Wintermagnolia
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- Apr 30, 2010
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Recently I started school to Master in ASL & Deaf Studies. My education is going well. I talk to my mom about everything, she is one of the only people i will talk to on the phone. (I usually dont like phone conversations because they are hard to follow due to hearing problems.) Last weekend she informed me that my biological father, who i have never known, has hereditary deafness runs in the family. My bio dad's older brother is prelingually deaf. I have struggled in school my whole life, not because i lack intelligence but mostly because it is extremely tiring to follow along with the teachers. My mom suggested I get my hearing tested again, since the last time was when i was really young. I had constant ear infections and hearing loss issues, but we lost our insurance so they eventually stopped taking me to appointments.
What im wondering is this... How common is it for someone with Deaf relatives to be HOH, or late-deafened? Hearing problems are also hereditary on my mother's side, although most of the time it's late-deafness or gradual hearing loss throughout life. And, if someone has lived their life HOH without knowing it, would that person be more naturally drawn towards sign and the Deaf Community? My whole life I have used lip-reading to help understand what others are saying, used exaggerated facial and body expressions while talking (my family calls me "animated" lol), speak "too loudly" and always felt...cut off from others. I learned to just say "yeah," when i miss important words, and to say "Sorry?" instead of "what?" cause people get irritated less with "sorry?" than "what?" for some reason? :/
It wasn't until I dated a boy in HS whose whole family was Deaf where I felt at home.
My mom wants me to get a hearing aid if I am indeed HOH, but i do not. I am comfortable with myself the way i am. I'm worried this will be a disagreement between my family and i. Any advise? Thank you
What im wondering is this... How common is it for someone with Deaf relatives to be HOH, or late-deafened? Hearing problems are also hereditary on my mother's side, although most of the time it's late-deafness or gradual hearing loss throughout life. And, if someone has lived their life HOH without knowing it, would that person be more naturally drawn towards sign and the Deaf Community? My whole life I have used lip-reading to help understand what others are saying, used exaggerated facial and body expressions while talking (my family calls me "animated" lol), speak "too loudly" and always felt...cut off from others. I learned to just say "yeah," when i miss important words, and to say "Sorry?" instead of "what?" cause people get irritated less with "sorry?" than "what?" for some reason? :/
It wasn't until I dated a boy in HS whose whole family was Deaf where I felt at home.
My mom wants me to get a hearing aid if I am indeed HOH, but i do not. I am comfortable with myself the way i am. I'm worried this will be a disagreement between my family and i. Any advise? Thank you