The Unexpected World of Sound for Those Who Gained Hearing Later in Life

Just as someone who is born deaf experiences the world differently from a hearing person, the journey of regaining hearing brings its own set of surprises and unique challenges. This article explores the unexpected sounds and objects that might surprise those who were born deaf but later gained hearing.

Common Objects Expected to Make Noise

When individuals born deaf first experience sound, they often have preconceptions based on their prior understanding of the world. Here are some common objects or sounds they might initially expect to make noise:

Musical Instruments: They may expect instruments like pianos, guitars, or drums to produce sound. After all, these instruments are often seen and heard (through others) in musical settings, and their visual cues might set the expectation that they should be capable of making noise.Everyday Items: Objects like phones, doorbells, and alarms might be anticipated to make noise due to their common use in daily life. These items are integral to many routines and may elicit excitement or curiosity when they are heard, especially for the first time.Animals: Sounds from animals like dogs barking or birds chirping may also be expected, based on visual cues and familiarity with these animals. Such sounds are often part of the natural environment and can serve as indicators for regular occurrences.Nature Sounds: They might anticipate sounds like wind, rain, or thunder based on their experiences with the physical sensations associated with these elements. These sounds are deeply rooted in memory and can evoke strong emotions and associations.Human Voices: The expectation of hearing voices, laughter, or other human interactions is likely, especially as they engage more with social environments. These sounds are central to human communication and social bonding.Vehicles: The sounds of cars, trains, or airplanes might be anticipated based on visual observations of movement and activity. Hearing these sounds can be exciting and informative, providing a new perspective on the world around them.

Surprising Everyday Auditory Sensations

For individuals who gain hearing later in life, the initial experience of sound with everyday objects can be quite surprising. Common objects such as doors closing, footsteps, and kitchen appliances may evoke newfound auditory sensations and perceptions, contributing to the ongoing process of auditory adaptation and exploration.

Example: An individual might find the sound of a cowbell jingling or a door squeaking as surprising and joyful experiences, particularly if they have never before heard such sounds. These auditory experiences contribute to a more complete and immersive understanding of the world.

Unique Auditory Experiences and Challenges

While gaining hearing can bring many exciting new experiences, it also presents unique challenges. Sometimes, the auditory sensations can be unexpected, such as the sudden realization that light hitting a surface can create a noise in the brain:

Something that is visual noise or I feel like should make noise at least it does in my brain is when light all of a sudden hits a surface. Or something jumps in front of you, yeah the jump/landing can make noise there, but I'm not talking about that part. When your field of vision is interrupted such as a large shadow quickly passing past, like when you drive and a shadow quickly passes over your windshield … to me that's noise in my brain. - An individual who has regained hearing.

Light hitting a surface or a large shadow passing by might not be considered acoustic noise by most, but for someone who has recently gained hearing, these visual events can still evoke strong auditory sensations. This can be both a curiosity and a challenge, as it blurs the line between visual and auditory perception.

Conclusion

The journey of an individual who was born deaf but later gains hearing is a unique and complex one. The expectations of sound and the actual experience of sound can be vastly different. These individuals often find everyday objects and experiences bringing a wealth of new auditory sensations, which contribute to their ongoing process of auditory adaptation and exploration. Embracing these experiences can lead to a deeper understanding of the world and a richer sensory experience.