Hearing Loss

Lesson 4: Skills For Surviving Hearing Loss

Potential Hazards

Blind people have as their symbol, the white cane. It immediately let’s people know they can’t see. We don’t have anything that quickly lets others know we can’t hear them.

I’ve been grazed by cars twice while crossing a street in a crosswalk with the light. Rushing to make a left turn behind me, cars have expected me to hear them and speed up. Since I didn’t hear them, I didn’t speed up. Now I don’t cross without looking like I have a revolving head.

I’ve often started crossing a street not hearing a car coming around a corner, out a driveway, a hidden street. Luckily my family or friends have been there to pull me back. But someone won't always be with you so I can’t stress enough that you must keep looking around if you are alone. I also recommend not walking alone at night because other than the obvious dangers, it’s harder to see.

My pet dog, who isn't a service dog, has pulled me off the sidewalk too many times to count. I haven't heard bicycles, skateboards or in line skates that have sped up behind me. He’s alerted me to people he thinks come a little too close, too. One of the most frightening parts of being unable to hear is not hearing someone and then having him suddenly upon you.

You must get into the habit of visually scanning when you’re out of the house. If you can’t hear, you may miss warnings and sirens. Whether driving or walking, an emergency vehicle might have to be in your range of vision before you know it’s there. You won’t have as much time to move out of the way as people who can hear.

You also might not hear someone call out to you if you’re in danger. The commercial on television where the piano is about to fall on a pedestrian’s head may be funny to watch, but it’s not funny to us. We might not hear someone shout, "watch out!" You must look around you constantly.

Something as enjoyable as a vacation can become a hazard if you’re alone and can’t hear a warning or an important message. The most important thing to do is let people know you can’t hear so they can help you.

From check in to boarding to the flight attendants, make sure to tell everyone that you can’t hear and won’t understand announcements. Always ask for confirmation before you board a plane, train, or bus. "Is this the plane to Miami?" "Is this the Bayview bus to Richmond Hill?" Don’t be afraid to ask. It’s better than ending up in the wrong place.

When you get to a hotel, again, tell them you can’t hear and that you would not be aware of a fire alarm or other message. Bringing some of your portable devices (we talk about that in the next section - How to Feel Safer) will help.

The biggest hazard out there, as far as I’m concerned, is our reluctance to let people know we can’t hear. In all the years I haven’t had hearing, I’ve only run into a handful of rude people who weren’t willing to repeat or slow down. I took my business elsewhere.

Optional Reading
Please refer to pages 55 & 56 in Missing Words for travel tips and advice for hearing impaired people who live alone.

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