Young London woman offers hearing loss hope for others

Despite suffering with severe bilateral hearing loss from a very young age, Valerie Idowu, from Peckham, London, has refused to let her condition stop her having a normal life. Now aged 20 and embarking on the second year of a photography and media arts degree at UCA, Maidstone, Valerie is more determined than ever not to be held back.

Using hearing aids to help her cope, Valerie suffers with bilateral severe to profound, mid to high sensorineural hearing loss - a dysfunction of the inner ear which is worse in her right ear. “My mother says I started losing my hearing at about three years old, but I have no memory of being able to hear clearly. It is something I have always remembered having.” Explains Valerie “It’s not always been easy but with my hearing aids I have managed to cope through school, college and now University. I mostly lip read and although I can sign, you need other people around you to be able to sign, so in many situations it is not so useful.”

At first Valerie struggled with University life and came across as reserved and quiet. “Lectures and working or socialising in groups was difficult at first.” Valerie said. “I was given a terrible room in halls of residence where I struggled to sleep and it affected my ability to study properly; this, on top of the extra concentration I needed to hear what was being said at lectures was all extremely tiring. However, I soon met some very supportive friends, I am no longer in that awful room and have an electronic note taking machine, all of which has made things much more bearable.”

“I have regular check ups at the hospital four times a year and these have been showing that my hearing isn’t getting any better or any worse. I have been getting the same results for a few years now so I’m not unduly worried.” Valerie added. “I have a great relationship with my audiologist who is very patient and fully explains everything to me.”
 
Despite discussing the option of cochlear implants with her audiologist, Valerie has opted to wait and see if her hearing gets any worse before considering having the operation. “I’ve never had an operation before and it’s not something I really need to put myself through at the moment. Valerie explains: “I’m coping really well with hearing aids so far. I’ve recently been fitted with new digital ones which at first I found complicated but now I’m getting used to them I’ve noticed quite a bit of improvement.”

With her love of photography and her experience of many visits to hospitals and clinics, Valerie is hoping to pursue a career in medical photography after completing her degree. “I want to embrace life and don’t see why my hearing loss should stop me achieving my potential at all,” concluded Valerie.

Vivienne Michael, Chief Executive of Deafness Research UK, said: “For people living with hearing loss settling in to a new situation can be extremely difficult.  With her positive attitude and great determination, Valerie has shown that many hurdles can be overcome and hearing loss doesn’t have to ruin your life.  Whilst Deafness Research UK is passionate about research and finding new cures and treatments, we are also here to offer help and support for those dealing with the challenge of coping with hearing loss, tinnitus, and other deafness related conditions.”
                
For information on research into deafness and other hearing conditions, e-mail , call our free Advisory Service helpine on 0808 808 2222, or log on to the website at www.deafnessresearch.org.uk

 

Notes

• Losing your hearing: Our websitehas a range of information about loss of hearing, including severe bilateral hearing loss, age-related hearing loss and noise-induced hearing loss. We provide information about how loss is diagnosed, the treatment options available and our latest research projects and news. www.deafnessresearch.org.uk/5550/contents/losing-your-hearing.html