Born in Boston but now live in Florida. My story: A few years back I suffered from 3 brain viruses that gave me encephalitis. This caused my brain to swell leaving me hearing impaired. This also contributed to damage to my equilibrium. Which is your inner ear. And also giving me ataxia: gross incoordination of muscle movements. I can only hear 33%. I am currently in the process of receiving new hearing aids. I consider myself hard of hearing. Hearing impaired. That is the only thing it caused. Everything else works! I use a cane to help me walk better. I tell this not looking for any kind of sympathy. Please do not write telling me your sorry. No one is more sorry than I. I need to use a cane for walking. I can only hear 33%. I consider myself hard of hearing. That is the only thing it damaged. Everything else works! I use a cane for balance. I am a good friendly guy. It is hard for me to make new friends. But I like meeting people. If you would like say your sorry. Please express your sympathy by joining my Yahoo group. deafgayflorida scroll down for the sign up link
