Ok, I have a dumb question...

I have been having a hard time finding another job, and the one I currently have is starting to cut my hours, my hearing has decrease and I have severe hearing loss in my left and profound in my right.

My question is, is there any kind of help for those who are HOH/close to complete hearing loss?

Now, I'm not one of those people who enjoy asking for help. But I'm pulling my hair here. Everyday I go into work holding back from crying because I always get a hearing person yelling at me or irritated with me or I have to constantly say "I'm sorry about that I'm HOH"

My biggest fear is trying for disability/SSI ONLY because I'm afraid it may not be enough for me to survive, I'm not sure how the checks work. I really don't know what to do or how long it would take. I just heard the hard part is getting on it.....

Yet a relative of mine got on it easily for alcoholism... I don't understand that one...

Anyways, from what I was told last time I tried to file for disability (a four or so years ago) I had to have 90% complete hearing loss to qualify. Who knows, it may of changed now.

I don't want to come off as a lazy (nor am I implying anyone receiving disability/SSI benefits are either) believe me I'm not, but I can only take so much crap right now and I need all the help I can get.

Someone please help me.

we resolve for you problem we are supportive to you help!

I will help you solve problem question to me!

thanks smithtr

I guess what I'm trying to ask, in short is do I have to be completely deaf or can a HOH person receive SSI benefits? Is there any kind of assistance I can get?

Its not that I don't want to work, please people don't take me as someone like that. But I only understand less than half of what people are saying, people sound like chipmunks in my ear.

I wish I could help...but I was able to work until retirement....

You have a job that, for the most part, requires better hearing. Perhaps your boss could write a statement in that regard, have it notorized...take it to the Vocational Rehabilitation Office, and then see what they can do to help?

If you were to get "laid off", perhaps you'd be eligible for unemployment benefits....

I do realize that you have other health problems too....so applying for SSDI might be your best bet here....it's time consuming, tho'. So you will need to apply and be prepared to wait for a hearing, plus see many doctors for confirmation of your health dilemmas.

I'm sure ur local Legal Aid would be able to direct you further....inasmuch, I'm sure other members will have better suggestions for you also.

Also, your local Medicaid offices might help you with some cash assistance and food stamps.

Good Luck! Sorry you are going thru all of this...it happens to the best of us!

Actually just signed up for food stamps today! Just waiting for my pay stub (tomorrow) to submit to my worker and I'm set on that. How much will I be getting I'm not sure but I hope enough.

I am waiting to see how my other health issues pans out before I make the jump at disability/ssi.

I don't think my boss would write something like that for me in fear of a discrimination law suit perhaps.

He has however, asked if I would want something under my name tag letting customer's know about my deafness.

I know I definitely want to go back to school if possible to do while having some security knowing I can get a income, learn more ASL, figure out what I want to do as far as a career if that's an option for me. I'm just finding the hearing world is becoming harder and harder to work in.

Hi there.

I remember looking at your hearing chart in the other thread and you have very little more hearing than me. After I applied for SSDI, I had to wait for six months fer an answer. First, I got copies of my hearing charts from hospital and mailed them to them. I didnt have to go to any appointments. I think I know why b.c I had proof from a reliable source I've been deaf since 2 yrs old.

I feel for you b/c I got so fed up with hearing world and applied. Im truly glad I did. Nothing to be embarass about. I have read what people say about us being lazy and whatnot. They just jealous. If somebody ever say that to my face, it is on.

Since I collect SSDI, I feel very relief and stress free. Im more happy and more outgoing. SSA even gave me a check for full yr of not working in 2009.

ladysolitary85 said:

Actually just signed up for food stamps today! Just waiting for my pay stub (tomorrow) to submit to my worker and I'm set on that. How much will I be getting I'm not sure but I hope enough.

I am waiting to see how my other health issues pans out before I make the jump at disability/ssi.

I don't think my boss would write something like that for me in fear of a discrimination law suit perhaps.

He has however, asked if I would want something under my name tag letting customer's know about my deafness.

I know I definitely want to go back to school if possible to do while having some security knowing I can get a income, learn more ASL, figure out what I want to do as far as a career if that's an option for me. I'm just finding the hearing world is becoming harder and harder to work in.

Click to expand...

The job you have now requires you to communicate orally and be able to hear, but you are HOH...right?

There are jobs that don't require that at all....I was the only deafie where I worked....I was not required to work with customers (orally)....just my co-workers and bosses...lip-reading came into play, along with written notes....

I think of the many Spanish speaking workers who have jobs in an English-speaking environment....so, where there is a will, there is a way..

I would not be able to work at a gas station either! I'm profound deaf, so I realize what you have to go through, and you should not have to do this....Finding another job better suited for you is hard, I understand....

DeafTim said:

Hi there.

