mine is from birth defect (malformed ear drums). 36 surgeries by the time I was 6 (cleft lip/palate and ears both). Restored partial hearing but kept telling my mother I would go deaf by the time I was 10, so teach me to talk and sign language.
Lost my hearing in one hear in early 30’s. Now the other ear is going. So I am teaching my husband sign language. I can read lips across the room perfectly. THAT comes in handy.
Bless you reaganaut, you have been through a lot!