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A few head cannons about Steve’s journey (mostly based on my own development of hearing issues in my late teens). Let me know your own head cannons or experiences in the comments!
• Steve doesn’t really notice (or if he does he ignores it) his gradual hearing loss. He does notice he’s more tired and irritable and feels angry at everything.
• When his friends start to notice they tell him he had a “hearing problem” and he should see a doctor. Steve insists he does not. They argue about it a few times, Eddie stands behind him quietly and says “yes you do” and looks at Robin pointedly when Steve does not notice or respond.
• Steve’s hearing loss developed from a few instances; Nancy firing her gun in his vicinity, demogorgan screeching, Billy breaking the plate on his ear, and lastly and most effective being tortured by Russians.
• When he does eventually get to the doctor, they tell him he has moderate to severe hearing loss and it may get worse.
• People tend to think he’s rude since his eye contact is bad (they don’t realize he’s reading their lips).
•When he gets hearing aids, Steve chooses blue because he decided if people were going to see them anyway, he wanted a fun color.
• Steve gets so exhausted by the end of the day he sits at the kitchen island with his head down breathing heavy. Eddie, Dustin, or Robin will usually pick up after him, the shoes he kicked off and the keys he threw on the table that slid off, etc.
• Steve still like to order. If he is in the drive thru he makes the passenger repeat what the server said.
• He bought a motorcycle because he can *feel* the engine roar.
• When Corroded Coffin plays, they let him sit on or against the speakers.
• They all learn some sign. Robin loves it (the linguist) and complains about what a lazy signer Steve is. He finger spells too much and can be very bad at grammar.
•Eddie thinks the little sounds Steve makes when he signs are cute, but will never tell him because he’s afraid it would sound weird or patronizing.
• Steve always laughs when the others stomp up to him to let him know they’re coming.
•Dustin throws stuff at him to get his attention.
• His hearing aids are overwhelming and he takes them out constantly (he hates the arcade) but sometimes he loses them, and he tears the place apart looking for them in panic.
• DO NOT touch his hearing aids. Ever.
• Eddie let’s Steve touch his throat to feel him talking.
•NOTE: please never fake a disability or culture online. It’s not cool and can (intentionally or unintentionally) spread misinformation, stereotypes, and polarization about the group you are pretending to be a part of. You CAN do damage by faking any kind of culture or disability, even if it feels harmless. Feel free to make content starring people from diverse backgrounds and experiences, just always be sure to do your research and try to stay away from stereotypes and harmful messages/misinformation.