Elegant Hearing Aids

I found a website, through RLMDEAF's blog, called Tuvie design of the future.

It contains a design concept for "elegant" hearing aids.
It features these interesting looking silver earrings and it comes with a ring which acts as the controller. Very interesting!


However, I have to wonder if this piece would work for all deaf and hard of hearing people? There are different types and degrees of hearing loss. Would this work for someone who is severely-profoundly deaf? How much would something like this cost?
I like to mix it up with jewelery. Sometimes I like to wear gold and sometimes diamonds (well fake ones). I don't think I would want to wear the same thing everyday. I suppose it could be an option when I go out to a party or some special event. But I am guessing this would be some expensive option.

I like the design and where they are going with this. But, I don't think it will appeal to everyone.

What do you think?

(e

*photos from Tuvie design of the future website

See What I'm Saying - trailer

I am sure most of you know about this.
I thought I post this to my blog and make sure many
people are aware of this documentary. It looks fascinating!

(e

Beat Them to the Punch

My hearing aid is not working, and I have been without it throughout today. So, I am more aware of my hearing loss and I am extra careful when out in public places. I know a lot of times people will say "Hi" in passing, just to be nice. I do not want to seem as if I am ignoring them. So, I try to "beat them to the punch." I say "Hi" to everyone who walks by or seem to be approaching me (unless they appear dangerous). This way I don't have to worry so much or wonder if someone said "Hi" to me. Plus, I seem friendly and it's a nice way to meet people. Everyone likes a smiling person who says "Hi" to them.

(e

Taking Good Care of My Hearing Aid Even When I Am Not All There

No matter how sleepy or out of it I am, I never lose or misplace my hearing aid.
Last night my hearing aid stopped working and I was watching a movie with a friend. I took out the hearing aid and held it in my hand. I was so sleepy. I fell asleep clutching my hearing aid. When I woke up, my friend was gone and the movie apparently ended. I got up from the couch and immediately remembered how I fell asleep with my hearing aid in my hand. I panicked and started looking for it. But, there it was on the table, with the battery case open, safe and sound. It's so strange. My friend told me I had put it there last night. I don't remember doing this.
There have been times when I had a little too much to drink and as always my hearing aid made it to a safe place. Even if I don't remember doing it. I managed to take good care of my hearing aid when I was deathly ill with the flu to the point of hallucination. Since I can remember, I have never slept with it in my ear, no matter what.

I guess it is out of habit. It comes automatically to me even if I am not quite all there.

(e

What Not To Do With My Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students

Dear Teachers and Professionals Who Work With My Students,

• Please don't tell my students that they are "bright" and "super smart" and then chastise them for making a mistake. Do not use expressions like, "Duh!"  "Hello?! Anyone home!"  "Geez, are you awake?!"  "Aargh, we just went over this, what is your problem?!"

• Never tell my students that they are wrong. Tell them, "Good try, but this is how most people do it." or "You are almost there, keep practicing." or "Let's try to figure this out another way."

• Stop doing everything for them. They are not babies. They are suppose to learn how to take care of themselves. 

• Please call on them more often. They are very capable of contributing to the classroom discussions.

• Please let me know if you have any concerns or questions about my students. Do not smile and tell me every week that they are fine and then wait until we have a meeting to bring up all of your issues, especially if you have any issues with me.

• If you have any problems with me, come to me and tell me to my face first before running to the principal or my supervisor about me. They do not have the time to listen to you complain about how I was two minutes late one time (you do realize I drive to 4-6 different schools every day and there are usually issues I have to deal with before coming to get your student).

• Why, after I have told you so many times that I am hard of hearing, you continue to look away as you talk to me or mumble what is said. And try not to obviously look irritated when I ask you to repeat yourself. It worries me and makes me wonder if you do the same with my student.

• To the paraprofessional who works with my preschool student, stop physically moving him around by grabbing his arm, he is capable of walking by himself. He does not have a severe visual impairment.

I understand that teaching is one of the most demanding jobs out there and you guys do not get paid enough for it. You work very hard and I do think all of you are excellent teachers. I understand you have twenty or so other students to worry about. But, please be mindful of how you treat my students. Remember they are  kids. Try to remember when you were a kid in school. Also try to understand where I am coming from and I encourage you to please talk with me more. Please listen to me when I tell you my concerns. Do not get defensive; it is not about you, I am only concerned about my students. We need to work together. We can't do this by ourselves. I am here to support your student and YOU. Don't forget that. Any issues you have, call me and I'll do my best to help. 

