An 'Invisible' Disability

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"I don't have a problem hearing. If everyone would stop mumbling, I would hear everything just fine." I have heard variations on this statement numerous times during my career as an audiologist.

I also know firsthand the frustration of not hearing speech clearly. I have a mild-to-moderate hearing loss, caused by chickenpox when I was a young child. At that time, hearing aids were not recommended for fear that I would become "dependent" on them. And I have heard that same fear expressed by patients. But the so-called dependency comes from being able to hear better ... you can bet I'm dependent on them now!

I know the benefits and limitations of hearing aid use. Without hearing aids, I can hear people …