Deafness Is a Hidden Disability – A First-Hand Perspective by Paul Larment

I have been asked “What is it like to be deaf?”

I consider myself as hard of hearing rather than deaf.

What is it like?

It can be very isolating; without my hearing aids I can hear very little. In a crowded room I struggle to hear any conversation, even those close by me and generally people get frustrated if you keep asking them to repeat what they have said.

Hearing people can shut out extraneous conversations and noise, but hearing aids pick up every sound. On a busy road I find it difficult to hear a conversation because of the traffic noise.

If there is more than one conversation going on I find it difficult to pick up anything

When it becomes too difficult to hear I tend to switch off.

 Is it any wonder that I mishear and get things wrong?

In a meeting when the speaker asks, “Can you hear me?” it is those with good hearing who answer “yes”. Those of us who are hard of hearing haven’t even heard the question. Perhaps the speaker could hold up a notice saying, “If you can’t hear me, please raise your hand.”

Deafness is a hidden disability, which doesn’t attract as much sympathy as other disabilities, but it can be very debilitating.

Do you laugh at someone in a wheelchair?

Do you laugh at someone with poor eyesight?

Then please do not laugh at someone with poor hearing.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

• Speak to me face to face not in the next room or down the hall.

• Speak clearly and not too fast.

• Look at the person you are speaking to.

• Keep your hands from covering your mouth.

• Don’t laugh when we get things wrong.

• Please bear with us and do be patient.

Paul Larment