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One relatively low-tech thing that might be (slightly) helpful is taping the meeting. It won’t help *during* the meeting, but if there are details you weren’t sure you fully caught, it can be helpful to have as backup to make sure you note all action points or whatever. Although if he’s really badly a mumbler, sometimes that won’t even work. But it might be worth a try. One of my favorite reporter tricks also was at the end of meetings/interviews, to let the person know I might have some followup questions once I get underway, and is there an email address they prefer me to use for those questions.

My mom is deaf and got cochlear implants about a decade or so ago. Back before she got it (and probably still since they’re not perfect), she always made a point of starting important conversations with people by telling them that she was hard of hearing (or later, as things progressed, deaf) and she needed people to speak up, face her when they talk and enunciate clearly. I understand that might be hard to do when talking to a VIP, but she also had a trick with humor when she would occasionally tell them what she thought she heard (“Excuse me, I know I’m mishearing, unless you really did just say the pink elephant would waltz in here soon? Would you please repeat what you just said, and speak a little louder/slower/etc?”)

I do the nervous talking thing too. Would it help to treat those nosy questions as though you’re testifying in a courtroom and need to remember to answer ONLY the question asked, followed by a quick change of subject:

Q: Have you always been hard of hearing?
A: Yes, most of my life. Now, I’m really grateful to you for making the time to talk with me about XYZ. What are your thoughts about XYZ?

I suspect it’s one of those things that’s WAY easier to suggest than to put into practice. I have mixed success at it if I practice ahead of time and remind myself to do so before the meeting starts. In my case, I think mixed success is better than an epic fail.

Ok, I’ve written too much. But I hope you find/found something to help in time for the meeting and that it all goes smoothly!

(p.s. Can I just say that I think it’s appalling that “bargain” hearing aids cost $2,500 and are rarely if ever covered by insurance?)

HR rep did not have tips for managing the TMI/snub line. That there could be a call for such a thing was a revelation to her. She took it well, got it I mean, but didn’t have a suggestion for how to deal with it. I guess that’s what therapy is for.

I hope you find a solution that works for you. I’m still in shock about the prices of these devices.

I’m surprised that your position hasn’t naturally caused you to be a clear speake – you must piss off a lot of HOH folks . I do the same as your boss! And, at times, ibeg ppl to speak up.
Thanks for the wishes of luck and for checking out ES here. Hope your weekend is comfy

My boss is HOH and I am mumbly sometimes. He says things like “I caught about 10% of that…” or touches his fingers to his ear (sort of a modification and reduced version of the old cupping ear with hand gesture). It helps me remember to speak the hell up. I do still slide into mumbles sometimes, but overall I am learning to adapt my voice to lecture mode when I talk to him.

As for the small talk and the TMI inducing attention…this exact thing came up at my meeting with HR this week. It’s tough NOT to over-disclose when coworkers ask about things like this, because the other options seem to be anti-social. As in “So have you been hard of hearing your whole life?” “You know, I’d rather not talk about it…” (cue fail horns as coworker feels socially snubbed).

My goal is to find ways to stop those conversations with a bit more skill than I currently employ. I’ll let you know how it goes. ;p

Good luck with Mr. Mumbles.

I know how you feel. I often feel like I have nothing to say on my blog anymore, except more of the same issues that I’ve written about too many times before. I feel like I’ve given up (as have my doctors) on figuring out what’s wrong with me so I don’t have progress to report. It’s hard being a medical mystery.

Thanks about the grant – it was successfully submitted and at this point, that’s the most important part for me. Get some comfort this weekend!

I hope your grant proposal writing goes well. I hope everybody (including yours) is cooperative.