Maxwell Schneider, a past president of the Consumers Organization for the Hearing Impaired, has devoted much of his time to the interests of the Hard Of Hearing (HOH). He is intimately familiar with the problems of what is properly called "the invisible handicap." Here's what he has to say about his book:

"Because there really is nothing amusing about being hearing impaired, it became more and more important that this book become a reality and not just left as an idea that had floated around in my head for so many years. I felt certain that the HOH would relate to the situations depicted in the book, and the realization that so many others share the same problems with them would then serve to reduce their tensions and frustrations. Once the book serves that purpose, it will still have achieved only a portion of my real goal.

"It is a well-known fact that individuals with an existing or developing hearing impairment often are reluctant to admit the problem exists, and that when they finally do, they are hesitant about turning to all the wonderful professional help and marvelous devices available to them.

"How else to explain that just about everyone who needs glasses wears them, while, only about 20 percent of those who would benefit from the use of hearing aids take advantage of them?

"It is also a fact that when failing hearing remains unattended, the usual sad result is an individual who drifts farther and farther out of the "main-stream." Additionally, the longer the problem is ignored, the more difficult it is to help.

"Moreover, and most unfortunately, it isn't only the individual who is being done a disservice. To the figure of 24 million who are HOH must be added all those millions of friends and family members who also tend to become more and more burdened.

"Therefore, my second and most overriding goal is to urge the individual to do something about it! And it must be borne in mind that family members and friends offering sympathetic and understanding encouragement can play an extremely important role in the decision to seek the necessary professional help."

*For those with profound hearing loss, there is now available a service which provides dogs, trained and certified as Hearing Ear Dogs. The assistance these loving pets render can be invaluable.What's more, they are offered without charge.

** The author is a Cochlear Implantee as of October 1998.The result is such an upgrade in his lifestyle that he will be happy to answer questions about the procedure. E-mail him directly with your questions.