| There are several well known people who were born | | | | to her as a child, and she developed sufficient |
| deaf or became deaf during their life time. | | | | communication to graduate college and to become a |
| Interestingly, many of them did not let their reduced | | | | prolific writer and a political activist. The movie, The |
| hearing, sometimes severe, stop them from | | | | Miracle Worker, relates on her story. |
| continuing on in their chosen career. | | | | Both William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy are reported |
| In the 18th century Ludwig van Beethoven is well | | | | to have some tinnitus (ringing in their ears), resulting |
| known for continuing his music career despite | | | | from loud noises that occurred on the Star Trek set. |
| increasing hearing loss. Beethoven was a German | | | | How much their hearing has actually been affected is |
| born composer who lived in Vienna for most of his | | | | not publicly known. However, they have both |
| career. In the 1790's while he was in his mid-20's he | | | | continued their careers despite some hearing |
| began to experience ringing in his ears and | | | | handicaps. |
| subsequent increasing hearing loss. He continued to | | | | In recent times two former presidents, Ronald Regan |
| compose his symphonies even after he became | | | | and Bill Clinton have worn hearing aids. They carried |
| completely deaf. In those days there were no | | | | on with their obligations in spite of hearing loss. |
| hearing aids as we know them, but he used a special | | | | Miss America, Heather Whitestone, became deaf |
| rod to help him hear. Beethoven is a good example | | | | after a febrile illness as a child. She is the first deaf |
| of a person who did not let his handicap stop him | | | | person to become a Miss America. She has since had |
| from doing what he wanted to do. His music is still | | | | a cochlear implant, which has improved her hearing. |
| enjoyed worldwide today. | | | | These are just a few people who have achieve |
| In more recent times the story of Helen Keller has | | | | great successes in spite of hearing loss. There are |
| become well know. She developed an infectious | | | | also many others who could have been included here. |
| illness as a toddler, which left her both deaf and blind. | | | | Hearing loss, though a problem, can be overcome. |
| Her teacher Annie Sullivan was able to break through | | | | |