My super powers began to develop in kindergarten. These super powers may not be sanctioned or verified by any authority, but I assure you – to me, they were... and still are... my super powers.

Why? Because by the age of four, my genetic hearing loss began to affect my life.

Humans are hardwired for connection. Children crave, need and deserve connection to their world.

When my hearing became affected by faulty auditory pathways to my brain, it triggered “Plan B.”

Plan B: If you cannot understand the words of your parents and four adoring grandparents, you learn to lip read.

Luckily I had adults who loved to talk, talk, talk and read to me. Soon, my lip-reading super power was my best friend.

…Except when it wasn’t.

If someone turned their head away from me, I could not see their lips. If my teacher spoke to the blackboard, I could not read her lips. If a sibling spoke to the back of my head...or in the dark while playing outside in the yard, forget it.

Face to face was the key...and isn't that more courteous, as well?

Here is the strange thing about hearing loss. When you have faulty hearing, you don’t realize it for a very long time. Your world, as you interact in it, is your “normal.”

Subconsciously, Super Power #2 kicked in: Reading body language.

This came in handy in junior high! I may not have heard calls from my coach and teammates, but my keen knowledge of the sport gave me the edge. I could anticipate, based on foot placement and how someone leaned, what they might do next. Looking back, that was my advantage. Reading body language rocks!

But that’s for a later discussion…. back to early childhood.

As an elementary student, it was difficult to lip read children as they played in unpredictable, moving patterns. Many times I felt out of place – unable to follow the conversation of the lively group. I gravitated to one-on-one interactions.

Listening became my best quality as a friend. My super powers in action, folks! Reading body language and reading lips.

Communication with others became important to me. I was totally engaged and used every tool I had available.

Why am I sharing my story with you? To raise awareness in those most likely to notice a child with a hearing problem.

Parents. Teachers. Pediatricians. Daycare providers. Friends. Grandparents.

Hearing loss is an invisible disability that affects millions of babies, children, teens and college students.

The signs of hearing loss are often difficult to notice.

I know, because I was never diagnosed during my childhood. My super powers enabled me to live in the “hearing world” without the adults catching on. I've done well, in spite of my disability.

Children are highly adaptable - That’s good and bad, depending on the circumstances.

Some of the signs of childhood hearing loss:

• Sits close to the TV (yes, that was me)
• Guessing the wrong answer to your question since they did not hear it (yes, that was me)
• Seems aloof and/or very shy (again, me… terrified in noisy group parties)
• Focused intently on your face while learning to lip read (my childhood photos show this)
• Instinctively sits closest to the teacher (on front row) or the parent (at dinner table)
• Asks you to repeat questions...a lot (applies to adults with hearing loss, too)

Each child copes differently. Each child’s hearing situation is unique. Please understand that even “mild” hearing loss is a serious issue. Can you see how this might impact their education?

Side note: There are 48 million Americans (babies, toddlers, children, adults, seniors) with some degree of hearing loss. This is a serious health epidemic that remains a mystery to most. If you believe a child may have trouble hearing, please see an audiologist for a hearing evaluation.

A child’s future may depend on it.

I know because I was first diagnosed in 2013 -- thus, I lived decades struggling to hear my world. Lots of glitches and hiccups along the way (a story for later).

But my super powers have served me well during my adult career. I learned early on to stay fully engaged in conversations and interactions. This helped me forge wonderful personal and career relationships.

My hope is that children receive everything they need to maintain a connection to their world – a world full of amazing sounds. This is why I share my story with you.

Children with hearing loss have much to contribute to our world. Let's make sure we give them every opportunity to show us their beautiful personalities and to share their unique talents with the world.

Further insights on hearing loss:

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/Prevalence-and-Incidence-of-Hearing-Loss-in-Children/

Hearing Loss Association of America http://www.hearingloss.org