You know being an “ally” (for HOH/Deaf people) isn’t always just talking loudly or learning the ASL alphabet. Its all about the little things you do in every day acts.
For example, when I got my hair done for an event once 5 years ago, my hair dresser noticed my hearing aid and talked to me about her brothers hearing problem and asked if I wanted my hair styled to hide, or show my aid. She wanted what I found to be the most comfortable, because she didn’t want the elaborate hair style to cause feedback/discomfort.
Most hair dressers ignore my aid, or awkwardly ask if I could take it out (which I usually end up doing anyway)
Whenever my friends and I watch TV together without question, they put on closed captions.
When walking and talking some of my friends will always walk, or move to stand on the side of my good ear when talking. (i’m HOH in one ear and perfectly fine in the other)
Another time I was getting my hair cut my hair dresser sometimes would stop cutting, or blow drying my hair just to continue the conversation, so that way I could hear him.
It’s the small details like these that count to support a person with differences. Its not these big boisterous acts of helping, its just being a friend doing friendly things. Instead of glorifying it, just normalize it.
tangentwithtanner
janainaart
blakekathryn
ellievsbear
gummygunk
