How Losing My Hearing Helped Me Find Myself
My name is Liz, and I’m here to share a story about how my life was turned upside down and how that moment, as terrifying as it was, became the catalyst for something much greater.
This is a story about loss, but also about resilience, faith, and reinvention.
On July 30, 2024, I experienced one of my worst nightmares. I lost my hearing completely in both ears, almost overnight, due to an ear infection I caught three weeks after recovering from COVID.
My immune system had already been weakened by the virus, and the ear infection was the final straw. I found myself waking up to a world of silence. I was quickly diagnosed with severe hearing loss caused by fluid buildup, and a few days later, I underwent surgery to drain the fluid and insert ear tubes. Although I’ve seen small improvements since the surgery, my hearing has not fully returned.
From Anticipation to Despair
What made this situation even harder to accept was the timing. Just days before I lost my hearing, my kids had started their summer holidays. We had been looking forward to a much-needed vacation—a family trip to the beach, where we could enjoy the sound of waves crashing, laughter, and togetherness. We had built up so much excitement, counting down the days, dreaming of relaxation and fun. But instead, I was thrust into a world where all sound vanished.
Despite the surgery and my ongoing recovery, we still went on the vacation as planned. But it was nothing like what I had imagined. The sound of the ocean waves was missing. I couldn’t hear my kids’ laughter, and even the simple joy of hearing the wind rustle through the trees was gone. I didn’t get to fully enjoy the experience because I was stuck in a dark place, emotionally and mentally. The first few days were the hardest—there were moments when I couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep, and for the first time in my life, I found myself terrified of the dark. It felt like a part of me had been ripped away, and I wasn’t sure how I was going to move forward.
More Than Just Silence
What I’m dealing with now isn’t just hearing loss; it’s also the persistent, overwhelming noise of tinnitus—a constant ringing in my ears that drowns out the quiet. I can hear my heartbeat thudding in my ears, echoing in my head as if I’m trapped in a tunnel. And my own voice—something I never used to think twice about—sounds robotic in my ears, mechanical, like a stranger’s voice bouncing back to me.
Watching TV or speaking on the phone has become nearly impossible because every sound comes through distorted and garbled, as if the world is speaking a language I can no longer understand. But the hardest part for me? Music. Music has always been a huge part of my life, and now it sounds broken—notes scattered and out of tune, like the melody is fighting to come through but can’t quite make it. It’s been heartbreaking to lose that connection. But in spite of all of this, I’m learning to focus on what I can still enjoy. I may not be able to hear music the way I used to, but I can still see the beauty of the world around me. I can still read, thanks to my eyesight, and I’m grateful for the quiet moments spent observing the trees as they prepare for fall, their leaves shifting colors in the cool breeze.
Even though my hearing hasn’t fully returned yet, I am no longer completely deaf. I am able to communicate one-on-one with my husband and kids, and for that, I am deeply grateful. While it’s not perfect, and some days are harder than others, I’ve learned that there’s always something to hold onto, something to be thankful for, even in the midst of difficulty.
Finding a New Purpose: Simply Done Daily
This experience has been nothing short of transformative. In the beginning, I found myself in a very dark place, grappling with fear, uncertainty, and a deep sense of loss. But through that darkness, something else began to emerge. As strange as it may sound, I started to feel that this had happened to me for a reason. I truly believe that losing my hearing was not just a random event—it was pushing me toward something greater, something I had always longed for but hadn’t fully pursued.
That’s how Simply Done Daily was born. I realized that while I was waiting and praying for my full healing, I needed something to take the focus off my hearing loss. I needed something positive, something that could help me grow while inspiring others at the same time. For years, I had dreamed of helping people become better versions of themselves, and it took this terrifying experience to push me into action. I no longer wanted to be the person I was before this all happened. This was my opportunity to reinvent myself—to step out of my comfort zone and unlock my full potential.
I made a promise to myself to live differently from now on, to be more intentional about every aspect of my life. I have started doing the things I love again—exercising, eating healthy, spending quality time with my husband and kids, and even watching my favorite comedies (with subtitles for now). I’ve also been building a deeper connection with God, and it’s helped me gain the strength I need to move forward. Life may look different now, but I’m embracing this transformation with open arms. I’m committed to living a simpler, more fulfilling life, free from the stress that once weighed me down.
The Stress That Broke Me
Before this happened, I was juggling so many roles—wife, mother, author, graphic designer, and so much more. The demands of life seemed endless, and I was constantly running on empty, trying to be everything to everyone. In retrospect, I truly believe that the stress I was carrying around for years weakened my body and immune system to the point where I became vulnerable to illness. COVID hit me hard, taking me three weeks to recover, and right after that, the ear infection came, which led to the hearing loss. My body was telling me, loud and clear, that it couldn’t handle the strain anymore.
I don’t want to live that way ever again. This experience has taught me that stress is more than just an emotional or mental burden—it can have very real, very serious effects on your physical health. I’m choosing now to live a life that prioritizes peace, balance, and simplicity. I’m learning that it all starts in the mind, and although I still have a lot on my plate, I’m approaching it with a completely different mindset—one that’s free from the pressure and the chaos that once consumed me.
The Power of Gratitude
One of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned through this experience is the importance of gratitude. When I first lost my hearing, I was consumed by everything I no longer had—the sound of my children’s voices, the joy of listening to music, the simple pleasure of hearing the world around me. But as time went on, I started to shift my perspective. I began to realize that even though I had lost something precious, I still had so much to be thankful for.
I could still see the beauty of the world. I could still communicate with my family. I could still laugh, play, and live. And even though I don’t have all my hearing back yet, I am living with faith. I know deep down that it will return in time. This journey has taught me to never take anything for granted, not for a second, because you never know when it might be gone.
Turning Pain Into Purpose
I don’t know if you are battling an illness, struggling with stress, or just stuck in a rut in your life, but I want you to know this: even when life knocks you down, you don’t have to stay down.
This journey of mine is far from over, and I know there are still difficult days ahead, but I am choosing to turn my pain into purpose. Losing my hearing has pushed me toward becoming a better version of myself, and I’m here to help you do the same.
So, let’s do this together. Let’s rise above the challenges, simplify our lives, and embrace the possibilities ahead. You are stronger than you think, and there’s always a new chapter waiting to be written.
With love, Liz
Let us know what you think in the comments!