I feel the need to vent. Most of my friends know that I am HoH. Very few realize how much. I’ve spent the last however many years struggling to remain “normal” and fit into the Hearing community.

I’m tired. I’m tired of always asking you to repeat yourself. I’m tired of feeling like a second rate citizen because I need you to speak up in class so my recorder can pick it up. I’m tired of feeling like shit because I need CC on almost everything I watch but you can’t be bothered to turn it on so that I might be able to enjoy what we’re watching because the words on the screen distract you from the show. I’m done accommodating you. It’s time for you to start realizing how much it hurts when I can’t hear you and you don’t care enough about me to make sure I’m a part of the conversation.

Maybe it’s my fault for pretending I could hear for so long. I take full responsibility for my part. Now it’s your turn. But if you can’t be bothered to help me, then I’m just going to start using sign language and not interpret for you…maybe then you’ll understand how it feels to be left out. Please make your friends aware. Being deaf or hoh is NOT funny. It’s difficult, especially when you have hearing friends and are excluded from the Hearing community (fully or in part). All we ask is for you to be considerate.

Also, just because I can hear something, doesn’t mean I can hear everything. Please don’t get frustrated when I have to ask you to repeat yourself, or look at me so I can read your lips, or move your hand away from your mouth so I can make out enough of your words so I can figure out what you’re saying through context. Talking louder doesn’t fix the problem…but talking clearly and having patience will.