Joke turns into discrimination

In recent months I have had to start using hearing aids. The usual jokes when you are hard of hearing and you have to ask to repeat their questions on occasions I might not have heard what they have said to me. Depending on the area and background noise. Putting hand to ear say "eh!" or "you what" to me. I was surprised when I was informed by someone that it was called the invisible disability.

Looking it up I was shocked to see that people who have hearing problems seem to be discriminated against in their jobs or when applying for jobs. You do read about it with people with other forms of disability and it should not happen, but looking at some court cases that are coming up there does seem to be an increase of people with hearing problems going to tribunals, in a lot of cases people who are already in work.

Though when I first started wearing hearing aids someone told me I may not be able to do certain areas of my work. Though on checking this I was told otherwise and carry on. Which was a relief. I get a lot of banter but nothing I would complain about, but reading about some cases they are quite awful to read.

It's a funny thing hearing, with all the background noise, traffic, canned music, television noise, shouting and hollering that goes on, the ears can get a bit fed up and miss things. But when it's somewhere quiet, can hear leaves rustling in the breeze and the song of a skylark ever so clearly.

I have frequency loss - John B's fault for always sitting me next to the crash cymbal on stage!

I have an hearing aid but cannot wear it as it sends me up the wall whistling - and I've had it adjusted to no avail.

On the subject of jokes turning into discrimination, the English, Welsh and Irish make jokes about each other, but, sometimes it can all get a bit more than that.

On his visit to Edinburgh, the UKIP leader, Mr Farage, was beseiged at a pub by an angry mob of people he describes as "filled with a total and utter hatred of the English". He was rescued by the police. He said "The anger, the hatred, the shouting, the snarling, the swearing was all linked in to a desire for the Union Jack to be burnt."

Last verse of the British national anthem,

Lord grant that Marshal Wade
May by thy mighty aid
Victory bring
May he sedition hush
And like a torrent rush
Rebellious Scots to crush
God save the King

If Britain ever has a king again, and the king is gay and gets married, does that mean we will have two kings? Same question with queens, if they are gay, two queens?

Occupational hazard I'm afraid Malcolm - it is always a problem getting drummers to turn down

That said, I'm surprised there is that much deterioration. I've been at it longer and fared better.