Hey there! I have a couple of questions relating to the same OC, if that's okay? His name is Enoch, and he's Deaf, specifically from Waardenburg Type 1, so my questions relate to some things about that:
1. I know Waardenburg Type 1 has telecanthus, and Enoch wears glasses, so I was wondering if the telecanthus would affect the type of glasses, how he wears glasses, etc, at all?
2. I've seen a lot of conflicting info on whether hearing aids can do anything for congenital profound sensorineural hearing loss. He inherited Waardenburg Syndrome from his mom who's also Deaf and he grew up in a primarily signing household because of it, so he doesn't wear hearing aids often in a home environment regardless, but I wanted to know if having him wear hearing aids for work makes sense or if I should just forgo this entirely? I'm cool with either, I just would like clarification!
3. I've also seen conflicting info about how loud noises can hurt the ears of someone who's already Deaf. I know that it can still damage the physical structure of the ears, but I was wondering how that would actually manifest in things a person can feel or experience. This man is going to be around explosions, so I thought it was relevant.
As a side note, I have a background in medicine because I'm a veterinary nurse for work, but while I can read medical resources with no problem, human medicine and the first person perspective of Real Human Beings is obviously very different, and I don't want to screw up something actual humans experience, so I'm struggling a little to find resources I trust. Thanks for listening to my little rant, and I appreciate your help!
Hi!
For the first question: no, I dont think it would have an effect. he might prefer glasses with the rubber bridge pieces rather than a solid plastic bridge, but standard glasses come in so many shapes and sizes (and can be heated up and bent to better fit an individual's face shape) that i don't think he would need special glasses.
For the second question: probably not. From what I know of WS, hearing aids aren't going to do a whole lot. They don't for many causes of profound hearing loss, though there are cases where hearing aids are more effective. Depending on his mom's upbringing (and what time this is set), she may or may not have cochlear implants. And further depending on her opinion of the technology, she likely made a decision for Enoch whether he has CIs.
And question three: ear protection is necessary in environments like this regardless of hearing status. There's other damage beyond cochlear damage (hearing loss) from exposure to explosives. It's always safer to protect your ears.
Mod Rock
