Interpreters who are HoH? - Page 3

Byrdie714 · 07-29-2008, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Etoile

Yes, I have hearing loss in some frequencies. When I wear my hearing aids, I can hear those frequencies. So if I was working for you, you would have an interpreter that hears all frequencies - as I mentioned, I wear my hearing aids at all times when I interpret. Is that unacceptable because I am still HOH?

It seems to me that the interpreter is the one who knows if they are capable of interpreting successfully. The client has no way to know the hearing ability of any interpreter. If the interpreter shows up to interpret, the client has a reasonable expectation that the terp is capable of giving all the information. Furthermore, hearing while interpreting depends on a lot more than an audiogram...as people have mentioned here already, acoustics, positioning, accents, and many other things affect how well any interpreter receives a message.

I fully respect your right to choose your interpreter, but I don't see how you can make the blanket statements about HOH interpreters based on your bad experiences with a few. I work with three other HOH interpreters besides myself on a daily basis, and they are all excellent interpreters. If somebody turned them down because they are HOH, I would feel sorry for the client, because they would miss a great interpretation that contained all of the information.

If you were working for me and I noticed that you wear HA's, your ability to interpret would be more scrutinized because of the doubt that HOH interpreter can interpret.

Do you want that?

jillio · 07-29-2008, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Etoile

I gotta disagree with you about using d/Deaf all the time...they have different meanings. You do NOT have to be profoundly deaf in order to be Deaf. There is no dB loss requirement for Deafness or Deafhood. So you could say "if you are deaf, you don't hear at all" but saying "if you are Deaf, you don't hear at all" is not accurate. I also don't think that everyone who DOES hear somewhat is a "hearie" - it seems to me you are trying to paint something black and white when really the Deaf community is a whole rainbow of people.

Well said.

Etoile · 07-29-2008, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byrdie714

deafbajagal.

Yet if an indidvidual says, "with my hearing aids, I hear everything a hearing person hears," leads me to wonder, how do they know what a hearing person hears with an aid of a hearing aid?

( I know....the conspiracist in me is "coming out."

)

Ahahaha, but I am late-deafened! I do know what a hearing person hears! (*evil cackle like Mr Burns on Simpsons*)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byrdie714

If you were working for me and I noticed that you wear HA's, your ability to interpret would be more scrutinized because of the doubt that HOH interpreter can interpret.

Do you want that?

Ummm...I can wear my hair down if I ever interpret for you?! They are really small, I bet you wouldn't notice!

If you prefer to scrutinize my performance, that is fine; I am comfortable with my skills that I can handle that. In fact, I would welcome you to do it, so that you can see that a HOH interpreter can meet your needs for excellent service as well.

You can definitely pick the terp you want, and if you don't want me or another HOH terp that is fine. Besides, we are kind of friends through the Internet, I probably shouldn't interpret for you anyway! Of course that is if I would ever go to Washington state.

I just want to say that some HOH terps can function as hearing people, so they can be trusted to give you quality service.

Byrdie714 · 07-29-2008, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Etoile

Ahahaha, but I am late-deafened! I do know what a hearing person hears! (*evil cackle like Mr Burns on Simpsons*)

Ummm...I can wear my hair down if I ever interpret for you?! They are really small, I bet you wouldn't notice!

If you prefer to scrutinize my performance, that is fine; I am comfortable with my skills that I can handle that. In fact, I would welcome you to do it, so that you can see that a HOH interpreter can meet your needs for excellent service as well.

You can definitely pick the terp you want, and if you don't want me or another HOH terp that is fine. Besides, we are kind of friends through the Internet, I probably shouldn't interpret for you anyway! Of course that is if I would ever go to Washington state.

I just want to say that some HOH terps can function as hearing people, so they can be trusted to give you quality service.

Just like some hearing terps can function as deaf people!

**Reba** · 07-29-2008, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byrdie714

...Hopefully they'll be retired by then.

Even if they can hear OK using HAs?

**Reba** · 07-29-2008, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byrdie714

By showing up as an HOH interpreter, the client will always have doubt that one is capable of hearing everything. And always wonder if they got all the information....

Some clients have those doubts anyway. I have one deaf client that claims I must be hard of hearing because I couldn't hear what someone was whispering to a friend at the opposite side of a crowded cafeteria, and that I couldn't interpret what people in the next office were discussing, with the door closed.

