embarassed about her hearing aids?

Question

so the other day, i went to this girl's house and we watched youtube videos for like two hours. i noticed that when i got there and we hugged, i heard this static noise. i said "wtf? is your ipod on or something?" and she was like "what are you talking about? hahaha..." and i just dismissed it.

then she proceeded to hug me again at some point and i heard it again and i (like the jerk i am) said "SEE? you didnt hear that? wtf im tripping! haha"...

then a little later, she moved some hair behind her ear and i heard the static noise again. this time i didnt say anything, i dont know why.

but THEN she was sitting kind of in front of me and i noticed a hearing aid behind her ear. then it ALL made sense, and i felt like a jerk for putting it on blast (no pun intended).

so she was hiding her hearing aid thing. is it cause of the fact that she likes me? i mean, i dont care or anything. i love quirks!
i just feel weird like, i dont know. it doesnt affect how cool i think she is.. but the next time i see her, i'll just look at her and wont stop thinking about hearing aids. just cause she's trying to hide it.

i know, its totally her choice if she wants to tell me. should i say something about me knowing? i feel like im being fake, like im not being honest with her and saying "hey, im sorry i put you on blast" cause i really feel like i embarassed her.

also, what was the static noise that came from her hearing aid? do hearing aids normally do that?

Answer 1

Do you like her back? Hearing aids make nobody any different, all it is, is a peice of plastic model which helps people hear properly. I always hide mine because l still feel ashamed, but l'm learning not to. However, next time you see her, ask her about them, ask questions and let her know you've got NO problem with them, if you do, then stop seeing her. Treat her like you'd treat any normal people :)



And that static noise is called Feedback, which is caused by the fit of the hearing aid or by the buildup of earwax or fluid. Or battery that is running out, or the tubing that is loose, etc.

Answer 2

I am hearing impaired. I have worn hearing aids since I was 3 years old. I am 40 now... I have long hair and the hearing aids are usually hidden- I have huge hearing aids because of the severity and type of hearing loss I have. My left ear I am profoundly deaf in other words the only thing I can hear is a loud fire cracker or a loud noise but nothing else. So that hearing aid has a radio transmitter that transfers sound to my right hearing aid so I can decipher where sound is coming from and who is speaking. The static is most likely feedback and is also being interfered by the ipod you were using...sorto of like a microphone to..

You should just point blank ask her how long has she worn hearing aids. I am sure she is just worried that you won't like her because she wears hearing aids. It will be a relief to her. Then you won't have to be embarrased or worried about it. There are times that I try to hide my hearing aids other days I can care less. I put my hair up and put on a baseball cap and everyone in the world can see that I wear hearing aids. I talk fine especially for someone who has such a profound to severe hearing loss and I thank my mom for that. (Speech Pathologist)



Good luck and be a true friend to her...

Answer 3

I've been hearing impaired since birth, so I'm in no way embarrassed about it. Though I can at times be frustrated at people if they don't look at me when they're talking, or treat me as if I'm retarded (my speech is somewhat affected due to my hearing impairment).



To answer your question about the static, normally its not static but a whistling or squealing noise. This is feedback kinda like if you cup a microphone too close to a speaker and such. When you got close to hug you bounced some of the feedback to the hearing aid's microphone and such. Most hearing aids if they are fitted properly should not do this, and most of the new digital ones (like mine) can be calibrated to prevent feedback.



Some people can be embarrassed by a disability if they feel as if it was somehow their fault, or if it makes them less of a person. Others simply don't want people to know they're disabled because it might invite some consider false sympathies, or annoying curiosity. Course I personally think its far easier to go thru life as an adult with hearing aids than as a kid.



Normally I would say respect her wish and just ignore then treat her just as you normally would. But at the same time if you are close friends with her, just simply tell her that you would have not have even noticed them if she wasn't being so cautious about giving them away. Most people don't even notice mine and I'm wearing the largest suckers you can get for around-the-ear hearing aids ( http://resound.com/ourproducts/sparx.asp ) people normally only notice them if I actually point them out, or if I'm actually trying to hide them. So might be a good thing to tell her, since you draw less attention to them if you don't worry bout them.



PS: growing up on my older hearing aids I used to constantly be told "Karl... you're beeping" lol, as cue to turn them down a lil cuz feedback was occurring. Doesn't embarrass me one bit, but at the same time I've lived with them all my life.

Answer 4

I don't think she was trying to hide her hearing aid from you, as she pulled her hair back. She may have gotten use to the sound that hearing aids sometimes make by static electricity.



One time a young woman who was hearing impaired stay for a few days in the house I and other flat mates where renting at the time. She could make some odd sound with having hearing aids on.

Also hearing aid are not prefect but they do help people to hear better.

There are a few sound in speech they may not hear.

Answer 5

A hearing aid fits into a ear, but it can move a bit. When it moves it lets air into the space around where the sounds is received and it crackles. Sometimes it makes louder noises like a screech. She may or may not have heard it as you get used to hearing it so often you just don't "hear" it anymore.



She may not be embarrassed by them, but just prefer not to discuss them. This is exactly why she might prefer not to talk about them "but the next time i see her, i'll just look at her and wont stop thinking about hearing aids."



Hearing aids are no big deal! Just accept her as a person you like.

Answer 6

Yes, if you come near Hearing Aids then it will make a sound. This what people are telling me, so that how I know.

Hearing Aids will never harm anyone, you are perfect safe.

Answer 7

no not really and i think ttat she will tell u when shes ready

let her wait she may have had bad experiences

ps dont give un wanted sympathy we HATE that