1. I try to avoid asking directions by always taking the appropriate map or using my Satellite Navigation system or using my phone to navigate/look at maps.
2. If I see someone looking as if they want to ask me for directions I move out of their way before they ask me and pretend I haven’t seen them. There are always others they can ask.
3. I explain that I am hard of hearing and ask them to repeat.
4. I adjust my hearing aid in a very obvious way and explain that I am hard of hearing and ask them to repeat. Sometimes people just shrug and walk away, but I don’t let it bother me any more, I have a laugh thinking they’d rather be lost than spend a few minutes longer on speaking to a deaf person.
5. I get them to spell the place names. If I still don’t understand, I get them to write it down.
6. One person said, “I carry a pencil and notebook and ask them to write it down.”
Another person said, “I always carry a pencil and paper with me as it comes in handy for those words or names I just can’t lipread or hear.”
7. If they frighten me, rather then explain I am hard of hearing I apologise and tell them that I do not know.
8. I tell strangers asking me for directions that “I’m a stranger here”.
9. I ask them to show me the address.
10. I am always ready for a surprise. Once I couldn’t catch the name and the person fingerspelt it for me.