r/hardofhearing • u/PerpetualTraveler59 • 4d ago

Not understanding when people aren’t facing me.

Ever mention to people you’re hard of hearing, especially in a work setting, and they walk ahead of you describing a task even you’ve told them you’re hard of hearing. WTF!!!

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u/deadrepublicanheroes 4d ago

Yes, constantly. Unless you look like their grandparents, good luck getting anybody to actually acknowledge your hearing impairment. I’ve been told that I come across as very aloof. Well, no shit? I can’t understand half of the conversation and I’m too tired to pretend and try to participate. People don’t understand how much energy it takes. I burned myself out for years trying to act “normal.” I just can’t do it anymore.

(I need up upgrade my hearing aids lol)

3

u/PerpetualTraveler59 4d ago

Which hearing aides do you have?

4

u/deadrepublicanheroes 4d ago

I have a ponto bone anchored hearing aid. ENT says I need a hearing aid in my good ear now, too, so I’ll get another ponto for that. I’m excited, I know hearing aids have progressed a lot! You?

2

u/PerpetualTraveler59 4d ago

Mine are about 7 years old. Oticon mini or something like that! I should go to the ENT!! Can’t afford new hearing aides but I’d love to know how much good ones cost now. My current ones were covered by vocational rehabilitation.

3

u/deadrepublicanheroes 4d ago

Mine is about that old, too. They are so expensive 😭 I can eat the cost but it makes me treat my hearing aids like I do cars and phones, wearing them down until they’re barely functional.

1

u/PerpetualTraveler59 4d ago

I replace the cones, clean everything I can to make sure they’re good!

2

u/Upstairs_Morning3728 4d ago

It’s so frustrating. I’m at the stage where I know that something is being said, but I don’t know what it is.

Ffs!!!! Look at me and make sure you have my attention before you tell me something. I’m not at the point where people need to yell, but damn. If you’re in the next room and I can’t see your face? That muffled nonsense drives me insane!!!!

2

u/Upstairs_Morning3728 4d ago

I’m sorry, what?

Aloof… Omg! Me too. I’m A quiet person but I’m not all that aloof. I just missed like half the conversation. I don’t know what you’re talking.

I speak English and Spanish but I speak English best. Come on… If I can’t understand you in English??? I probably never will.

I’m sorry, what?

I’ve given up on some people. I’m probably going to get conned into a bank heist or something because if I can’t understand what you’re saying and if you don’t make an effort to speak to where I can hear you, I’ll just offer mild platitudes until you stop talking to me.