Slate Daily Feed Death, Sex & Money | What Hearing Aids and Anger Management Still Miss
Dec 9, 2025
Raymond Antrobus, a British poet and author, discusses his life journey with deafness and the nuances of communication. He reflects on the challenges of wearing hearing aids and the pressure to fit into hearing culture. Antrobus shares vivid memories of his musical upbringing and the role of sound in shaping his identity. He delves into his experiences with anger management, emphasizing understanding over suppression. Ultimately, he highlights the importance of varied communication in parenting and expresses gratitude towards those who supported him on his path.
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Listening With Eyes And Technique
- Raymond Antrobus learned to listen with his eyes as much as his ears and developed expertise in positioning himself to hear better.
- He treats hearing aids as an embodied technology that requires skill and situational knowledge to use effectively.
First Hearing Aids Felt Alien
- Raymond describes his first hearing-aid experience as overwhelming and alien, like being given an artificial limb.
- He recalls city noise unhinging any silence in his brain and rejects feel-good
Use Hearing Aids Deliberately
- Turn hearing aids off when you need quiet and use their streaming features when you want focused audio.
- Use hearing-aid Bluetooth to cocoon into media and avoid sensory overwhelm.
