to feel annoyed by what this doctor's receptionist said?

[DoctorRobert]

Phoned our surgery yesterday to make an appointment for DH. He thinks he may have an ear infection on both sides, but not sure. Could be something more serious given his history.

Made an appt, and she then asked for a brief overview of the problem. I replied "it's a problem with his ears" - was vague as obviously we don't know.

She then laughed and said "oh, selective hearing is it?!"

Now, DH has had a lot of problems and bad luck with his ears. He has permanent partial deafness on one side due to a brain injury last year; he has an unrelated cholesteatoma (growth) in the other ear which has also caused hearing loss and he has been undergoing surgery for. Will need another operation next year.

I know that the receptionist isn't party to his medical history, and she was just making a lighthearted joke. Men never listen do they, oh how funny. But AIBU to think that given a receptionist doesn't know a patient's history or what the outcome of their appt may be, that they shouldn't be making jokes at all?

Excellent point Revolting

maddy

you made the point yourself. the receptionist didn't know the history. so she should not be joking with people she doesn't know. the only thing she can be sure of is that the person on the phone is dealing with illness and uncertainty

and yes, you do know what the op has been through, so what's your excuse for being so unthinking?

YANBU if its upset you then its upset you.

My 4 year old has hearing problems, and there have been a few times when he hasnt heard whats been said and people have made jokes like "are you deaf or what?" or "are you hard of hearing"

I never thought those type of jokey comments would bother me but they did, and i got very defensive and replied with "actually yes, he does have hearing problems"

Some already knew and just 'forgot' others had no idea. But still, it upset me a bit.

Yanbu OP.

YANBU, at all!

I have various minor ailments and the little jokes you get all the fucking time - selective hearing, smokers cough etc fuck me off through sheer repetitive inaccurate blaming me dullness...

if they had been caused by something traumatic I would find it upsetting.

A friend of mine's husband also suffered serious brain damage last year - he is mostly recovered now, but she still struggles with how close he was to dying. Please be kind to yourself.