Imagine struggling with your hearing for years, only to be told it’s all in your head. That’s the reality for a 19-year-old girl who’s been dealing with hearing issues since childhood. Her family, including her own mother and boyfriend, have dismissed her struggles as ‘selective hearing,’ refusing to get her the help she needs. But when a family BBQ brings the issue to a boiling point, the girl decides to take matters into her own hands.
Underwater World: A Lifetime of Struggles

Front Row Seat: Schooling with Hearing Issues

No Second Opinion: Mom’s Stubborn Stance

Long-Lost Uncle: A Surprising Encounter

A Ray of Hope: Uncle’s Offer

Awkward Moment: Family Tension

Cruel Joke: Boyfriend’s Insensitive Comment

Mom’s Harsh Words: A Painful Comparison

Spiteful Silence: Ignoring the Hurtful Comments

Irritated Accusations: Mom and Boyfriend’s Reaction

Uncle’s Bold Move: Standing Up for His Niece

Backlash: Family’s Angry Texts

Ice Cream Escape: A Sweet Act of Defiance
After years of being dismissed and ridiculed for her hearing issues, this young woman finally stood up to her unsupportive family. With the help of her long-lost uncle, she left the BBQ to enjoy some ice cream and a much-needed break from the drama. But the backlash didn’t stop there, as both she and her uncle received angry texts accusing them of being a**holes for leaving. So, who’s really in the wrong here? Let’s dive into the internet’s top responses to this heated family conflict.
Encouraging comment to seek medical help with helpful emojis

Encouraging comment advises OP to seek medical help and cut off toxic family.

Seeking help from cool uncle to cut off toxic family. NTA

Dump the boyfriend and see a doc, no selective hearing.

NTA with helpful advice on hearing issues and jaw problems.

Don’t be hard of hearing, get your ears checked!

Encouraging NTA comment suggests getting hearing checked, shares positive experience.

Supportive uncle, negligent mom, and a bad boyfriend. Dump him!

Misunderstood teen with hearing loss gets blamed for ‘selective hearing’

Get that referral and go to the hearing doctor! You’re NTA!

NTA, family and bf suck. Helpful tip on possible hearing issue

Standing up for yourself and seeking medical help. Good job!

NTA seeks second opinion to prove family wrong about medical issue.

Supportive commenter advises getting rid of rude boyfriend and toxic family.

Try a sound amplifier to test ‘selective hearing’. NTA.

NTA, commenter suggests APD as a possible explanation for ‘selective hearing’.

Medical issue mistaken for selective hearing. NTA seeks help. ⚕️

Misdiagnosed hearing loss caused family drama. NTA for misunderstanding.

Don’t accuse people of selective hearing. Get your hearing checked! NTA.

Hearing-impaired commenter advises to get a diagnosis and dump boyfriend.

Teen’s undiagnosed vision issues cause family drama. NTA.

Teen’s untreated hearing loss sparks family drama and ridicule. NTA.

Supportive commenter offers to help pay for medical expenses

Teen receives support for seeking a second opinion on hearing issue.

Uncle to the rescue! NTA, mom sucks, boyfriend’s an AH.

Ignoring a child’s medical issues makes you the a**hole.

Cut off toxic boyfriend and mother, see doctor, don’t take excuses. NTA
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Bone Conduction hearing issue suggestion for family drama comment.

Neglectful mother and AH boyfriend, get your hearing tested independently

Hearing loss is not ‘selective hearing’. NTA, they’re assholes.

Dump the boyfriend, take the uncle’s offer, NTA.

Getting hearing aids can be expensive, but there are options!

Expert audiologist offers advice for OP’s hearing issues.
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NTA. Boyfriend is mocking and feeding into mom’s BS. Ditch him.

Dump the bf and ask your uncle for help. NTA

Encouraging NTA to prioritize their health and break up toxic relationships.

Get your hearing checked, it’s important for your well-being.

Get your hearing checked! NTA.

Supportive comment for NTA with encouraging message

Get your hearing checked! NTA.

Supportive comment, hoping for proper treatment.

Standing up to rude family members, uncle is the MVP
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Struggling with ‘selective hearing’? You’re not alone. NTA.

Dump the boyfriend, get hearing checked, and VLC with mom
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Dump the boyfriend, get hearing checked, vlc with mom
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Get your hearing checked, dump the boyfriend. NTA

Boyfriend should support OP, not side with unsupportive mother. NTA

Uncle offers helpful advice to NTA dealing with toxic relationships

Standing up for oneself against toxic family and partner.

Get your hearing tested and dump the BF. NTA.

Stand up for yourself! NTA, don’t let them gaslight you.

Teen accuses mom of neglect, seeks advice on hearing issue.

Teen’s uncle supports her, mom and BF being cruel. NTA

Hearing loss is stigmatized, but needing glasses isn’t. NTA.
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Dump the boyfriend and take your uncle’s offer. NTA
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Encouraging comment about seeking medical attention and complimenting the uncle

Encouraging comment to seek help and leave toxic relationship

NTA stands up to mom and boyfriend’s mean comments.
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Supportive comment advises to leave unsupportive family, seek help from uncle

Uncle’s support for hearing-impaired teen sparks agreement and relief

Suffering from audio processing disorder, NTA suggests getting screened.

User advises OP to leave BF and mom, get second opinion. NTA

Standing up for oneself against a dismissive doctor. NTA

Mom won’t spend $ on hearing issues. BF is inconsiderate. Uncle’s great!

OP’s family dismisses actual health problems, NTA ♀️
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Teen with hearing loss called ‘selective’ by family, uncle supportive. NTA

NTA comment: Supportive advice amidst family drama and ableism.

Undiagnosed hearing loss can have serious consequences.

Encouraging NTA comment with helpful advice and cautionary note.

Encouraging response to a person’s hearing problem, with helpful advice.

Supportive comment offers medical advice and personal experience

Insurance confusion sparks family drama. NTA, but…

User shares personal experience of hearing loss, advises getting checked.

Toxic mother refuses to take hearing issues seriously. NTA.

Supportive comment encourages seeking specialist for hearing issues.
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User suggests hearing issue could be sensory processing or wax build-up

Dump the boyfriend and see a new doctor. NTA

Uncle saves the day, but will teen listen?

Selective hearing is a real condition, not an excuse. #NTA

Uncle is awesome and OP is NTA, mom and BF are jerks!

Teen stands up to mom and boyfriend, calls out their dysfunction.

Prioritize self-care, seek medical help. Boyfriend and mom are TA.
