A serious question for any people out there who are Deaf?

Question

I am a 33-year-old Hearing person. I am going to school to become a Social Worker and I am taking ASL as a foreign language.

I am thankfully having many of my misconceptions about Deaf Culture shattered and learning a whole lot more than just sign language.

I am appalled at the state of education for Deaf people, attitudes of Non-Deaf people, and many other things I am learning, which I never knew existed. I am personally ashamed that I never knew most of this existed.

If you are Deaf, what are your personal thoughts about Hearing people and their thoughts, attitudes, and misconceptions about Deaf Culture?

Answer 1

I am not deaf, but I hear badly. Certain things bother me about hearing people's attitude towards people like me.

If I ask someone to repeat a word or a sentence or to speak louder, I very often get a bad response, even if I explain I have a hearing problem. People get grumpy over having to repeat themselves and sometimes even flat out rude. Some refuse to repeat what they said or speak louder ("Ugh, NOTHING!" or they hang up), others make rude comments and some will tell me I should listen better (it's not like I'm not trying, I pay incredibly good attention when someone is talking to me and I try to hear them and lip read at the same time, but it's not always enough).

I get treated like I'm stupid or an idiot because of my hearing problem.

People seem to think that because I'm neither completely deaf nor use a hearing aid it's my own fault if I can't follow up with what's being said and I don't deserve their consideration (I guess they don't know that hearing aids aren't always an option). Some even seem to think they are justified in being rude towards me for that reason.

Fortunately there are also lots of good people who try to be considerate. Hearing people don't understand what it's like to not hear and I think they aren't aware of the big impact it has on a lot of things in daily life, but it's nice that some people at least try to be considerate.

I think it's great you are learning more about this. :)

Answer 2

I am not deaf, but am quite hearing impaired: sudden onset tinnitis.

What bothers me most is people thinking I'm stupid when I merely can't hear them. Next I suppose is people accusing me of ignoring them. Not intentionally! And finally, treating me like an idiot because I don't wear a hearing aid. A hearing aid does do any good for someone with tinnitis.