Tower and Town, July 2015

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How To Help Your Deaf Friends

Lots of us have hearing problems and often we are less comfortable with that fact than we are with our need to wear spectacles. As I endure a bad week, with hearing aid damaged beyond repair, I am constantly realising what helps me in this predicament and I thought it might be worth sharing this hard-won knowledge with my more able-eared friends.

1. Speak directly to me. For me, it isn’t always lack of sound itself so much as inability to hear speech clearly. When you speak directly to my face, and make sure you have my attention, I am much more able to understand what you are trying so hard to communicate.

2. Speak in paragraphs. No need to craft beautifully turned phrases but, if you have a sudden thought and change the topic rapidly from the price of eggs to world injustice, I am sometimes left thinking “This sounds really interesting but what is it about?” When you say clearly, “Oh,I was thinking about ...” and then carry on it makes it much easier for me to participate.

3. Crowded and noisy places are always more difficult to manage, so please have particular care in these situations. On the other hand, access to an induction loop is marvellous - everything comes directly through to the brain without effort.

Though life without the hearing aid has been particularly trying, it is unfortunately the case that, even with one, nothing is perfect. And they are expensive! Unless you are lucky enough to be able to use an NHS model you will pay up to £5,000 for a pair. They are delicate and easy to lose. Before this latest disaster (when it dropped on the pavement and was trodden on) I had lost one a few times but always managed to be reunited. The most bizarre loss occurred in a local restaurant. I’d removed the hearing aid because of the surrounding noise. Deep in conversation, I didn’t notice the waitress clearing the table, including the hearing aid. When I realised it I asked if the rubbish could be searched (and offered a reward). I got a call later that evening, the hearing aid had been found, I would collect it in the morning. Next morning, much embarrassment at the restaurant, as the cleaner had swept it away herself into the rubbish yet again! Rubber gloves back on, the waitress searched the bin a second time and, for a second time BINGO –one very small, very precious device emerged to fight another day.

Sara Holden