We Hear Differently, But We Still Do Everything

 We Hear Differently, But We Still Do Everything

People often see my cochlear implant and say,

“Oh, so now you can hear just like everyone else!”

I usually smile. I want to say, “Not exactly.” But it is not a sad thing. It is just different.

Hearing for me comes through a small device, a sound processor and an implant. Together, they send signals to my brain so I can listen, understand, and connect. It is not the same as natural hearing. Sometimes my brain has to work extra hard, especially in noisy places, to make sense of what is happening around me. Listening can take a little longer. But I do it. And I do it well.

Back in school, I sat in the same classroom, wrote the same question papers, and did the same exams as everyone else. No special treatment. No extra help. I participated in competitions, stood on stage, danced, spoke, and even sang. Teachers never treated me differently and I did not want them to. I just wanted to be part of everything.

College was the same. Seminars, project presentations, viva voce, I did it all. Sometimes I had to focus a little more, follow conversations carefully, or read lips when the room was noisy. But I never missed a beat. I performed like everyone else, wrote the same papers, and showed the same effort.

Even in professional life, it does not change. Job interviews, meetings, presentations, I prepare, practice, and perform just like anyone else. Listening may take extra effort, especially in busy discussions. But the output, my work, my ideas, my achievements, is no different.

Life outside of work and school is full, just like anyone else. I drive vehicles, perform on stages, talk with friends, and enjoy music. My world is vibrant and alive. Maybe I notice every little sound a bit more, but that only makes it more precious.



The positivity in all of this is simple. Being a CI user has taught me resilience, focus, and gratitude. Every sound I hear, every conversation I join, every stage I perform on feels earned and special. It reminds me that challenges do not limit us, they shape us. They make success, joy, and life itself even more meaningful.

So yes, we hear differently. But we do everything just like everyone else. The only difference is my brain works a little harder, my listening takes a little more time, and I notice the beauty in every sound. And that, I think, is a kind of superpower.

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