@xxjordanxx9472

1 year ago

I have watched Jimmy for years and to see his success as a YouTuber to then becoming an actor is something so inspiring and gratifying. I had no idea he had hearing problems, and the way he describes it really hit home for me. I was born deaf in my right ear and interactions on a daily basis are exactly that “wheel of fortune” analogy he had made. I also opted for a not-visible hearing aid, and I remember when I first got it I wanted it to not be noticed because I didn’t want to bring attention to my deafness. My doctor first suggested a bone-anchored hearing aid, which involves a surgical procedure where they put a screw behind your ear and the hearing attaches above the skin on top, like a magnet. I bawled and refused as adamantly as I could, I wouldn’t settle for anything that people would be able to see so I got one that goes inside of my ear. Also his explanation of hearing aids and coming off like a dick for not being able to hear people. THE MASKS (not an anti-masker, it was just impossible to read lips). The wall we set for ourselves to not seek out accommodations that are meant to make things easier for us out of embarrassment or feeling pitied by others. But in turn, making it more difficult to interact with the world around us. And the pet peeve of “..nevermind”, it’s not something that HOH people can help, we want to hear what people are saying, we want to interact and to be brushed off because it’s a hassle is gut wrenching. It causes this self imposing “I’m the problem” mentality. In a way, I’ve found it a blessing and a curse. I find when I have my hearing aid in, the world is suddenly so overwhelming. It is so overbearingly loud, it’s sometimes nice to be able to tune things out. I know that even I come from a place of privilege in the sense that I’m able to hear at all but sometimes even experiencing that “normality” of hearing the world as everyone else does is too much - something I’m not accustomed to because I don’t wear my hearing aid often. It’s so refreshing to be ironically (hear) someone else talk about something that has such a personal effect that not many other people realize and that I relate to personally. You’ve helped me feel seen and I hope that this interview does reach people who aren’t so understanding to the HOH and deaf community. Thank you deeply for this episode. Your impact is astounding. ❤️

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