I remember looking at your hearing chart in the other thread and you have very little more hearing than me. After I applied for SSDI, I had to wait for six months fer an answer. First, I got copies of my hearing charts from hospital and mailed them to them. I didnt have to go to any appointments. I think I know why b.c I had proof from a reliable source I've been deaf since 2 yrs old.

I feel for you b/c I got so fed up with hearing world and applied. Im truly glad I did. Nothing to be embarass about. I have read what people say about us being lazy and whatnot. They just jealous. If somebody ever say that to my face, it is on.

Since I collect SSDI, I feel very relief and stress free. Im more happy and more outgoing. SSA even gave me a check for full yr of not working in 2009.

Click to expand...

No one is "jealous" of you...and yeah, ur lazy!...Such a big, strong looking young man with no other outlook in life...no career goals...living off the government and living with your parents because you are too lazy to work...

"Slackers", that's what some people call those who are capable of working, but are too lazy to do so....BUT not because the Hearing won't hire them....Remember the slogan...."Deaf People can do anything...but Hear"!....All deafies are capable of finding a job that they can excel in, and find some self-worth by working for their $$..unfortunately, you are not one of them....

Well Robin I still have a bit of confusion to if I would be considered deaf or HOH in the hearing world. According to my audiologist, he said I was both. I have severe hearing loss in my left, and profound in my right. I will attach the link to my chart for you: http://www.alldeaf.com/general-chat/88797-allergies-fluid-your-ear-4.html

Being between both sucks! the economy is bad enough as it is but to find a job and not being able to understand half of speech is hard. Interviews are a gamble, you never know if they don't hire you because of your deafness or not.

ladysolitary85 said:

Well Robin I still have a bit of confusion to if I would be considered deaf or HOH in the hearing world. According to my audiologist, he said I was both. I have severe hearing loss in my left, and profound in my right. I will attach the link to my chart for you: http://www.alldeaf.com/general-chat/88797-allergies-fluid-your-ear-4.html

Being between both sucks! the economy is bad enough as it is but to find a job and not being able to understand half of speech is hard. Interviews are a gamble, you never know if they don't hire you because of your deafness or not.

Click to expand...

Yes, "in-between" does suck, as I was late-deafened myself (age 14)...I learned to lip-read...and I was always up-front about my deafness (for interviews)....Some job training might help you (?)....

To be honest, it took me several tries to even get into the door for a job that I really wanted...but I never gave up...and hope you won't either....Good Luck!

being Hoh or Deaf isnt an audiological question, its the attitude, the value you take in to describe yourself

Severe hearing loss on left, profound right so I'm not sure what that means as far as saying who I am in the hearing world. When I hear myself talk I sound (to me) congested, I don't even like hearing myself because I can't really hear myself clearly.

Anyways, I do want to may something of myself its just.... I think I need some help along the way. Its hard landing a good job, but its not something I'm giving up. I want to try to go to school, help advance myself because a high school diploma is nothing these days and I can't go back flipping burgers.

and thanks Grummer

DeafTim said:

Hi there.

I remember looking at your hearing chart in the other thread and you have very little more hearing than me. After I applied for SSDI, I had to wait for six months fer an answer. First, I got copies of my hearing charts from hospital and mailed them to them. I didnt have to go to any appointments. I think I know why b.c I had proof from a reliable source I've been deaf since 2 yrs old.

I feel for you b/c I got so fed up with hearing world and applied. Im truly glad I did. Nothing to be embarass about. I have read what people say about us being lazy and whatnot. They just jealous. If somebody ever say that to my face, it is on.

Since I collect SSDI, I feel very relief and stress free. Im more happy and more outgoing. SSA even gave me a check for full yr of not working in 2009.

Click to expand...

do you work?

if not - are you working on getting a job?

DeafTim said:

I feel for you b/c I got so fed up with hearing world and applied. Im truly glad I did. Nothing to be embarass about. I have read what people say about us being lazy and whatnot. They just jealous. If somebody ever say that to my face, it is on.

Since I collect SSDI, I feel very relief and stress free. Im more happy and more outgoing. SSA even gave me a check for full yr of not working in 2009.

Click to expand...

Dude, did you just say that you're happy for no work and fine living off SSDI?
That's how deafies get a bad rep and it don't work well with the hearing. That's what makes you get considered 'disabled'.

And thats exactly not what I want to be at... you know?? If its temp its one thing but I hope I wouldn't have to be on SSI long term.

I just want to take a step back, figure out careers but in the mean time get some sort of assistance, go to college so I CAN get something going with my life.

I have friends that tell me "well, if you go completely deaf theres nothing you can do with a career really"

I want to be the person to prove them wrong.
But again, I'm waiting to see how my other health issue pans out.

