https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 25 Apr 2026 19:26:21 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-say-to-moms-who-stare-silentlygive-the-stink-eye-to-los-hearing-aids/page/2#post-2102209 Tue, 10 Mar 2015 11:07:43 +0000 Applesandbananas 2102209@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: His TOD says it's our job to educate others but I don't know if I totally agree. At one point, I was considering cards or something like that, but as he's gotten older, I feel like the questions have gotten less frequent, or maybe it just hurts less as I've gotten more used to it? I will say, now that LO is more aware (he's 2) if someone stares, he will say hi or hide his face (depending on his mood!) and that seems to break the ice too or maybe it shows them he's just a normal toddler!</p> <p>A lot of people seem shocked that babies and toddlers can wear hearing aids! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-say-to-moms-who-stare-silentlygive-the-stink-eye-to-los-hearing-aids/page/2#post-2102102 Tue, 10 Mar 2015 10:20:23 +0000 gingerbebe 2102102@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would stick my face in front of my son's in the path of her gaze and say "Can I answer any questions about my son's hearing devices?" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-say-to-moms-who-stare-silentlygive-the-stink-eye-to-los-hearing-aids/page/2#post-2102094 Tue, 10 Mar 2015 10:15:17 +0000 irene 2102094@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am so sorry, what is wrong with people :( Hugs!!!</p> <p>If they kept turning around to look at you, I would say, is there something bothering you? Just wondering why you keep turning around to look at us.</p> <p>I like the idea of the cards too! You should have a nice stack and a mean stack. For the mean stack you write, "hi, these are my hearing aids and no, I am not contagious. If you have questions please do ask my mom about them! We prefer warm hellos than cold stares :-)"</p> <p>I know, I am not really smart at getting back at people but huge huge hugs.... Seriously what the heck is wrong with people. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-say-to-moms-who-stare-silentlygive-the-stink-eye-to-los-hearing-aids#post-2101594 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 22:15:28 +0000 anonysquire 2101594@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not the same thing, but when my baby had her helmet 3 teenagers were staring and giggling at her in Walmart. And she wasn't looking at them, so it wasn't like she was doing something funny and they were reacting. So I got mad and loudly asked if they all had staring problems. Probably not the best approach but grow the hell up. I liked when people would come up and ask what the helmet was for. Although they usually asked if it was because she had seizures or bangs her head on things or is clumsy. Oh well. </p> <p>Oh and you better believe we dressed that helmet up. No need to hide it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-say-to-moms-who-stare-silentlygive-the-stink-eye-to-los-hearing-aids#post-2101567 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 21:53:31 +0000 marionberry 2101567@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just can't believe that anyone would be so rude. In that situation I think I'd just snarkily say "can I help you with something?" but others would probably be more appropriate. I hate that people like that can ruin what is probably a good and fun experience for your ds. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-say-to-moms-who-stare-silentlygive-the-stink-eye-to-los-hearing-aids#post-2101545 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 21:35:34 +0000 Blueberry 2101545@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What a B****!! Ugh! It makes me sick when people behave that way. I would definitely ask "can I help you?" Or if I'm in a particular mood I will flat out say "excuse me ma'am but it is incredibly rude to stare." Call the B out! Ha </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-say-to-moms-who-stare-silentlygive-the-stink-eye-to-los-hearing-aids#post-2101518 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 21:24:24 +0000 MapleMoose 2101518@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow and these are peoples mothers!! Shame on them. That's a terrible example to set for their children. I say something along the lines of "Yes? Can I help you?"... or "WHAT??" with an evil glare if I'm really ticked off. But I've been told I have BRF (bitchy resting face) so I can pull off the death stare pretty well lol :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-say-to-moms-who-stare-silentlygive-the-stink-eye-to-los-hearing-aids#post-2101495 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 21:10:00 +0000 matador84 2101495@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That is SO crazy to me that people stare! They're hearing aids, it's not like a third eye! I work with a ton of deaf adults and children and I can't imagine staring at them or their aids. </p> <p>I probably wouldn't say anything. Some people just have staring problems! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-say-to-moms-who-stare-silentlygive-the-stink-eye-to-los-hearing-aids#post-2101486 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 21:01:34 +0000 jedeve 2101486@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: ahh. </p> <p>Maybe next time say, "I know! The colors are awesome aren't they?" </p> <p>Or stare intently at her ears and see how she likes it. </p> <p>I am sorry. It is a rough thing to deal with. