I was working in a library. Students were using the computers, and I was sitting at my desk. It was hot, and my noisy fan was turned on in an attempt to keep the temperature more comfortable. Periodically, I glanced around to make sure no one was requesting my assistance. I knew the noisy fan would make it much more difficult for me to hear my name.
The next time I looked around, I saw an angry student looking at me. I asked if she needed my help, and she answered in the affirmative. I had helped her several times in the past, and knew that she spoke clearly and at a sufficient volume. After sitting down next to her, I detected a major attitude problem.
Me: “Looks like I need to tell you something - I’m hard of hearing, and didn’t hear you calling me.”
Tiffany: (Look of disbelief with attitude)
Me (turning my head to each side and pulling my hair back): “Really. I wear hearing aids.”
Tiffany: (Look of shock)
Me: “That’s why I always look directly at your face when you talk to me.”
Tiffany: (Mouth hangs open)
Deaf awareness? Check! Attitude adjustment? Check!
4 comments:
Don't say "hard of hearing"...say DEAF because it has a more profound impact on people. :)
-R85
R85 - I guess I'm not quite sure where the line is between deaf and hard of hearing. For sure, saying "deaf" would have really hit her between the eyes, but...
Thats why I changed from saying hard of hearing to deaf too all those years ago. Certainly made it more easier.
Liz - just found out yesterday that my own daughter doesn't want me to say I'm deaf, but that I'm hard of hearing. She thinks because I can hear some things, that I'm still HOH. But I'm identifying as deaf now. Since yesterday.
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