Suffering from Single-Sided Deafness - Angry Deaf Pinback Button

Casual audism can take many forms, including those individuals who are genuinely trying to help. I've had people explain (on my behalf, when I can hear perfectly well and explain it myself) that I'm 'suffering' from single-sided deafness. It's usually spoken with an apologetic grimace, in hushed tones, like it's an embarrassing ailment. I don't 'suffer' from being deaf in one ear. In fact, I think I got the better side of the bargain. At least I get a good night's sleep in noisy environments. But I do suffer when people make me feel like a lesser human being for being deaf, or when their inability to grasp the fundamentals means that I can't hear, when I otherwise might.