Shiona shares some common phrases she hears when people find out she’s deaf:

“You don’t look deaf”

Unless you can see my hearing aid, you would never really know and that’s probably what makes being deaf so hard sometimes. People quickly forget; they assume I can hear and they get easily frustrated when I mishear them. Being deaf is kind of invisible, although we look like we fit in, we don’t always feel that way. Be patient and be kind.

“You’re really quiet”

When I’m communicating with someone I’m trying to hear what’s being said, lipread what’s being said, fill in the missing gaps of the words I didn’t hear, and finally process what’s being said. But when I know what’s going on around me and people take the time and effort to communicate with me and involve me, I’m not at all quiet!

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You can follow Shiona for more content on TikTok!

@young.scot @shiona takes us through her experience of an everyday activity – ordering a coffee as a deaf person – that can sometimes make her nervous, what she feels and how she overcomes those feelings. What everyday challenges have you overcome? #DeafAwareness #Coffee #Scotland #YoungScot ♬ A Cup of Coffee – Muspace

@young.scot @shiona shares some tips she thinks you’ll find helpful when communicating with deaf people. #DeafAwareness #QuickTips #Scotland #YoungScot ♬ Shipyard Sample OriginalMix – Official Sound Studio

@young.scot @shiona would like to tell you a few things about being deaf and how, as a young deaf person, she would like to be treated. If you would like more information on being deaf and the support available go to young.scot for more. #DeafAwareness #Scotland #Scottish #YoungScot ♬ Lofibeats chillhop(943906) – Enokido

@young.scot @shiona , a member of our Creator Collective, is on a mission to be the person she needed growing up! Watch as she shares how far she’s already come as an individual. #Scotland #DeafAwareness #CreatorCollective #YoungScot ♬ original sound – Young Scot

@seeeona Dear hearing people.. #deaf #deafcommunity #deaftiktok #deafawareness #signlanguage #bsl #sse ♬ Aesthetic – Tollan Kim

@seeeona but what would no accent even sound like? #deaf #deafawareness #deaftiktok ♬ original sound – shiona

@seeeona I’m deaf bestie, remember? #deaf #deaftiktok #deafcommunity #deafawareness #bsl #signlanguage #sse ♬ original sound – 🎶🎶🎶

Want to Learn British Sign Language (BSL)?

• Deaf Action offer a range of BSL courses.
• School of Sign Language has lots of free learning resources available.

Useful Links

• Relay UK help people with hearing and speech difficulties communicate with NHS 24 phone services (including 111).
• Contact Scotland BSL is Scotland’s national BSL video interpreting relay service.
• The Buzz is a website for deaf young people aged 8-18 in the UK, where you can find information and support.
• British Deaf Association
• Deafblind Scotland
• Scottish Mental Health Service for Deaf People
• National Deaf Children’s Society
• RNID in Scotland
• Scotland’s Inclusive Communication Hub