Adjustment to late onset deafness

It is a different world, yes. Baby steps...it takes awhile to learn ASL.

Hearing aids come in different designs...you might have to try different ones on until you find one that fits you. Most decent audiologists let you wear a few over a few weeks until you find one that sounds the best. Of course things will not be like they were, but some hearing is better than none, right?

You might want to put your approximate location in your profile, some of us might be nearby and can help out.
 
green427 said:
If you already did this, they might have concluded that you are not 'deaf enough'. If you say that you are 97% deaf, that is more than enough.

Don't wear your hearing aid(s) when you go in for an application. You need to frustrate them when they can't communicate with you. Don't wear your aids when you go in for the hearing test, and don't reply to the smallest sound you can hear. Wait for it to get somewhat loud.
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green427 said:
Again, you will need proof that you are deaf. There are many people out there trying to milk the system, so they are weeding out those 'milkers'.
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You are contradicting yourself.

By not wearing HAs and by not providing honest responses to behavioral audiometry (standard hearing tests), you are PROMOTING people to "milk the system".

A trained audiologist should be able to identify those who "cheat" on their hearing tests. But regardless, by exaggerating the degree of one's hearing loss, a person may be provided with equipment or recommendations that are inappropriate or even harmful. I would discourage anyone from following that advice.

IMHO.
 
blank canvas said:
Hi I'm not sure how this works but I'm 25 and I lost all the hearing in my left ear 2yrs ago and partial hearing loss in my right ear, docs said may continue to loose hearing as time goes on. One thing I'm having a hard time with the hearing aids it's nothing like how I heard before so its hard to get used to. But to be honest, because my ASL isn't great I don't feel like I'm part of the Deaf community and I no longer seem to fit in with the hearing community.
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One thing you could do is to meet other hearing-impaired, late deafened or hard of hearing people like yourself. You can meet them through an organization such as the Hearing Loss Association of America.

Hope this helps?
 
mizwytch said:
I am SOOOO glad someone had already started this thread, and even more glad that I found it!

I am fairly new to AD and I am dealing with trying to adjust to late onset deafness. Most of the time I am ok with it and just accept the fact that there is nothing else I can really do but accept it. But, what is hard is dealing with the way things have changed with interacting out in society.

It came as quite the shock just how differently people treat someone who has some sort of "disability" or "impairment". The worst is how people just sort of ignore you and leave you out of a conversation, or how some people will look at you like you're something pitiful. Also, being treated like I'm also hard-of-thinking or even mentally retarded is really annoying. I've even gotten aggravated enough at points with the patronizing attitudes to just let whoever know, "Hey! I may be deaf, but I'm NOT retarded nor stupid!" (Yes, I am very plain-spoken and outgoing by nature. LOL)

I have found getting employment harder now too. I spent most of my adult life as a house wife and raising kids and put higher education on hold. I am now 42, 97% deaf, and any sort of job I am qualified for has been an experience in humiliation when I have applied. It's pretty much, "Oh, wow...your deaf...well...we'll call you if we need you." Pisses me off to be honest.:pissed:

My poor hubby became very ill 2 years ago and lost his regular job. He has never really recovered from the illness and isn't really able to hold down a "regular job" right now either. We now have no insurance. So, we now have no way for me to even see a hearing specialist or for him to see a doctor get him back healthy again. My hubby is also a freelance journalist and writer...(which is his passion and was a sort of second job before he lost his time clock job.) He is at present writing web-copy for piss pay...which is a waste of his talents honestly. (Google him...William Douglas Mefford or just Douglas Mefford...and you'll find his stuff all over the web. He has written about loads of stuff! Yes...I am very proud of him. :D)

After being told numerous times I needed to apply for disability benefits...I finally did...twice...and got turned down both times. I was told I wasn't blind or crippled so I didn't qualify. (WTF?) I wanna go back to school, and have even found a school that offers the course of study I want, but I have been told I don't qualify for financial aid.


