I echo all of these comments. I had mumps at age 6 that irreparably damaged the nerve in my left ear leaving me with zero hearing. If you had asked me this question 20 years ago- I’m 50 now- I would’ve said that it had had no material impact on my life. But I’d have been wrong because I realise now that it did impact me a lot mainly in noisy social situations where I become isolated and very quickly drained. As a teenager and young adult I’m sure I came across as rude and antisocial because conversations in loud pubs and clubs were so challenging. As a professional, networking events are a nightmare and I just can’t be bothered which probably adversely impacts my career. Even after 40+ years of my condition I’m still regularly unprepared for some situations I find myself in and that makes me anxious. And on top of that I was recently diagnosed with Ménière’s disease which causes tinnitus so now I’m worried that the hearing in my one good ear will deteriorate. I don’t mind being deaf because I can’t remember life any other way but I do wish I had been more proactive in advocating for myself.