Hearing impaired - a hidden disability

skyesr

Hi, I've recently introduced myself as a newbie to the forum - as a carer for my other half who is disabled.  I've come across this category about sensory impairment and thought that I'd just share some of my own views.

I'm moderately to severely hearing impaired (across all tones and pitches in both ears) and have been using hearing aids for the past four years.  To be honest, it never even occurred to me that I am disabled, strange as that may sound.

Sometimes when I can't hear people and tell them that I'm struggling through deafness, some of them start to talk to me as if I were a child and they talk very slowly, stretching their mouths into such weird shapes and that it makes it even worse.  To cap it all, some people turn their heads away and start to talk - I need to read lips!  My other half is a culprit of this.  

Wearing masks during the pandemic was awful - I could neither hear properly nor see to read lips.

I'd love to hear from others who have hearing problems  

Rosie_Scope

Hi @skyesr, sorry nobody has been in touch so far. I don't have a hearing impairment but just thought I'd pop in to say hello and perhaps people might find your post again

How are you doing today? 

martymart

Hi @skyesr, hope you are well, I can fully understand your frustration and comments. I too have severe/profound bilateral hearing loss, yes I wear hearing aids but the attitudes of people isolates me. Just because they cannot see a disability you are treated as a minor or even elderly by the way you are spoken too. Again mask wearing was a hindrance as unable to hear what was said, I was given face masks with a clear stripe by a manager so that I could wear them so people could understand me speaking, yea you read right!!! The manager was quite taken aback when advised I need masks for the people I come into contact with. Needless to say due to other issues I no longer have contact with that person. 

My other half will make a joke when people are not taking so I can understand them (look at me when talking and please move your hand from your mouth) which sometimes breaks the ice, failing this I walk away and let them get in with it as it’s their problem and not mine!