Pretty much what the title says but for more context:
I’m a player with a hearing impairment. This means (among other things) that I can’t separate out multiple people talking at once. I’ve set up my audio settings to help me as much as I can with reducing how severe it is but the other players at my online table talk over each other nonstop. It’s less an issue of wanting to be heard (though partly that too) and more of being completely unable to understand what’s happening- by the time it’s only one person talking again, the game has moved on. I’ve explained this to the other players and whilst they’ve been understanding, there’s been no real improvement in my ability to play because there’s been very little change in how much they interrupt each other and me. Some of you might say to leave the table but I really don’t want to because this is one of the few ways I get to spend time with these people and they’re all great people- just scattered across the country. Does anyone have any advice on how to stop them interrupting all the time? We use discord if that helps.
Alas, there's no easy solution. Asking is the only real way.
You should try to get the DM to help out. They have a lot of control of the flow of the game in most groups, and if they're more methodical about it, it'll probably make a difference. (Speaking as a DM, it makes my life easier as well.)
It's never going to be perfectly fixed -- people are just like that when they're enthusiastic, but establishing a table culture will help a lot.
If its digital, you could set something up that mutes the people not supposed to be talking, or just do it solely in chats. With physical, I recommend following what jl8e has to say.
I’ll try my best there then- he’s a first time DM and when he started running the campaign he’d never played either so it’s been rocky. He doesn’t have the best control of the table but I’ll try to get him to control them a little. Better that they’re interested but interrupting than that the table is silent anyway
Sounds silly but if you're on Discord use the sound board. Any time people start talking over each other hit the klaxon sound effect, it'll cut through everything, totally derail everything going on and once everyone is quite you can calmly say "sorry, you were talking over each other and I've already said it's a problem for me." It'll be annoying as all hell but you might as well share the annoyance and once people realise how often they do it they might actually stop
Failing that there's no real way, the problem isn't with Discord or any setting you can change, it's that the other players are either getting too excited to think or are too inconsiderate to stop doing something you've already said is a problem. You'd have the same problem in the real world with them.
I wouldn't say that it's necessarily the case that if they're interrupting each other online that means they'd do it offline too. There are a lot more physical cues and subtle communication - even unconsciously - that goes on when you're physically present. Most of that gets cut off when going online. I find it much harder to politely assert myself, and some players you do end up having to talk over in order to just say anything in a session.
That said, it's moot in this case since they can't meet physically anyway. If you're going to go for the klaxon route...I'd do some groundwork first.make sure they're aware of how you're feeling. If they're sensitive to it but genuinely struggling to recognise it in the moment, then you could suggest the klaxon.
If you just do the klaxon, it will get very annoying very quickly for them and you'll get the blame. We'll probably have a thread on here in a few weeks complaining about an obnoxious guy who keeps blasting loud noises through Discord. If you make sure get that agreement first though, then they're much more likely to to own their responsibility and realise their behaviours is what's bringing it on, not simply you being rude. After a few episodes, they might become more sensitive to their behaviour. Or they might give you the boot.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
Anyone who has ever been in a group chat online knows that proper etiquette is to keep your mouth shut until it is your turn or until you are asked a question, and avoid all cross-talk. That is not simply what is done when there is someone in the group has hearing problems, but as general practice. The OP should tell all the players that, in the channel. If these people can't even do that basic courtesy, find a new group.
I’ve tried to tell them but I think they just forget. They’re good people but very used to being able to just talk. I’ll try to find another solution before leaving though since I really don’t want to leave them
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Pretty much what the title says but for more context:
I’m a player with a hearing impairment. This means (among other things) that I can’t separate out multiple people talking at once. I’ve set up my audio settings to help me as much as I can with reducing how severe it is but the other players at my online table talk over each other nonstop. It’s less an issue of wanting to be heard (though partly that too) and more of being completely unable to understand what’s happening- by the time it’s only one person talking again, the game has moved on. I’ve explained this to the other players and whilst they’ve been understanding, there’s been no real improvement in my ability to play because there’s been very little change in how much they interrupt each other and me. Some of you might say to leave the table but I really don’t want to because this is one of the few ways I get to spend time with these people and they’re all great people- just scattered across the country. Does anyone have any advice on how to stop them interrupting all the time? We use discord if that helps.
Alas, there's no easy solution. Asking is the only real way.
You should try to get the DM to help out. They have a lot of control of the flow of the game in most groups, and if they're more methodical about it, it'll probably make a difference. (Speaking as a DM, it makes my life easier as well.)
It's never going to be perfectly fixed -- people are just like that when they're enthusiastic, but establishing a table culture will help a lot.
If its digital, you could set something up that mutes the people not supposed to be talking, or just do it solely in chats. With physical, I recommend following what jl8e has to say.
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I’ll try my best there then- he’s a first time DM and when he started running the campaign he’d never played either so it’s been rocky. He doesn’t have the best control of the table but I’ll try to get him to control them a little. Better that they’re interested but interrupting than that the table is silent anyway
It’s digital. I’ll look into any tools that can do that over discord or potentially migrating to another platform- thanks for the advice!
Sounds silly but if you're on Discord use the sound board. Any time people start talking over each other hit the klaxon sound effect, it'll cut through everything, totally derail everything going on and once everyone is quite you can calmly say "sorry, you were talking over each other and I've already said it's a problem for me." It'll be annoying as all hell but you might as well share the annoyance and once people realise how often they do it they might actually stop
Failing that there's no real way, the problem isn't with Discord or any setting you can change, it's that the other players are either getting too excited to think or are too inconsiderate to stop doing something you've already said is a problem. You'd have the same problem in the real world with them.
I wouldn't say that it's necessarily the case that if they're interrupting each other online that means they'd do it offline too. There are a lot more physical cues and subtle communication - even unconsciously - that goes on when you're physically present. Most of that gets cut off when going online. I find it much harder to politely assert myself, and some players you do end up having to talk over in order to just say anything in a session.
That said, it's moot in this case since they can't meet physically anyway. If you're going to go for the klaxon route...I'd do some groundwork first.make sure they're aware of how you're feeling. If they're sensitive to it but genuinely struggling to recognise it in the moment, then you could suggest the klaxon.
If you just do the klaxon, it will get very annoying very quickly for them and you'll get the blame. We'll probably have a thread on here in a few weeks complaining about an obnoxious guy who keeps blasting loud noises through Discord. If you make sure get that agreement first though, then they're much more likely to to own their responsibility and realise their behaviours is what's bringing it on, not simply you being rude. After a few episodes, they might become more sensitive to their behaviour. Or they might give you the boot.
Solved either way, I guess.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
When ever I speak in an online game. At the end, I call out a specific person.
for example… you see x,y.. bob, what are you doing?
Anyone who has ever been in a group chat online knows that proper etiquette is to keep your mouth shut until it is your turn or until you are asked a question, and avoid all cross-talk. That is not simply what is done when there is someone in the group has hearing problems, but as general practice. The OP should tell all the players that, in the channel. If these people can't even do that basic courtesy, find a new group.
The sound is actually a brilliant solution- I’ll mention it to my party!
Thanks! I’ve arranged a bit of time before next session to pick a solution that works for us so I’ll see what they say about the sound
I’ve tried to tell them but I think they just forget. They’re good people but very used to being able to just talk. I’ll try to find another solution before leaving though since I really don’t want to leave them