Linda Wick
Copyright 2002
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Are you open to challenges and ready for adventure? Get up every morning and go to work! Believe me, there is a new challenge daily. Your alarm shakes you awake and you are off to a new day!
If you are lucky enough to have your own office, then maybe your challenges are few. Most of the work world today exists in the cubicle. You have 3 or 4 paper-thin walls surrounding your area you call home.
Your first adventure daily is getting to hear everyone at once share the previous evening. They all talk and you can make out nothing but noise. The day begins; the phones are ringing and people talking all over. Your only chance of survival is using a headset for your phone. Of course this too brings challenges because people walk in behind you and start talking to you while you are on the phone. You repeat numbers, times and dates to make sure you are understanding them.
The fun has just begun. The fax machine and printer are located right on the wall of your cubicle. Faxes are humming and the printer is going non-stop. This is also a social gathering spot while your co-workers wait for their work.
Announcements are made on an overhead speaker. You get used to being late to meetings and not being informed about social luncheons, etc. Teleconferences and meetings are somewhat of a joke. You have problems hearing on a phone when it is right next to your ear yet they expect you to hear over a speakerphone.
You are working away and turn your chair to face a co-worker standing right behind you because you didn’t hear him come in or one walks in and starts talking and scares you!
At times you are thought to be unsociable because you shy away from groups. If only your co-workers would try going to lunch with a group of 8 or more with cotton in their ears. They would better understand why you don’t often go and if you do, you smile a lot and comment little.
I’ve tried to poke a little fun at the issues I face daily but it really is a daily challenge just to be a productive employee in most work environments. If only employers would understand that most hearing impaired are better employees because we have to focus and concentrate more then the average person.
We have a right to the proper accommodations and need to make our needs known. I’ve kept silent too long and now that my loss is increasing I’ve sought solutions to remain a contributing and productive employee for my company. Hearing impairment is an invisible disability. Unless you have huge hearing aids in your ears or wear a sign on your back no one has a clue. You walk down the aisle at work and someone start to talk to you as you pass but you don’t hear them so you are automatically labeled unsociable.
Advocate for yourself because no one else will. Don’t be afraid to tell your friends and co-workers how to better communicate with you. Be bold and check with your supervisor to see if you can offer to put on an educational program on hearing loss. If you are uncomfortable doing it on your own, check into your local resources. We have a Deaf Community Service in my area that offers these services.
Research assistive living devices that will make your day less stressful. Meetings and teleconferences have become easier with a device called a Pocket Talker. If your job requires phone work, check out the best equipment for you and present your need to your supervisor.
I now have a mirror that hangs over my computer so I can see anyone walking into my cube. Post a sign right inside your cubicle alerting people to the fact that you are hearing impaired and to get your attention before talking to you.
The daily background noises are something that will always be stressful but education may be the key to that issue. That is something that will never go away unless you are fortunate to be moved into an office. Ask for higher cubicle walls if yours are short.
Request to be moved to a less busy area.
Last but not least seek out groups, such as The SayWhatClub, SHHH and ALDA to encourage you during your hard times and rejoice with you when you overcome major issues. Don’t be afraid to ask for help!
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