I hate to burst everyone bubble,  but being unable to hear Isn't the end of the world as most people on these threads make it out to be.  I have been total non-hearing for the past 22 years. I wouldnt take my ability to hear back If you paid me (Well Maybe if you paid me, Enough). I love  the ability to find peace and quiet in the noisiest of places.  If I wish to sleep, I sleep, Doesnt matter how much loud traffic, how many loud clocks are ticking, how loud someone has the TV or music playing, The next door neighbours  Partying all night (Mind you I was there  most of those parties) Or especially that Annoying sink tap, with the constant Drip..Drip..Drip.  All these things use to keep me awake half the night, I would be totally Burnt out the next day, Wouldnt be able to function to my fullest ability from Being dead tired.  Falling asleep on my lunch time, just so I could make it through the rest of the day.  Then there is the screaming and yelling Spouse, Now I just turn my head, and tell her to tap me on the shoulder when she is finished. (It doesnt always make her happy).  Most of these threads  on here, make it sound like It is the most cruelest thing that can happen to someone is to lose their hearing.  I dont have to listen to that idle gossip all day, which I used to hate witha passion.  People waste so much time talking about others rather then focusing on their own self improvement.  Some people say I only hear what I want to hear. they are half right, Because if I am not interested, I dont even try to read their lips, Which of course is my main form of communicating. In other words, If I wish to ignore soemone, I can look straight into their eyes (or lips I should say) and Have them tell me something totally different then what they are saying, and just nod my head in agreement.  I do get caught sometimes,  What You mean yeah?  I love the way people have been giving their oppinions on everything they have no clue about, so I had to add this thread.   I run my own painting and renovation business, and I enjoy it.  There really is nothing, other then hear, I cant do, and I am willing to prove it, to anyone that Says otherwise.  I love My Silent life, It wasn't easy the first year or two to get use to people's perception of me as disABLED.(I Dislike that word, because It places  Barriers of some type)  I have Changed so many people's perception of being disABLED that it would amaze you.  It is all about what you make it.  The only bounderies you have,  Are the ones you put upon yourself.   I have No Boundaries, I have been a trend setter all my life, that didnt change because I could no longer hear, It just made me more determined.   I just had to change a few things to make things flow.  You can have the Noise, I will keep my silence.  If anyone wishes to talk about Problems they may have with becoming deaf, I would be more then happy to oblige.