I work at a gas station, ALONE on my shift, thats hard! finding another job, harder for me right now

Lady,

Its ok if you are looking at some helps by getting ss benefit, food stamp and goes on. So it would help you a lot and still you may get a part time job or return to school that would be greatly beneficial to your life. trying to check with Voc Reh and discuss about a part time job or go back to school until you figure out with your skill what you can do or can't. I can see that you do have some experiences so dont lose it.

I was born profoundly deaf. I am an ASL user. I have been working since I was 12. I do have a hard time finding a job but keep searching harder. So far I got many jobs in the past that even i had some conflicted with ignorant people. One time I never never forget how ignorant counselor where I used to work with hearing 5 to 6 yrs old kids at the day camp. This certainly head of the counselor thinks I could not do it. most of our jr counselors did support me even though they are learning more about deaf people who are ASL users. So Lots of 5 to 6 yrs kids were scared of me at first, which is obviously I do not speak but using my hands to communicate. Remind you that kids with those ages dont read and write that quickly yet. So i found my way of communicating with kids and kids started to feel comfortable and coming to me each day for the whole summer. What more, I felt SO great when other hearing counselors had a hard time getting the 5 yrs old boy who refused to hop into the pool. He was scared of the pool for freaking 6 weeks!! He was not in my group. Guess what? He came to me and begged me that He wanted me to hold him in the pool and allowed him to learn how to swim in the pool. I was speechless and didnt know what to do but went for it. So I brought him into the pool. He got a huge smile on his face while his counselor ran and took the telephone to make a call to his mom telling him about him and me. Before that at first the head of counsler kept telling me that i can't do it and cant bring him in the pool with me. Of course I ignored HER AS A HEAD OF COUNSELOR while my several counselor jrs agreed with me. In the end of the day, his mom came to me, and thanked me for making him to get in the pool. The head of counselor saw me and his mom talking and the head of counselor got quiet! When the day camp is over and we had a farwell party with kids, and end of the day, their parents came to me and gave me the hugggggge tips that i was shocked to see that i made that a lot!! That was over 200 bucks!!! I enjoyed working with kids so much but i found it that it is not my type of job though. Great experience, yes. so you can do anything, but keep trying to find any kind of job you like, but school is a great way to start with. trust me.

I have a job that is about 16 years. They all know I am an asl user only. They and i do have different ways to communicate and it went fine.


Have faith!!!

Have you tried vocational rehab in your state? Have you contacted any temp agencies?

ladysolitary85 said:

Well Robin I still have a bit of confusion to if I would be considered deaf or HOH in the hearing world. According to my audiologist, he said I was both. I have severe hearing loss in my left, and profound in my right. I will attach the link to my chart for you: http://www.alldeaf.com/general-chat/88797-allergies-fluid-your-ear-4.html

Being between both sucks! the economy is bad enough as it is but to find a job and not being able to understand half of speech is hard. Interviews are a gamble, you never know if they don't hire you because of your deafness or not.

Click to expand...

Since you do have some hearing, and are confused about what people "consider" you to be....even "labeled"....my guess is that you are severely HOH, you wear a HA...You do have "understandable" speech, and have been working at the gas station for awhile....So, in that aspect, you are lucky, as many of us have no hearing and no speech...we would not be able to work at a gas station, which would require interaction with hearing people, (speaking/understanding their speech)....

Since ur hearing is deteriorating, you and even ur boss knows that sooner or later, you will not be able to do this job, and ur already having problems. If ur boss does not have another position for you at the gas station, then it's understandable that he's trying to "help" you by wearing a tag saying that you are HOH..I would do just that, to save myself from repeating over and over to the customers that you are HOH...

You will face some understanding customers and some that are rude...but we deafies face this daily in our lives....

ladysolitary85 said:

thanks smithtr

I guess what I'm trying to ask, in short is do I have to be completely deaf or can a HOH person receive SSI benefits? Is there any kind of assistance I can get?

Its not that I don't want to work, please people don't take me as someone like that. But I only understand less than half of what people are saying, people sound like chipmunks in my ear.

Click to expand...

You can. I recieved little on SSI but mostly on Survivor benefits

ladysolitary85 said:

And thats exactly not what I want to be at... you know?? If its temp its one thing but I hope I wouldn't have to be on SSI long term.

I just want to take a step back, figure out careers but in the mean time get some sort of assistance, go to college so I CAN get something going with my life.

I have friends that tell me "well, if you go completely deaf theres nothing you can do with a career really"

I want to be the person to prove them wrong.
But again, I'm waiting to see how my other health issue pans out.

I work at a gas station, ALONE on my shift, thats hard! finding another job, harder for me right now

Click to expand...

If you apply for SS benefit, and they will send you to DDS (doctor dept) aka Disability Determination Services will test on you by an audology. Just use your common sense not to raise if you cant hear the sounds *hint*

Of course I was on SSI while I was in college. it helped me a lot it helped my parents a lot so it is worth it when you are in school and receving a SS benefit.

your friends are dead wrong. ok