Hearing loss is so lonely! It's isolating. Sure, your family will probably make sure you understand what is going on...but even those who really love you grow weary of constantly repeating themselves and telling you what someone else said.
Here is a comment from another deaf person I know online: When we get told "it doesn't matter" often enough, we interpret it as "you don't matter," and this is one reason our self esteem is battered. What is sad is that most of the time it really doesn't matter, but we want, of course, the choice of deciding that for ourselves. So a second emotional battering occurs because we are not in control of our own decisions.
Do you know someone who struggles with hearing? What can you do to make communication easier? Here are some simple ideas:
- Be sure the person with the hearing loss is paying attention before you start speaking.
- Look at the person you are talking to.
- If you are in a group, talk one at a time.
- Take your hand away from your mouth.
- Repeat when asked, but consider rephrasing what you said.
- Say it again if necessary.
- Never, ever say "it doesn't matter." It does; it really does.
