It might be easy to assume I can hear because I read lips and wear hearing aids, but my situation is more complex. I am severely hard of hearing, and without my hearing aids, I’m effectively deaf. While lip reading is useful, it has significant limitations. Even in the best conditions, with good lighting and a clear view of the speaker’s face, I only capture 60-80% of the information. This gap can lead to crucial misunderstandings and missed information in both personal and professional settings. When more than two people are talking, following the conversation becomes nearly impossible, like a game of ping pong. In these situations, I need an ASL interpreter; otherwise, I resort to faking it (when they laugh, I laugh) or leaving the conversation. This goes both ways—if I think I understand what you’re saying and reply, but my response is out of context, it’s important to ask questions and clarify. When I hear correctly, my responses are appropriate.
Having an ASL interpreter makes a tremendous difference for me. With an interpreter, I can capture and understand almost 100% of what is being said or presented. This complete understanding is vital for my active participation and comprehension. Voice pitch, tone, tempo, accents, and background noise also affect how much I can partially hear. Higher-pitched or softer voices can be particularly difficult for me to capture. Therefore, having an ASL interpreter, or an assistant to help fill in the gaps later, is not just a preference—it’s a necessity for me to fully engage and understand the communication around me. This support allows me to participate equally and effectively.
In school, meetings, and conferences, I also need a note-taker. It’s nearly impossible to watch the ASL interpreter and take notes at the same time. Having a note-taker ensures my notes are accurate and complete, so I don’t miss important information. Alternatively, CART transcripts can be incredibly helpful as they provide a real-time written account of what is being said. This combination of support helps me navigate learning environments more effectively.
There’s often a misunderstanding about what I can or cannot hear. My hearing experience is unique and not the same as anyone else’s. People often assume I’m capturing the entire conversation when they see me reading lips or notice my hearing aids. They think these tools provide a complete solution. However, while these aids enhance my hearing experience, they do not provide 100% clarity. Other obstacles include people inadvertently covering their mouth or looking away when they speak, having a robust mustache, or eating while talking. I often ask someone to repeat themselves or move their hand so I can capture more of the conversation. This can make people uncomfortable or lead them to assume I’m not listening or am disinterested, which is untrue. (I’ll take out my hearing aids if I don’t want to listen—lol.) Lip reading and hearing aids are valuable tools, but they each have their limitations. Understanding this helps appreciate the complexities of my hearing experience and the need for comprehensive support to ensure effective communication.
In addition to my hearing challenges, I also have a speech impediment that complicates communication even further. In Part 2, I’ll delve into how my speech impediment affects my interactions and the additional strategies I use to navigate these difficulties.
