I have a 70 decibel loss of hearing in my right ear, a result of the, fortunately unilateral, Ménière's syndrome that precipitated my premature retirement three and a half years ago. The sudden, unannounced, and disabling attacks of vertigo no longer occur, but I am left with persistent tinnitus in my left ear, together with the hearing impediment already mentioned. Fortunately I have no hearing loss in my right ear and can thus lead a fairly normal social life, except if there is sound originating from my right side and I am trying to converse with someone on my left. I have an NHS hearing aid, which is largely useless, although I appreciate that it would be of inestimable value if I had bilateral deafness. It works well only in a quiet room, which is exactly when I do not need it; in a noisy room it picks up every sound and presents a cacophonous jumble of sound to my ear.

I have been disappointed by the attitudes of others to my plight and particularly saddened by the fact that some of the offenders are members of my own profession. When I try to be helpful in company by explaining my condition someone inevitably says “Pardon” while the rest of the company dissolve in laughter. It is difficult to behave with equanimity under such provocation. If I do not explain the situation, however, and subsequently have to ask that part of the conversation be repeated I am treated at best with impatience and at worst with contempt, even being asked on one occasion why I was not paying better attention.

I suspect that people behave like this because it is impossible to see when someone has a hearing problem. Blindness and other physical disabilities are much more obvious, and therefore promote sympathy in the observers. I remember being told, in my student days, that deafness is probably the greatest cause of social isolation, and I am prepared to believe this.