Resources

They say curiosity kills the cat, but so far I've found out a lot of interesting stuff on the web about deafness and hearing loss without consequence. Also, all the moggies in my street are just fine, so I don't think that statement rings true somehow!

I found this article which talks about single-sided deafness. "A day in the life" type story, which I have to say is the most accurate description of it I've ever read. The only major differences between me and this guy are that (Well I'm female to state the obvious haha), I'm not married, I never had any hearing in the right ear to start with, and I hear a smoke alarm loud and clear. Actually that's an understatement. Smoke alarms are so loud and high-pitched that I find it extremely painful to listen to them go off. I have to block my good ear if that happens.
Anyways, have a read. It's really well written!

http://tribalvillages.org/deaf-essays/single-sided-deafness.html

On another note, I found something amusing as well. This version and similar versions are floating around the net.

The Ten Commandments (for those who interact with the hard of hearing).

1. Thou shalt not speak from another room.

2. Thou shalt not speak with your back toward the person with a hearing problem.

3. Thou shalt not start speaking and then turn away from the person with the problem.

4. Thou shalt not speak in competition with anything else (running water, TV, etc.)

5. Thou shalt get the attention of the person before you begin speaking.

6. Thou shalt speak face to face whenever possible.

7. Thou shalt try to remove obstructions such as your hand from in front of your mouth.

8. Thou shalt speak clearly and distinctly (no mumbling.)

9. Thou shalt exercise patience when communicating with a hard of hearing person.

10. Thou shalt be supportive to that person.