MY STORY by Josie Sidoti.
Josie's hearing loss started in her teenage years. She found it hard to continue her study and lost her confidence. This is Josie's story.
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Josie Sidoti - April 2008
I started my teens with a problem when I found I was having difficulty hearing. My dream had always been to become a Mothercraft Nurse so I could work with children and I found it so difficult when I attended Lectures. I had to take notes and lip-read at the same time. In those days people with a hearing loss got no help at all and thinking back I am amazed at how I achieved the study without modern technology.
My hearing loss was diagnosed as Otosclerosis, a bone disease in the middle ear which causes the small bones to become fixed and stop working. This means the vibrations of sound are not transferred into the cochlea and therefore I couldn't hear.
When I was 21 I had an operation in one ear and this helped me hear better for a while. I got married and had four children. Unbeknown to me, my kind of hearing loss is made worse by pregnancy so having my children caused further deterioration of my hearing. At this time I decided to have my other ear operated on which, unlike my first operation, was a complete failure. By now hearing in my 'good ear' was starting to deteriorate as well and I tried various kinds of hearing aids, but they were never much help.
The effects of my hearing-loss forced me into isolation and I was finding it very difficult to communicate. I was depressed, withdrawn and insecure, my confidence hit rock bottom; I had become a recluse.
I heard about an organisation called Better Hearing, so I went along to find out what they offered, not realizing what an impact this small decision would have on my life. Better Hearing is an organisation which provides support and information to adults who become deafened in later life. I became a member and joined their lip- reading classes. It was a great experience and education for me when I realised I was not the only person in the world with a hearing loss. I learnt many skills to help me to cope in my daily life with managing a deteriorating deafness. The staff and friends I made at Better Hearing have become an extended family to me because we are joined by our common hearing loss.
In 1995 I decided to do a two year Diploma course and also a one year Hearing Advisor's course at Better Hearing so I would be better able to help and support others with a similar problems to me. I learnt so much about my own hearing loss from doing this study.
While I was studying I was finally diagnosed as being so deaf that I was now eligible for a Cochlear Implant operation and this has been a total success. Now I smile when things are said and people think I don't hear them.
The joy of hearing sounds that had been lost to me is wonderful. I love the sound of rain on the roof and autumn leaves crunching under foot. The rustling of these leaves bring back so many sounds of my childhood. I love to hear my grandchildren yelling and screaming together.
My returned hearing has given me confidence in myself
My returned hearing has given me back my confidence and I spend a lot of time and energy helping others. I could not have done any of these things without my implant.
- I am a tutor of the very classes which helped me so much and teach a hearing loss management class each week at Mount Waverley. It is great to be able to support people - and so very satisfying.
- I am on the Committee of Management at Better Hearing and have just finished a 3 year position as President.
- I am an Ambassador for the Bionic ear Institute where I enjoy helping out with hearing loss and solutions research.
- I have served a term on the Disability Access Committee for the local council and was also a Consumer Advisor with the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear hospital raising awareness to problems regarding hearing disabilities.
- Among other things I was a foster Carer for over 10 years and felt this also was a great and satisfying achievement.
- I am happy to be back with the wonderful team of Cochlear Awareness Network people after a couple of years away.
The precious gift of hearing has been a miracle not only for me but also for my very supportive family and friends. In my spare time (when I have some) I do love to babysit my Grandchildren and really like to relax with embroidery, knitting and reading.
A special mention of gratitude to Professor Graeme Clark who pioneered this wonderful Cochlear Implant as well as the Cochlear Implant Clinic in Melbourne for all their continued support over the last 3 years.