What would you do if someone told you to take off your sound processor because it wasn’t “pretty”? For Rose, an author and model in France, this experience spurred her to create an online community and inspire others to advocate for themselves.
“It all started at a photoshoot where the director asked me to remove my cochlear implant [sound processor], saying it wasn’t ‘pretty’. That was when I understood the necessity to talk about it on social media and raise awareness among as many people as possible,” says Rose.
After years of experiencing harassment and bullying due to her deafness, Rose started using social media to build awareness and help others like her to find strength in community.
“When I saw how many people were interested in deafness, I started making funny videos to portray situations I experienced every day. From there a community was created and continued to grow. More and more people told me that it helped them accept themselves, so I continued.”
Rose has an impressive following with more than 39,000 followers on Instagram^ and nearly 47,000 on TikTok®.
“I was completely overwhelmed by the response my videos had on people! Some people sent me messages of distress because they didn’t know what to do after learning of their child’s hearing loss diagnosis, as there wasn’t any follow up.
“Other young people, who were experiencing harassment, told me they found my funny videos helped them overcome difficult moments.
“Social media has helped me a lot. In France, I’ve found deafness is very taboo. No one talks about it, so I found it important that I bring this subject to light.”
Now with a successful modelling career and having completed a master’s degree, Rose was invited last year to be a National Ambassador for Cochlear Foundation’s Achieve Anything program.
Rose shares her favorite tips
1. Socializing in noisy environments
“When you go out with friends, whether it’s for dinner, drinks or out someplace where it’s noisy, I recommend bringing a trusted friend with you. They can help explain the context of conversations that you might be struggling to follow.”
2. During face-to-face conversations
“Position yourself strategically in front of them to help you lip read. Use your compatible smartphone* for direct streaming or a Mini Mic 2+ to help hear people more clearly.”
3. When you’re meeting new people
“If there are people you don’t know at a meal or party, don’t hesitate to tell them that you’re hard-of-hearing or deaf. This will avoid the stress of answering them inappropriately or ignoring them. They’ll understand!”
4. Take spare batteries with you
“Don’t forget to take spare batteries or recharge your battery before going out.”
“I’ve completed my master’s [degree] in luxury and retail, and now I work on raising awareness in companies to make their communication more inclusive. I plan to expand my social media community and start my own business.”
“My ultimate goal is to continue helping deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals not only in France but around the world.”
Click here to learn more about Cochlear Foundation and the Achieve Anything Global Summit.
