Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-01-18
The Value of Hearing.

Ma. EnIToR:-Will you please give me the
opportunity, through the medium Of your
paper, to make few remarks on the above
subject. During an extensive and constant
practice, devoted to a considerable extent to
the treatment Of diseases Of the Ear, in this
country and Europe, have had opportuni-
ties of observing the fact that in large num-
Der of cases the loss or impairment of hear
ing originates from gross mismanagement of
the Ear.
Hearing is one of the most important of
our senses. Considering 1t as q means of OBJ
tanning information, in infancy especially, 1t
is more important even than sight, for with
ont it, speech, the particular attribute of
man, cannot be developed. It's Importance
for social intercourse, intellectual improve
ment, and for Communication with the outer
world, cannot be over estimated.
The pleasures which We derive from It are
numerous, intense and varied, and contrib
ute continually to embellish life. Through
no other sense can our soul receive such pro-
found impressions as through that of hear
| ing, fact which is constantly demonstrated.
The solemn notes Of the organ appeal at once
to the heart, and lift our thoughts involun-
tarily to the Throne of Grace. The exciting
strains Of martial music stimulate courage
and bravery, and deeds of the greatest dar-
ing are performed under it's soul-inspiring
influence. The mournful strains of funeral
iirge move our hearts to sadness, while the
lively and pleasant music of a ballroom or
chestra drives away care, cheers cur spirit,
and induces us to perform series Of move
ments which, If done without its influence,
would expose US to extreme ridieuIe.
The chirping Ofinseots, the songs Of birds,
the rustling of leaves, the gurRling of tho
brook, the roar Of the ocean, and the hum of
the busy world around us are sounds over
pleasant and contribute largely to our happi-
ness. But far moro soul-stirring and melO-
dious than all those enumerated is the hu-
man voice, which is capable of giving utter
ance to SWeeter sounds than anything else in
| creation. To be incapable of hearing that
voice id an affection great indeed.
THE GREAT DIsADvAETAGE OF DEAFNESS.
Good hearing is Requisite in every depart
ment of life for the rapid interchange OF our
thoughts, ideas, and wants, and its loss or
impairmenta misfortune which makes itself
felt at every step, and seriously interferes
with our usefulness and success in all rela-
tions to life. It is mildew to fond hopes
and aspirations, and debsrs talent and gem
ius from reaping their Legitimate reward.
The inability of the fond mother to hear
the snxiously expected cry, uttered by her
new born babe at its entrance into the world,
or of the sffsetiOnate child the dying request
of beloved parent must be sad depriVa-
ton.
Whether in Church or Theatre, Lecture
Room or Opera House, in the Family Circle
or surrounded by the pleasantest company,
tho deaf are constantly in dresry and M
broken solitude.
In this age of progress and improvement,
it is necessary to have our senses perfect,
sven in the most ordinary business traasac-
tiOns, in order to keep pace with the times
the necessity Of elevating the voice, and Of
frequently repeating sentences while speak
ing to deaf persons, as we'll as tho many
mistakes arising from misapprehensions, are
annOyanees which we avoid as much as pos
sible by employing or traRsacting business
with those who hear readily. Besides de-
tracing so much from the pleasures and ad
vantagcs of life, deafness exercises a most
bsneful effect upon the temper and disposi-
ton, and presents in that respect the most
striking contrast to the effect produced by
blindness. The blind are generally cheerful,
frank and sociable, but the deaf, on the COR
trary, are suspicious, morose, melancholic,
and unsociable TO a degree, and constantly
considering themselves the subject of re-
marks and ridicule, grow irritable andquar-
reIsome.
The lives of the poet Milton and the great
musician Beethoven, illustrate more forcibly
the comparative effects produced upon the
temper by blindness and deafness.
Milton, though lsmenting in the most
touching strains his bitter calamity, still re-
tanned cheerful and contented disposition,
which he repeatedly manifested in some pas
sages of his paradise Lost - while Bee
thOvsn, who became deaf in the primo of
life, had all his latter years darkened by
anguish, gloom and the deepest despair, and
could scarcely find any sllevistiOn of his
misery from the enjoyment of the remaining
senses.
The sympathy which should be accorded
to the deaf is usually withheld, IS their in
trinity is not so striking to the beholder as
that of blindness. The mistakes arising
pity, while laughter and merriment are often
excited by the ludicrous mistakes Of the
deaf, from the Misrepresentation Of the Lam
gusge addressed to them. Even physicslly
the effects of deafness are soon apparent.
The countenance assumes an anxious, strain
ed and nervous expression. The inability
of many of the deaf to hear their own voice,
prevents them from giving it the proper
pitch, and they either talk In q loud and
believing tone, or in the msrest whisper,
while the voice itself loses its melodiouG
quality, and assumes a very peculiar harsh
and nasal character.
Tomorrow I will write an article to
show that discharges from the ears of chill
drsn are dangerous. am induced to do SO
on account of a number of parents calling on
me that imagine that such discharges are
healthy, and have been SO advised by their
physician. This is a most dangerous error to
entsrtain, and needs correction.
Yeurs respectfully,
J. F. LAWRENCE, NJ. D.
AMERICAN HOTEL,