I always have a small notebook and pen handy in the front pocket of my bag or on the kitchen counter, table,desk...wherever I frequent to interact with hearing family, friends or shop assistants. Going oral with them always gets you stuck at the wrong end of the yardstick in frustration because you don't catch everything that was said. Stop the guessing game by getting them to write it down. if you have the notebook and pen ready for them, people 95 percent of the time will comply without complaint. With the rare few that don't - they are not worth the effort to communicate with anyway. Having been oral for most of my life, I have found that once I open my mouth, all accommodations fly out the window. When voice off and using S.T.E.P. People are more than happy to accommodate you and both parties end up satisfied.