Frankly, I am usually a very easy going person with an upbeat and positive outlook on things. And, when I realized my hearing was going the way of the dodo I decided I was going to see the silver lining in all of this. Then everything else happened and it has been hard to always keep that positive outlook. As a matter of fact, I've been having one of those "down moment" sort of nights. (I've turned into a night owl and stay up all night and sleep all day.) Anyone got any suggestions or good advice or even a good joke? I'm all ears! :giggle:
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We are very excited to have you here. This thread was started as a sort of informal support group for people dealing with issues with late deafness. Those issues are somewhat different that what someone who has been deaf since birth deal with. This has been a really successful thread because AD members are so generous in sharing their experiences and their ways of coping. I'm sure you will find not just help, but new friends, as well.
 
deafdoc1 said:
you are contradicting yourself.

By not wearing has and by not providing honest responses to behavioral audiometry (standard hearing tests), you are promoting people to "milk the system".

A trained audiologist should be able to identify those who "cheat" on their hearing tests. But regardless, by exaggerating the degree of one's hearing loss, a person may be provided with equipment or recommendations that are inappropriate or even harmful. I would discourage anyone from following that advice.

Imho.
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+1
 
DeafDoc1 said:
You are contradicting yourself.

By not wearing HAs and by not providing honest responses to behavioral audiometry (standard hearing tests), you are PROMOTING people to "milk the system".

A trained audiologist should be able to identify those who "cheat" on their hearing tests. But regardless, by exaggerating the degree of one's hearing loss, a person may be provided with equipment or recommendations that are inappropriate or even harmful. I would discourage anyone from following that advice.

IMHO.
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If she is in fact deaf in the eyes of the law, she should qualify.

I've been denied any assistance when I was younger because I did not look or act like a deaf person. I was told that I am 'normal' enough to work since I could talk. My buddies, who could hear a little bit more than I, but do not talk, and 'act' like deaf people, were instantly given assistance. All came from well-to-do families. I did not. How do you explain that?

True, my statement above constitutes "exaggerating"...it could mean the difference between acceptance or denial of benefits.

If you lost your hearing and cannot communicate with anyone, and you walked in the SSI office for benefits, and they say you are 1 or 2 dB too 'hearing' to qualify, and no one wants to hire you anymore because you can't hear well enough, and you are now homeless & poor, what are you going to do?

If a hearing aid WILL work and enable you to hear enough to talk on the phone, then it probably would be better to cough up the funds.

Just remember this: Hearing aids don't always work well enough for people to hear on the phone, like me for instance.
 
green427 said:
If she is in fact deaf in the eyes of the law, she should qualify.

I've been denied any assistance when I was younger because I did not look or act like a deaf person. I was told that I am 'normal' enough to work since I could talk. My buddies, who could hear a little bit more than I, but do not talk, and 'act' like deaf people, were instantly given assistance. All came from well-to-do families. I did not. How do you explain that?

True, my statement above constitutes "exaggerating"...it could mean the difference between acceptance or denial of benefits.

If you lost your hearing and cannot communicate with anyone, and you walked in the SSI office for benefits, and they say you are 1 or 2 dB too 'hearing' to qualify, and no one wants to hire you anymore because you can't hear well enough, and you are now homeless & poor, what are you going to do?

If a hearing aid WILL work and enable you to hear enough to talk on the phone, then it probably would be better to cough up the funds.

Just remember this: Hearing aids don't always work well enough for people to hear on the phone, like me for instance.
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Employers are under federal law to provide accommodation. No need to be dishonest.
 
jillio said:
Employers are under federal law to provide accommodation. No need to be dishonest.
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Hiring and accommodation are two different things.

If you become deaf while working, then yes, they are required to accommodate. If you are deaf and want a job, they are not required to hire.

Hearing people will never understand the struggle that deaf people have to go through just to get a simple job.
 
green427 said:
Hiring and accommodation are two different things.

If you become deaf while working, then yes, they are required to accommodate. If you are deaf and want a job, they are not required to hire.

