There are almost 37.5 million Americans who are hard of hearing (or in P.C., auditorially challenged). They have no voice or can't hear it. No one has come out with issues that affect those who have trouble hearing. We are now.
First, is the need to speak clearly, slowly and loudly. It is a good way to communicate even to people who have perfect hearing.Some talk like this: we'vebeentryingtocontactyou. Please call 123-4something something inaudible.
Hearing challenged people speak slowly, loudly and clearly anyway perhaps so they too can hear what they're saying. Sometimes it may help telling the caller right away that you need them to speak loudly, clearly and slowly.
Television listening is another obstacle. Most hearing impaired cannot hear the words of the program they're watching; they need closed captioning, but it must be simultaneous with the show. Some seem to wait a few seconds making the CC reader miss the show while trying to find out what has already been said. Sometimes the CC delay causes the reader to speed read with the broadcaster trying to catch up by being real fast. The alternative problem is that the system is so far behind the action that it just gives up and disregards the rest of the verbiage.
The other problem with them hearing T.V. shows is when the show plays music over the dialogue. It is an insult to the actors, the director, the writers and the viewers. It's as though the acting, directing and writing do not reveal enough so music is needed to set the tone. It's a terrible idea and makes hearing the dialogue very challenging.
Then there are the interpersonal communications. Names seem to be the hardest to hear clearly and the hearing challenged must ask to have it repeated several times. Perhaps this population should wear a button that says "hard of hearing, please say the name real slowly or spell it,"or "ask me about my vow of silence."
Those with auditory problems sometimes need to supplement their hearing by seeing the other person's face so that they can read their lips, like President George, senior, who said "read my lips, no new taxes." Perhaps he was being considerate of Americans who find hearing difficult. When people turn away, showing their backs rather than their faces, they can't be heard. This is a variation of "don't talk behind my back" to "don't talk behind your back."
Some of us were raised to always look the person in the eye when speaking even to those who hear clearly. It's still a good idea that many of us were never apparently taught.
The hearing impaired also have problems hearing a song nearby as in a restaurant or a neighbor's home and just hear the base notes which ofttimes are a repetitious, annoying thumping. If you live next door to the hard of hearing, you should stop playing terrible music loud enough so neighbors don't have hear it (playing Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel, Leonard Cohen or Joan Baez is fine).
Those who have trouble hearing should wear hearing aids, but they are terrible. They require the wearers to stuff them in their ears, the batteries need to be changed often, like once a week, and batteries are not cheap. Implants would be preferable but they need to have their battery changed too, but the implant must be removed to do so. And hearing aids are very expensive; they start at about $5000 for a matching set and they sometimes do not really do the job, especially when talking on the phone.
Also,we must be patient with those so afflicted who ask us to repeat what was just said. It might happen two or three times. Note that each additional restatement takes seconds. Surely we have the time.
So please hear from those who can't. Remember, this - some day it could happen to you.
First, is the need to speak clearly, slowly and loudly. It is a good way to communicate even to people who have perfect hearing.Some talk like this: we'vebeentryingtocontactyou. Please call 123-4something something inaudible.
Hearing challenged people speak slowly, loudly and clearly anyway perhaps so they too can hear what they're saying. Sometimes it may help telling the caller right away that you need them to speak loudly, clearly and slowly.
Television listening is another obstacle. Most hearing impaired cannot hear the words of the program they're watching; they need closed captioning, but it must be simultaneous with the show. Some seem to wait a few seconds making the CC reader miss the show while trying to find out what has already been said. Sometimes the CC delay causes the reader to speed read with the broadcaster trying to catch up by being real fast. The alternative problem is that the system is so far behind the action that it just gives up and disregards the rest of the verbiage.
The other problem with them hearing T.V. shows is when the show plays music over the dialogue. It is an insult to the actors, the director, the writers and the viewers. It's as though the acting, directing and writing do not reveal enough so music is needed to set the tone. It's a terrible idea and makes hearing the dialogue very challenging.
Then there are the interpersonal communications. Names seem to be the hardest to hear clearly and the hearing challenged must ask to have it repeated several times. Perhaps this population should wear a button that says "hard of hearing, please say the name real slowly or spell it,"or "ask me about my vow of silence."
Those with auditory problems sometimes need to supplement their hearing by seeing the other person's face so that they can read their lips, like President George, senior, who said "read my lips, no new taxes." Perhaps he was being considerate of Americans who find hearing difficult. When people turn away, showing their backs rather than their faces, they can't be heard. This is a variation of "don't talk behind my back" to "don't talk behind your back."
Some of us were raised to always look the person in the eye when speaking even to those who hear clearly. It's still a good idea that many of us were never apparently taught.
The hearing impaired also have problems hearing a song nearby as in a restaurant or a neighbor's home and just hear the base notes which ofttimes are a repetitious, annoying thumping. If you live next door to the hard of hearing, you should stop playing terrible music loud enough so neighbors don't have hear it (playing Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel, Leonard Cohen or Joan Baez is fine).
Those who have trouble hearing should wear hearing aids, but they are terrible. They require the wearers to stuff them in their ears, the batteries need to be changed often, like once a week, and batteries are not cheap. Implants would be preferable but they need to have their battery changed too, but the implant must be removed to do so. And hearing aids are very expensive; they start at about $5000 for a matching set and they sometimes do not really do the job, especially when talking on the phone.
Also,we must be patient with those so afflicted who ask us to repeat what was just said. It might happen two or three times. Note that each additional restatement takes seconds. Surely we have the time.
So please hear from those who can't. Remember, this - some day it could happen to you.
Hilarious
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