Business Cards?

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TracyK

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Has anyone ever had business cards printed to "explain" your hearing issue?

I was thinking of getting cards that say something like - if you aren't looking at me I cannot understand you. I also read on someone's post the STEP with me acronym, (Sign, Text, E-Mail, Pen/Paper) - which I think is very clever!!!

I am learning to communicate in ASL but I find hearing people do not understand that I can speak (late onset deafness) but cannot hear. I have considered being silent in public and only signing (even though I can barely communicate at this point). I read someone call this "voice off" - my husband (hearing) says that is overreacting.

Thoughts? Anyone else consider this? Any ideas on what to print up? Am I being an idiot (be honest, I can take it :lol:!
 
I have similar thing printed up for cops in my cars. If they pull me over - I can just wave the paper at them and let them read it.
 
Thanks, I need all of the ideas I can get

radioman said:
I have similar thing printed up for cops in my cars. If they pull me over - I can just wave the paper at them and let them read it.
Click to expand...

That's a really good idea! tlk
 
Oh wow. I love when people who haven't had our experiences tell us we're overreacting. (And really, no one in the world has ever exactly had another person's experience, since we're all wired a little different, and we all have at least slightly different backgrounds.)

So your husband's comment really jumped out at me. I wish he hadn't said that to you.

I think the business cards are a great idea. There are definitely some rude/insensitive people out there, but I bet alot of them (them meaning people who hear you speak and assume you can hear) are just unaware, and need a little information. (Or they slip back into their old assumptions and need a reminder.) A business card would be a nice little package of what they need to know. Easy to hand to them, quick to read.

I think if you want to try voice off, that's your choice. You can always experiment with it and see how it goes.

If you do the cards, I would think about the main message you need to get across (that you can't hear, and how you'd like people to communicate with you?) then put that in a not-too-tiny font. (Some people, especially anyone past middle age who forgot their reading glasses) can't see the really small stuff.

And no! You're not being an idiot!
:)
 
Often, when I put bikes on craigslist, I would put down my number and then write down-----"TEXT ONLY!!!" or "text only". In the past, I would write, DO NOT CALL this number. I won't return your call. Text only!!!! It does not work. It gives out the fact that I may be rude.

I would like to think most people will see, "text only", thanks. Some people will call me, and see they get no answer so they'll text me.

The sad thing is that there are rude, insensitive people everywhere.

When I sell bikes, I'm aware that younger people are more likely to text than older folks. So therefore, I often try to get bikes that caters to my clientele.

As for business card, I've always wanted a business card. I would suppose, roll the dice. If you want to mention that you're deaf and you cannot use voice phone, go for it. You never know, there may be folks who are deaf themselves or know someone who is deaf. You may get more business that way.

Earlier this year, I sold a bike to a Mom of a son who is autistic. I would think that I did a good job selling the bike.
 
I'm a CapTel user and print out the customizable "call me" cards from their website.

I print them out on standard business card paper,10 per page. The paper is perforated and I can tear off as needed. I usually keep 10 in my wallet.

It does get across the point that I'm hard-of-hearing. My flesh-colored (brown)
hearing aids are a little hard to see,me being of brown complexion.

The template is available at CapTel - Captioned Telephone | Phone Captions, Text Telephones, Hearing Loss, Hard of Hearing, Deaf, Voice to Text.
 
Tried this out....

I had to go to a new doctor today. So I decided I would "try out" announcing my hearing loss ASAP to avoid having to deal with it with everyone I met in the office.

I wrote on my cell phone note app, "I am deaf, I can speak. I can understand you, for the most part, if you are looking at me."

SO.... I hand my phone to the receptionist and she looks at me puzzled. But seemed to get it. Told me to fill out the forms. Now, I'm sitting in the waiting room - GIANT, with 3 other people. Don't know where the nurse will appear to get me so I am just waiting, not knowing where to look so I can "hear" my name called.

I miss a door opening on one side of the room - apparently, the nurse didn't get an update from receptionist. I have no idea how long she stood there calling my name, but finally I look and see she wants me. I get up, she turns away and starts talking. I pull out my phone AGAIN.

Fortunately, she warned the doctor. He was really nice, and when he said nice to meet you, I signed nice to meet you (pretty impressed with my novice self :giggle:), and he asked me to show him then signed it himself.

He sent me to the lab where the phlebotomist must not have heard through the grapevine an she starts talking with her back turned. Once AGAIN I pull out my phone.

Now, how does everyone else deal with this? Is it as annoying to you as it is to me? Don't they talk to each other??? Should I print up my little cards and just hand them out to everyone I meet???
 
