For most of my adult life, I’ve stood at the front of classrooms.

Over the past 25 years, I’ve taught well over 2,000 students across classrooms, community spaces, and educational programs. Many of those students are now professionals, parents, and leaders in their own right. Teaching wasn’t just my job; it was the structure of my life, the way I contributed to the world, and the way I connected with people.

I’m writing this because that structure is changing, and I need help adapting so I don’t lose it completely.

What’s happening

Over the past decade, I’ve been losing my hearing.

It began in my left ear. For years, I managed. My right ear carried me through lectures, conversations, and daily life. Audiologists in both Toronto and Edmonton tracked the decline over time.

But in the last two years, things have shifted.

My right ear, the one I relied on, has also begun to deteriorate. Testing in April 2026 confirmed what I had already started to experience: I can no longer reliably understand speech in normal environments.

• My left ear is now functionally deaf

• My right ear has moderate-to-severe hearing loss, especially at higher frequencies

• An MRI ruled out treatable structural causes

This is permanent. It is documented. And it is progressing.

What it means

It means I can’t reliably hear a student ask a question from across the room. It means I miss parts of conversations with my own children. It means the one thing I’ve built my life around, teaching, has become difficult in ways I’m still trying to understand and navigate.

It also means I can no longer participate in conferences and lectures in the way I used to. The background noise in those environments overwhelms what I’m able to hear, making it nearly impossible to follow discussions, ask questions, or engage meaningfully. Spaces that were once central to my academic life have become isolating.

There’s also a quieter impact that’s harder to explain.

I’ve always been an extroverted person. I thrived in conversation, in public spaces, and in the energy of being around people. But as my hearing has declined, those spaces have become increasingly difficult to navigate. Simple interactions now require constant effort: asking people to repeat themselves, trying to piece together conversations, and often missing things entirely.

Over time, that has led to a kind of isolation I wasn’t prepared for. Conversations feel strained. Social settings feel overwhelming. Gradually, I’ve found myself withdrawing in ways that don’t reflect who I am.

This has taken a real toll on my mental health. What used to be natural, connection, conversation, presence, now comes with fatigue and frustration. It’s been a difficult adjustment, and at times, a lonely one.

But I’m not stepping away from life or work. I’m trying to adapt so I can continue.

What I’m raising for

I’m working with my audiologist on a plan that includes:

• A CROS/BiCROS hearing system to route sound from my non-functioning ear

• A Roger remote microphone system for classrooms and group settings

• Custom fittings, follow-up appointments, and essential accessories

• Short-term financial stability while I adjust and rebuild my ability to work

I’ve already applied for available supports, including Alberta Aids to Daily Living and the Disability Tax Credit. This campaign is meant to cover the gap and give me a foundation to move forward.

Over the years, my students have been one of the greatest sources of support and encouragement in my life. Many of you stepped up for me in ways I’ll never forget, including helping me access hearing support in the past.

This time, I’m navigating much of this on my own, and that has been a difficult adjustment. Part of what makes this moment so hard is not only the hearing loss itself, but the challenge of rebuilding with less support than I once had.

That’s part of why I’m reaching out more broadly now.

Why this matters

This isn’t just about hearing aids.

It’s about preserving my ability to teach, communicate, finish my PhD, and continue contributing to the lives of others.

I’ve spent decades helping others move forward. Right now, I need help doing the same.

The ask

If you’ve ever learned from me, worked with me, or crossed paths with me in a meaningful way, this is the moment I’m asking for your support.

Any amount helps.

And if you’re not in a position to give, sharing this campaign with others who believe in supporting educators and people rebuilding their lives would mean a great deal.

I’ll post updates as I receive the equipment and as I work toward returning to full teaching capacity.

I’m not done teaching yet.

— Uthman

I've attached the pictures of my most recent audiology report (April 2026). It confirms severe-to-profound hearing loss in my left ear and moderate-to-severe loss in my right ear, with a documented decline over time. This is the medical basis for the challenges described above.