Wearing Your Hearing Loss on Your Sleeve
For Susan Chisholm, wearing a hearing loss badge isn’t just a practical tool, it’s a quiet act of empowerment.
“I’ve used a badge for about five years now, in certain situations, and I find it excellent,” she says.
Advocating with a badge and pride
What started as a simple way to ease communication has grown into something much more: a way to advocate for herself and others, with confidence and pride.
From airports to choirs, doctors’ offices to group tours, Susan wears her badge as a subtle but powerful signal: “Please speak clearly. I have hearing loss.”
Helping adjust communication
She finds that it often helps people adjust their communication without needing to be asked, especially inbusy or unfamiliar environments.
“I always wear it at airports, when buying tickets or making enquiries at Visitor Information Centres,” sheexplains. “And on planes, it’s really helpful when meals are served. Cabin crew seem to recognise that Ineed to see their faces clearly when they speak.”
Susan also finds her badge useful during the first few days of group tours and when helping out at her localchoir, places where quick conversations are common and repetition might be needed.
“It helps set expectations early, so people understand why I may ask them to repeat something,” she says.
A slow acceptance of hearing loss
Her journey with hearing loss has unfolded gradually.
“I think I’ve had mild hearing loss for about 15 years but never acknowledged it,” she reflects.
“It became worse and about seven years ago, I saw an audiologist and bought hearing aids.”
A retired occupational therapist, Susan has spent much of her life helping others with disabilities. It is this experience that shapes how she manages her own.
“It’s been interesting to be on the other side and have a disability myself. I try to apply what I learnt during my career.”
That professional insight has driven her commitment to actively manage her hearing loss.
“I have worked very hard at learning strategies to help me cope, but it’s an ongoing struggle to maintain self-confidence and to resist the temptation to withdraw socially,” she admits.
“I’m highly motivated to manage my hearing loss as best I can.”
Addressing listening fatigue
One of the biggest challenges has been listening fatigue.
“I’ve had to accept that I need downtime and time for solitary pursuits that relax me,” she says.
Birdwatching, yoga, meditation, photography, and classical ukulele have become her go-to outlets for rest and renewal.
Susan is also grateful for the shared wisdom and support she’s found along the way.
“I really appreciate others who share their tips via hearing loss online groups, and the advances in technology that help me stay connected,” she says.
“And I’m thankful for organisations like BHA Brisbane, which help make our lives easier.”
Showing her hearing loss proudly
But beyond all the tools, tips, and technology, wearing the badge represents something bigger.
“Most importantly,” Susan says, “it’s about coming out and saying to the world, ‘I have hearing loss,’ and not hiding it. Coming out and being proud.”
It’s a small badge with a big message: inclusion, awareness, and pride in one’s identity.
Get your own hearing loss badge
Find out more about BHA’s new hearing loss badges.
