Deaf in One Ear

I was born deaf in my left ear. I am not sure exactly how it happened, but my entire life I have had to adjust where I sit, walk, and how I approach people with my left ear in mind. Early in my life, I adjusted instinctively, but as I grew older I remember making intentional decisions to put myself in positions to minimize the impact the deafness would have on my conversations with people. To this day, some people who have known me for quite some time are surprised when I tell them I am deaf in my left ear. I guess I often adjusted subtly enough for them not to notice.

What’s more, is that I believe my ear created other superpowers that others might not possess. I am highly perceptive and attuned to what someone might be going through. I notice things that others might miss. I am often told that I can sense and see things at a high frequency. I think I am attuned to body language and facial expressions in a heightened manner. I often can anticipate things quickly. I am not saying I have Daredevil-like superpowers, but I feel pretty confident that my hearing deficit has led to other advantages in other areas of my life (including my ability to sleep through noises at night!).

What are your superpowers? Is there a deficit in one area that has led to an enhancement in another? How can you embrace your deficits and mine for the gems that they possess?