In I’m Not Stupid, I Have Hearing Loss: A Story of Hearing Loss & Hearing Aids Including Hearing & Brain Care Tips, Tracy L. Markley delves into her journey with severe hearing loss. From her earliest years in grade school, Tracy encountered challenges with writing, comprehension, and mathematical tasks. Little did she realize that her struggles stemmed from her hearing loss, which may have been present since birth. Instinctively, at a tender age, she taught herself to read lips, a skill that greatly enhanced her ability to comprehend and communicate effectively. However, it wasn’t until her thirties, when Tracy sought professional help, underwent a hearing test, and obtained her first hearing aid, that her life underwent a transformative shift.

Tracy’s story takes us on a captivating journey as she navigates through various stages of her life, experimenting with different hearing aids and encountering diverse reactions from those around her. Throughout her experiences, she emerges as a strong advocate for treating individuals with kindness and patience, advocating for greater understanding and support for those with hearing loss. Tracy’s remarkable honesty and the raw emotion she infuses into her story. Fearlessly, she confronts the instances where she was made to feel inferior or unintelligent, recognizing that her hearing loss was the underlying cause. Through self-acceptance and embracing her past, Tracy now approaches each day with enthusiasm, embracing her hearing aids as essential tools in her journey. Reading this book is akin to having an intimate conversation with a close friend over a refreshing beverage. Tracy writes in a warm and approachable tone, skillfully weaving her chapters into concise, anecdotal stories from her childhood and her experiences with acquiring and adapting to different hearing aids. As readers, we are offered a comprehensive understanding of the hearing loss experience, even if we have not personally encountered it.

The book’s informative yet accessible style makes it an excellent choice for anyone seeking to broaden their understanding. This is the second book I have read by Tracy, and her kindness, knowledge, and expertise continue to impress me.

Pages: 56 | ASIN : B0BLXNQXT9