Good day.
I have been a long time lurker, (for a number of reasons,), and have seen the few Covid threads, but none that pertain to the hearing impaired folks.
After 46 years, of airplanes, guns, loud vehicles, two (2) wives, one (1) kid, baseball/soccer/basketball parents, all making noise............. well,
I have worn hearing aids for 11 years now.
When the masks were first rolled out, I decided to just stay in, order from the home delivery folks, and live my life.
Well, there are times when one has to venture out, or speak with people on the phone. Those times, having to deal with the masks, background noise, and low talkers, it is mentally and physically exhausting to try and communicate.
On the phone, I usually start with, "Please speak up, I am hearing impaired". Sometimes it works.
In person, I ask them to speak up, please!! The people who talk to themselves, while doing their work, or chew gum, or move their mouth, which in turn, moves the mask, ...I have no idea if they are talking to me, or what.
Exhausting!! Hearing people should try it some day.
I don't know what the answer is, and actually don't care. If, when wearing a mask, and you will not speak up, when I ask you politely, then expect me to have you repeat yourself a few times.
By the by, I have had covid, also the Bird flu, and whatever that Chinese stuff was back in 2000(?) I think... Sars?? Yes I was sick. No it did not rise to going to hospital.
I missed a few days of work, lost some weight, and now I feel pretty confident, my immune system works pretty good.
Back to my lurking, thank you for letting me get this off my chest.
Regards,
Randy