I'm hearing-impaired...

[Amesman]

As a coach in a former life, I'd say mention it up front and then at least they know to deal with it. As long as you're hearing impaired for both coaches, they should have nothing to complain about.

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by Amesman

As a coach in a former life, I'd say mention it up front and then at least they know to deal with it. As long as you're hearing impaired for both coaches, they should have nothing to complain about.

So you're saying he should hear it both ways?

[Terrance "TJ"]

While I've not been either legally or medically declared to have impairment, I know I have some residual from a condition affecting my L ear. How I've overcome this personally is to have more active vision both the direct and peripheral (sp).

I also think part of what might help me is how I personally run the sideline. In my HS ball days, I say that like I'm older than I really am...sheesh, when I was taught to run my lane as a 2/3 on the court, I would run my lane wide and close to the sideline as possible. So aware that could happen, as a ref I try to run a bit wider which brings me closer to the coaches and their bench from time to time. So I could see the coaches taking advantage of that habit from me as well, either positive or negative.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

So you're saying he should hear it both ways?

:snicker:

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Amesman

As long as you're hearing impaired for both coaches, they should have nothing to complain about.

"Hear it at both ends."

[representing]

I thank you all for your comments (and jokes that were all funny). I have a JH game coming up in two weeks, I will try the approaching method where I would tell the coaches, either before the pregame meeting or during the pregame meeting, just to see how that comes along. Thanks again!

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by representing

I would tell the coaches, either before the pregame meeting or during the pregame meeting, just to see how that comes along.

Do it during the pregame meeting so that the captains are aware of it also.

We have a deaf official on our local board. He's a great guy, and an excellent official. I have had the pleasure of working with him many times. Because I don't sign, the toughest part is our pregame officials conference. After that it's a breeze, with me coming out of each game a better official because I tend to work on my signals and eye contact with my partner.

He always has me tell the coaches and captains in the pregame conference that he's hearing impaired. I always finish the meeting telling the coaches to be sure to direct any yelling that they may do in the game to my partner rather than me. My partner knows that I always say this and follows up with a "yes" nod to both coaches and by pointing to his chest.