I let you in on a secret?” and I lifted my wig, and she was so excited. I showed this child that she was like me, and to see her face light up was amazing. Her parents told me that I’d made her feel seen.
A new outlook
When I chose my hearing aid, I went for something that blended with my hair, but now I want something more blingy. I feel like I’ve gone through a glow up. It’s changed my life for the better: my relationship is stronger, I’m more confident, and there’s such an improvement in the quality of my singing.
I cannot believe I even considered giving up my business. I thought a hearing aid would get in the way, but it’s made me so much better at my job.
I’d love to see more young people proudly showing off their hearing aids. I changed my social media profile to show mine off and I never thought I’d do that. I want others to realise that a hearing aid can improve their life, not hinder it.
Hearing loss can be a barrier – do not keep that barrier up unnecessarily because of stigma. Let’s break it down together.
