I’m okay, I’m just hard of hearing.

One day I was with my son at the bank waiting in line.  My son was wearing his hearing aids that day since he was still just five and didn’t have any issues with people seeing him wearing them.  A woman was standing behind us in line and noticed my son’s hearing aids.  She took a tone with me and insinuated that I used to lay my son down in his crib with a bottle when he was a baby.  She basically accused me of being a bad mother and causing my son to have a hearing loss. I knew how to raise a baby.  I had taken classes and in fact I used to be a day care teacher so I knew a lot.  My son was also born premature so both my hubby and I attended some classes to learn more about how to take care of him. Anyway back to the woman who was being rude to me.  I was infuriated with her comments so I raised up my hair to show her my hearing aids and in a loud tone told her no that I have a hearing loss and that my son inherited his hearing loss.  She then realized that she overstepped her boundaries and perhaps she learned not to pass judgment so quickly.

Another day I was standing in line at the local pharmacy to pick up a prescription.  It was probably hot because I had my hair in a pony tail and my hearing aids were showing.  My son again was with me and was wearing his hearing aids.  A man was behind us and saw us both and for some reason felt sorry for us.  He actually offered me money for some reason and felt that I needed it.  I declined but he kept becoming persistent and at one point opened my hand and put the money in my hand.  I refused again and gave him back the money.  I was embarrassed because there were other people around watching what was going on.  I normally don’t try to draw attention to myself and this guy wasn’t helping.  I didn’t want my son to think that just because he has a hearing problem that he should expect handouts.  I know in the past I have been at restaurants and some will come by and drop off little key chains or something that they are selling with a note attached that they are deaf and that they sell these items as a means of living. I wonder if the man thought I was in the same situation but just because you are deaf doesn’t mean you need a handout.

 

Many deaf and hard of hearing people are in the every day work place.  I work at a pet store where I deal with the public.  I know of people who work in the schools or even in a library like Megan who writes the Hearing Sparks Blog.  Most hearing impaired and deaf people want to contribute to society just as any other person.  The only thing I would ask someone is to understand that I may not be able to hear you so you may have to speak up.