Deaf awareness isn’t that difficult a thing to understand. In a sense, it is about thoughtfulness and understanding. If you can hear perfectly, that’s great, I’m so happy for you, I really am. The only problem I ever have with hearing people is when they assume that everyone else can hear as well as they can.
I can’t I’m deaf. I wear hearing aids and because of my deafness, I often struggle in what would appear to you as normal everyday situations. Here are a number of tips to help me understand you better and to make our interactions a little smoother.
Before speaking, make sure that you’re facing me and you have my attention. Hearing aids are a little like listening to the radio, my mind wanders and often I only become aware that I’m being spoken to partway through a sentence.
If I’m facing away from you touch my arm or shoulder to get my attention. (Something that’s become impossible with social distancing).
Please, if you’re speaking to me try not to mumble or turn away. Don’t eat or chew gum. Don’t touch or cover your mouth. I lip read. I didn’t attend a class to do this; it’s a natural instinct with deaf people. I also use facial expressions more than you might to help me during a conversation.
If I ask you to repeat something, please don’t tell me it doesn’t matter, because this makes me feel excluded from the conversation. Instead try saying it in a different way, use alternative words, this can work a treat.
Being deaf means I have limited hearing, however, please do not assume that it makes me less able to do things. Because I assure you I am capable of doing anything and everything a hearing person can do. My only limitations are the same ones as you might have health, skill and knowledge.