A Friendly Game of Bingo

B, 13. B, 1-3. This is what we said.

What?! G? 16? This is what some of our clients hear.

I have always thought that calling bingo numbers were easy. I always thought that if someone does not hear you, you say it a lot louder. My thinking was not always appropriate. What I soon learn was that it was not always about volume, but about enunciation, clarity, and definitely patience and understanding.
Bingo is a game that we play about twice a month. Our clients love it. The game facilitates thinking, hand-eye coordination, concentration, and awareness. When our clients play the game, it reduces any anxiety they had beforehand (eagerness to go home, looking for relatives) and places them at ease because it is simple and straight-forward. Another positive attribute is that this game was not about competition. None of our clients were frustrated that they did not win or angry at someone from their same table for winning. Our winners get the congrats from other clients by a round of applause. If someone were to make a mistake and call out bingo when they did not have it, no verbal abuse or physical abuse occurs. A bingo chip has not flew across the room.
The clients at our center can be hearing impaired, visually impaired, and may have motor problems with shaky hands or lack of grip contributed by Parkinson's. As a caller, please remember mistakes with numbers are bound to happen, either with you or a client. If a client cannot hear you, I suggest repeating the number clearly, and perhaps writing it down and showing it to them. Always encourage and reaffirm that it is just a game, it is nothing to be upset about. If that still does not work, give them ice cream.