Ami Kal: As a deaf person, here are the situations I find challenging (BSL)

Last night I felt very far from belonging in the hearing world once again. It soon dawned on me the realisation that we- deaf people – accommodate for the hearing far more than they do for us! It’s a sad fact but true.

To make it worse, I was actually amongst friends, yet I felt all alone. Us Deaf/ hard of hearing people face considerable challenges. We experience and navigate the world much differently than those with hearing.

To gain an understanding of the difficulties we face, here are some situations you may have never thought of that make life more challenging when little to nothing is audible.

Public announcements

Remember the last time you were at the airport and over a loudspeaker, you were told boarding was in progress—or that the flight was delayed? Public address systems notify us of what’s going on all the time, but a deaf individual probably won’t get the message.

Slow talkers

When someone realises they’re interacting with a deaf person, they often switch to a slower form of speech. While it’s done with the best intentions, it can actually hinder lip reading. Over time, we have learned to understand words when people speak naturally, so slowing it down intentionally can result in miscommunication.

Being in the dark

Whether it’s a dimly lit room or a noisy dark club, the absence of light makes it difficult for those who are deaf or hard of hearing to engage with others. They generally rely on visual stimuli, such as lip reading or sign language, so darkness poses a real challenge.

Being “jumpy”

Have you ever been startled by someone approaching you from behind? It happens to those who are deaf/ hard of hearing all the time. Without visual cues or vibrations on the floor, they can be easily startled. For some, this leads to a constant “jumpy” feeling, as they can rarely be completely comfortable, always making sure no one is sneaking up on them from behind.

Relying on touch

When most of us want someone’s attention, we can simply call out their name. When a person is deaf, however, they won’t hear their name called. That’s why in deaf culture, firm but polite tapping on the shoulder is normal in order to gain attention. However, those not familiar with the deaf community may be unaware of this, leading to confrontation.

Job applications and interviews

Job interviews are already stressful situations; now consider being deaf or hard of hearing. Those who are hard of hearing or deaf may sometimes feel completely ignored when they reveal their hearing status on application forms, possibly because recruiters see it as too much extra work to accommodate them.

When they do reach the interview stage, more complications arise. Telephone interviews are nearly impossible without an interpreter, and in-person interviews can be difficult to carry out if an interviewer is unprepared for the situation.

Going to a movie

Seeing the newest films at the cinema is no easy feat. Often, cinema chains are unreliable with setting up films with subtitles; if they do have subtitled films available, they’re often only on films that have been out for months or shown at unusual times, such as 10 am on a Wednesday!

Caring for hearing aids

While hearing aids have helped millions to better hear sounds and communicate more effectively with others, they also have to be well maintained to keep the equipment working optimally.

Those who wear hearing aids often have to keep spare batteries when travelling or commuting, and because the devices can’t get wet, even a mid-afternoon rainstorm can pose a problem.

Depression and anxiety

Studies reveal that deaf people are around twice as likely to suffer from psychological problems such as depression and anxiety. Research suggests this stems from feelings of isolation.

Making matters worse, the most effective treatment for these types of issues is usually talking with a therapist. Of course, finding a doctor or therapist with the means necessary to effectively work with those who have hearing challenges is no easy feat.

(Two avenues deaf people can go down is contacting SignHealth or Deaf4Deaf)

While deaf and hard of hearing people have learned to adjust to many situations, there will always be challenges. Thankfully, technology is helping change lives (for example, many public announcements are now also sent to mobile phones.)

While many deaf people don’t want hearing and consider deafness their own unique culture, the larger hearing world still views us with pity. The fact is, most deaf people or hard of hearing individuals don’t want pity, but just want to be treated with respect. As individuals with hearing, that is the most important thing you can provide.

To others who may feel like I do, please remember that you are not alone.

Ami Kal is a Deaf blogger based in London trying to maximise deaf awareness and non visual disabilities. “I struggle daily hence my blog title! I’m all for disability rights and equality. I strongly believe in things have to change for us disabled people going forward.” You can find my blog at:

http://mynonvisualstruggles.blogspot.com/