Hard of Hearing

I've experienced a hearing setback since 1983, a predicament that worsened over the years to the position I only have about 20% hearing in my right ear and about 40% in my left ear. I am currently on my 4Th set of hearing aids and have been told there is not much more that can be done to improve my hearing. Throughout the past 24 years one has no idea what it is like for a hard of hearing person to carry on or listen to a conversation in a group of people. I decided to take in an 8 week seminar for the hard of hearing to find out how to compensate for the many hearing problems I, and many, many more like me experience on a daily basis. The seminar does not merely settle on our troubles as it also outlines courtesies one should anticipate from those not having hearing problems, In this seminar we are also taught speech reading and some lip reading useful in group conversations.
Hearing loss is an invisible disability. One can not see if a person has a hearing loss and to what degree the loss may be.Hearing aids are hard to see.
Hearing loss and loneliness often come together. The person with hearing loss begins to feel isolated. Family and friends stop talking to the hard of hearing person or feel embarrassed with the hard of hearing person simply because they don't know how to "get through". Strangers may judge you slow and inattentive.

A little informed courtesy can make the Loss seem less

1. Speak slower please, not louder
2. Speak nearer it is clearer
3. We have no eyes in our backs. Speak when I ma looking at you.
4. Please!!! Speak to my good ear
5. Re-phrase what you say rather than repeat
6. Don't exclude when talking in a group or planning an outing
7. The hard of hearing still needs visual clues, including lipreading
8. Don't shout. Shouting is painful and not easier to understand
9. Tell me if I am not speaking clearly, it helps

Hard of hearing people have basic rights

1. I have the right to communicate and participate
2. I have the right to tell people directly about the facts of my hearing condition
3. I have the right to educate/inform others about specific ways to improve communication and good will among/between us
4. I have the right to be treated fairly regardless of my hearing condition
5. I have the right to expect common courtesy from hearing people
6. I have the right to protect myself, to act in my own best interests
7. I have the right to keep the facts about my hearing in a positive context
8. I have the right to be treated in a non-patronizing way by professionals