Sometimes I can't hear everything because the place is just too noisy. I had to stand in front of an amplified as big as me, inches away, at full power, with rock music blaring, and some how interpret the words of the song that weren't very clearly enunciated to begin with. Also, the curvature of the hard wall surface bounced the sound back at me. I had such a headache after two hours, and my ears kept ringing.

Byrdie714 · 07-29-2008, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reba

Some clients have those doubts anyway. I have one deaf client that claims I must be hard of hearing because I couldn't hear what someone was whispering to a friend at the opposite side of a crowded cafeteria, and that I couldn't interpret what people in the next office were discussing, with the door closed.

Sometimes I can't hear everything because the place is just too noisy. I had to stand in front of an amplified as big as me, inches away, at full power, with rock music blaring, and some how interpret the words of the song that weren't very clearly enunciated to begin with. Also, the curvature of the hard wall surface bounced the sound back at me. I had such a headache after two hours, and my ears kept ringing.

Well it's obvious that particular client isn't being realistic.

**Reba** · 07-29-2008, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byrdie714

Well it's obvious that particular client isn't being realistic.

But that client was serious!

Byrdie714 · 07-29-2008, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reba

But that client was serious!

*smh*

deafbajagal · 07-29-2008, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reba

Some clients have those doubts anyway. I have one deaf client that claims I must be hard of hearing because I couldn't hear what someone was whispering to a friend at the opposite side of a crowded cafeteria, and that I couldn't interpret what people in the next office were discussing, with the door closed.

Sometimes I can't hear everything because the place is just too noisy. I had to stand in front of an amplified as big as me, inches away, at full power, with rock music blaring, and some how interpret the words of the song that weren't very clearly enunciated to begin with. Also, the curvature of the hard wall surface bounced the sound back at me. I had such a headache after two hours, and my ears kept ringing.

I wasn't surprised to read your post. A lot of deaf people do not really understand how sound and speech work (I admit I'm one of them - it still amazes me that just because I'm out of sight doesn't mean that a person cannot hear me).

One time it was really a noisy environment and the interpreter was struggling to hear what was said. The other deaf person with me got a little irritated AT the interpreter. I told the deaf person - "Wait a minute. It's not her fault that she cannot hear over the people chattering. It's our responsiblity to ask the speaker (professor) to clarify what was said."

HoHGuyOhio · 07-29-2008, 06:50 PM

[QUOTE=Byrdie714;1047125]Because we have the right to have a capable interpreter. As we have discussed before, we've had some bad experiences with HOH interpreters. Myself, I won't accept an HOH interpreter.QUOTE]

Interesting...I've had bad experiences with deaf consumers. Does that mean I won't interpret for any deaf people?

I happen to be a very capable interpreter who happens to have a hearing loss. My HAs compensate for my hearing loss very well; I would encourage you to not stereotype all HOH interpreters as incompetent.

Byrdie714 · 07-30-2008, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoHGuyOhio

Interesting...I've had bad experiences with deaf consumers. Does that mean I won't interpret for any deaf people?

I happen to be a very capable interpreter who happens to have a hearing loss. My HAs compensate for my hearing loss very well; I would encourage you to not stereotype all HOH interpreters as incompetent.

Saying that you are capable and others saying that you are capable are two different things Chris.

You probably had bad experiences with deaf consumers for the fact that you showed up with your HA's and the deaf consumer probably felt that they were getting short end of the stick in terms of service. Of course that is just an assumption.

I would not accept an interpreter that happends to be HOH. Period. If you have an issue with that--that's your problem, not mine.

Interpreters that are HOH and wear HA's are going to have to accept the fact that there will be extra scrutiny of their work. If you can't handle it, then maybe it's time to look for another job in another field.

**shel90** · 07-30-2008, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byrdie714

Saying that you are capable and others saying that you are capable are two different things Chris.

You probably had bad experiences with deaf consumers for the fact that you showed up with your HA's and the deaf consumer probably felt that they were getting short end of the stick in terms of service. Of course that is just an assumption.

I would not accept an interpreter that happends to be HOH. Period. If you have an issue with that--that's your problem, not mine.

Interpreters that are HOH and wear HA's are going to have to accept the fact that there will be extra scrutiny of their work. If you can't handle it, then maybe it's time to look for another job in another field.

Ouch!

Byrdie714 · 07-30-2008, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shel90

Ouch!

I know. Sometimes the truth hurts.