Hearing people will never understand the struggle that deaf people have to go through just to get a simple job.
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Not required to hire? No, but neither can they refuse to hire you because you are deaf. Federal law prohibits it. An employer is not required to hire anyone except the person who is best qualified for the job. Get qualifications, don't lie to get assistance.
Re: your statement about hearing people not understanding....some don't, some do. I don't care what your hearing status is, I cannot validate the promotion of dishonest behavior. Especially in this context, as it simply makes it harder for all to get what they need. And can also be self destructive.
 
jillio said:
Not required to hire? No, but neither can they refuse to hire you because you are deaf. Federal law prohibits it. An employer is not required to hire anyone except the person who is best qualified for the job. Get qualifications, don't lie to get assistance.
Re: your statement about hearing people not understanding....some don't, some do. I don't care what your hearing status is, I cannot validate the promotion of dishonest behavior. Especially in this context, as it simply makes it harder for all to get what they need. And can also be self destructive.
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I think employers get extra tax breaks for hiring us too. And VR will actually get you placed if you can't do it yourself. (Experience speaking. :Oops: )
 
green427 said:
If she is in fact deaf in the eyes of the law, she should qualify.

I've been denied any assistance when I was younger because I did not look or act like a deaf person. I was told that I am 'normal' enough to work since I could talk. My buddies, who could hear a little bit more than I, but do not talk, and 'act' like deaf people, were instantly given assistance. All came from well-to-do families. I did not. How do you explain that?

True, my statement above constitutes "exaggerating"...it could mean the difference between acceptance or denial of benefits.

If you lost your hearing and cannot communicate with anyone, and you walked in the SSI office for benefits, and they say you are 1 or 2 dB too 'hearing' to qualify, and no one wants to hire you anymore because you can't hear well enough, and you are now homeless & poor, what are you going to do?If a hearing aid WILL work and enable you to hear enough to talk on the phone, then it probably would be better to cough up the funds.

Just remember this: Hearing aids don't always work well enough for people to hear on the phone, like me for instance.
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WHEN (not if) I lost my hearing, I could still communicate with others. I am literate. I carry around pen and paper. I can speak. I aggressively studied ASL. I applied to VR for assistance. And had I needed SSI but was mistakenly told did not "qualify" I would have appealed the decision.

The LAST thing I would do is exaggerate my degree of hearing loss. It would only come back later to bite me in the butt.

And I am well aware that some people aren't helped by HAs. I am one of them. I initially got HAs but my hearing loss is now 107 dB right/117 dB left. I have ZERO speech comprehension with HAs and am a CI candidate, but have not yet decided to proceed with surgery.

Finally, Jillio and Botts already addressed the employment issue quite accurately.
 
DeafDoc1 said:
You are contradicting yourself.

By not wearing HAs and by not providing honest responses to behavioral audiometry (standard hearing tests), you are PROMOTING people to "milk the system".

A trained audiologist should be able to identify those who "cheat" on they're hearing tests. But regardless, by exaggerating the degree of one's hearing loss, a person may be provided with equipment or recommendations that are inappropriate or even harmful. I would discourage anyone from following that advice.

IMHO.
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I agree, I can't imagine the audiologist would be very helpful if you gave false information. And, granted I am new to this, but don't they program your aid specifically to your loss, I know my HA's are turned up all the way for them to be any use and I need to go in to have them 'turned up' Is that not how all aids work? In my opinion honesty is always the best policy, lying, deceiving or exaggerating just ends up causing headaches later... :hmm:
 
blank canvas said:
I do go to deaf events and I am in ASL classes but still feel stuck in the middle... I guess in my mind I'm still hearing and feel like an impostor or something I know it seems silly I just feel dumb saying I can't hear you but at the same time I don't understand what your signing to me... :hmm:
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You are not alone.
 
KristinaB said:
I would, while you are waiting to hear from VR, or waiting to decide about going in to speak to someone face to face, go somewhere that will offer a free hearing test. For me, my local deaf service center does. I also know some hearing aid places (that I have since found to not be much good) will do free hearing tests. This way, you can have a current test with you when you can get an appointment with VR. I was fortunate to get into VR very easily and they sent me for testing, and I got hearing aids through them before I lost all of my hearing. The company they sent me to for my hearing aids is who I have since learned was not very good. (Thanks for that info Botti, it was very helpful. Seriously) (Beltone).
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How would I go about looking for these places that give the free hearing tests? The last one I had was at the audiologist that the SS Admin sent me to for determining my eligibility for benefits and that was in Tennessee and they didn't seem to be inclined to come off with those test records without a doctor's request or some other official request. Even then they want to take their own sweet time about getting the documents to me.
 
jillio said:
We are very excited to have you here. This thread was started as a sort of informal support group for people dealing with issues with late deafness. Those issues are somewhat different that what someone who has been deaf since birth deal with. This has been a really successful thread because AD members are so generous in sharing their experiences and their ways of coping. I'm sure you will find not just help, but new friends, as well.
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Thanks. I have been reading the thread and the new postings...and I am quite grateful for the responses. Which, in turn, has also lead to new questions. LOL
 
I have noticed several comments about the whole issue of discrimination and the right course for obtaining benefits.

