Stephanie Beacham claims, "I used to get called 'Deaf Steph' at school"
"I used to get called 'Deaf Steph' at school," claims Stephanie Beacham, "and the hurt will live with me forever."
"As a child, being deaf was dreadfully isolating, but I'm lucky to have any hearing at all. My mother, Joan, had chickenpox when she was pregnant, so I was born with no nerve endings in my right ear. I'm completely deaf on that side and have 80 per cent hearing on my left.
As a sort of PR rep for the deaf, I want to say this: the more that can be understood about deafness, the better. The difficulties are unseen. I realised early on that deafness is often associated with stupidity, so I thought, 'I'll show them…' I'm sure I'm sharp-tongued because of that – I always have a retort. I always felt I had to prove myself.
Ambient noise is awful. Modern restaurants have no carpet or curtains, and sound bounces off the surfaces – it's just too much for me, so I can't go to trendy places. I can't wait for flock wallpaper, velvet curtains and carpet to come back.
I have to be on a person's right. If I were to act with someone who didn't like their left profile, fur would fly. Did Joan Collins like her left side when we were in Dynasty?
Hopefully, yes – that's the only one she got! My kids always fought to be on my left, too. They knew from an early age that only that side would get heard when they wanted ice-cream.
Being deaf is exhausting – you have to concentrate so much harder and I get migraines craning my neck to listen – so I spend lots of time alone. I need down time. I'm much more of a loner than I'd be with full hearing.
People are surprised how chatty I am one-on-one because I seem aloof and antisocial in company – just because it's too hard to join in or I've no idea someone is talking to me.
A few weeks ago, I had a hearing aid fitted with a tiny microphone on my right ear and a bluetooth receiver on my left. Now, my left ear can hear what's on my right, and it's liberating.
I was very emotional when I experienced it for the first time. It solves my dinner party problem. I'd always sit a partner to my deaf side. Now, when my boyfriend makes rude asides, I can hear them!
I've just presented the Specsavers Sound Barrier Star Awards in association with the charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People – they celebrate deaf people who've achieved great things. Deafness isn't a disability, it's a flaming nuisance. And the main obstacle to overcome is the stigma. No one should have to suffer in silence.
Comments
Hello, I can completely relate to the article regarding Stephanie Beacham. I too am 100% deaf in my right ear (SSD). I experience every thing Stephanie talks about first hand. I avoid certain social situations because I can't participate in some of the conversations. It's changed me as a person. I get depressed and feel like I can't be my true personality. I became SSD in 2001 due to an acoustic neuroma tumor. Before that there was never a dull moment with me around. Please let me know what type of hearing device Stephanie Beacham is now using to help her with all these situations. What she says about hearing impaired not being a disabilty but a flaming nuisances is so true! I want my part of my life back.
Posted by: Margaret Meza | November 28, 2009 04:08 AM
I would be very grateful if someone knew where I could buy a blue tooth hearing aid (or a website or contact details)as described by Stephanie.
Thanks
Stephanie
Posted by: Stephanie Honey | November 30, 2009 04:06 PM
Nice post & nice blog. I love both.
Posted by: forex robot | November 30, 2009 06:05 PM
I too would love to find out about the hearing aid as used by Stephanie Beacham. I have suffered from 100% deafness in my left ear since a car accident 40 yrs ago. The implications in my social & business life are enormous and very depressing.
Posted by: Chris Bairstow | December 15, 2009 04:59 AM
As anyone discovered the answer? Apart from this suggestion the only other I've been offered is the Bone Anchored Hearing Aid. As anyone had this fitted and if so what was your experience.
Posted by: Sam bate | December 28, 2009 01:04 AM
The aids that are mentioned in the article are Phonak Audeo Yes 9
Posted by: Pipin | January 9, 2010 04:17 PM
Can you please send me further details of the type of hearing aid (name of, classification, manufacturer) that Stephanie Beachem has. I have almost identical deafness to her but in the opposite ears.
Thank you
Posted by: pamela denham | January 19, 2010 06:18 PM
Stephanie was fitted with hearing aids at Specsavers and appears to have Phonak Audeo Yes 9 aids.
Posted by: Editor | January 19, 2010 08:57 PM
For me, the most infuriating of all, after the tinnitus, is the statistics. That dear friendly lady who has volumes to unload upon you is nearly always seated on my deaf side. It's absolutely uncanny. Even when I travel with someone I'd sit down with a sigh of despair, you guessed it, I'm on the wrong side. Invariably I'd try to tough it out with a stupid but painful sardonic smile but since they have so much to say I'd either be forced to concede my deficiency (can't you just shut up for 5 minutes, you bastard?) or, even worse, suggest a change over, Oh!.
Posted by: Augustus ALLEN | February 23, 2010 09:25 PM