There’s not much that really, truly gets under my skin but as someone who’s a part of the hearing loss community, I cannot begin to express how annoying and hurtful it is to see someone refuse service. I remember seeing a video on the popular platform, TikTok about a woman explaining how she was refused service from Dunkin’ Donuts because she’s deaf. What’s upsetting after that is the manager mocked her and was impatient during the entire interaction. Refused to take her order after.

I cannot explain how annoying it is to hear that we are denied services. We are customers and we deserve to get what we came for, whether that’s shopping or ordering food. If you or another person do not know sign language, just take a few seconds to write on a piece of paper. Do not get impatient at first and refuse service.

Here are a few ways to interact, rather than refusing services;

• write on a piece of paper
• sign language (if you know how to)
• ask someone near you to translate or help you understand each other
• use your phone notes

We already suffer enough with interactions as it is, so being denied services will only add to the feeling of anxiety, overwhelm, or pain. I, as someone with hearing loss, haven’t experienced this kind of situation, however, I know what it’s like to interact with those who wound up impatient. It’s not fun and will ruin someone’s day. If you are working in a place where you serve customers, remember that you may come across someone with hearing loss. You need to remain patient, understanding and if you can’t help for some reason, ask the nearest person to join in. You put yourself in a field that requires you to accommodate anyone you come across, especially in the food industry. You are dishonoring the company as well as your own personality.

Refusing service to anyone, whether they have hearing loss or don’t, is plain disrespectful and will cost you the loss of many customers. Here is what not to do when you’re in contact with someone who has hearing loss;

• mock them
• raise your voice (unless it’s requested)
• dismiss their disability or call them any sort of names
• refuse service
• use different words instead of repeating yourself

Here’s what to do;

• find a quieter place to interact
• face them and maintain eye contact
• do not hide your mouth or chew gum
• use facial expressions
• speak at a regular speed and speak at a comfortable level (do not shout)

We are all the same. Just because we depend on sign language or hearing aids, it doesn’t give anyone the right to be disrespectful or dismiss us. Be nice and be respectful, make the world a better, comfortable place for the hearing loss community. We deserve it.