I simply tell them - "look at me when you're talking."

if I still don't understand what he/she's saying, I ask them to please write it down.
 
I know NO ASL to speak of (took beginning many years ago twice and made NO contacts to continue using it either time). I do supplement the sound I get from my hearing aid (left ear NR and right profound) with lip reading.

TracyK, I would have been using voice in each of the cases where you pulled out your phone. In fact, went through a similar experience two days ago.

What I have made cards for is phone/text/E-mail contact. I use the Illinois State Relay for my landline. And have recently started using Wireless CapTel by Sprint for my cell. I have done cards for the landline and cell when using a handheld TTY for years and have recently revised for landline, cell calls via CapTel, text and E-mail. These are self designed with a wordprocessor in my case WordPerfect and printed on business card stock such as that which can be purchased at Walmart. At the very top is my name and street address. A vine graphic is then at the left edge just to relieve all the printing. Then there are four paragraphs labeled Phone: Call Relay (dial 711 or state toll free relay # in phone book - IL = 800-526-0857). Ask for xxx-xxx-xxxx with VCO. Talk like on a regular voice call. See other side. A blank line then Cell: xxx-xxx-xxxx Caption service # give me time to read. Another blank line then Text: xxx-xxx-xxxx followed by yet another blank line then E-mail: my email address. The back has a graphic of how the relay service I use for the landline works that was in a newsletter from ITAC many years ago and they said it was ok to scan and use this way. This all looks much more crowded when written this way than on the actual card.

The wireless CapTel by Sprint can be used on ANY Android cell phone who's OS is 2.2 or later. I am not with Sprint myself as Verizon has better coverage here. I have found much better rates with PagePlus that uses Verizon towers than with Verizon themselves. My phone is a Motorola Droid Pro that I bought used on E-bay. I use a neckloop to get the voice of whomever I have called just to know when they finish talking when they first answer even though I cannot understand the words. This is so I can say something just as soon as they finish their greeting (be it just "hello" or more) and they don't hang up while I am reading what they have said.

If you have questions please feel free to ask.
 
Great info

Jane B. said:
I know NO ASL to speak of (took beginning many years ago twice and made NO contacts to continue using it either time). I do supplement the sound I get from my hearing aid (left ear NR and right profound) with lip reading.

TracyK, I would have been using voice in each of the cases where you pulled out your phone. In fact, went through a similar experience two days ago.

What I have made cards for is phone/text/E-mail contact. I use the Illinois State Relay for my landline. And have recently started using Wireless CapTel by Sprint for my cell. I have done cards for the landline and cell when using a handheld TTY for years and have recently revised for landline, cell calls via CapTel, text and E-mail. These are self designed with a wordprocessor in my case WordPerfect and printed on business card stock such as that which can be purchased at Walmart. At the very top is my name and street address. A vine graphic is then at the left edge just to relieve all the printing. Then there are four paragraphs labeled Phone: Call Relay (dial 711 or state toll free relay # in phone book - IL = 800-526-0857). Ask for xxx-xxx-xxxx with VCO. Talk like on a regular voice call. See other side. A blank line then Cell: xxx-xxx-xxxx Caption service # give me time to read. Another blank line then Text: xxx-xxx-xxxx followed by yet another blank line then E-mail: my email address. The back has a graphic of how the relay service I use for the landline works that was in a newsletter from ITAC many years ago and they said it was ok to scan and use this way. This all looks much more crowded when written this way than on the actual card.

The wireless CapTel by Sprint can be used on ANY Android cell phone who's OS is 2.2 or later. I am not with Sprint myself as Verizon has better coverage here. I have found much better rates with PagePlus that uses Verizon towers than with Verizon themselves. My phone is a Motorola Droid Pro that I bought used on E-bay. I use a neckloop to get the voice of whomever I have called just to know when they finish talking when they first answer even though I cannot understand the words. This is so I can say something just as soon as they finish their greeting (be it just "hello" or more) and they don't hang up while I am reading what they have said.

If you have questions please feel free to ask.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your comment and information.

Alright, so here's the thing. I'm starting to get afraid to talk because many times in the last year or two, people have commented I am too loud or got embarrassed because I am loud. So now I am afraid I am bellowing whenever I speak.

I have been thinking about CapTel, I have a Sprint account and smart phone. Do you have to be by your computer to read the text? What happens if you are out and about? Can the cell phone translate? My HA oticon (right ear) has a remote that does the same thing as your neck-loop.
 
P.S. Jane B

I am curious why you don't learn ASL? I am not trying to start some massive debate, I just wonder how each person (who has a choice, some don't) decide.
 
TracyK said:
Thank you for your comment and information.

