Imagine going through life without its "soundtrack". More than 28 million people go through life in a muffled or silent existence. For those with the greatest hearing loss, it is a world without the laughter of children or the warning cries of a siren. A world where shouts are whispers, and symphonies are simply notes on a page. A world where individuals often feel isolated and unable to easily communicate their needs, hopes and wishes.
There are hundreds of origins of complete or partial deafness. It may be the result of a birth defect, or a disease faced in childhood or as an adult. Hearing may have slipped away gradually with age or it might have been ripped away suddenly by trauma. In the end, the "why" doesn't matter. What is important are the challenges faced by those without sound. Despite the loss of this most precious gift, one still longs to live, learn and enjoy life.
