She Got A Cochlear Implant as an Adult to Please Her Family - What It’s Really Like

What is it really like growing up Deaf in a hearing family? In this episode of What It’s Really Like, Chrissy Marshall shares her personal journey navigating deafness, family expectations, identity, and the complicated emotions surrounding cochlear implants. Chrissy opens up about getting a cochlear implant as an adult, the pressure she felt from her family, and what it was like being told that choosing not to hear was “selfish.” Together, we unpack the meaning behind that word, the impact of being made to feel like your disability is a burden, and the importance of understanding Deaf culture, communication, and personal choice. This is an honest conversation about the realities of growing up Deaf, navigating relationships with hearing family members, and finding confidence in who you are. Chapters: 0:00 Growing Up Without a Shared Language 2:16 Meet Chrissy Marshall 4:22 Born Deaf in a Hearing Family 12:41 Being Praised for “Not Seeming Deaf” 18:06 Invisible Disabilities and Hiding Accommodations 23:05 Losing Her Remaining Hearing 28:03 Isolation and Pretending to Understand 33:03 Concentration Fatigue and Working “10 Times Harder” 35:49 How ASL Changed Chrissy’s Life 42:34 Growing Up Between the Deaf and Hearing Worlds 44:56 Finding Representation in Marlee Matlin 48:41 Captions, Audio Description, and Accessible Entertainment 53:33 “Would You Rather Be Deaf or Blind?” 55:35 How Deaf People Experience Music 1:02:47 Safety and Vulnerability as Disabled Women 1:09:35 Sounds and Sights They Never Knew Existed 1:18:59 Disability Access and Representation in Hollywood 1:27:27 What Hearing People Should Understand About Deafness 1:31:01 Accommodations, Ableism, and “Special Needs” 1:35:34 Family, Grief, and Internalized Ableism 1:39:06 Technology, Disability Pride, and Wishing for a Cure 1:50:40 Molly Feels Hearing Aids and a Cochlear Implant 1:56:37 Why Chrissy Got a Cochlear Implant 2:07:07 What a Cochlear Implant Actually Sounds Like 2:11:37 Turning the Implant On for the First Time 2:15:00 Where to Follow Chrissy Follow Chrissy Marshall: Website: https://www.chrissymarshall.com Instagram:   / chrissymarshall_   YouTube:    / @chrissymarshall_   TikTok:   / chrissymarshall_   📚 ORDER MY MEMOIR: UNSEEN: How I Lost My Vision but Found My Voice — available now! Tap the link in bio to get your copy. 🐾 Support My GoFundMe for The Mira Foundation (guide dogs for the blind): https://gofund.me/5d8fc57f 🛍 Shop My Amazon Favorites: www.amazon.com/shop/mollyburke (Find my go-to vision boarding book, motivational stickers, and more in the Health & Wellness section!) 🐝 Join the Killer Bee Club on Patreon:   / mollyburke   🎧 Listen to my audiobook “It’s Not What It Looks Like” on Audible: https://audible.com/mollyburke 📲 FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram: @mollyburkeofficial TikTok: @mollyburkeofficial Twitter: @mollybofficial Facebook: Molly Burke Official 🌐 Learn more about me: http://mollyburkeofficial.com Hi! I’m Molly Burke — a fashion-loving, sushi-obsessed, makeup-wearing millennial who just so happens to be blind. Diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa at 4 years old, I began public speaking at age 5 and haven’t stopped since. From motivational talks to modeling, I’m passionate about creating a more inclusive world for people with disabilities. Even though I can’t see, I believe there’s always a bright side — and I’m here to help you find it. 💕