“Deaf – Twice”
(written by my Mom)
During the summer of 2005, her life changed drastically when she was thrown into the deaf world, literally and physically. She suffered “Single Sided Sudden Deafness” in her left ear and lost the remainder of her hearing, having had hardly any residual hearing in her right ear, she could no longer hear, even with her hearing aids.
Susanna was truly deaf and suddenly realized the true legal definition of “deafness.” She was devastated and began to think differently about her life. After all, she knew only the hearing world – and her career, family, social ties and friends – all lived in that hearing world. She was a competitor in the world of Arabian show horses – and she needed to hear the announcer.
After suffering small bouts of depression and misery for a few days, while looking for answers, she made a life-changing decision. Why not read up on cochlear implants? After all, she realized she had nothing to lose.
She continued to work at the department store – she had to make a living and she feared for her job. The store cut back her duties because of the obvious communication difficulties but she didn’t mind because, in the meantime, it eased her workload and mind. She couldn’t afford to lose her job because she needed the medical insurance for herself and for the expenses of cochlear implant surgery.
After agonizing for six months without hearing, she finally received a cochlear implant. And then she began to learn how to cope with the noise – the rehabilitation process was not quick and easy! However, she prevailed and eventually she heard clear sound again. A year later, she had her other ear implanted.
Today, Susanna is very grateful for her cochlear implants. They provide her with her own personal “surround sound system” and she truly believes that cochlear implants are one of the greatest inventions known to mankind! As a result of being a bilateral cochlear implant recipient, she is, once again, able to lead a productive and fulfilling life.
Learn more about how Cochlear Implants helped Susanna to become an entrepreneur in this blog post :
Cochlear Implant Basics
Episode description:
Resilience is an understatement when describing Susanna Dussling. Suffering from a severe hearing loss, possibly from birth, once diagnosed, her parents took every measure to be sure she was mainstreamed in school.
The setbacks and triumphs of her hearing loss made Susanna develop a strong, independent personality. She needed it to survive in her personal life and in the world of business. Her hearing declined and eventually she received a cochlear implant. She tells of how it changed her life.
An expert horse woman with a passion for show, her cochlear implant allows her to compete seamlessly and with aplomb. Susanna as a child struggled with “deaf speech” but today thrives on presenting inspirational public speaking and training to organizations. Her theme is “Bouncing Back” with Susanna. Get ready for “The Ride of your Life” when Susanna tells her hearing journey.
Pursuing Better Hearing with Cochlear Implants.
Podcast appearance on Dr. Sym’s Listen Up!
Podcast appearance on Gratitude Geek “Resiliency“
View Susanna’s Hearing Loss Social Media:
Susanna Dussling 