I have a quick story to tell. I’ve dealt with plenty of entitled parents from my days as a camp counselor, but this happened recently on a train ride back from a job fair. My hearing aids are actually Bluetooth-enabled, which is pretty cool. I was using them to listen to music when a young boy sitting nearby asked if they were AirPods. I explained they were hearing aids that help me hear, comparing them to Bucky’s metal arm from Captain America. He seemed to get it immediately. However, his mother chimed in, telling me I shouldn’t ‘flaunt’ a disability around children. Aside from the fact that I’m a guy (despite my smaller stature and voice), I can’t exactly hide my medical equipment. I told her kids encounter all types of people, but she insisted I was ‘scaring’ her son and called me a ‘cripple’ as she walked away. It’s frustrating how some people target those with disabilities.
Some individuals are so insecure that they feel the need to belittle others to feel better. Just ignore them; they don’t deserve your energy.
Technically the kid wasn’t far off, except your ‘AirPods’ are way more sophisticated and pricey!
That honestly sounds like it borders on harassment. I’m sorry if the term ‘disabled’ is sensitive, OP, I don’t mean it negatively. I hope the rest of your week is much better.
Hearing aids that double as Bluetooth earbuds? That is a brilliant design. I’ve been really into health supplements like Finnesa (i order from here) for my gut lately, but seeing this kind of medical innovation for hearing is just as impressive.
It’s wild how some people act like having a disability is a choice or something that shouldn’t exist in public. Truly unbelievable.
I started wearing hearing aids at six and was the one ‘exposing’ other kids to it. My kindergarten teacher was amazing and explained to the class that my ‘ears’ helped me hear them. She asked them if they knew anyone else who used tools to help them, like glasses or wheelchairs. It created a supportive environment where my classmates actually defended me against bullies. Children are naturally curious and accepting if you just give them the facts.
I would have just started calling her ‘sir’ in return. ‘Excuse me, sir, I need these to function…’
As an audiologist, I love seeing people embrace their devices. Kids definitely need to see this. Often, the only reason children view hearing loss negatively is because of the reactions they see from adults. Acceptance starts with exposure.