[A-S]

To deaf people: When someone noiselessly sneaks up on me and does so little as to tap me on the shoulder, it’s alarming. I imagine that if I lost my hearing, that sort of sudden fright would happen regularly. Or does it? Is it alarming to be suddenly tapped on the shoulder if you’re deaf?
Original Code D21. Click here to see responses from the original archives. Click “to respond” below to reply.

User Detail :  

Name : A-S, Age : 34, City : Philadelphia, State : PA, Country : United States, 

[E. Henry]

I have been deaf since birth, so I am quite used to people coming up behind me and tapping gently on my shoulder. However, if people make a sudden, loud noise (loud noises usually vibrate loudly), then I will jump, startled. Another way I can be startled is when people tap my shoulder in an uncomfortable, impolite way, such as in a quick, urgent way. Just be sure to tap shoulders in a gentle, polite way – then we won’t be startled.

User Detail :  

Name : E. Henry, Gender : F, Disability : Deaf, Race : White/Caucasian, City : Steamboat Springs, State : CO, Country : United States, Education level : High School Diploma, 

[Ellen-M25328]

I am hearing impaired and wear hearing aids. I lip read, use TV captions, a tty phone, etc. My family and coworkers tap me on the arm or shoulder to get my attention all the time. And, yes, there are times it does startle me or even times that it’s annoying. Barring my putting rear-view mirrors on my glasses or lining my cubicle at work with mirrored tiles, they really don’t have much choice. I’ve gotten used to it over the years as my hearing has deteriorated. I just feel like it comes with the territory and it’s better than being ignored.

User Detail :  

Name : Ellen-M25328, Gender : F, Disability : Deaf, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 52, City : Charleston, State : SC, Country : United States, Occupation : Hospital Billing/Fiscal Tech, Education level : High School Diploma, 

[Author]

Posts