Sincerely,

Ms. (e

What Not to Do With Your Hearing Aids

Dear students,

• Please quit trying to trick your classroom teachers into thinking your hearing aids are "broken." I really do not have all the time in the world to travel over to your school to "fix" your hearing aids. 

• Please do not, under no circumstances, pull your hearing aid out of your ear and smell your ear mold in front of me. It disgusts me. I hope you do not do this in public.

• The same would apply to licking your hearing aid ear mold (although fortunately, none of you have done this). But don't ever do it. Yuck.

• Also, I would appreciate it if some of you would stop cleaning the ear wax out of your mold with your pencil or a bent paper clip (I gave you a nice little cleaning kit for this purpose). If you choose to clean with unconventional tools, do it on your own time. I don't want to see it. 

• When you change your hearing aid batteries, do not throw your old and worn out batteries onto the ground. Throw it in the trash. I don't care if we are outside. 

• Do not throw your hearing aids in your book bag or put them in your pant pockets when you are not wearing them.  They have their own boxes for a reason. 

• Stop giving me lame excuses for why you will not wear your hearing aids. "I hear real good today." "My dog died." (for the third time?) "It does not work." "My mom says I don't have to wear them today."

• If your hearing aids are bothering you and cause bleeding, please let me or your teacher know! I don't want you to wear your hearing aids if they are really hurting you.

I love every one of you! Mwa!

Sincerely,
Ms. (e

The "R Word"

Once again, I had to explain to a 4th grade class why using the word retard is unacceptable. I am all for the freedom of speech and I do not like to tell other people how they should talk, but there has to be some limits. If it is not acceptable to curse in public, then why should we be allowed to throw around the word retard or retarded like it is nothing? I have heard children as young as 6 say it.

Because I rode the "short bus" I was called a tard and the children on my bus were referred to as the SPEDS or retards. It still stings to this day.

Today, the word is everywhere; on TV, the radio, magazines, etc. I see the word sometimes on online deaf forums and comment sections of blogs. It seems to me that it has another totally different meaning today. "Let's get retarded!" "Oh, my gosh this is so retarded!" It is used in a more lighthearted manner today. Back then it was often used maliciously. If you wanted to hurt someone, you would called them retarded. It is also a very dismissive term. "Oh, she's a retard, so she will not amount to much in life."
I remember a young man with Cerebral Palsy, who was clearly intelligent, was often called a retard because he looked and acted retarded according to some people.

So, please be mindful when using the word retarded or retard. Or just don't say it period.

Please read this article by a young man with intellectual challenges on using the word. It is a wonderful article and should be read by everyone.

(e 

link to article: http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_10351963

"Oh, That's Just the Way She Is"

Writing and thinking about hearing loss issues has got me thinking a lot about myself and my past. I am beginning to dredge up some painful memories. Some of them attributed to my hearing loss. And its funny how at the time I did not associate the problems to my hearing loss (of course partly has to do with my personality at the time). I never gave it much thought. Now I find myself thinking, "Oh, that's why I did that!" or "Oh, no wonder I behaved that way." It would have been so much easier if I had paid a little more attention to my hearing loss and learned ways to deal with it.

One of those painful memories: During high school, I was sitting in the library reading and some of my classmates walked by. They sat down at another table across from me. I looked up and noticed one them was sort of waving and looking towards my direction. I thought he was waving at someone else so I looked down and did not wave back. Why would he be waving at me? We barely speak to one another. Then I looked back up towards to them. They were quietly talking, the girl glancing towards me. I read her lips and heard her quietly say, "Oh, that's just the way she is." I quickly looked down back at my book. I was mortified. I wanted to stand up and yell, "I did not know you were waving at me! I'm sorry. I am not a mean person, I like people!" But, I did not say anything and I silently cried inside. As usual, I pushed this incident aside and I never thought about it until now.

I realize that perhaps because of the way I socialized and did not help others be more aware of my hearing loss, I was perceived as a snobby cold person. The comment, "Oh, that's just the way she is," says a lot.

(e

The Importance of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth Learning Advocacy and Social Skills

It really upsets me when I see children or young people with hearing loss act passive or apathetic when in social situations. Many of them do not really contribute to the conversations (either they don't make the effort, are unable to communicate effectively because they lack language skills, or are missing out on the conversations, etc.). Therefore, it seems as if they learn to be passive; simply standing by watching and pretending everything is dandy. It is quite damaging to hide who you are and not to be able to express yourself effectively.

