I understand your frustration! I've had the same problem in my life only it was because I was a poor farm girl so I guess that meant that I was also dirty and stupid. Try not to let it bother you dear. The stupid ones are the people who treat you badly just because you can't hear. Part of the problem I think is because they can't uynderstand your sign language, it's like a forign language to those of us who don't understand it. Some, myself included, take it upon themselves to learn to understand it rather than make fun, but I'm ashamed to admit that most people find it easier to just poke fun at what they don't understand.

Anyway, hang in there, next time someone makes fun of you because you can't hear, just write them a note and tell them that you're very sorry that they are too slow to learn to sign. lol, naw that would only cause trouble.

I myself even being hard of hearing and make family and friends frustrated. My family are the worst to deal with. When I'm in public and I see someone using hand or sign language I'm fascinated and I set and watch them or that person with amazement. I only wish I could do that myself. I have never thought or have crossed my mine that the person I'm watching would think I'm being rude or they think I am making fun of them. Where I live sign language classes are not available. Boy! I wish it were available I take it in a heart beat. So if you feel uneasy just think positive you are doing something very special that a lot of people can not do. Also that you are a child of God whom loves you and made you very special awesome person. Smile!

ppl just don't know any better, i get tired of saying huh waju say?
one thing that bugs me the most is ... ppl saying 'nevermind' or forget it!

I also love this, when a person realize you are wearing an hearing aid they scream at you. Dan, you hit it on the nose, when ppl know you can not hear them they say stupid stuff as you stated " never mind or just forget it'.
Some ppl do not know what its like to be handicapped and truly how bless they are..But the other ppl are the ones that are so stupid, not us.. We are the ones that truly are bless with passion and understanding..

SINCE I HAVE BEEN ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS CONVERSATION I CAN UNDERSTAND BOTH SIDES. IT'S VERY FRUSTRATING TO TRY TO TALK TO SOMEONE WHO IS ALWAYS HAVING TO ASK YOU TO REPEAT YOURSELF. AND I'M SORRY TO HAVE TO ADMIT THAT I HAVE BEEN GUILTY OF JUST SAYING NEVER MIND. NOT MEANING TO BE RUDE, BUT BECAUSE I HAVE SUCH A HARD TIME SPEAKING LOUDLY ENOUGH TO BE HEARD CLEARLY EVEN BY PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT HOH, BUT ALSO BECAUSE I FELT THAT WHAT I WAS TRYING TO SAY WAS NOT WORTH IT IN THE FIRST PLACE. BUT NOW THAT I HAVE BEEN GETTING MORE AND MORE HOH MYSELF, I UNDERSTAND HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO BE THE ONE ALWAYS ASKING PEOPLE TO REPEAT THEMSELVES. IT'S FRUSTRATING ON BOTH ENDS, AND IF YOU JUST TRY TO FILL IN THE BLANKS AND ASSUME YOU KNOW WHAT WAS SAID, OR KEEP SMILING AND PRETEND YOU HEARD THEM, WELL THAT CAN CAUSE ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS.

I GUESS WE ALL NEED TO LEARN MORE PATIENCE, AND IF WE CAN, LEARN TO SIGN! I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW SIGN LANGUAGE! IT IS ONE OF MY GOALS IN LIFE, BUT I'M FAILING AT IT MISERABLY.

It isn't that hard to learn. But remember the old saying "deaf and dumb?" atleast you don't normally hear that anymore. But your all right.

when that saying "deaf and dumb" started it only meant that a person couldn't hear or speak. I suppose there were enough people who took offense by it that they changed the term dumb to mute. I don't blame anyone for being offended by the old term though. I don't know anyone who would think being called dumb was a good thing. Personally I think if a deaf person can sign then they should not be called a mute even if they can't speak audibly. Signing is a form of speaking just like any other language.