This may be a long post, I have a few issues here to avoid drip feeding.
At work yesterday my Deputy Manager was serving lunch ( I work in a residential home for the elderly) she was asking someone across the room what they would like for dessert. They replied, she said "sorry, I'm a trifle deaf" - it was trifle for dessert. This has happened on another occasion when I have been present, same situation, same "joke".
My Deputy Manager is well aware that I am HOH and wear a hearing aid. I felt the first time she was having a joke at my expense but the second time I'm not sure it was aimed in my general direction. On both occasions I felt really humiliated and upset as other colleagues were also present and you can imagine how I felt. This same Deputy Manager has in the past made comments in front of others about times I might not have heard something straight away, always making an issue about my hearing and bringing it up in front of others leaving me feeling stupid and humiliated. She thinks it is fine (as do others) to say stuff like "she won't hear it" or "it went over your head". On another occasion recently 2 colleagues were chatting about something in the kitchen behind me. As they finished, one of them said "don't say anything will you?" (they were discussing something personal between them) and the second one said "she's deaf her anyway" again, I was pretty much in disbelief at such an insensitive comment and people thinking it's totally OK! On another occasion a few months ago I was walking to the kitchen and passed 2 colleagues and the DM who was dispensing meds just out of sight behind a wall. As I came back out of the kitchen a few seconds later, I glanced to the side where they were all standing and saw the 2 colleagues laughing and both were making hand gestures as if pretending to do sign language. I couldn't see what DM was doing but I'm assuming she was finding it all very funny.
Also, I have and have always had trouble hearing properly when answering the phone. I am fine with my mobile but not the work phone. My managers and the owner of the business are aware of this and I have asked them to sort out a phone I can use at work (the phone is on reception and one in the office) which share the same line and we are all expected to answer it. They have recently upgraded the phones to a digital cordless type which I have found better but still struggle with depending on who is speaking. I sometimes have to ask the caller to hold while I grab another colleague if I have answered and unable to keep track of the conversation. Sometimes they are OK about it, other times I'm made to feel a nuisance and it's my fault or I'm some sort of idiot. I was promoted to team leader on a different shift a couple of years ago ( I have since changed shifts) and upon being offered it I expressed concern about having to take charge and speak with the service users relatives/GP/Nurses/general enquires - whatever on the phone as expected of a team leader. Their response was that I would have to ask one of my colleagues to come to the phone if I couldnt understand what was being said!!
There have been many little comments and people smirking or outright laughing at me and talking to me as if I'm stupid simply because I may mishear/they might have to repeat themselves. I am beginning tofeel really down about it and dread having to go into work. I felt like walking out yesterday after the other trifle comment but can't afford to just quit. And why should I? I haven't done anything wrong, I work hard and do my job just as well as everyone else but constantly feel as I'm a joke and just tolerated because I'm reliable and know my job well.
I can hold a conversation fine, I tend to only struggle when people talk to me when I'm.not facing them or it's a bit noisy. I am able to hear on my mobile 80% of the time but am not confident using the work phone. I really don't know what to do as I dread every day. I know the phone not being adjusted is unacceptable but what about the other comments etc. Do I need to grow a thicker skin or what?
Sorry for v v long post, just needed to get it all off my chest and see if anyone has any advice?
Thank you!