I know, because I was one of them (well mainly during junior high and high school). I would be described as the "nice" or "quiet" girl. But those who really knew me, knew that I was more than that. I would often pretend I heard the latest gossip when sitting with a large crowd of people, smiling, nodding, or even laughing on cue. It was exhausting. It was horribly embarrassing when I was caught bluffing. So, I avoided large crowds and I spent a lot of time by myself reading books. I hung out with the outcasts of the school (the pot-heads, goths, science nerds, wannabe punks, etc.). Besides the benefit of easy to follow one on one conversations, they were far more interesting than the popular kids. But, its never nice to be left out. As a kid you want to belong. There wasn't anyone I could talk to about this stuff without them fully understanding. It would have been nice to have talked to and learned from other deaf and hard of hearing people. From not having a lot of exposure to socializing with people on my own, I did not really learn how to talk to people or how to do it comfortably. And this was all on top of being a pimple-riddled-braces-wearing teenage girl. 

Ugh, it was tough.

**Me, during my awkward teenage years. 

I apologize to those who are trying to eat. 

*This is me now. 

Don't hate. 

Now, being a teacher, I see some of my older d/hh students repeating the same behaviors I exhibited during junior high and high school. Some of them get along quite well with others (or it seems as if they get by fine), but I do notice how they miss most of what is being said in a large crowd, and they bluff their way through, smiling and nodding. (I do a lot of observations of my students, when I have the time). I keep telling them that it will save them a lot of trouble if they start talking about their hearing loss with others now or at least advocate for themselves. They don't have to get on a soapbox and announce it to everyone. But, just telling someone to please repeat themselves would be good enough.

For some of my younger students who are struggling with language (possibly due to lack of exposure to ASL growing up, once it was discovered they could not communicate effectively orally and/or aurally, or possibly due to an undiagnosed language disorder), I see them trying to contribute to conversations in class or communicate with their friends. They smile, eager to communicate their ideas, but you can see that inside they are struggling.
I see a big change with one of my students when we introduced ASL. Even though she is mainly verbal or she does not really use it on her own, I think it helps her remember how something would be said in English once she sees it signed. It has encouraged her to speak more and come out of her shell a little. She has been teaching it to her classmates and friends. However, it pains me to watch her smile, nod, and act as if she understood what was said until it was discovered that she had no clue what was said. She clearly gets embarrassed and I can see her eyes shine with tears. She is missing out on so much. She can hear what you say, but usually she cannot understand what was said due to her lack of language skills. It does not help that she has just as much trouble expressing her thoughts in English. This contributes to her low self-esteem and her struggles with socializing. I don't want her to grow up shy, passive, and quiet. I want her to have a voice, be strong, and be comfortable voicing her opinions.

I like to think that twenty years from now I will meet some of my students for coffee and we will have heated discussions about politics and they'll end the conversation calling me a dimwit while proudly showing off their hearing aids or CIs. :)

(e

** Drawing by yours truly, (e  [from a class photo 94']
*photo from Victoria's Secret 

"Whack it Up, My Faded!" (Misinterpreting Music Lyrics)

Like most deaf and hard of hearing individuals, I can never understand the lyrics or what is being sung in most songs. A lot of times if I can't hear what they are singing, I will hum it or make it up.

As a child of the 1980s I was always watching MTV and its music videos. My older sister told me that when I was 5 years old or so I would sing a song to myself that went like this:

"Whack it up, my faded! Whack it up, my faded! Whack it up!"

I was trying to sing the song, "Wrap it Up" by the Fabulous Thunderbirds (1986). They were actually singing,

"Wrap it up, I'll take it. Wrap it up, I'll take it."

But, really I think most people, hearing or not, cannot understand or pick out most music lyrics (at least when listening to the song for the first time). When talking about my hearing loss, usually I tell people that for me to try to understand what is being said to me, especially in noisy situations, it is probably a similar experience when trying to fully understand the music lyrics of a new song.

It's hard work. 

Sometimes, I wish I can use a remote control to pause and rewind people when they talk to me. 'Wait, what was that?" (rewind, play) "Oh, you said you would like to pick it up, not lick it up."

Here is the music video of "Wrap it Up" by the Fabulous Thunderbirds (ah, the Eighties):



Lyrics:

I've been watchin' you for days now baby.
I just love your sexy ways now baby.
Ya know our love will never stop now baby.
Just put your lovin' in my box now baby.
Wrap it up, I'll take it
Wrap it up, I'll take it
Well no more will I shop around now baby.
I know I got the best thing in town now baby.
I've seen all I want to see now baby.
Bring your lovin' straight to me now baby.
Chorus 4x (solo) 2x 4 measures.
Well I'm gonna treat you like the queen you are.
Bring you sweet things from my candy jar.
You've got tricks you ain't never used.
Give it, Give it to me, it won't be abused.
Repeat 1st verse, Chorus 4x (Wrap Wrap)


"Whack it up" everybody!

