As a DHH individual, I've heard some surprising and sometimes hurtful comments. I know most of the time people do not mean to be offensive, but sometimes these common phrases can be. Here is what these mean to me: "Can you hear me now?" This feels dismissive of my reality and like they are testing me. "Can you drive?" Yes, being d/Deaf doesn't impact my ability to drive safely, if anything, I am MUCH more aware of my surroundings compared to my hearing counterparts. In fact, in high traffic or intense weather conditions, I will turn off my hearing devices to reduce stimulation and focus on the road and vehicles around me. "I’m sorry you are deaf." I’m not sorry. This is part of who I am. I understand your sympathy for what you may think is a difficult situation, but I do not need your pity. "Nevermind." This is dismissive and you are basically telling me that I am not worth your energy to repeat or rephrase. "You don’t sound deaf." There’s no one way to sound or look d/Deaf. ...