Anyone else hard of hearing or deaf?

[yarncakes]

I am severely hard of hearing and I rely solely on lip reading to communicate and understand what people are saying. I am already socially isolated because of this and the fact that masks are compulsory everywhere in shops and even at work, I am starting to get really depressed and fed up of trying to understand what people are saying. When I went shopping, an assistant was saying something and I kept saying pardon then she said something else and walked away. What will happen when surgeries open and doctors are wearing masks? Or if, god forbid, I have to go into hospital and can't understand a fucking word anyone is saying? I am seriously finding it hard to cope and I'm beginning to feel very isolated from the world.

Well, I've apparently got a Cowrie shell permanently attached to my left ear and alarmingly more frequently on my right as well, which cuts out a hell of a lot of speech, especially when it's muffled by a mask and I can't see what they're saying, if that counts.

I've developed the habit, especially in noisy areas, of pointing to my ear and saying 'I'm deaf'. It's not entirely accurate, but it gets the point across quickly.

Other than that, you could carry a small whiteboard or look into getting an app on your phone that transcribes in real time.

It's also possible that you could get support from the Occupational Therapist attached to Adult Social Care at your council, plus they could potentially signpost you to other services and sources of support.

I'm still teetering on the edge of both worlds. There is so much more available now then there used to be; as long as you know where to look.

Could you type messages on your phone and communicate that way?

I am hoh and I now tell far more people as I can't hide it by seeing their mouths and taking an educated guess.

Not had one bad response tbh.