(e

All Decked Out for Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

LOVE

(e

More ASL Interpreted Music Videos! I Know, I Am Obsessed.

I love sign language interpreted music videos. ASL adds to the music. So beautiful and interesting. I think all music videos should have sign language in them!

These videos are by a young hearing man who interprets popular songs in ASL. He is really good. It seems as if he recently learned ASL. Check out his YouTube channel for more videos.

Enjoy!





(e

No ASL Growing Up? Oh, How Sad...

I was recently waiting in line at a store and someone behind tapped me on my shoulder. "Are you deaf?" she signed. I signed and voiced back, "Sort of. Not really."

The woman was an interpreter for the deaf, married to a deaf man. Of course, she started asking me questions such as when did I learn sign language, where I am from, where I learned ASL, etc. I didn't mind the questions; I expected them. It is always interesting to meet others who are HOH, d/Deaf, or know ASL. I told her that I grew up oral and was mainstreamed in general education. I told her about how I became interested in sign language and D/HH issues in my twenties.

Then she said something like, "Oh, that is typical. People like you tend to be raised orally and then later want to learn sign language. How sad it is that you were not taught sign language when you were a child. Was that ever considered by your family? It is a shame people push oralism on deaf people. It is interesting how most of them in their adulthood want to learn sign language."

Woah, I couldn't believe she said that! I responded, "How is it sad? There was never a need for me to learn sign language. My family saw that I got by just fine without it. I am sure if they felt that I needed it they would be enrolling in ASL classes. I enjoyed my school and was glad I was raised orally and could rely on my hearing aid. They did a fantastic job and I think I turned out more than okay. I don't think sign language is an absolute necessity for some people who are deaf or hard of hearing."

When she saw that she clearly touched a nerve, she backed off. After purchasing our things, we talked a little more and then we went our ways.

Although I appreciated her questions and the conversation we had, I didn't like the assumptions she made. People with deafness come from all kinds of different backgrounds, and just because they weren't raised the way you think they should be raised, doesn't mean that you should tell a complete stranger how it makes you sad.

(e

I Said Hearing Aid, Not Lemonade!

This video was posted on YouTube by Pub Rat Boy. It contains a recording of a prank call made to an audiologist. You may think the video is either funny or really irritating. Personally, I thought it was a pretty funny prank call. I feel really bad for the audiologist. You can tell he was trying really hard not to get angry over the phone. Poor guy.

Warning: It contains somewhat strong language. Not for kids.

Transcript of the call is below the video.



(phone rings)

