|
|
Monica Lewis
Hearing loss has been called the silent hurt. Hearing loss is usually gradual and can go unnoticed for years. In fact, prior to modern testing, a child born with hearing loss could easily be misdiagnosed receiving improper treatment until age 4 or 5! Hearing loss is a symptom that is invisible, and as such, it’s not well understood by friends and family.
Please recognize and remember that I have been diagnosed with a hearing loss and your encouragement and assistance is very important to me. I’m doing all I can to make the most of my residual hearing. Thank you for taking the time to read these suggestions and, even more, to put these into practice. It’s a great demonstration of your love for me. I’ve read through these suggestions myself and have checked those that I feel would be particularly helpful.
Please talk to me face to face. If I can see you, I’ll be able to understand you much better as I can see your mouth and facial expression. Don’t talk to me from the next room.
My hearing aids help me hear, but they don’t fix my hearing problem. Be patient with me.
Please talk at a normal rate. Fast speech is difficult for me to follow. If I ask you to slow down, please don’t be offended.
If I ask you to repeat something, please rephrase the statement or question with a bit more volume to your voice. If you rephrase what you said I may be able to more easily piece together the meaning. If you shout, it won’t help me and may discourage me in our communication.
When we go out in public consider the environment. Pick a quiet restaurant where I can hear with little background noise. Call ahead and make reservations for good seating at a play, or we can arrive early to get good seating.
Don’t listen for me. Also, don’t answer for me. Although I may struggle it’s important that I am as independent as possible in my communication with others. I’ll ask you if I need help.
As you help, know that I’ll be doing my part. I promise to:
Wear my hearing aids.
Acknowledge my hearing loss and ask for help when I need it.
Honestly communicate – I’ll try not to use my hearing loss as an excuse, and I promise not to manipulate you using my hearing impairment.