While I am no way inclined to want to obtain anything dishonestly, I can also see green427's point. Of course, since I have no hearing aid and can not hear anything below the very loudest and highest pitched sounds only through my left ear...(even my own voice sounds like it's coming through a seriously thick layer of wool, cotton, or water)...the issue of whether or not to wear one when applying for benefits is a moot point. Also, I have to agree on the issue of "cheating" on a hearing test...I can't even begin to imagine how anyone could accomplish such a thing. :dunno:

As to the whole issue of discrimination being against federal law, true...it is, but it is also damned near impossible to prove discrimination; as I have found out very quickly. Unless you had a fed standing there witnessing the act of discrimination, it's pretty much your word against the prospective employer's. I'm getting the impression that, tax-cuts or not, a lot of perspective employers either don't know about them, (which is unlikely), or don't feel they are worth the effort of dealing with someone who is deaf/HOH. I found out rather quickly people can get pretty pissy when they are asked to repeat themselves several times.

Honestly, all I want is to find some sort of help to return to school so I can get something other than a shitty dead-end job that doesn't even begin to cover the basic utility bills much less food, medical care, etc. along with being able to actually get access to affordable health care. When my hubby lost his job due to illness and the insurance that went with it we were forced to have to try and seek some help at the local "welfare" office. We got a very rude awakening. We were told we were not eligible for anything but EBT (foodstamp) benefits. After 25+ years of my husband working and paying into this damned system we were told we could get next to no help. Recent events prove very clearly that even the feds don't adhere to their own laws or else illegal squatters coming over to this country by the dozens everyday wouldn't still be here getting all the benefits that people like us have been denied after spending years paying into the system. Illegal or not, when it all comes down to it, that anti-discrimination law is about as effective and useful as a rubber crutch...(unless maybe you're anything but a legal US citizen
anyway. :mad:)

Sorry if I ranted and sounded a bit on the bitter side...but discrimination, whether due to age, sex, or physical problems such as blindness or deafness, is a daily occurrence for hundreds of people everyday and the reason you never hear about it is that the vast majority of people can not afford the legal costs to pursue their allegations.

Anyhoo, thanks for all the advice in any case. I do find talking to others who are having to deal with suddenly finding themselves in a silent world a comfort and a way to help me cope with this issue.:ty:
 
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When I needed to find out about possible hearing loss in my kids, I went to the phone book and just called (I still had some hearing then) all the places listed and asked if they do free hearing tests. Beltone was the only one who did. Turned out, that they were the only place my VR had a contract with where I was living as well. Also, Beltone was also the only provider for the State Medicaid my kids were on. Miracle Ear will provide free hearing tests as well.

I just googled "free hearing tests Athens Georgia and got this:
Bet-Townsend Hearing Aids - Home

There was also a link for both Beltone and Miracle Ear in Athens. I wouldn't necessarily buy from them, but they do advertise free testing. Just a thought.
 
KristinaB said:
When I needed to find out about possible hearing loss in my kids, I went to the phone book and just called (I still had some hearing then) all the places listed and asked if they do free hearing tests. Beltone was the only one who did. Turned out, that they were the only place my VR had a contract with where I was living as well. Also, Beltone was also the only provider for the State Medicaid my kids were on. Miracle Ear will provide free hearing tests as well.

I just googled "free hearing tests Athens Georgia and got this:
Bet-Townsend Hearing Aids - Home

There was also a link for both Beltone and Miracle Ear in Athens. I wouldn't necessarily buy from them, but they do advertise free testing. Just a thought.
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Thanks. I can't hear on a phone anymore...but hopefully they'll have an email contact or I'll get my husband to make the call for me.
 
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