Receptionist:   Good afternoon ----- Hearing.
Milton:   OH! THANK GOD YOU ANSWERED! HELLO!?
Receptionist:   Hello!
Milton:   YES! WHAT HAVE I REACHED?!!
Receptionist:  You've reached the ------ Hearing Aids!
Milton:   YES! I'M TRYING TO CALL ABOUT MY EAR!
Receptionist:   Are you the one that fell?
Milton:   YES!
Secretary:   Just a minute!
Audiologist:   Hello?
Milton:   HELLO?!
Audiologist: (loudly)   How are you?
Milton:  I'M OK, I'M CALLING ABOUT MY EAR PIECE!
Audiologist: (loudly)   And what is your name?
Milton:  MILTON FLUDGECOW
Audiologist:  (loudly) What can I do to help you?
Milton:  I'M HAVING TROUBLE. I'M HEARING WACKY, CRAZY NOISES IN MY HEAD!
Audiologist:  Okaay. And that's with your hearing aid in? 
Milton:  WHAT?!
Audiologist:  Is that with your hearing aid in?
Milton:  I CAN'T HEAR YOU! SPEAK CLEARLY!
Audiologist: Ok. You hearing the noise with your--when your hearing aid is in your ear?
Milton:  YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SPEAK LOUDER, ALL I'M HEARING IS MUMBLY JIBBERISH!
Audiologist:   Are you hearing the noise when you're wearing the hearing aid?
Milton:  WHAT? I DON'T WANT LEMONADE. I'M CALLING ABOUT MY HEARING AID!
Audiologist;  I know that ma'am!
Milton:  THEN WHY ARE YOU SAYING LEMONADE?
Audiologist: I said HEARING AID!
Milton: WHAT?!
Audiologist:  HEARING AID! Not Lemonade!
Milton: YES! YES! I'M HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY HEARING AID!
Audiologist:  You say you have a noise in your head?!
Milton:   LISTEN TO THIS! (staticky noises) CAN YOU HEAR THAT?!
Audiologist:   Yes! I can!
Milton:   WHAT IS THAT STATICKY NOISE IN MY HEAD?
Audiologist:   Do you have the hearing aid in your ear?
Milton:   WHY DO YOU KEEP TALKING ABOUT LEMONADE?!
Audiologist:  I did not SAY Lemonade! I SAID HEARING AID!
Milton:  WHAT?!
Audiologist: I said hearing aid, not lemonade!
Milton:  I WAS IN, I THINK ABOUT A WEEK AGO OR IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A MONTH TO HAVE THE ADJUSTMENTS AND IT HASN'T BEEN THE SAME SINCE THEN.
Audiologist:  Spell your last name for me.
Milton:  WHAT?
Audiologist: Spell,   your,   last,   name,   for,   me!
Milton:  WHAT? I CAN'T HEAR YOU, A LITTLE LOUDER AND SLOWER PLEASE!
Audiologist:  What,     is,     your,     last,     name?
Milton: OH! MY NAME!
Audiologist:  YES!
Milton:   F-L-U-D-G-E-C-O-W, FLUDGECOW. MY FIRST NAME IS MILTON.
Audiologist:   (typing)
Milton:   LISTEN TO THE NOISE IT'S MAKING! DO YOU HEAR THAT?!
Audiologist:   YES! I can hear that!
Milton:   IT IS VERY LOUD! (noises) WHAT IS CAUSING THE STATIC?
Audiologist:   I   do  not   know!  I will have to look at the hearing aid!
Milton:  EXCUSE ME? WHY DO YOU KEEP TALKING ABOUT LEMONADE? I'M TALKING ABOUT MY HEARING AID!
Audiologist:  Yes, Ma'am! When you hear lemonade---
Milton:  NO!  I'M A SIR!
Audiologist:  Yes sir, when you hear lemonade I'm saying hearing aid!
Milton:  WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW? SHOULD I COME IN FOR AN ADJUSTMENT?
Audiologist:  I think you need to do that! Do you have a switch on your hearing aid?
Milton:  DID YOU JUST CALL ME A BITCH?
Audiologist:  No sir! I did not! NO!
Milton:  YES, YOU CALLED ME A BITCH. I HEARD YOU!
Audiologist:   NO, I DID NOT!
Milton:  YOU CALLED ME A BITCH! I DON'T THINK THAT'S VERY NICE!
Audiologist:  I SAID SWITCH!
Milton:  WHY ARE YOU CALLING ME A BITCH! THAT'S NOT VERY NICE!
Audiologist:   I AM NOT! When can you come in to the office?
Milton:   YES, I'LL BE THERE IN ABOUT 6 HOURS. I-I GOT TO GO TO BINGO AND THEN I'LL BE THERE AT APPROXIMATELY 10:00.
Audiologist:   I won't be open at 10:00!
Milton:  OK, SO I'LL SEE YOU AT 10:00 TONIGHT.
Audiologist:  NO, YOU WON'T!
Milton:   AND THEN YOU CAN FIX THE HEARING AID. I WILL STOP BY RIGHT AFTER BINGO---
Audiologist:    WE ARE NOT OPEN AT 10:00! WE CLOSE AT 5!
Milton:    WHAT?
Audiologist:   (Oh, geez)  I CLOSE AT 5:00! I AM NOT OPEN AT 10:00!
Milton:   GOOD! IT WILL BE 10:00 AND I'LL SEE YOU THEN. IF I GET THERE AT 9:30 WOULD THAT BE OK?
Audiologist:  Milton?
Milton:  YES?
Audiologist:   I, AM, NOT, OPEN AT 10:00!
Milton:   THAT IS A GOOD TIME. PERFECT, I'LL SEE YOU AT 10:00.
Audiologist:  NO!
Milton:   (hangs up)

[EVIL LAUGHTER]

Can Hearing Aids Electrocute You?

Most common questions and comments about my hearing aid from various hearing students:

1) Can hearing aids electrocute you? (when they get wet).

2) Is it connected to your brain?

3) How much do they cost? Fifty dollars?

4) What happens when you sweat a lot? Do you wash your hearing aid?

5) I want one. Do they come in pink?

6) Where do you buy them? Can you buy them at WalMart?

7) Is it attached to your ear? Does it hurt when you take it out?

8) Why don't you have the smaller one, like my grandpa has? He got it from the TV. (miracle ear)

9) I think they should make them bigger with flashing lights on them. That would be cool!

10) I want one! I think it would help me eavesdrop on my parents. They are always whispering about something.

11) Why are there stickers on your hearing aid?

(e