If you have hearing loss and are interacting with someone for the first time who doesn’t, communication mishaps can occur. This isn’t always an issue, but in the case of an emergency in public or even at the doctor’s office, it can be important for others to be aware of your hearing loss. Emergency personnel or others in the area may be able to better assist you if they know.
How And Why to Communicate
In emergency situations, you may be asked to follow certain instructions. Failure to heed instructions because you can’t hear them could result in frustration or an escalated situation. Additionally, in a 2021 study, participants were asked about experiences in a primary care setting, and 50% of respondents noted having significant difficulty with communication at the doctor due to hearing loss.
If these scenarios are something you’ve thought about before and would like to avoid, there are a few ways you can consider communicating your hearing loss.
Products available:
- Temporary car signs or notebooks: In the event of getting pulled over, it could be helpful to let an officer know you have hearing loss. However, a permanent car sign stating you have hearing loss could provide information to too many people that could make you vulnerable to ill intent. So, it is recommended to have a temporary sign or notebook to communicate if you need to let others know you have hearing loss while in a car.
- Medical ID bracelets: ID medical bracelets are a great idea to let others know you have hearing loss if situations arise where you need assistance.
- Seatbelt covers: Seatbelt covers are more noticeable than medical ID bracelets in the event of an automobile accident where others may be providing emergency assistance. Many are customizable and can include specific instructions.
- Pins, buttons or lanyards: Pins, buttons or lanyards can be helpful in situations where you may be going to a doctor’s office for the first time or even grocery shopping at Lowes Foods. They can also be customized to state whether you may have poor hearing in one ear or need others to speak up.
How much you choose to communicate and when is up to you, but it could alleviate some of the added stress of miscommunication, even in everyday scenarios.
It’s also okay to ask others to repeat themselves in public settings. It’s best not to pretend to hear or let miscommunications go, because you deserve to be able to be communicated with accurately. In last-minute scenarios, you can also use the notes app on your phone to communicate or even communicate in writing via text.
If you don’t have hearing aids, hearing aids can offer an improved quality of life and minimize miscommunication scenarios. If you have questions about hearing aids or want to schedule a hearing test, contact All Generations Audiology, PLLC.