Living With Single-Sided Deafness: Carly’s Journey to Hearing

Hello, my name is Carly. I’m from the UK, but I’m currently living in Spain. I’m a hearing loss coach, writer, and advocate. As a hearing loss coach, I work with individuals to help them build their confidence, advocate for their needs, and navigate life with hearing loss—whether at work, in social settings, or in daily life. Before this, I taught young children for 14 years in the UK, China, Thailand, and Spain.

Living With Single-Sided Deafness: Carly’s Journey to Hearing

My journey with hearing loss began unexpectedly in 2016 when I experienced profound sudden hearing loss in my left ear. I went from hearing normally in both ears to living with single-sided deafness (SSD). The experience was overwhelming. Along with the hearing loss, I developed tinnitus, noise sensitivity, and balance issues, making even simple tasks feel difficult. As a teacher and social person, it was incredibly disorienting. I felt isolated and emotionally drained.

Living With Single-Sided Deafness Was Exhausting

Doctors gave me medical explanations but little guidance on real-life challenges. Social interactions became exhausting: In group settings, I constantly missed parts of conversations. I felt overwhelmed by background noise and frustrated by how hard it was to connect with others. But over time, I realized that adapting wasn’t just about managing symptoms—it was about finding new ways to communicate and engage with the world.

Starting My Cochlear Implant Adventure

Technology offered hope. I initially tried a CROS hearing aid but found it wasn’t a good fit for my needs. Instead of helping, it overwhelmed my hearing ear and made noisy environments more difficult to navigate.

After years of following research, reading personal stories, and asking my ENT about eligibility, the day finally came when I heard the word “Maybe.” That referral was the first step in what I call my “cochlear implant adventure.”

Choosing My RONDO 3 Audio Processor

When the time came to choose an audio processor, I dove into research mode. After trying out dummy models with my audiologist, I opted for the RONDO 3, an off-the-ear processor that felt lighter and more comfortable than I expected.

These are the reasons I decided to go for the RONDO 3:

• Comfort
• Ease of use
• Sound quality
• Wireless charging
• Amazing design options
• Simple streaming

RONDO 3’s wireless charging feature means fewer worries about changing batteries, and with the AudioStream adapter, I can stream audio from my phone for rehabilitation. I also add some flair to my processor with stylish accessories from DeafMetal, turning practical hearing tech into something uniquely mine.

Hearing Despite Single-Sided Deafness

I’m still in the early days, but every day is an adventure with my CI. From streaming rehabilitation exercises to my implanted side, I am aware that voices still sound unnatural and a little robotic, though this is gradually improving. But when I’m out and about in nature, listening to birdsong in stereo sounds perfect!

My Progress After Three Months

Three months after activation, I have already made significant progress. I’ve been actively working on my cochlear implant rehabilitation through various exercises and apps. Apps I have found helpful include:

• ReDi from MED-EL
• Hearoes
• WordSuccess

Beyond apps, I’ve been watching TED Talks and listening to podcasts with captions to train my listening skills, noticing gradual improvement in understanding speech and accents. Certain tricky sounds like “m” vs. “n” or “d” vs. “g” remain a challenge, but I know this is part of the process.

Music training has also been exciting—I can now recognize familiar songs, hear live music more comfortably, and even perceive stereo sound for the first time in years. My next goal is structured music rehab with Meludia.

How My CI Improved My Life

My cochlear implant has profoundly improved my life. I love my CI, and I’m looking forward to many more adventures with it!

From Personal Blog to Advocacy

As a way to process my emotions and document my hearing journey, I started a personal blog called My Hearing Loss Story. I soon discovered that I was not alone. Messages from people around the world began pouring in from people who had experienced sudden hearing loss who were struggling with the same feelings of isolation.

Seeing how my story resonated with others, I realized there was a lack of support for individuals dealing with hearing loss.

Turning My Story Into a Mission

Today, I run an online coaching practice for people with hearing loss. My clients come to me struggling with work communication, social anxiety, or low confidence. I help them set goals, build strategies, and shift limiting beliefs. One client, for example, gained the confidence to ask for a quiet table in a restaurant, something they’d never felt comfortable doing before. Moments like that remind me how powerful small changes can be.

Practical Tips for Living With Hearing Loss

Living with single-sided deafness and other forms of hearing loss is about more than just losing access to sound—it affects identity and confidence. My coaching focuses not only on practical tools but also on emotional growth. I encourage clients to stop seeing their hearing loss as a barrier. Instead, it becomes part of who they are, something they can own and work with.

Here are two tips for living with hearing loss:

• Self-advocacy is key. People can’t support us if they don’t know what we need. Whether it’s using hearing aids or positioning yourself so your good ear is toward the conversation, the right strategies make a big difference.
• I also recommend joining support groups or connecting with others online. Knowing you’re not alone is incredibly empowering.

Remember, self-advocacy looks different for everyone. The key is figuring out what works best for you based on your unique communication needs and personality.

Thank you, Carly!