Alright, so here's the thing. I'm starting to get afraid to talk because many times in the last year or two, people have commented I am too loud or got embarrassed because I am loud. So now I am afraid I am bellowing whenever I speak.

I have been thinking about CapTel, I have a Sprint account and smart phone. Do you have to be by your computer to read the text? What happens if you are out and about? Can the cell phone translate? My HA oticon (right ear) has a remote that does the same thing as your neck-loop.
Click to expand...

With the smartphone versions the captions appear on the phone screen. The neckloop or bluetooth headset is suggested so as to keep the phone is a position that is easy to read but also speak right into a mike. Here are a couple of sites with more information about a couple of different CapTel providers:

Wireless CapTel by Sprint | Sprint CapTel

Hamilton CapTel: What Is Hamilton CapTel?

I cannot use the smartphone one from Hamilton because I am in an area where AT&T only has 2G service and there is also a complete hole with NO AT&T service at all not far from here which includes our church camp and conference center! T-Mobile has recently added service around here but it looks like it would be easy to get out of range of fast enough service.

The dominate carrier around here is Verizon and after discovering PagePlus, one of their MVNO's, I feel comfortable with what i am paying to use a smartphone. Verizon themselves just seems to be downright EXPENSIVE. So, I was very glad when Sprint released their version.
 
I would say just be yourself in public and do what you feel comfortable with. As of getting a business card to help explain to people your situation you might end up going broke having to get cards for every single person you come across. However if it is just business cards for people you plan on communicating with on a regular basis then that might actually be a good idea. There is plenty of places including online that make business cards. In fact I had business cards made last year
 
Jane B. said:
With the smartphone versions the captions appear on the phone screen. The neckloop or bluetooth headset is suggested so as to keep the phone is a position that is easy to read but also speak right into a mike. Here are a couple of sites with more information about a couple of different CapTel providers:

Wireless CapTel by Sprint | Sprint CapTel

Hamilton CapTel: What Is Hamilton CapTel?

I cannot use the smartphone one from Hamilton because I am in an area where AT&T only has 2G service and there is also a complete hole with NO AT&T service at all not far from here which includes our church camp and conference center! T-Mobile has recently added service around here but it looks like it would be easy to get out of range of fast enough service.

The dominate carrier around here is Verizon and after discovering PagePlus, one of their MVNO's, I feel comfortable with what i am paying to use a smartphone. Verizon themselves just seems to be downright EXPENSIVE. So, I was very glad when Sprint released their version.
Click to expand...

I am on this TOMORROW!!!! This would be a blessing. Thank you for your information. :ty::ty::ty:
 
Roca said:
I'm a CapTel user and print out the customizable "call me" cards from their website.

I print them out on standard business card paper,10 per page. The paper is perforated and I can tear off as needed. I usually keep 10 in my wallet.

It does get across the point that I'm hard-of-hearing. My flesh-colored (brown)
hearing aids are a little hard to see,me being of brown complexion.

The template is available at CapTel - Captioned Telephone | Phone Captions, Text Telephones, Hearing Loss, Hard of Hearing, Deaf, Voice to Text.
Click to expand...

This is an awesome solution - Jane B tells me I can see the text on my screen - I am so psyched to try it out. Thank you for sharing!!! :ty:
 
TracyK said:
I am curious why you don't learn ASL? I am not trying to start some massive debate, I just wonder how each person (who has a choice, some don't) decide.
Click to expand...

As I said in another post, I took a beginning course twice and made NO contacts either year to continue using it. It was through our community college and a number were taking it rather than another language such as Spanish. It has literally been years since I happen to see anyone signing — such as across the room in a store. You do have to have someone to sign with for it to be useful.
 
MarkFromNJ said:
I would say just be yourself in public and do what you feel comfortable with. As of getting a business card to help explain to people your situation you might end up going broke having to get cards for every single person you come across. However if it is just business cards for people you plan on communicating with on a regular basis then that might actually be a good idea. There is plenty of places including online that make business cards. In fact I had business cards made last year
Click to expand...

TracyK said:
This is an awesome solution - Jane B tells me I can see the text on my screen - I am so psyched to try it out. Thank you for sharing!!! :ty:
Click to expand...

The last card stock I bought just happened to be on 09/07/12; Avery brand in a package of 100 cards 10 to a page at Walmart for $3.97 plus tax. Of course, tax will vary by location.
 
TracyK said:
I am on this TOMORROW!!!! This would be a blessing. Thank you for your information. :ty::ty::ty:
Click to expand...


Why wait until tomorrow? If your smartphone is one that uses the Android OS 2.2 or newer (= higher #) you can register, download the app and be up and running yet this evening.
 
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