What I Saw When the World Went Quiet | Joanna Vasiloglou | TEDxAtlanta Intl School Youth

Personal Experience & Impact - Sudden sensory neural hearing loss resulted in deafness in one ear [3] - Adapting to a cochlear implant is a tiring process, requiring audio verbal therapy to relearn how to hear [5][6][7] - Hearing loss can lead to feelings of loneliness, with a study indicating a 7% increase in severe loneliness for every decibel decrease in hearing [9] Empathy & Perspective - The experience highlighted the invisibility of many personal challenges, fostering empathy and a willingness to listen to others' experiences [13][14] - Recovery is framed as moving forward with new tools and self-awareness, rather than returning to a previous state [15][16] - Perspective gained from the hearing loss allows for deeper connections with others, viewing difference as an opportunity [16][17] Inclusion & Community - Real inclusion involves paying attention to what is not immediately visible, recognizing that everyone is recovering from something [18] - Building communities where people are genuinely accepted requires seeing each other fully, including the quiet battles they face [19]