Yesterday was the start of Deaf Awareness Week and it is an important time to reflect on the experiences of those who are deaf or hard of hearing and to raise awareness of the challenges that they face daily.
My youngest Ellie was born with some hearing loss in her right ear, it was just one of those things that happen. The doctors diagnosed her with Auditory Neuropathy which is a hearing disorder where the ear detects sound normally, but there's a problem transmitting it to the brain. The consultant explained it to us saying everything works but there is just a loose connection somewhere. When Ellie had her heart surgery it caused some tiny bleeds on her brain and she lost the last 5% of hearing that she had in that ear.
As challenging as Ellie's life is she found the most difficult time during the pandemic when everyone was wearing masks. It was only then that both her and me realised how much she relies on lip reading. It was a struggle.
Ellie doesn't let her deafness define her, it is a part of her life and she just gets on with it. She’s never let her hearing loss stop her from doing the things she loves or from achieving the same goals as her peers but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. Ellie often fights against the help that she is offered. Like when she was in secondary school due to take her GCSE exams she was offered extra time in the exams and didn't want it but a lovely teacher convinced her that she might as well take that time and it really did help her out. She was given a hearing aid a few years ago and just didn't get on with them so she stopped wearing them and returned them. I think she was deaf in one ear for so long hearing more just messed with her brain and it was just too much for her to process.
Sometimes the simplest things can be a struggle for Ellie. For example, in a crowded room with voices all around it’s difficult for her to pick up on what someone is saying or where a sound is coming from. When people speak too quickly or don’t face her directly she may miss key parts of the conversation. Group settings can be overwhelming and it can be frustrating for her when she has to keep asking people to repeat themselves.
Even activities that seem straightforward like hearing an alarm clock, hearing me shout her from another room or even using wireless headphones pose challenges, she only ever uses one. hehehe. She really doesn't do well hearing people on the phone and has to have it on speakerphone which makes it awkward if she is at college or out and about. Despite these struggles she keeps moving forward, learning ways to adapt and finding solutions to make things easier for herself.
It’s important to be aware that these challenges aren’t always visible to others. Ellie might look like she’s simply daydreaming but in reality, she’s working hard to tune in to what’s happening around her and that’s where awareness and understanding from those around her can make all the difference.
How to help when interacting with deaf or hard of hearing people!
I want to share a few tips on how we can all make it easier for people who are deaf or hard of hearing to engage in conversations, navigate daily life and feel included.
Face them directly when speaking!
It may seem like a small thing but for those who are deaf or hard of hearing being able to see someone's lips and facial expressions can make a huge difference. When speaking to someone with a hearing loss, face them directly and avoid speaking while turned away or with your hand over your mouth. This simple gesture helps them understand what’s being said, even if they can't hear every word.
Keep the noise levels in mind!
Background noise can make it extremely difficult for someone who is hard of hearing to understand what’s going on. Whether you're in a busy restaurant, at a party or in a crowded public space be mindful of your surroundings. Try to find a quieter place to talk or reduce unnecessary noise when possible. It can go a long way in making someone feel heard.
Be patient and willing to repeat yourself!
It’s easy to get frustrated when someone asks you to repeat something, but for someone who is hard of hearing it’s often necessary. When they ask you to repeat yourself, do so with patience and kindness. If needed, rephrase what you said in a clearer way, sometimes hearing the message in a different form can help them understand better.
Use visual aids when possible!
There are many ways to communicate without relying solely on spoken words. If you’re having difficulty getting your point across, try writing a note, text messages or even gestures. Visual aids can be incredibly helpful, especially when there’s a language barrier. Be open to using whatever works best for the situation.
Be respectful and understanding!
The most important thing is to approach every interaction with respect and understanding. People with hearing loss face unique challenges that require patience and empathy. Just because someone is deaf or hard of hearing doesn’t mean they aren’t fully capable of engaging in conversations or enjoying the same experiences as others. It just may require a little extra effort.
Do you know anyone who is deaf or hard of hearing?
I'm sorry that Ellie has had to deal with hearing loss- it sounds like she's found some good solutions to still being able to communicate, albeit with some challenges. Thanks for the tips- they all make sense. I felt badly for everyone with hearing loss when people wore masks all the time. You never realize how sight (people moving their lips when they speak) assists with the auditory processes.
ReplyDeleteThese are great tips! I find that even I rely a lot on facial expression and lip reading and found the masks hard to communicate through (and I have zero hearing loss so I can't even imagine what it was like for your daughter!). I think, sometimes, it's so much harder for people to detect when they are communicating with someone who has hearing loss so we/they don't even think to make any of these efforts to communicate better.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing girl you have! I'm so glad that she doesn't let her hearing loss hold her back. I do find myself relying a lot on lip reading when speaking to people, and I don't have any hearing loss, so I can't even imagine how tough it must have been for Ellie during Covid when everyone was wearing masks. I remember struggling with that, too. My oldest is taking American Sign Language as his foreign language for high school and he plans to take all four years even though it's not required, so I hope that will enable him to be helpful to others one day.
ReplyDeleteI have a hearing loss and have trouble with soft high pitches like some women and children's speech. I hear them but may not understand what they're saying. It was a problem when I was younger, but got progressively worse as I grew older. You can't talk to me from another room. My sister forgets and does that. I have to say I hear you but I don't understand.
ReplyDeleteThis is an insightful and interesting read. Thank you for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteHearing is something we just tend to take for granted so I think your tips are so helpful.
ReplyDeleteI like that Ellie has found her own ways to adapt to her hearing loss, it's challenging but she doesn't let it stop her living the life she wants and that's just wonderful!
I think Ellie does amazingly well, despite the challenges she's had to face.
ReplyDeleteMy late father-in-law went deaf after an operation in his early 30s. He learned to lip-read.
Well done for raising awareness. I know your tips will be super helpful to others. xx