Instead of “What?” how about “I’m so sorry I’m hard of hearing, Could you please speak up, and maybe face me?” Or keep a little notebook if it is in a place that the other can’t speak up so as to have them write it for you. And yes I do both as the older I get, I’ve noticed my hearing is just starting to suffer, not enough for aids yet but enough that I have to ask people to repeat themselves.
I HATE it when I say “what?” and the other person changes his words, as if I didn’t understand what he said. I have to remind him that I comprehend the language, I just didn’t hear him. Grrrrrr!!!
It’s hard to say “What” to the television set, and that’s where I have the most trouble. The background music or sound effects make it hard for me to hear the dialog, especially anything British.
I’m an audiologist and my suggestions are: have the person speak more slowly (louder isn’t always better and shouting distorts your voice). If you get part of the sentence, repeat what you THINK you heard. That lets the person know what you missed instead of repeating the whole thing. Sometimes, it helps to use synonym if one word is the problem.
t1warren over 11 years ago
I know what she means!
monkeyhead over 11 years ago
Instead of “What?” how about “I’m so sorry I’m hard of hearing, Could you please speak up, and maybe face me?” Or keep a little notebook if it is in a place that the other can’t speak up so as to have them write it for you. And yes I do both as the older I get, I’ve noticed my hearing is just starting to suffer, not enough for aids yet but enough that I have to ask people to repeat themselves.
conniepo over 11 years ago
I HATE it when I say “what?” and the other person changes his words, as if I didn’t understand what he said. I have to remind him that I comprehend the language, I just didn’t hear him. Grrrrrr!!!
Mythreesons over 11 years ago
It’s hard to say “What” to the television set, and that’s where I have the most trouble. The background music or sound effects make it hard for me to hear the dialog, especially anything British.
Saucy1121 Premium Member over 11 years ago
I’m an audiologist and my suggestions are: have the person speak more slowly (louder isn’t always better and shouting distorts your voice). If you get part of the sentence, repeat what you THINK you heard. That lets the person know what you missed instead of repeating the whole thing. Sometimes, it helps to use synonym if one word is the problem.