Need for advocating now for hearing loss

Posted by arrowshooter @arrowshooter, Aug 19, 2020

We need to advocate for ourselves NOW.

I am an advocate for hearing loops and I just communicated with my local bank about assistive systems for people with hearing loss. The bank officer was polite and listened but was generally uninterested because THEY HAVE NOT HAD ANY COMPLAINTS. This little bank has about 10 locations and no one has complained about using the drive-up windows with the speaker systems that are very difficult to understand especially if there are other cars running and traffic going by. We talked about counter-top loop systems to use in the lobby and he said no one has ever complained about not being able to hear.

During this COVID pandemic we are experiencing more situations that make it more difficult to communicate (masks, plastic shields, speaker systems, etc). People assume their systems are OK as long as no one ever complains. Asking for some to repeat or speak louder/slower is not a complaint. It is just accepted practice. As people with hearing loss we expect to have trouble communicating so that trouble becomes common practice to us. We deal with it or around it.

Of course there is a danger that if we complain now our complaints will be dismissed as "caused by masks or plastic shields". Those things only make a bad situation worse for us. We have to dispel the common notion that hearing aids restore everyone to normal hearing.

As I write this post I think of the explosive thread on this forum about the medical professions reluctance to accommodate people with hearing loss. The medical care people are only one group who ignores people with hearing loss. But the disregard of people with hearing loss is universal.

Maybe we are the ones at fault.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Hearing Loss Support Group.

barbb | @barbb | Aug 21, 2020

In reply to @julieo4 "Glad you're on the bandwagon! Now, I wish I knew where everyone lived!" + (show)

@julieo4 Julie, is there an unspoken or even written rule about not knowing where someone lives? Why is that information primarily not mentioned here? It definitely could be helpful at times.

Julie, Volunteer Mentor | @julieo4 | Aug 21, 2020

I don't think there is any rule on this, but people have the choice to not disclose more information than they wish to, It's a confidentiality thing. . It would be interesting to know which state people are from, but that is their information to disclose. How ironic it would be to have conversations with someone who lives in your own 'back yard', without knowing it. 🙂

Julie, Volunteer Mentor | @julieo4 | Aug 22, 2020

In reply to @barbb "Your last sentence here, I think is a real kicker...about educating ourselves. I, for one, was..." + (show)

Here are a couple of links that may be helpful for people seeking basic information about what is available to help with hearing loss.

https://www.hearingloss.org/hearing-help/ https://www.hearingloss.org/hearing-help/technology/hat/ "Hat" stands for hearing assistive technology.

rosemh | @rosemh | Aug 23, 2020

In reply to @julieo4 "THIS SAYS IT ALL....OR AT LEAST MOST OF IT! Yes, I was 'shouting' with those CAPS...." + (show)

First of all, thank you to Mayo Connect for introducing me to this site. I just became a HLAA member. I wish there was a Milwaukee chapter. Next, I want to applaud all if you for your efforts on behalf of us with hearing loss. For the first time in along time, I feel slightly optimistic about navigating through this annoying hindrance of being able to hear but not understand what is being said.

Julie, Volunteer Mentor | @julieo4 | Aug 23, 2020

It definitely helps to 'talk' to others who 'get it'! Welcome to HLAA. I have good news for you. The is a Milwaukee Chapter. It's called the Metro Milwaukee Chapter. They meet at the Wauwatosa Library when regular meetings are held. There's chapter information at the HLAA Wisconsin website. http://www.hlaawi.org Wisconsin chapters are located in Milwaukee, Madison, Appleton, Door County and Platteville. Currently, Fox Valley & Madison are holding meetings via Zoom that are open to anyone who wants to attend. Let me know if that interests you. So much to learn. Feel free to send me a personal message.

rosemh | @rosemh | Aug 23, 2020

In reply to @julieo4 "It definitely helps to 'talk' to others who 'get it'! Welcome to HLAA. I have good..." + (show)

Thanks for the Milwaukee link. I’m new to this organization so I’ll have to get up to speed. I’m trying to figure out a way to understand my TV. Sometimes CC is too fast for me. I know there must be some reasonably priced technology out there that can help me. I just have to find it and figure it out. I’m so happy I found this website. It gives me hope.

barbb | @barbb | Aug 23, 2020

@rosemh @julieo4 I'm so glad Julie found you a Milwaukee Chapter! How did you come to think there was no such chapter?

barbb | @barbb | Aug 23, 2020

In reply to @rosemh "Thanks for the Milwaukee link. I’m new to this organization so I’ll have to get up..." + (show)

@rosemh I count myself as still a relative newbie here also, although I am active with HLAA. I also count myself as relatively untalented with tech things, including TV! And so I have posed questions related to tech stuff here and have gotten some very helpful replies.

rosemh | @rosemh | Aug 23, 2020

In reply to @barbb "@rosemh @julieo4 I'm so glad Julie found you a Milwaukee Chapter! How did you come to..." + (show)

I went to the HLAA website, typed in Milwaukee on the interactive map, and no results came up. I must have done something wrong. But now I know there is one. Hurrah!