Making Friends as a Deaf Adult: The Awkward, The Beautiful, The Real
- emmadeafandblonde
- Sep 4
- 2 min read
Making friends as an adult can be a challenge, and when you’re Deaf, it adds a whole new layer of complexity. I often find myself wishing that friendships could be effortless. It can be really draining to lipread, keep up in group conversations, or miss out on jokes and punchlines.
Sometimes, I feel like a bit of a burden.
I’ve had my share of awkward moments, like those times when everyone around me is laughing and I’m just smiling, not really sure what’s going on. Coffee dates can be tough, especially when the music is too loud and I leave feeling exhausted. I’ve missed spontaneous chats and inside jokes because I didn’t catch the reference in time.
But then there are those heartwarming moments that make it all worthwhile. There are friends who take the time to learn a few signs without me even asking. The ones who turn down the music and make sure they’re facing me when they talk. I appreciate the people who make everyone feel included in group chats or who check in after I’ve missed an event.
There are friends who accept me for who I am, laugh with me, and gently correct me when I get things mixed up. And I love when someone says, “I’m not sure what to do, so I’ll ask. Help me understand.” Those friends are pure gold! They might not get everything perfect, but their effort means the world to me.
Building friendships as a Deaf adult has taught me to value depth over noise, connection over crowds, and authenticity over convenience. Yes, I’ve lost some friends along the way, and there have been times I felt unseen and backed away from certain relationships. But I’ve also created genuine connections where I can genuinely be myself.
To anyone out there navigating friendships with hearing loss, remember that you deserve relationships that embrace you just as you are. The right people won’t make you feel overwhelmed or insufficient; they’ll create space for you. And if they don’t? You’ll know it’s time to find a different group.
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