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-say-to-moms-who-stare-silentlygive-the-stink-eye-to-los-hearing-aids#post-2101480 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 21:00:15 +0000 catomd00 2101480@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hope it's just a bad case of resting bitch face! Id probably just smile and say hi. If she's truly being rude, nothing you say will change it or make you feel any better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-say-to-moms-who-stare-silentlygive-the-stink-eye-to-los-hearing-aids#post-2101479 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 20:59:56 +0000 Freckles 2101479@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That's awful - I'm sorry people are so insensitive! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-say-to-moms-who-stare-silentlygive-the-stink-eye-to-los-hearing-aids#post-2101472 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 20:56:26 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 2101472@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How freaking rude! Any response you give that isn't cursing at them is beyond dignified in my book. I mean WTF do they think they are? </p> <p>D gets stares for his backpack sometimes (especially if it starts beeping and I tend to the pump, or am hooking him up or taking it off) but I don't acknowledge them. If they ask I say "oh it's his feeding tube." People have recommended that I hand out cards before but the more time passes, the easier it is for me to talk about it / deal with comments casually without getting upset. I hope that's the same for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-say-to-moms-who-stare-silentlygive-the-stink-eye-to-los-hearing-aids#post-2101367 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 19:57:03 +0000 MrsRcCar 2101367@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: I am so sorry that the mom was rude. I am firmly in the camp of "can I help you?" If she had questions she could have been polite and asked not just have you guys the stink eye.<br /> I love the idea of the cards! It could be a great way to spark conversation in some situations that might be hard for other parents. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-say-to-moms-who-stare-silentlygive-the-stink-eye-to-los-hearing-aids#post-2101301 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 19:03:54 +0000 LAZB 2101301@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd probably say something rude, I get very protective and can see myself doing that.<br /> I like the idea of the cards, that's a much nicer way of doing things. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-say-to-moms-who-stare-silentlygive-the-stink-eye-to-los-hearing-aids#post-2101282 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 18:49:31 +0000 littlejoy 2101282@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: Amazing!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-say-to-moms-who-stare-silentlygive-the-stink-eye-to-los-hearing-aids#post-2101274 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 18:45:30 +0000 MsMini 2101274@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not at all! That sounds like a great idea! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-say-to-moms-who-stare-silentlygive-the-stink-eye-to-los-hearing-aids#post-2101270 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 18:43:36 +0000 spaniellove 2101270@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our Teacher of the Deaf suggested having mini cards made that say something like "I'm J and I wear cochlear implants...my mom would be happy to talk to you about them and answer any questions you might have" and possibly include something basic about safety like that he can't hear anything with them off. Would that be too off-putting? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-say-to-moms-who-stare-silentlygive-the-stink-eye-to-los-hearing-aids#post-2101269 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 18:43:08 +0000 simplyfelicity 2101269@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am so sorry. If anything, I would look at you with admiration. I think a "can I help you?" is totally warranted. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-say-to-moms-who-stare-silentlygive-the-stink-eye-to-los-hearing-aids#post-2101253 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 18:34:11 +0000 MsMini 2101253@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm sorry that you have to deal with that! I would approach people and say "I noticed you looking at my son's hearing devices, did you have any questions?" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-say-to-moms-who-stare-silentlygive-the-stink-eye-to-los-hearing-aids#post-2101252 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 18:31:49 +0000 spaniellove 2101252@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Applesandbananas: Our audiologist said she takes pictures of our molds when she gets them in :happy: We've had neon green/blue stripes, neon yellow, candy cane stripes. blue with glitter, and now neon orange, green, and white tie dye. I definitely plan to let him put skins and washi tape on his CIs! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-say-to-moms-who-stare-silentlygive-the-stink-eye-to-los-hearing-aids#post-2101237 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 18:24:22 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2101237@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm so sorry other moms are doing that! Shame on them! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-say-to-moms-who-stare-silentlygive-the-stink-eye-to-los-hearing-aids#post-2101234 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 18:23:09 +0000 Applesandbananas 2101234@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: that's so weird! I usually get obnoxious questions and ignorant comments, but I don't think we've gotten nasty looks. I'm sorry you have to deal with that :( In group settings when I feel like people are staring at his HAs, I usually make a comment about them to break the ice. </p> <p>I love that you get cool colors :) we do clear but his HAs are cool colors--for the exact reason you mentioned, we want him to be comfortable and rock them! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-say-to-moms-who-stare-silentlygive-the-stink-eye-to-los-hearing-aids#post-2101221 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 18:13:39 +0000 spaniellove 2101221@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jedeve: @Synchronicity: Yeah, she sat next to us and kept turning to look right at us. I wondered about resting bitch face except there was nothing behind me and I was in the corner.</p> <p>BTW I make sure to get his earmolds made in great colors because he should be proud of his devices! </p> <p>@littlejoy: He got his HAs just under 3 months old and startled quite a bit at the audiologist's voice...he always does that with her. We're not expecting his CI activation to be as dramatic as the Youtube videos though because he's done so well with his HAs actually and can hear quite a bit with them...so it won't be "hearing for the first time". His speech has always been on age level which is amazing for his amount of hearing loss and a testament to how important newborn hearing screening and early amplification are! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-say-to-moms-who-stare-silentlygive-the-stink-eye-to-los-hearing-aids#post-2101180 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 17:52:13 +0000 getjazzy 2101180@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think there is anything to say to cure ignorance, I would just move on and know that she's an asshat.. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-say-to-moms-who-stare-silentlygive-the-stink-eye-to-los-hearing-aids#post-2101174 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 17:50:48 +0000 sorrycharlie 2101174@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That is horrible. Who does that? :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-say-to-moms-who-stare-silentlygive-the-stink-eye-to-los-hearing-aids#post-2101170 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 17:48:59 +0000 Synchronicity 2101170@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jedeve: turning around and staring is totally different than zoning out, though... </p> <p>Ugh, so rude. I would absolutely say, "can I help you?", and make the person staring account for their behaviour. Who doesn't know what a hearing aid is these days? Sorry you're having to deal with this @spaniellove :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-say-to-moms-who-stare-silentlygive-the-stink-eye-to-los-hearing-aids#post-2101152 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 17:39:41 +0000 jedeve 2101152@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh I could see this being me. I space out when I'm thinking about something. And according to all of my college friends, I have resting bitch face (although I don't think its that bad!)</p> <p>I would just try saying hi when you catch them staring. That might snap them out of it. And if it doesn't, and they just have purposeful bitch face, give them the stink eye back. </p> <p>I can't imagine anyone judging a kid for having different abilities, but some people might need to know that you can see their whispering. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-say-to-moms-who-stare-silentlygive-the-stink-eye-to-los-hearing-aids#post-2101108 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 17:02:58 +0000 looch 2101108@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Gosh, my heart breaks for the both of you. Unfortunately, I think the general public can't handle people of differing abilities. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-say-to-moms-who-stare-silentlygive-the-stink-eye-to-los-hearing-aids#post-2101091 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 16:46:23 +0000 littlejoy 2101091@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can't believe people would stare like that. My cousin is in a wheelchair (paraplegic), and he said he sees people look at him, but then avoid eye contact as soon as he looks at them. It's really obvious, but people are just uncomfortable with it, I guess. </p> <p>Maybe they are curious, and have resting bitch face? I agree with PP about asking if they have questions. Maybe talk with them after the class. Introduce yourself &amp; your LO. You don't have to mention the device at all, but maybe once they meet you, they'll feel like they can ask.</p> <p>I'm so sorry people are making you feel like your LO doesn't fit in. I think it's beautiful that technology allows the hearing impaired to hear. </p> <p>Can I ask when he got his hearing aids? Did you share about the experience? I've cried so many times watching the videos of babies getting their devices turned on. It's so beautiful!!!</p> <p>**ETA: After thinking more about this, I would probably just smile at them. If they look away quickly, they're being rude. If they smile back, I'd talk with them after the class. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-i-say-to-moms-who-stare-silentlygive-the-stink-eye-to-los-hearing-aids#post-2101065 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 16:26:54 +0000 erinpye 2101065@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can understand curiosity, but giving mean looks to a child is odd. I'd probably do what Mrs. Jacks said, and give them the benefit of the doubt that maybe they didn't realize their own expressions, or their minds were off in space focused on something else, and they didn't realize they were glaring. I'm sorry. I know it can't be easy for you. :heart: </p>