Deaf for a Day Challenge

John Barrowman, a British Actor known for his role as the dashing Captain Jack on Dr. Who, went deaf for a day. Here is a link to his blog, and video clip. click here

I love that he did this to raise awareness for the hearing dogs in Britain. He succinctly and accurately describes the effects of a sudden hearing loss. His fatigue, the efforts to communicate, anxiety over his surroundings are all what we experience daily.

I wish more people would try this experiment for a day, or even better, a week. Particularly family and friends who don’t always understand the difficulties I experience daily. Even with the aid of my hearing aid, and cochlear implant processor (which does make things easier), it is still exhausting.

Going deaf for a day is a drop in the bucket of what deaf people live with and experience daily. Let’s create a full bucket of those experiences.

My challenge to my readers:

If you’re a hearing person reading this, I want to challenge you to go deaf for a day, and email me here your experience. I may even add it to my book that I am writing. Write anything and everything that comes to mind about your experience.

Go to a hearing Center, and explain what you plan to do, and have them create a sound blocking mold for you. Go about your life as you normal do and record all your thoughts and experiences for the day. If you’re brave enough, try going for a week. I’d love to see what experiences you have, and will share with my readers your experiences.

Those of you who are deaf, see if your friends and family will participate, so that they may gain an insight into your lives.

Good luck!