When I was in my twenties, I started a summer job as a chambermaid at a Bed and Breakfast. I was excited to live at the B&B with a great view of Halifax harbour. But on my first day, the owner started my training by showing me the phone system (this was in the days before websites and online booking). Talking on the phone was stressful for me due to my severe hearing loss, and this was before my cochlear implant.
It quickly became clear that every staff member had to answer the phone, and I knew it wouldn’t work for me. So, my first day was my last. I hadn’t mentioned my hearing loss during the interview, which led to a lot of unnecessary stress for both me and the owner. Suddenly, I had no job and no place to live for the summer, so I had to find a place to stay that night and rethink my plans.
Since then, I’ve learned to disclose my hearing loss upfront if it might be an issue. I once asked a friend how I seemed when I didn’t tell people about my hearing loss. She said I came across as uninterested and stand-offish, which isn’t who I am. So now I tell people more often.
What about you? Have you ever faced issues because you didn’t disclose something important?
Related post: What is your go-to strategy when you can’t hear?
