Deaf or partially deaf - what do you do?

[margaritasbythesea]

I am partially deaf and at the moment can´t wear my hearing aid. As more and more people are wearing masks in shops, it is becoming almost impossible for me to hear what people are saying and neither can I now lip read.

In the shops today, I tried explaining to the cashier that I was deaf but both times I did this it this prompted staff to immediately take off their masks which I don´t really want them to do, as they may feel unsafe or get into trouble with other shoppers or staff.

I am not quite sure what to do. I don´t go to the shops often but I do need to go sometimes. I thought of getting a lanyard explaining I am deaf but I am not sure what to put on it. If it says ´Í´m deaf´presumably they will just take their masks off, as they did today.

It was quite awkward and I am a bit foxed about what to do. Should the lanyard say, ´Please don´t remove your mask but I am deaf?´Or what?

I struggle and the staff attempt a weird conversation with hand gestures.

I too have some hearing loss, but do wear hearing aids, but this just seems makes it worse, as people sound so muffled with masks on. I'm often finding myself explaining to them that I can't hear them and just end up so frustrated.

I'm profoundly deaf, wear hearing aids and rely on lip reading. It's going to be a struggle

Could you take a notepad with you with 2 pens and write it down? Give the 2nd pen to the other person, then wipe it all down afterwards?

Is there any advice from any deaf societies/groups?

I try not to speak too much or ask many questions. If I need something specific I write it down before I go out to hand to the staff. Are clesr visors easier to use .

I imagine clear visors aid lip reading. I don’t expect voices will be much less muffled than with masks.

I’m moderately deaf with hearing aids usually (wearing one with a broken mould currently, the other I cannot wear). I had an appointment to get them repaired ( and new mould made) the week lockdown began and that was cancelled. I’m shielding so haven’t been in any shops - I think I’ll continue to avoid shops if I can . Today I had my first try out of how badly I’ll cope in my first social event since this began - my brother and SIL in the garden, no masks but at 2 metres distance. I had to keep asking them to repeat themselves or I’d ask DH to tell me what they said, and these are people I know well. All quite dispiriting.

You can buy a badge that states you’re hard of hearing. My dad wears one.

One of the numerous reasons why BSL should be part of the national curriculum.

Would benefit so many people as anyone can go deaf at anytime. It is also so beneficial to children with learning difficulties, autism. It develops the visual parts of the brain, developed dexterity. Aids literacy and mathematical development etc.
and would be ideal in these types of situations. Not perfect communication but so much better than no communication or having to remove masks.
The see through masks would only work if everyone wore them and I just can't see anyone without personal knowledge of a deaf person doing this

Speech to text app?

I am myself profoundly deaf I wear hearing aids I use sign language to communicate also lip read a bit I do wear my mask but my mask has clear out so people can see my lip reading too

I work in a shop and I'm concerned about hard of hearing customers if I wear a mask, I think I will try a visor first and see how that goes. Hopefully as this becomes mandatory more shop staff will be given the visors as an option over the masks.

Use your phone to write what you want to say? Plenty of notepad-type apps. And you always have i with you,.

Thanks for the ideas.

I loved learning the bit of BSL I did. So freeing for me! However, not many know it.

The problem with the badge is the same as tellibg people I am partially deaf - they take their masks off. I don't want them to or feel they have to.

Visors would be ideal, but I have no control over whether someone wears one or not.

I'll do some experiments at home with text to speech. Good idea.

I think I might gave a pre prepared message on my phine I can show, but it is difficult to get the wording without sounding rude: 'If what you are saying is not important please don't say it. If it is, shout. ' What do you reckon?

If you use a speech to text app you can understand them from the text rather than them removing the mask.

I have the Live Transcribe app on my phone which is fairly good, even with a mask on, if I hold it at arms length. I haven't tried it in a shop yet, but will have it on standby when they become mandatory.

This is why I wish all shopfloor staff had deaf awareness training. A couple of simple signs ('help you', 'wait', 'pay', 'toilet' maybe) would really help right now! But I've often found staff just don't consider HI people, even though there are plenty around, including older people with age-related loss. Many a time they've spoken to me while moving behind me, or turning away at the till, or not getting my attention. Sad how asking people to repeat themselves has to become just a normal part of life.

I agree ThisIsMeOrIsIt. then again, my closest family have to be reminded the same thing constantly, so I amnot sure it would do much good!

Sorry MrsDoc - I meant it that way round.

Has anyone any suggestions for speech to text apps?

I lip read and am currently really struggling at work as we all have to wear masks now.

I’m going to find the same in the shops soon.

@SauvignonBlanche

Has anyone any suggestions for speech to text apps?

I lip read and am currently really struggling at work as we all have to wear masks now.

I’m going to find the same in the shops soon.

Live Transcribe is good. Haven't tried it in shops, but have put a mask on and held it away from me and it's still fairly accurate.

Live transcribe is the one my friends use.

Need to really push Deaf awareness out there, very few people have any.

any experience that was supposed to say 😳

On BBC PM prog today masks and hearing impairment was discussed. The presenter said if someone told him they were deaf he’d just take his mask off. Urgh! That’s not the way, especially for those of us shielding/vulnerable too.

I think the speech to text apps sound great (maybe it’s worth emailing managers of shops you frequently go to so they can raise awareness with their staff that some people might be trying to use these) but I think it’s a really good idea to keep a back up notepad and a couple of pens (wipes to offer the other person to use the pen). You could write a short explanation on the first page to have ready to explain what you’re doing/need.

I like the look of Live transcribe but not the cost.
There appears to be the free Google transcription service for Android but all the iOS ones charge a fee.
I know it’s not a lot but I’m really skint atm so am loath to fork out for it.

Shame more people dont know sign language. I work in a supermarket and know sign language very well as use to work in a special needs school and learnt it there. Have used it a good few times and the customers are so happy about it

I’ve done a level 1 BSL course but that doesn’t help me unless everyone else does