Hear Less To Learn More

Sue and I were talking the other day about hearing partners understanding deafness – nothing deep and meaningful, just what’s helped me understand the requirements of someone who’s become deaf. We both chose Hearing Link’s deaf experience.

I’m revisiting this subject after a discussing the same topic with Dick Hill – I’ve also previously mentioned his research that’s undoubtedly going to benefit hearing partners.

At Hearing Link’s intensive programme hearing partners are provided with mp3 players, playing white noise to simulate Tinnitus, and hearing defenders to wear over the ear buds. We then spent the morning without hearing anything but the white noise, not so hard indoors, but in the street – wow. In the world of cars and other people we actually got the idea, with heads swivelling, eyes wide open in fear we became more understanding of the difficulties involved with not hearing.

I’d managed to ‘do’ the deaf awareness very early in Sue’s loss of hearing, not because I’m a good person or anything, I just needed to understand what she was living without. For the others in the group it was the first time they really ‘got’ deafness – and they didn’t like it.

I’m now wondering where someone can go to experience deaf awareness. Deaf organisations, deaf clubs and charities might be able to help, or at least steer you in the right direction. Failing that – and not to make light of the situation – try working in a fast food joint for a few days.

I stopped at a local fish and chip last week and was stunned as I crossed the threshold. The radio was blasting pop music at a numbing level to allow the staff to hear the words and music above their shouted conversations. A customer ordered cod and chips, the assistant asked four times what he’d said and the customer asked each time what she’d said. I’d have laughed if the sound level hadn’t been hurting my ears.

For fear of litigation I daren’t suggest a DIY deaf awareness method. I do know you shouldn’t stick anything in your ears that could cause damage or come lose and get stuck- proper in-ear speaker buds are probably okay. And don’t turn up the volume to a level that could be damage – my Blackberry actually gives a warning when sound levels start to get too high. What I did was buy proper in-ear hearing protectors (bought at a motorcycle shop) and then wore hearing defenders (from building merchants) over the top.

If you do try this don’t just watch subtitled TV, that’s a coward’s way out. Have a conversation with someone, if your deaf partner is willing, perfect. I’m confident you’ll gain a lot more understanding about not being able to hear.