Ear conditions and hearing loss are among the most common health issues, affecting over 190 million people in the WHO European Region. One of them is Paulina Lewandowska from Poland, who was 3 years old when her parents became concerned about her not reacting to voices and sounds.
They took Paulina for a hearing test, where she was diagnosed with hearing loss in both ears, most likely caused by the meningitis she suffered as a newborn. Paulina fondly remembers her first visits to a hearing specialist, describing them as a fun and pleasant experience. “The doctor played games with me whilst conducting the tests. I still have my first hearing aid somewhere in my room”.
Paulina’s parents spent hours every day helping her with rehabilitation and language development. “My mother even tried to teach me English, though she doesn’t speak it herself,” Paulina says with awe. “We got a Polish–English dictionary, and she would learn the words first and then teach me how to pronounce them”. This was about 20 years ago, when schools were less able to help students with hearing loss, so Paulina’s family stepped in and supported her through her education.
Now a PhD candidate at the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Paulina researches inclusive education for hard of hearing students, defining success in school broadly to include academic performance as well as social and psychological well-being. Besides this, she is the Secretary of the International Federation of Hard of Hearing Young People, and Vice-President of the Polish Association of Hard of Hearing People and Cochlear Implant Users. Also fond of travelling and reading, Paulina dedicates most of her time to advocating for accessibility and inclusion for d/Deaf and hard of hearing people as a freelance trainer, consultant and subject-matter expert.
Awareness and education
Describing the services available in Poland, she notes multiple remarkable initiatives. For example, citizens can receive a life-changing cochlear implant surgery free of charge. Of course, there’s always room for improvement, for instance, in terms of waiting times or availability of financial support. How would Paulina like for policy change to take place in her country? “I think we should start from the beginning,” she answers after careful consideration. “Do research, gather data about people with hearing loss. It’s important to talk to them when considering policy change, because no one knows more about the needs of d/Deaf and hard of hearing people than themselves. Of course, there’s not enough money to cover all the needs, but I believe the resources that are available can be spent wisely. And I would put more emphasis on awareness and education, because there are still gaps in knowledge about the consequences of hearing problems, as well as many misunderstandings”.
One common misunderstanding is the notion that hearing devices can restore hearing, which is not the case, as Paulina notes. “I wear glasses. When I put them on, I can instantly see clearly. I can function normally, and my vision problems no longer affect me. When a person receives cochlear implants or hearing aids, this is when their rehabilitation begins. It’s not a cure. Their functioning may still be impacted even with those devices – for example, in noisy places”.
Paulina is an enthusiastic advocate for inclusion. “Hearing or non-hearing criteria shouldn’t define us as human beings. Yes, we are hard of hearing or d/Deaf, but, more importantly, we are citizens, relatives, workers, students and so much more,” she explains. “True inclusion becomes possible when the environment adapts in such a way that people with disabilities don’t feel like something is limiting them. This is why it’s important to challenge public perceptions and attitudes”.
Change is happening
Over the years, people with hearing loss have been represented significantly more in the corporate world, academia and popular culture, moving a step closer towards a more inclusive society. But it all starts with being open and asking the right questions. “Let’s imagine a situation,” Paulina says, “where you don’t know something – you would ask someone who does. And people with hearing loss are experts on their needs. Someone might rely on a sign language interpreter, palantypist or induction loop, another person might read lips, and someone else might need you to repeat what you said. Teachers, employers and other hearing people shouldn’t say ‘never mind’ when there is a breakdown in communication with a person with hearing loss, but instead figure out how to include them in the conversation”.
Paulina recalls one of her hard of hearing friends informing an airport staff about their disability during the check-in process. The person was immediately offered a wheelchair, even though all they needed was for the agent to simply repeat the relevant public announcements. Almost anecdotal in hindsight, the awkward situation could have been avoided with a simple question from the staff member: “How can I help you?”
Every year WHO marks World Hearing Day on 3 March. “I’m glad that WHO addresses all aspects of ear and hearing health – not only hearing loss, but also hearing protection,” Paulina says. “For me, this is an important part of raising public awareness about hearing problems, which are very common. I believe that if we keep speaking out, the lives of people with hearing loss, including mine, might become better. I know that change is happening, and barriers are slowly coming down”.