living with hearing loss
life
hearing health foundati o n
in
spired w
ork
Let’s Remember No One Hears Perfectly By Pat Dobbs
My cochlear implants have given me the gift of hearing. It’s a miracle and I’m grateful for them every day. But as wonderful as they are, some hearing situations can still be challenging. A dinner party with a group of people all talking at the same time is a good example. When I’m challenged and cannot hear conversations well, I go right to my toolbox. I sit where I know I’ll be able to hear better, with my back against the wall. I ask people to look at me when they talk and talk clearly and loudly. I use my assistive listening devices. I whip out my phone and activate my Otter.ai app (it uses artificial intelligence to transcribe voice to text real-time). I may suggest to the person I want to talk to that we go to a quiet place to talk. If these strategies don’t work, I use paper and pencil. Then I’ll be sure to understand what a person wants to say. But in large gatherings these strategies don’t work as well. That’s when it’s time for my next move.
I dominate the conversation by talking nonstop! That way I know exactly what’s said, because I’m the one saying it! If that doesn’t work, I again monopolize the conversation by asking a consecutive series of questions. I realize it’s obnoxious but who cares—at least I know the topic of the conversation. Knowing the topic makes it easier to figure out the context of the person’s answers. Of course, this can’t go on for the whole party. Okay, I admit it. My usual tools aren’t working and I’m getting less sure of myself. I wonder if I should mimic people’s facial expressions. Should I laugh when others laugh? Or frown when they frown? Or just sit there expressionless? I’m torn. What should I do? I can’t help it but the stigma of hearing loss creeps into my psyche. Deaf, dumb, and stupid enters my mind. Is that what people think of me when they see my blank face or if I laugh when laughter isn’t appropriate?
I dominate the conversation by talking nonstop! That way I know exactly what’s said, because I’m the one saying it! If that doesn’t work, I again monopolize the conversation by asking a consecutive series of questions. I realize it’s obnoxious but who cares—at least I know the topic of the conversation. Knowing the topic makes it easier to figure out the context of the person’s answers. Of course, this can’t go on for the whole party. 30
hearing health
hhf.org
