I didn't realise you were deaf!
Often people do not realise that I am deaf, my hearing aid a BAHA Classic 300 is black and hidden in my long dark hair. Even when I have my hair tied up many people assume it is a hairclip or some kind of blue-tooth headset.
Even the common behind the ear hearing aids are not always noticable as they are covered by the wearer's hairstyle. Despite the large majority of people with a hearing loss being elderly, there are younger people who wear hearing aids too.
Often when I tell people in public places that I am deaf, they do not believe me because I do not sound deaf. Speech quality provides no indication of the quality or volume of the sounds that a deaf person hears. Many deaf people learn to speak before they become deaf, or only become deaf in old age.
If I need to wait in a crowded room for an unknown person to call me through to an appointment I am unlikely to hear my name called out. I often ask the receptionist to ensure that I am alerted visually rather than struggling to listen in a crowd. Unfortunately the receptionist is often busy or there is no suitable system to inform the person who is 'calling my name' that I am deaf.
I have found handing over something graphical on paper provides a tangible reminder which can be attached to my notes, or file so that the person collecting the notes/file and calling me notices it and can ask the receptionist who I am. Some of the graphics I have designed so far are:
I plan to add a hospital 'graphic' if anyone reading this has any other suggestions then please email me at 
