I am hard of hearing.
I have been struggling with this for about two years now. Every time I see the specialist, he says that I am not yet ready for a hearing aid. But I think I am. (I'm not going to get one of those ugly flesh-colored ones either, no sireey, I'm going for the pretty ones!)
With the everlasting cold I seem to have right now, my hearing is even more affected.
As a result I have a very important message today.
Ready?
If you want others to hear what you have to say, especially we who are hearing-challenged, project your voice. If a microphone is offered, use it. If you are making a comment or asking a questi
on from the audience, please stand to do so. That helps to get more umph behind your voice.During this past week, I missed out entirely on the presentation of the main speaker at a chamber luncheon, (there was a microphone available, but it was not adjusted properly) and at our Leadership Toledo gathering where we were reporting on our morning group visits, many times I could not hear the presentation and 100% of the time I could not hear the comments or questions. (There is nothing more frustrating than to not hear a comment, but then to have the speaker say, "Yes, that is a perfect example of what I was talking about.")
I know, I know, your remedy is for me to sit in the front row and yes, that would help.
But as a speaker, I know that my job is to project to the people in the back row. If they can hear my talk without reading my lips, then I have achieved my goal.As a group leader, encourage the above. Some people don't like to talk into a microphone because they've not done it before, but as a leader, I feel it is your job to set the "tone" of the event. Most don't think to stand when making a comment, but will do so if told.
Huh? What'd you say?
2 comments:
I have had no hearing in my right ear since I was in a car accident at 15. A hearing aid isn't an option - you have to have some hearing in order for it to work.
My biggest problem is noisy rooms. When I am with a group of people, I often only hear parts of sentences.
Is it me (and Mike) or is the music played during TV shows too loud? We both have a hard time UNDERSTANDING, not hearing, what was said.
This is going to become a bigger problem as us Boomers get older.
Yep, that is my refrain, also. I have stopped watching ER because I can't understand what is being said. I feel like I should get one of those little boxes where the words appear on the screen, so I can read what is being said. But that said, it just gives me more time to read!
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