Need some advice

Honey Badger

Honey Badger

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Okay, so if anybody gets frustration on this, I know you guys will. I am having to constantly repeat "I can't hear you" when people try to talk to me. I am only hearing impaired, but if you try talking to me from another room, upstairs, or at work (mcdonalds) with all the machines making noises around me I won't hear you. Or even just not using enunciation. I feel like people should get this about me already, and it upsets me everytime I have to say it, it's just another reminder that I can't hear like everyone else. My mom does it, my boyfriend does it, my coworkers do it. I just get so frustrated, I don't need to be reminded. I am fully and completely aware that I have hearing issues. How do I tell them this, again, in a way they understand?
 
I ask the talker are they talking to the wall (if they have their back to me). Yeah, a lot of people can't remember because our deafness is invisible.

I'm afraid that I can be the same way as the hearing people when I'm with someone with hearing loss. I'm late deafened and still think like a hearing person.
 
I have a t-shirt that says "I Can't Hear You!"...Maybe post signs around the house that says that too..LOL...Don't let it get to you...ignore it, and after awhile, maybe those closest to you will catch the drift. Feel we deafies deal with that all the time and have to repeat and repeat. Aggravating? Yes...
 
Hearing people are always going to forget. Family should be able to remember to face you and ensure you can understand them, close friends too even. But co-workers can be a different story.

I've had issues when I worked at Walmart... I was talking to my supervisor and a coworker was behind me with an electric pallet jack, wanting to put the pallet where I was. He kept beeping and shouting at me, then got into my face about how "I was yelling and trying to get your attention" "dude, I'm DEAF!" oohh the look on his face. He forgot.

Don't let those people get you down. You can't help it if you don't understand, you're doing the best you can.
 
Just ignore them, If they want you to hear them they will come to terms...Until then, carry on.
 
sonocativo said:
Just ignore them, If they want you to hear them they will come to terms...Until then, carry on.
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I totally agree with this. As a hearing person, if you just keep answering them they're not gonna get it. If you don't answer at all, eventually they'll start thinking, "Oh shit, they can't hear me."
 
Lysander said:
I totally agree with this. As a hearing person, if you just keep answering them they're not gonna get it. If you don't answer at all, eventually they'll start thinking, "Oh shit, they can't hear me."
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worked for me.
 
Nothing works, even when I say "Me no speaka da English." (No kidding, I actually said that in a delicate setting.)
Absolutely nothing.
 
I get this a lot!! Just earlier today my brother in law was whispering to me and obviously it looked like he was mumbling!! I just tried to follow but urgh the frustration..

I guess this is something we all have to deal with because they can't relate or know how much we can actually hear. But what I always tell my friends to do is to tap me on the shoulder to get my attention if I don't respond. Tapping you gets the 100% attention they want. :)

Were you diagnosed later in life or from birth??
 
I’m sorry to hear that you have to deal with your co-workers and supervisor. For Honey Badger, I can feel your frustration as I am deaf also. I know the feelings as I’ve been in your shoes before! It’s important to keep your positive attitude and try not to get too personal with them. Patience is the key! Perhap telling hearing people kindly that you are deaf and say that you are sorry that you did not hear them entirely or completely. Maybe have them to tap your shoulder or some kind of a cue when they’re trying to get your attention? This may help. I encourage you and the other people around you to talk about it and find ways to prevent it. This needs to happen in a positive attitude and understanding without frustration etc.

Have you thought about having a professional from the Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing come and train them about the deaf culture and how to work with people who are deaf or HH? I used to work for a company and I was the only deaf employee. A Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist from the state came and shared a presentation about how to work with people like you and I. She’s really did an awesome job! She educated them about deaf culture, resources and interpreter arrangement such as who to call and what to ask and such forth. This is all about how to work with a deaf employee at a company. Hopefully where you live will have one like this. It’s worth a try.

How do you feel this situation affect your relationships overall (your mom, your boyfriend and co-workers)? When you get frustrated, are you able to forgive them?

I look forward to hear from you soon.

Keeping you in my prayer.
 
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