In education we have accommodations and modifications for students with a learning disability, condition or deficit. Although on the surface an accommodation and modification seem very similar, but they are fundamentally different. An accommodation helps a student access the information so they can master the content of what is being taught, generally in the least restrictive environment. A modification is just that, a modification to the content taught in a particular subject. So with an accommodation everything remains the same for the student except for how they obtain the material. With the modification what the student learns is altered. I have thought about this approach to learning in a student's academic life to life with hearing issues, specifically tinnitus and hyperacusis. Over the last few months I have grieved for all the things I have lost with my hearing conditions. I thought about the soccer games, movies, concerts and vacations I would miss with my family. I thought about the doors closing to new work opportunities and volunteering at church. My ability to volunteer as a translator would be greatly diminished. I started thinking about looking at my hearing in terms of accommodations instead of modifications. I needed to be creative and show ingenuity so that I could still participate in the things I enjoy in life with accommodations. I didn't need to alter most activities in my world, just change the way I participated in them. The very first activity that was a non-negotiable was walking in my neighborhood. I wear earplugs when I go on my daily walks and I have found the quietest time of day. Some of these changes require research with trial and error. I started writing on my calendar not to walk on Friday mornings because of the trash trucks making their weekly routes. Church on Sundays was another activity that I had to adjust by sitting in the family room during the music portion of the service. I also wear earplugs the entire time at church because of random loud noises, people talking loudly or microphone feedback. I have been able to go to the Arboretum for lunch to celebrate a friend's birthday and Mother's Day wearing earplugs without issues. Because of the pandemic I have only eaten outside at restaurants where sound from dishes and hard surface flooring is not a problem. My husband asked me to go to dinner to celebrate our anniversary. I agreed knowing it would be inside. When making the reservation he asked to be seated in a quiet area and the restaurant gladly accommodated the request. Sure there are bridges yet to be crossed. I have not considered going on vacation, much less flying at this point. Perhaps travel will be possible, but not for the moment. I try to look at each activity as an increment of progress. My goal is to look forward to the possibilities in life and look for accommodations instead of modifications.
Great post. I have three hobbies, two of them - golf and yoga - are very quiet, while the third - Karate - is quite noisy (but not overly so). Due to COVID-19 restrictions my Karate club has been closed the last year, but will soon be reopening. Your post has reminded me that I need to start thinking about the best way to accommodate my Karate practice in terms of my tinnitus & hyperacusis.
