Subway

We went to Subway for a quick dinner last night, and Brandt ordered his sandwich first while I was still deciding.  One of the two girls working there asked him if he wanted his sub toasted, and he didn’t hear her.  She looked at him expectantly and he said, “I’m sorry, did you ask me something?”  She repeated the question, and he didn’t understand her.  She said it again, pointing to the toaster.  Brandt said, “TOASTED!  Yes, I want my sandwich toasted.  Sorry, I’m deaf…” 

Both girls laughed, and the one making his sandwich said, “Ha, you’re deaf.  That’s funny!”  Then she asked what all he wanted on his sandwich, and again he didn’t understand her.  She looked at him and said, “Wait, are you kidding?”  He cupped his hand behind his ear and said, “I’m sorry, I didn’t understand you…” 

Now they weren’t sure what to think.  I debated when I should chime in.  “You’re not really deaf…right?” one of them asked.  “I’m sorry?” he said, looking confused.  The two girls looked at each other, getting uncomfortable.  “You’re just playing, right?  You’re not really deaf!” the second girl said nervously. 

“No, he’s really deaf,” I finally jumped in.  “He’s not kidding, he’s deaf.”

Brandt took out one of his hearing aids and showed it to them.  They both gasped.  “Oh my lord, I am so so sorry!” one shrieked.  “Oh my god, I can’t believe I said that to you, I’m so sorry you’re deaf!!” the other said. 

He waved them off, chuckling, and said, “Oh, don’t worry about it.  I’m used to it.”

I thought it was interesting that Brandt used the word “deaf” instead of “hearing-impaired” (he doesn’t like the more politically-correct term “hard-of-hearing”).  Each term brings up different connotations and different expectations about how a person might be able to hear and interact.  Just like the choice of using “hearing-impaired” versus “hard-of-hearing,” it’s a personal choice to use “deaf” instead.  My hearing is technically impaired, although not nearly as much as Brandt; and I can interact with others—for example, the girls at Subway—much easier than he can.  So by saying that he is “deaf,” it’s a quick way to let others know that he’s probably going to have a difficult time understanding them the first time they ask a question.