Don't Read the Comments

Social media. Gaaaahhhhh.

I say it all the time: "Don't read the comments. Don't read the comments. Don't read the comments."

Then what do I do? I read the comments.

I also tell myself to ignore posts I know are click bait and move on. "Don't comment. Don't comment. Don't comment."

Then what do I do? I make a comment.

I'm bad like that. (You are, too. Admit it.)

Social media can be fun and amazing. And awfully aggravating. The ignorance displayed and shared in well-meaning or not-so-well-mearning comments is incredible.

Take one of those well-meaning social media groups where people with cochlear implants can ask questions and hear about other's experiences. I've learned a lot about my CI from them.

And then -- there are the people chiming in with their opinions, half-knowledge, or bits of "I heard..." or "I read..." and exhorting them as fact. There's usually one or two overlooked comments advising people to call their audi, but more often than no,t there are bunches of comments offering all kinds of absolute advice. And then there's you --knowing that your doctors and/or audiologists have completely advised you MUCH differently. Don't comment. Don't comment... DON'T COMMENT.

But you do. And your notifications blow up.

I've asked my audiologists about some of the posts and comments on the page. They chuckle most of the time and advise me to call them if I need help. They have doctorates, after all, and decades of experience treating patients with cochlear implants.

The convenience of seeking help online seems to be replacing our willingness to ask the ones who are educated to know how to help us -- our medical experts.

The fact is that having a cochlear implant doesn't make one a medical expert on cochlear implants. And one cochlear implant experience may be completely different from another. There's a fine line between sharing our experience and touting our own medical expertise. We should be careful not to cross it. Telling another recipient that their symptoms and/or problems can or cannot be caused by their implant may prevent them from seeking the medical help from the experts that can resolve their problems, anxiety, or needs.

It's probably time for me to leave that group.