Deaf Awareness?

I didn't realise you were deaf!

Often people do not realise that I am deaf, my hearing aid is black and hidden in my long dark hair. Even when I have my hair tied up many people assume it is a hairclip or some kind of blue-tooth headset. Often when I tell people in public places that I am deaf, they do not believe me because I do not sound deaf. Speech quality provides no indication of the quality or volume of the sounds that a deaf person hears. Many deaf people learn to speak before they become deaf, or only become deaf after they acquire spoken language.

If I need to wait in a crowded room for an unknown person to call me through to an appointment I am unlikely to hear my name called out. I often ask the receptionist to ensure that I am alerted visually rather than struggling to listen in a crowd. Unfortunately the receptionist is often busy or there is no suitable system to inform the person who is 'calling my name' that I am deaf. I find ENT and audiology departments are especially bad for this.

Obnoxious disclosure

I have found handing over something graphical on paper provides a tangible reminder which can be attached to my notes, or file so that the person collecting the notes/file and calling me notices it and can ask the receptionist which person I am.

Blame the jobcentre

Amazingly, there were times that despite this disclosure staff still called my name and got grumpy with me. But it was then easier to point at the book in their hand and say that I had no other way of making it so obvious and if they carried on being rude I would complain.

feel free to download and adapt those images for yourself.

Hospital disclosure leaflet

Hospital HOWTO for staff