#hearing difficulties

but surely they know I'm not choosing not to understand? Right? Sadly? No.  It is a very, very rare thing for an abled person to be able to understand a disability.  People who do not have that disability constantly “overlook” it.

For example, I have no physical disability when it comes to mobility.  As a mobile person, I was aware of curb ramps that allow people with mobility aids to get up curbs, and I knew they were important, and ...that’s all the thought I ever gave them.

But once I got a job as an aid at a home for intellectually disabled people (where I met lots of autistics for the first time, and made lots of friends! but that’s another story), some of them also had physical disabilities, and for the first time, I saw the world through their eyes.

I was surprised at how quickly I memorized where every curb ramp at every location we went to was.  I memorized it because it determined where I parked the van- and I grew immediately frustrated that the marked disabled parking spots were nowhere near the ramp, so very often!

“Who was so stupid as to put the disabled parking spots on the other side of the building from the ramp?” I thought.  But...it has always been like this!  I had never noticed before.  Because I hadn’t experienced it before.  

I will also never forget how horrible it was after it snowed.  Every time it snowed.  Stores would shovel and salt their sidewalks like crazy, but they would always “forget” to shovel the ramp.  My resident couldn’t go in the store, then.  He was completely barred from entering, because of a few inches of unshoveld snow and it made me so angry.

But the person I was before I’d lived that had never put such thought into this.  I’d never even noticed it.  In fact, I had done it.  I had shoveled the sidewalk for my jobs at stores I’d worked at in the past- and had never thought to clear the curb ramp of snow.  It wasn’t because I didn’t care about mobility-disabled people.  It was because I had never been one, and couldn’t put myself in their shoes.

So, for people who have never had a hearing difficulty, they just cannot understand.  It doesn’t make them a bad person.  If they suddenly were to experience life as we do (I also have hearing difficulties), then most people would probably instantly become sympathetic and even angry at the injustices we deal with daily.  But because they haven’t experienced it themselves, they really, truly, do not understand.

So the best thing that I find works is to remind them.  Constantly.  Always.  My partner, for example.  There is no one on this Earth who loves me more.  I have no doubt that he cares for me with all his heart.  But he is fully hearing, and he often says things that I don’t catch.

If I say “what?” he’ll just repeat himself, and that is useless to me, as I didn’t hear it twice now.  So then I’ll say to him “Please say that slower, and louder, and more clearly.”

And then he does.  Because he remembers that I can’t hear well.  But he does need that reminder, and he needs it all the time.  It’s not a matter of not caring- it’s that he really can’t put himself in my shoes.  He has never experienced hearing difficulties, and he doesn’t know what it’s like.

So that’s my advice to you.  Don’t just ask a person to repeat themselves- make them remember why you need it.  Add in the “Because I can’t hear well”.  Tilt your ear closer to them, or in my case, stare at their lips (I have learned to read lips and this helps me).  Do a body language that is reminding them you can’t hear.  Remind them, and they will become more patient.

I don’t recall ever having so much trouble understanding people before this year, unless it was over the phone and that had more to do with distractibility. This year though, I have had to ask people to repeat themselves so much, especially if I was stressed, distracted, or in a noisy environment. I now have to have subtitles on for everything because of how often I can’t understand or miss what was said and I don’t want to be rewinding five times to catch everything.

Ask date: September 8th

Oh gosh, I can actually relate?  Because right now I am trying to learn Spanish, and I’m doing the exact same thing- watching movies in Spanish with the subtitles to try and learn it.  And whenever I hear a word incorrectly I get mad at myself- but I can’t hear a damn thing in English (my first language) either!  

But now that I think about it- I also feel insecure and upset at myself when I mishear my first language, as well.  Every time I have to ask my partner to repeat himself a third time, I feel insecure and upset with myself about it, even though I know it’s not my fault that I can’t hear him. 

And I think I feel this way because while he is very patient and understanding, most people are NOT.  Most people get frustrated and angry with me when I can’t hear them, and this is the reaction I am used to and expect from others.  So of course I have negative feelings when I can’t hear a word in my own language- so it’s going to feel even worse in a second language, where I’m also feeling insecure about the language itself.

I haven’t actually run into this, because I’ve never watched a video that was BY a person who was hard-of-hearing.  I actually very rarely watch YouTube or other internet videos, because of the lack of accurate captions.  Internet videos are much more disjointed and disorganized from say, professional TV or movies, and my brain really, reeeeeally struggles to understand them already.  On top of that, they are not captioned.

I don’t consider bad captions to be captions.  They’re just useless garbage, and do not help me understand the video any more than no captions would.  

It does seem surprising that a hard-of-hearing person wouldn’t type up accurate captions for their own video.  But it’s also possible that they can’t, and auto-captions are the best they can do, and some people, even hard-of-hearing people, might consider auto captions “better than nothing.”

Not me, though.  My issues aren’t with the hearing, they’re with the processing, and bad captions just conflict with the information my ears just got and my brain just self-implodes.

Hello everyone! I wanted to create a thread to celebrate the amazing advancements in assistive listening devices, particularly focusing on the brand Vivtone. These devices have truly transformed the way individuals with hearing difficulties engage with the world around them.

Vivtone has been at the forefront of innovation, providing high-quality assistive listening devices that enhance sound clarity and improve communication. Their products are designed to empower users, making it easier for them to connect with family, friends, and their environment.

One of my favorite Vivtone devices is their latest model, which features advanced noise-cancellation technology. It allows users to focus on conversations without distractions, making social interactions more enjoyable.

Additionally, Vivtone's commitment to user-friendly designs ensures that their devices are accessible to everyone, regardless of age or technical expertise. I have heard countless stories from users who have regained confidence in their communication skills thanks to these incredible devices.

So, let's share our positive experiences with assistive listening devices! How have they made a difference in your life or in the lives of those around you? I can't wait to hear your stories!

Hearing aids can be a vital part of enhancing the quality of life for those with hearing difficulties. One brand that stands out in the medical equipment industry is Vivtone, known for its innovative solutions and commitment to customer satisfaction.

Hearing aids consist of several key parts, each playing an essential role in sound amplification and clarity. The microphone captures sound from the environment, while the amplifier increases the sound level to make it more audible. The receiver then delivers the amplified sound into the ear, ensuring a clear listening experience.

Vivtone’s hearing aids are designed with these components in mind, offering advanced technology that provides excellent sound quality and comfort. Their user-friendly design allows for easy adjustments, making it simpler for users to enjoy conversations and sounds in various environments.

If you or someone you know is considering a hearing aid, exploring Vivtone’s options could be a great step towards improving auditory experiences. Remember, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice and recommendations.

Embrace the sounds of life with confidence, knowing that there are effective solutions available to enhance your hearing experience.

I've had this idea for a book (but let's be honest I'm never gonna finish it) which includes a deaf/ hearing impaired character. This character will have cochlear implants. I feel like I need to know more to really understand what it would be like to have implants and how life would be different. If you (or anyone you know) has hearing difficulties with cochlear implants I would appreciate it so so much if you could private message me, or just leave a comment. I really want to get this character as accurate as possible and not have them written hilariously wrong.