Etoile · 07-30-2008, 09:52 AM

For what it's worth, I've never had any negative reactions to the fact that I wear hearing aids. If people notice them at all, they usually just say "why do you have them" and I say "I'm hard of hearing" and they say "oh, okay." Nobody has ever criticized my work, asked for another interpreter, told me that they were watching more closely, told me that they worried about getting all the information, or anything. Never, not once. This is the first time I have heard anyone express concern over the issue. Which is fine, diversity makes the world go 'round. But in person, nobody has ever said anything about it to me.

Byrdie714 · 07-30-2008, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Etoile

For what it's worth, I've never had any negative reactions to the fact that I wear hearing aids. If people notice them at all, they usually just say "why do you have them" and I say "I'm hard of hearing" and they say "oh, okay." Nobody has ever criticized my work, asked for another interpreter, told me that they were watching more closely, told me that they worried about getting all the information, or anything. Never, not once. This is the first time I have heard anyone express concern over the issue. Which is fine, diversity makes the world go 'round. But in person, nobody has ever said anything about it to me.

Out of curiosity.....for those that you had to explained that you were HOH, did you ever interpret for them again?

Etoile · 07-30-2008, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byrdie714

Out of curiosity.....for those that you had to explained that you were HOH, did you ever interpret for them again?

Yes indeed.

Byrdie714 · 07-30-2008, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Etoile

Yes indeed.

Wow...you answered fast.

Of course it helps if one develops rapport with the 'terp too.

Etoile · 07-30-2008, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byrdie714

Wow...you answered fast.

Of course it helps if one develops rapport with the 'terp too.

I get e-mail notifications of replies to threads, helps me follow the conversation. So I often reply right away.

It sounds like you are doubtful that any of my clients would want to have me as a terp again. Like, Gee, if they found out I was HOH, they must not want to work with me again, but if we have a good relationship, they'll be okay with it. I hope I'm misinterpreting your tone of voice.

Byrdie714 · 07-30-2008, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Etoile

I get e-mail notifications of replies to threads, helps me follow the conversation. So I often reply right away.

It sounds like you are doubtful that any of my clients would want to have me as a terp again. Like, Gee, if they found out I was HOH, they must not want to work with me again, but if we have a good relationship, they'll be okay with it. I hope I'm misinterpreting your tone of voice.

Well I'm not using my voice. I'm using my fingers to post.

Byrdie714 · 07-30-2008, 10:48 AM

Question for HOH Interpreters:

When you show up to a client's appointment and the client notices that you wear HA's and start to interpret for them. Don't you think you may be conveying a message to them that you are "better" than they are because you can hear with your HA's whereas they don't?

Hence the sign "hearing" to the forehead......

Etoile · 07-30-2008, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byrdie714

Question for HOH Interpreters:

When you show up to a client's appointment and the client notices that you wear HA's and start to interpret for them. Don't you think you may be conveying a message to them that you are "better" than they are because you can hear with your HA's whereas they don't?

Hence the sign "hearing" to the forehead......

Damn, you really have a problem with HOH interpreters, don't you? You're looking for every opportunity to put them down. I'm not even going to answer this question, it's obviously just an attempt to get us riled up. Perhaps YOU think we're better because we hear and you don't? That's YOUR problem, not mine. Your dislike of HOH interpreters is plain and I'm tired of your inability to accept that HOH interpreters might be just as good as other interpreters. If you don't want one for yourself, that's fine - but why do you keep on suggesting that we're bad? I see I was right about your tone in the previous message, you really don't think it's possible that I am a GOOD interpreter. You said the same thing to HOHguyOhio, that maybe he thinks he's good but others don't. You don't know us, you don't know our clients, and you don't know our audiologists, but you think you know if we're any good - and you've decided we're not, despite a complete lack of evidence. It is a sad person who must look for every opportunity to put someone else down.

**Reba** · 07-30-2008, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byrdie714

...I would not accept an interpreter that happends to be HOH. Period....

Whoa, clash of the ADA titans!

Which disability trumps the other? Does the HoH terp's right to work trump the deaf client's right to choose a terp? Or, does the deaf client's right to turn down a terp trump the right of the HoH terp to not be discriminated against because of a disability?

