One ordinary day, a virus changed everything.
About twelve years ago, my husband lost most of his hearing due to a viral infection. Just like that, he went from fully hearing to severely deaf—and our lives were turned upside down. At first, we didn’t fully grasp the impact it would have. But little by little, the effects of hearing loss crept into every corner of our lives. He struggled to understand speech. Conversations became exhausting. Group gatherings were overwhelming. Telephone calls were impossible. Even simple tasks like chatting to someone at the supermarket checkout became a source of stress.
We both found it hard. He was frustrated that I didn’t seem to speak clearly. I couldn’t understand why he wasn’t responding. The miscommunications built up. Over time, my husband began to withdraw. He’d sit quietly with a book rather than try to join in a conversation. I think he found it more comforting to be alone than to face the embarrassment of asking people to repeat themselves again and again.
Evenings out with friends stopped altogether. The wall of background noise in restaurants made conversation unbearable. He no longer felt like himself. And I no longer felt like I could reach him.
We knew something had to change—but what?
The First Turning Point: Finding Support
Just when things were starting to feel hopeless, we discovered our first glimmer of hope: a LinkUp Support Group run by Hearing Link Services.
It was life-changing.
For the first time, we met others who understood exactly what we were going through. We realised that hearing loss doesn’t just affect one person—it affects everyone close to them. And more importantly, it’s not just about the ears. It’s about communication, relationships, confidence, and connection.
We began to make small changes at home. I’d turn off the radio when we were talking. I’d face him when I spoke. I’d double-check he’d caught anything important. These things are second nature to us now—and yes, we’ve laughed at some of the hilarious things he thought I’d said!
If you’re struggling like we were, please know: you’re not alone, and there is help out there.
The Second Turning Point: Learning to Sign
A few years later came our second big breakthrough. We discovered that our local Adult Education Centre was running a Lipreading and Signed Communication course.
We didn’t know much about lipreading, and to be honest, we weren’t sure sign language would be relevant. Wasn’t it just for people born deaf? But we were curious, and we decided to give it a go.
We’re so glad we did.
The class was aimed at people like us—those who had lost their hearing after childhood. The method used was a combination of Lip Reading and Sign Supported English (SSE), which uses British Sign Language (BSL) signs alongside spoken English word order. It felt strange at first, like stepping into a whole new world. But slowly, it began to click.
And with it, something else clicked too: communication came back.
Rebuilding Confidence and Connection
Bit by bit, my husband’s confidence returned. His mood lifted. And most importantly, he felt included again.
When we go out in a group now, I can sign key parts of the conversation to him, making social situations far less isolating. Even better, our friends have become curious. They ask questions. They try out signs. They engage with him in ways they never did before.
It’s been transformational – for both of us.
Sign language hasn’t just helped us communicate. It’s helped us reconnect. It’s opened a door to inclusion, not just in our relationship, but in the wider world around us.
Give Sign Language a Go!
If you or someone you love is navigating hearing loss, why not give sign language a try?
It’s not just about words—it’s about connection, confidence, and a better quality of life.
That’s what our charity, Hearing Ambassadors is all about too.
Click here to see other posts about Sign Languages , how to get started, and the many ways it can make a difference.
