When we tell people we are deaf....

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What do you want them to say or do about our deafness? I know we talk about what they shouldn't do. Should they move on to another subject? or what? For me, when I tell them I'm deaf, I just want them to be aware and correct themselves (like if they are not facing me) and move on with the subject.
 
I usually hope they will change their behavior a little so that we can communicate.
 
I too would want them to make some effort to make a simple conversation a little easier, such as facing me, and not covering their mouth when talking.

I am also open to any questions they may have about hearing loss whether partial or total. I feel that if more people could learn, then maybe life might be a little easier for all of us. (mostly that's just wishful thinking on my part, but still)
 
KristinaB said:
I too would want them to make some effort to make a simple conversation a little easier, such as facing me, and not covering their mouth when talking.

I am also open to any questions they may have about hearing loss whether partial or total. I feel that if more people could learn, then maybe life might be a little easier for all of us. (mostly that's just wishful thinking on my part, but still)
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:werd:
 
CJB - not sure what was weird about my post, but oh well. Sorry.
 
Tousi said:
That's not what that means. The sign says "werd", meaning "word" so it is a compliment, :lol:
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Thanks for letting me know - the print is so small I can't read it well.

CJB - I apologize for taking it wrong. Man I need sleep!!
 
KristinaB said:
I too would want them to make some effort to make a simple conversation a little easier, such as facing me, and not covering their mouth when talking.

I am also open to any questions they may have about hearing loss whether partial or total. I feel that if more people could learn, then maybe life might be a little easier for all of us. (mostly that's just wishful thinking on my part, but still)
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I think ur "right on" Kristina....becuz no matter that it's 2010, hearies still need to be "educated" on hearing loss/deafness.....To this very day, some hearies are "amazed" that I even drive....And so many "offers" to help me, since "she's deaf!". ....I can be a very blunt person, responding that "I can and will take care of it myself."...Some have even lifted up their moutaches and asking "can you read my lips now"??...Instead of considering it an insult...I respond with a laugh, and say of course I can!..And you need to trash the moustache, you would look better that way!
As for those "home-made signs" hearies make (which most times are simply hilarious)...I respond in the same manner they do!...Even people tend to "hollar in my ear"....jeez!....and respond "I'm deaf, but damn, you don't have to hollar"!...
 
I can't really read lips with a mustache. I thought it was kinda funny what he did, though. I can picture him lifting up his mustache LOL Oh boy, he gave me a visual imagine for the rest of my life. He probably was just doing what other deaf people told him or something. People do need to realize that each deaf person is different.

But yeah some people tend to exaggerating the issues which is silly and unneccessary. Shouting, huge homemade gestures/signs, talk Verry sloowly, etc. They don't need to be doing that.
 
There's a thread I recall around here that's called "What do you hate about hearing" or something like that.

There a tons of examples and suggestions in there!
 
once I tell people I'm deaf they wud give me a rude expression and walk away and some will be nice to me and ask me for my help that happens often at my work :roll: but funny few years earlier.. a guy tried to ask me out on a date but gave me a fake email address... how mean ugh.. oh well at least I don't work long hours so he never will see me there that much again :D
 
A said:
What do you want them to say or do about our deafness? I know we talk about what they shouldn't do. Should they move on to another subject? or what? For me, when I tell them I'm deaf, I just want them to be aware and correct themselves (like if they are not facing me) and move on with the subject.
Click to expand...

I just go along with whatever they choose to do.

The majority of people are apologetic and I usually end up with more "Can you teach me ASL?" responses than overly-negative responses.
 
KristinaB said:
I too would want them to make some effort to make a simple conversation a little easier, such as facing me, and not covering their mouth when talking.

I am also open to any questions they may have about hearing loss whether partial or total. I feel that if more people could learn, then maybe life might be a little easier for all of us. (mostly that's just wishful thinking on my part, but still)
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I have always been open in my adult life about my being hard of hearing....not so much when I was a teen as I really didn't want to accept it because my peers wouldn't accept me so it was hard. But yes, there have been times where I will tell a person that I am hard of hearing and they will understand....yet...they sometimes do the cover their mouth with their hand nevertheless....WHYYYY are you doing that...lol....I do tend to explain to them about "B's rules and regulations" when speaking with me. LOL.
 
rockin'robin said:
I think ur "right on" Kristina....becuz no matter that it's 2010, hearies still need to be "educated" on hearing loss/deafness.....To this very day, some hearies are "amazed" that I even drive....And so many "offers" to help me, since "she's deaf!". ....I can be a very blunt person, responding that "I can and will take care of it myself."...Some have even lifted up their moutaches and asking "can you read my lips now"??...Instead of considering it an insult...I respond with a laugh, and say of course I can!..And you need to trash the moustache, you would look better that way!
As for those "home-made signs" hearies make (which most times are simply hilarious)...I respond in the same manner they do!...Even people tend to "hollar in my ear"....jeez!....and respond "I'm deaf, but damn, you don't have to hollar"!...
Click to expand...

lol!!!:giggle:
 
When i tell people i'm deaf, (especially in band) they understood and said to me that if i can't understand them i should stop them and repeat whatever they said, they won't feel upset if i had to. But when i tell them that i am deaf, most people would just ask me a bunch of questions, I was glad to answer their questions because i felt like i was giving them like they were in my shoes. They would ask me if i had a cochlear implant or a hearing aid and if i had an interpreter or any of the special stuff. They would also ask me to teach them a little bit of sign language. Ever since i met them, they have always asked me to sign! I recently taught one of my band friends how to sign Rundolf the red nose reindeer :)
 
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