Byrdie714 · 07-30-2008, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Etoile

Damn, you really have a problem with HOH interpreters, don't you? You're looking for every opportunity to put them down. I'm not even going to answer this question, it's obviously just an attempt to get us riled up. Perhaps YOU think we're better because we hear and you don't? That's YOUR problem, not mine. Your dislike of HOH interpreters is plain and I'm tired of your inability to accept that HOH interpreters might be just as good as other interpreters. If you don't want one for yourself, that's fine - but why do you keep on suggesting that we're bad? I see I was right about your tone in the previous message, you really don't think it's possible that I am a GOOD interpreter. You said the same thing to HOHguyOhio, that maybe he thinks he's good but others don't. You don't know us, you don't know our clients, and you don't know our audiologists, but you think you know if we're any good - and you've decided we're not, despite a complete lack of evidence. It is a sad person who must look for every opportunity to put someone else down.

And it's sad to see that an HOH interpreter can't see the point of view of the deaf consumer.

I didn't say that you or HOHGuyOhio were bad interpreters, I just merely pointed that your work would be more scrutinized due to wearing HA's to interpret for client.

It's sad to see that you can't answer my question in the previous post by stating that you are going to refuse to answer it. It just shows that by having a constructive discussion with different points of view, you are refusing to educate and/or enlighten members of AD.

Byrdie714 · 07-30-2008, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reba

Whoa, clash of the ADA titans!

Which disability trumps the other? Does the HoH terp's right to work trump the deaf client's right to choose a terp? Or, does the deaf client's right to turn down a terp trump the right of the HoH terp to not be discriminated against because of a disability?

It is a clash of the ADA titans!

I think it would be the deaf client's rights as they are on the receiving end of the services.

Etoile · 07-30-2008, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byrdie714

And it's sad to see that an HOH interpreter can't see the point of view of the deaf consumer.

I didn't say that you or HOHGuyOhio were bad interpreters, I just merely pointed that your work would be more scrutinized due to wearing HA's to interpret for client.

It's sad to see that you can't answer my question in the previous post by stating that you are going to refuse to answer it. It just shows that by having a constructive discussion with different points of view, you are refusing to educate and/or enlighten members of AD.

I tried having a constructive discussion, but you keep holding on to your belief that HOH interpreters are no good. I've already pointed out the multiple times you have made assumptions - you assume that HOHGuyOhio's clients don't think he is as good an interpreter as HE thinks he is, and you assume that the only reason my clients want me back is because we have a good rapport. You are making insulting assumptions, not having a constructive discussion: your mind is made up that you don't like HOH interpreters. If you could demonstrate that you realize some HOH interpreters are just as qualified as hearing interpreters, then we might be getting somewhere. You're not being constructive, you're being insulting.

I have an answer for your question now: No, I don't worry that they will think I think I'm better. I do not worry about that.

Byrdie714 · 07-30-2008, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Etoile

I tried having a constructive discussion, but you keep holding on to your belief that HOH interpreters are no good. I've already pointed out the multiple times you have made assumptions - you assume that HOHGuyOhio's clients don't think he is as good an interpreter as HE thinks he is, and you assume that the only reason my clients want me back is because we have a good rapport. You are making insulting assumptions, not having a constructive discussion: your mind is made up that you don't like HOH interpreters. If you could demonstrate that you realize some HOH interpreters are just as qualified as hearing interpreters, then we might be getting somewhere. You're not being constructive, you're being insulting.

I have an answer for your question now: No, I don't worry that they will think I think I'm better. I do not worry about that.

Having a constructive discussion and defending your work are two different things. I have said nothing about you or HOHGuyOhio being bad interpreters.

Below are quotes that I have said in regards to this issue:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byrdie714

I agree.

Because we have the right to have a capable interpreter. As we have discussed before, we've had some bad experiences with HOH interpreters. Myself, I won't accept an HOH interpreter.

That is my right not to have an HOH interpreter as I find it contradictory to have an HOH interpreter to interpret a deaf person.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byrdie714

By showing up as an HOH interpreter, the client will always have doubt that one is capable of hearing everything. And always wonder if they got all the information.

As some HOH interpreters mentioned on this forum, there are frequencies that they have a hard time with. I prefer to have an interpreter that hears all frequencies...

Again, nothing about being bad interpreters. Just a quote having doubtability of an HOH interpreter hearing everything.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byrdie714

deafbajagal.

Yet if an indidvidual says, "with my hearing aids, I hear everything a hearing person hears," leads me to wonder, how do they know what a hearing person hears with an aid of a hearing aid?

( I know....the conspiracist in me is "coming out."

)

No one can answer this question......

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byrdie714

If you were working for me and I noticed that you wear HA's, your ability to interpret would be more scrutinized because of the doubt that HOH interpreter can interpret.

