How many of you have turned off your voice?

[Autumn Breeze]

I have had a progressive loss since I was small, and have a range of moderate to severe loss, depending on frequency. I recently started calling myself "deaf" because things have taken another turn, and that is fine. I am blessed to have ASL and am working on my deaf contacts and signing. They have been very kind and helpful.

My question is about continuing to live in the hearing world. I find that as the years roll on, I have to put even more effort into understanding vocal communication, and I am tired. My question is has anyone just turned off their voice just because it forces the other (hearing) party to communicate another way? I have done this on occasion and it has worked fairly well, however, I kind of feel like a fraud. I cannot hear in crowded rooms, with background music, or the AC running, or buildings with hard surfaces or tall ceilings. I waffle back and forth.

Any suggestions?

 

[zephren]

I’m late deafened which started a progressive loss in my late teens. Initially I went back and forth between voice on and off depending on the situation. More and more I preferred to not voice. Over time my speech became less articulate and harder for people to understand me anyway. Soon I just went voice off except with a few select people who know me well. Even with those people, they often can’t understand sometimes and I don’t voice with them either.

When out, voice off is much better. Most hearing people can’t comprehend a person that can talk but can’t hear. Going voice off make the can’t hear more clear to them. There is no expectation of me to hear them (profound now so couldn’t if I tried) and as you said they are forced to use a different communication method.

 

[Autumn Breeze]

I’m late deafened which started a progressive loss in my late teens. Initially I went back and forth between voice on and off depending on the situation. More and more I preferred to not voice. Over time my speech became less articulate and harder for people to understand me anyway. Soon I just went voice off except with a few select people who know me well. Even with those people, they often can’t understand sometimes and I don’t voice with them either.

When out, voice off is much better. Most hearing people can’t comprehend a person that can talk but can’t hear. Going voice off make the can’t hear more clear to them. There is no expectation of me to hear them (profound now so couldn’t if I tried) and as you said they are forced to use a different communication method.

Thank you for you advice It confirms what I have experienced as well.

May I ask what you do for work? I still have about 10 years left, and it is getting more difficult as the years go on. From my deaf friends, they often mention all you need is a good employer who works around things like this.