1. Don’t block your face when you talk. It’s really annoying, and we can’t read your lips!! So if you’re rubbing your face whilst giving a lecture or something, try not to.

2. Please, please, please don’t talk louder or exaggerate the words when we (Deaf community) don’t understand you (the Hearing person) It’s just going to make it worse. I can’t hear you talking louder, it’s not going to make a difference.

3. I can’t hear myself talk without my hearing aids, and yeah, I’ve been told by my sister that I sound funky. But! Don’t ever tell a Deaf person that they sound off. It’s really offensive, we can’t hear ourselves talk, so we do sound weird. When Christine (My sister) does it, I don’t mind, because I’ve known her my whole life. But when Debra at the cash register says “you sound weird” it’s really, really offensive, and also hurtful.

4. Tips for when someone who is deaf is reading your lips: It’s kind of unnerving to the other person, because it’s like reading a book when we read lips–it involves a lot of intense staring. You may remember a certain Bo Burnham song….

5. Be nice. That’s all I ask. Don’t make fun of sign language, it’s like if I were to make fun of your voice. It’s communication, not a criminal offence.

I’m Legolas, and I’m deaf since birth. I hope this helped you.