Hearing Journey
Donation protected
Hello!
My name is Anastasia.
I've been dealing with hearing/ear pain and problems for more than six years. My hearing was tested about two years ago when I was informed I did have hearing problems but they weren't bad enough to warrant hearing aids.
Fast forward: On 06/15/2018 I was retested and we learned my hearing had greatly decreased and it was time for hearing aids.
On 06/19/2018 I received my first pair of trial aids while I awaited my personal pair to come. While I knew hearing aids would be a change, I never imagined the changes I would have to deal with.
A job forced me to quit refusing to accommodate me in any way and putting me in danger. I was lucky enough to basically stumbled into a new job just from chatting with someone working who ended up being the store manager and she hired me. She's worked with me, being completely understanding along the way.
I never realized how expensive losing my hearing would be. I only have state insurance so the fact they paid for both hearing aids was amazing. But I have so many other things I need/want to assist my life and make things easier. I lost my apartment and will owe my landlord around $1800, hearing aid batteries on average last a little under two weeks, I cannot hearing knocking on the door, nor phone alerts or alarms, living in Iowa with humidity requires me to get a case that not only sanitizes but also drys my hearing aids out each night. I'll also be trying to get into speech therapy, It seems like I'm loosing my ability to talk, place sentences in the correct order, or say certain words.
My audiologist explained that it would take about a year for my brain to adjust to the hearing aids. Due to an injury to the tendon in my right wrist, learning sign language is rough and most people have changed how they act around me. Coworkers forget that certain things are almost impossible for me right now, like answering the phone which hardly rings. My mother doesn't call much anymore because talking on a cell phone is even harder unless I put everyone on speaker phone but that can cause feedback in my aids so I can't talk long. It's hard to hear one customer when the store is busy and the radio is on.
I'm able to buy certain items to help with daily life but sadly, if you look online, these items are expensive. So this is a public plea for help. I don't want to go on disability and be forced to stop working. I was lucky that someone has allowed me to move in with them and try to get back on my feet but my job can only give me part time right now. With the debt I owe, it will take me a long time and asking for help in not in my nature. I just want a mostly normal life back or as normal as one can get with my new trouble. And dealing with the fact my hearing may get worse, they said loosing my hearing that quickly most likely meant it was genetic and it's possible my hearing will go away completely.
If you are able, please donate anything. Or if you wish to send a gift to help, I have included my amazon list of certain items available through them for assistance with my hearing. Though most has to be special ordered through my audiologist. Anything will help, I hope my story touches your heart and you want to help me or can at least share this amongst your friends. Anything helps.
Please feel free to get in touch with me if you have any questions.
My Personal Blog
My Instagram
SnapChat
Youtube check out video vlogs about hearing aid life
Amazon Wish List for some items
My name is Anastasia.
I've been dealing with hearing/ear pain and problems for more than six years. My hearing was tested about two years ago when I was informed I did have hearing problems but they weren't bad enough to warrant hearing aids.
Fast forward: On 06/15/2018 I was retested and we learned my hearing had greatly decreased and it was time for hearing aids.
On 06/19/2018 I received my first pair of trial aids while I awaited my personal pair to come. While I knew hearing aids would be a change, I never imagined the changes I would have to deal with.
A job forced me to quit refusing to accommodate me in any way and putting me in danger. I was lucky enough to basically stumbled into a new job just from chatting with someone working who ended up being the store manager and she hired me. She's worked with me, being completely understanding along the way.
I never realized how expensive losing my hearing would be. I only have state insurance so the fact they paid for both hearing aids was amazing. But I have so many other things I need/want to assist my life and make things easier. I lost my apartment and will owe my landlord around $1800, hearing aid batteries on average last a little under two weeks, I cannot hearing knocking on the door, nor phone alerts or alarms, living in Iowa with humidity requires me to get a case that not only sanitizes but also drys my hearing aids out each night. I'll also be trying to get into speech therapy, It seems like I'm loosing my ability to talk, place sentences in the correct order, or say certain words.
My audiologist explained that it would take about a year for my brain to adjust to the hearing aids. Due to an injury to the tendon in my right wrist, learning sign language is rough and most people have changed how they act around me. Coworkers forget that certain things are almost impossible for me right now, like answering the phone which hardly rings. My mother doesn't call much anymore because talking on a cell phone is even harder unless I put everyone on speaker phone but that can cause feedback in my aids so I can't talk long. It's hard to hear one customer when the store is busy and the radio is on.
I'm able to buy certain items to help with daily life but sadly, if you look online, these items are expensive. So this is a public plea for help. I don't want to go on disability and be forced to stop working. I was lucky that someone has allowed me to move in with them and try to get back on my feet but my job can only give me part time right now. With the debt I owe, it will take me a long time and asking for help in not in my nature. I just want a mostly normal life back or as normal as one can get with my new trouble. And dealing with the fact my hearing may get worse, they said loosing my hearing that quickly most likely meant it was genetic and it's possible my hearing will go away completely.
If you are able, please donate anything. Or if you wish to send a gift to help, I have included my amazon list of certain items available through them for assistance with my hearing. Though most has to be special ordered through my audiologist. Anything will help, I hope my story touches your heart and you want to help me or can at least share this amongst your friends. Anything helps.
Please feel free to get in touch with me if you have any questions.
My Personal Blog
My Instagram
SnapChat
Youtube check out video vlogs about hearing aid life
Amazon Wish List for some items
Organizer
Anastasia Hancock
Organizer
Des Moines, IA