I Heard My Footsteps
By Brenda Schmidt
A longtime hearing loss educator and advocate, Brenda Schmidt wrote a children’s book about growing up with a hearing loss, based on her own experiences—and including her red hair.
As a child I have no real memories of not being able to hear things, because after all, you can’t know what you don’t know.
In my early years my family began to suspect that I was missing things, and since I had not started talking much yet they took me for a hearing test when I was about 4 years old. The audiologist concluded that I had a possible profound hearing loss, but that I was an unreliable test subject.
My parents took me home confused and doubtful because I would “appear” to respond to people talking to me and to some sounds. My mother began to teach me speechreading without even knowing she was doing so.
I began school in kindergarten and moved on with life. I began to talk more and was a happy child. I think the schools must have informed my parents they suspected something was going on because my parents took me back to an audiologist and at the age of 7, I got my first hearing aid. I was diagnosed with a moderate hearing loss in both ears.
After receiving that first hearing aid, I was immediately amazed that things made sounds I had never known before. I spent a lot of time asking, “What’s that sound?”
A funny memory is when I was in first grade and got a spelling test back with a big question mark on one word—I had misspelled “ship” with a swear word! I guess speechreading didn’t help me in that case.
I have vivid memories of the first sounds I heard—my footsteps. I was amazed that my feet made noise when I was walking. Life began to open much more for me! I began discovering more and more things that made sounds such as birds, crickets, the wind, and much more.
Brenda was introduced to illustrator Jill Stark through a mutual friend.
This is back in the days when hearing aids were analog. The audiologist recommended I wear the hearing aid at three-quarters volume, but I wanted to hear all that I could possibly hear. I of course did not hear everything perfectly, as I had only one hearing aid, and the other ear still had a moderate loss. And hearing aids are not hearing correctors. They are aids. I often must still remind people of this.
Wearing hearing aids as a kid was both a blessing and a challenge. On one hand, they showed me a new world of sound, allowing me to hear things I had never heard before. On the other hand, they made me feel different.
As I sat in classrooms, listening intently to my teachers while adjusting and hiding the device behind my ear, I often wondered how my peers perceived me. Would they see me as the girl who struggled to hear, or would they see me for who I truly was?
Amid these thoughts and feelings, I found solace in reading. Reading became my escape—a way to expand my world and experiences. I began reading voraciously, often finishing novels in one or two days.
Little did I know that my love for reading would eventually lead me to create a children’s book that would resonate with kids like me. The inspiration for my book came from the very experiences that shaped my childhood—including the title, “She Heard Her Footsteps.”
I wanted to create a story that not only celebrated the beauty of differences but also conveyed the importance of empathy and understanding. My heart was set on crafting a tale that could empower children with hearing loss while also educating their peers about the significance of inclusivity.
As I embarked on this journey, I immersed myself in the world of children’s literature. I read countless books, studied writing styles, and explored the art of storytelling. I wanted to create a character that young readers could relate to, someone who faced challenges yet overcame them with resilience and courage. Through this character, I hoped to convey the message that hearing loss is just one part of a person’s identity and that it doesn’t define their abilities or dreams.
Using the book, Brenda has been leading Zoom webinars to help train teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing.
The writing process was both exhilarating and daunting. I was introduced to a beautiful illustrator through a mutual friend. She and I poured our hearts into every page, remembering experiences while also considering how this story could inspire others. And, I was a redhead and this book is based on my life experiences growing up.
Finally, after months of hard work, my children’s book was ready. It was a culmination of experiences with hearing loss, the support of my family, and the belief that stories have the power to change perceptions.
As I held the finished book in my hands, I felt a sense of pride and fulfillment. I was no longer just a girl with hearing aids; I was an author with a story to tell. In sharing my book with children, I hope to spark conversations about hearing loss and the importance of acceptance. I want young readers to understand that everyone has their own unique challenges and that it’s our differences that make us special.
My journey with hearing loss and hearing aids has shaped me in ways I never imagined. For one thing, I became a teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing and I continue to help teach advocacy skills to our community, specifically teens and young adults.
I am grateful for the opportunity to inspire others through storytelling. As I continue to write and share my experiences, I am reminded of the power of words and the importance of finding one’s voice.
My hearing loss may have been a challenge, but it also led me to discover my passion for writing—a passion that I hope will resonate with children and families everywhere. Whether through books or personal connections, I believe that stories can bridge gaps, foster understanding, and ultimately bring us closer together.
An Illinois resident, Brenda Schmidt has been a teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing and an adjunct professor of special education. Find “She Heard Her Footsteps” on Amazon.