First Steps Into Late-Deafness: An Introductory Manual For Newly Deafened Adults

Abstract

Late-deafened adults are individuals who lose their hearing in adolescence or adulthood. Whether the hearing loss is sudden or progressive, it forces immense psychosocial changes upon the individual, disrupting relationships and work, and impacting every area of the person's life. This manual serves as a guidebook for the newly deafened adult, giving her understanding, empathy and a road map to help make sense of the adjustment process. The first chapters detail what to expect during visits to the ear specialist and audiologist, and discuss the grieving process and the impact of deafness on identity formation. Information on how to develop new ways of communicating and how to build a support network is shared. An introduction to cochlear implantation, assistive technology, and legal rights for late-deafened adults follows. The manual closes with interviews of three late-deafened adults who share their journey into late-deafness.