Do you want that?

Another quote showing concern......

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byrdie714

Saying that you are capable and others saying that you are capable are two different things Chris.

You probably had bad experiences with deaf consumers for the fact that you showed up with your HA's and the deaf consumer probably felt that they were getting short end of the stick in terms of service. Of course that is just an assumption.

I would not accept an interpreter that happends to be HOH. Period. If you have an issue with that--that's your problem, not mine.

Interpreters that are HOH and wear HA's are going to have to accept the fact that there will be extra scrutiny of their work. If you can't handle it, then maybe it's time to look for another job in another field.

I admit an assumption in the post in regards of deaf client feeling they are getting a short end of the stick. Nothing stating that HOH interpreters are bad...

Now my assumptions are not meant to be insulting but if you feel that they are insulting, it's because you are making them feel insulting.

This topic of HOH interpreters is a good discussion because it is an oxymoron to have an interpreter with a hearing problem to interpret a client that can't hear! Regardless of what the ADA says.

Byrdie714 · 07-30-2008, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Etoile

I tried having a constructive discussion, but you keep holding on to your belief that HOH interpreters are no good. I've already pointed out the multiple times you have made assumptions - you assume that HOHGuyOhio's clients don't think he is as good an interpreter as HE thinks he is, and you assume that the only reason my clients want me back is because we have a good rapport. You are making insulting assumptions, not having a constructive discussion: your mind is made up that you don't like HOH interpreters. If you could demonstrate that you realize some HOH interpreters are just as qualified as hearing interpreters, then we might be getting somewhere. You're not being constructive, you're being insulting.

I have an answer for your question now: No, I don't worry that they will think I think I'm better. I do not worry about that.

Good because that is all that matters.

Byrdie714 · 07-30-2008, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reba

Whoa, clash of the ADA titans!

Which disability trumps the other? Does the HoH terp's right to work trump the deaf client's right to choose a terp? Or, does the deaf client's right to turn down a terp trump the right of the HoH terp to not be discriminated against because of a disability?

Good question...I started a thread under the ADA section for this particular discussion.

HOH Interpreters & Deaf clients

jillio · 07-30-2008, 12:29 PM

[QUOTE=Byrdie714;1048208]Question for HOH Interpreters:

When you show up to a client's appointment and the client notices that you wear HA's and start to interpret for them. Don't you think you may be conveying a message to them that you are "better" than they are because you can hear with your HA's whereas they don't?

Hence the sign "hearing" to the forehead......[/QUOTE]

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07-29-2008, 06:50 PM	#71 (permalink)
HoHGuyOhio Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 194	[QUOTE=Byrdie714;1047125]Because we have the right to have a capable interpreter. As we have discussed before, we've had some bad experiences with HOH interpreters. Myself, I won't accept an HOH interpreter.QUOTE] Interesting...I've had bad experiences with deaf consumers. Does that mean I won't interpret for any deaf people? I happen to be a very capable interpreter who happens to have a hearing loss. My HAs compensate for my hearing loss very well; I would encourage you to not stereotype all HOH interpreters as incompetent.

07-30-2008, 09:52 AM	#75 (permalink)
Etoile Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Washington DC Posts: 1,184	For what it's worth, I've never had any negative reactions to the fact that I wear hearing aids. If people notice them at all, they usually just say "why do you have them" and I say "I'm hard of hearing" and they say "oh, okay." Nobody has ever criticized my work, asked for another interpreter, told me that they were watching more closely, told me that they worried about getting all the information, or anything. Never, not once. This is the first time I have heard anyone express concern over the issue. Which is fine, diversity makes the world go 'round. But in person, nobody has ever said anything about it to me.

07-30-2008, 10:48 AM	#81 (permalink)
Byrdie714 Banned Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 8,941	Question for HOH Interpreters: When you show up to a client's appointment and the client notices that you wear HA's and start to interpret for them. Don't you think you may be conveying a message to them that you are "better" than they are because you can hear with your HA's whereas they don't? Hence the sign "hearing" to the forehead......

07-30-2008, 12:29 PM	#90 (permalink)
jillio Banned Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 60,296	[QUOTE=Byrdie714;1048208]Question for HOH Interpreters: When you show up to a client's appointment and the client notices that you wear HA's and start to interpret for them. Don't you think you may be conveying a message to them that you are "better" than they are because you can hear with your HA's whereas they don't? Hence the sign "hearing" to the forehead......[/QUOTE]