Sign Language?

[dberge320]

HI, I have been deaf since i was 5-6 months old, completely deaf in 1 hear and more then 65% in the other, but was never "allowed" to learn sign language (this was in the 70-80's). I was wondering if others ever in this situation? My mom put me thru years of speech therapy classes and she was advised to enroll me in a regular public school. So I ended up relying on lip-reading and my hearing aid. Did great for many years. Last 4 years I'm not understanding much of what i do hear and kinda feel I should have been able to learn sign as a child. I have 4 kids oldest at 16 and youngest at 4, i'm hurting a bit cuz I never truly heard him, i mean i hear him but cant always make out what he says. But kids are wonderful, they all adapted to my hearing loss at an early age and found ways to make sure i understand them (like youngest throws stuffed animals at me from crib when he wakes up to get me up )

Anyways i was wondering if any of u ever fell into this kind of situation. Sorry for the long post hehe

 

[jillio]

You will find many people on this board that share your experience.

 

[pek1]

HI, I have been deaf since i was 5-6 months old, completely deaf in 1 hear and more then 65% in the other, but was never "allowed" to learn sign language (this was in the 70-80's). I was wondering if others ever in this situation? My mom put me thru years of speech therapy classes and she was advised to enroll me in a regular public school. So I ended up relying on lip-reading and my hearing aid. Did great for many years. Last 4 years I'm not understanding much of what i do hear and kinda feel I should have been able to learn sign as a child. I have 4 kids oldest at 16 and youngest at 4, i'm hurting a bit cuz I never truly heard him, i mean i hear him but cant always make out what he says. But kids are wonderful, they all adapted to my hearing loss at an early age and found ways to make sure i understand them (like youngest throws stuffed animals at me from crib when he wakes up to get me up )

Anyways i was wondering if any of u ever fell into this kind of situation. Sorry for the long post hehe

dberge,

First of all, to alldeaf! You just heard from jillio, a lady who works with the deaf and has a deaf son. Me, I'm deaf/hoh and share your story, although I was never given the opportunity to learn asl growing up, presumely the same time period as you. School district and special ed departments very hostile toward me because I am very oral, although there are some problems in my speech. I have a severe hearing loss bilateral and have a hearing dog with me at almost all times. If you want to see a picture of us, please feel free to pm me with your email address and I'll send you a picture. Snickers is Akita-German Shepherd and is an eight year old female.

When did you last have an audiogram?

 

[dberge320]

Yah had my audiogram done recently, have an appointment to see if i'm a candidate for the CI in Dec. I have thought about getting a dog for the deaf, but never did get one. I speak very well (thanks to my mom's dedication!) and most ppl don't realize i'm deaf til i say something lol.

I have sensinorial (if spelled correctly lol) hearing loss from meningitis.
My main concern now is if i am able to get the CI if i will be able to get financial help and such since i'm on SSI and have 4 kids i sure can't afford it lol.

 

[pek1]

Yah had my audiogram done recently, have an appointment to see if i'm a candidate for the CI in Dec. I have thought about getting a dog for the deaf, but never did get one. I speak very well (thanks to my mom's dedication!) and most ppl don't realize i'm deaf til i say something lol.

I have sensinorial (if spelled correctly lol) hearing loss from meningitis.
My main concern now is if i am able to get the CI if i will be able to get financial help and such since i'm on SSI and have 4 kids i sure can't afford it lol.

What about state rehabilitative services in the state you live in? Surely they or someone they can refer you to can take care of the cost for the CI. Do you have medical assistance as well? See if they can cough up the money for it. State rehab in my state pays for my hearing aids, so something should be able to be accomplished for you. Let me know how you're doing, okay? Having a hearing dog is a great asset, as I trained my own and go almost no where without her. PM me with your email address and I'll send you a picture of us.

 

[Buffalo]

I went thru the same thing. Preschool thru elementary school in 60's are all oral. I went to a private high school in another state that allowed sign language which is much better for me. Education is far more important to me than ability to talk. I don't know about CI because I am not interested in it. Shel90 went thru it also and didn't learn sign language until she was 26, I think. I knew sign language because the school bus is the only place I can sign freely and on the sly in the school.

 

[Altotwo]

Great Book

I think every hearing person needs to read the book I'm reading called "For Hearing People Only." It certainly explains all of the dilemnas of what deaf people had to go through and while reading it it is infuriating me big time. I do not think that it was fair what the world/governments did. The idea of stopping deaf people from having their own sign language is utterly ridiculous. I am hearing and in the process of learning ASL and so excited because the more languages a person can acquire the better they can be and the better the world is to communicate with one another. I love meeting people and I feel like I've always wanted to say hi to some people but when there is a language barrier, it is hard. Now I'm going for one of my dreams, to learn ASL and learn it right!

Hugs to all

Altotwo

 

[shel90]

Went thru the same thing. Grew up in the late 70s and 80s and wasn't allowed to sign. I have a bilateral severe profound hearing loss and always wore HAs. Still do.

I learned ASL around 10 years ago and it changed my life for the better. Made me angry that I was denied it growing up cuz it would have my my life a lot easier.

Right now, I am very involved with the Deaf community both personally and professionally and use ASL about 95% of the time. I have lost interest in interacting with non signers any more than necessary cuz I don't have the motivation to work hard at making sure my speech is clear and especially at lipreading.

Am I happy that I have good speech skills? Yes and no. Yes, cuz it is nice to use it in situations when needed . No, because it gives hearing people the false impression that I am not as deaf as I am and they forget to meet my communication needs resulting in a lot of misunderstandings and frustrations.

Do I want a CI? Nope cuz it took me years and therapy to accept my deafness and I am content with it now. I don't have a desire to hear better.

So that's my story summarized.

BTW..:welcome to AD!

 

[pek1]

I think every hearing person needs to read the book I'm reading called "For Hearing People Only." It certainly explains all of the dilemnas of what deaf people had to go through and while reading it it is infuriating me big time. I do not think that it was fair what the world/governments did. The idea of stopping deaf people from having their own sign language is utterly ridiculous. I am hearing and in the process of learning ASL and so excited because the more languages a person can acquire the better they can be and the better the world is to communicate with one another. I love meeting people and I feel like I've always wanted to say hi to some people but when there is a language barrier, it is hard. Now I'm going for one of my dreams, to learn ASL and learn it right!

Hugs to all

Altotwo

to alldeaf.com, Altotwo! I haven't read the book, but do have my experiences, as do most other deaf/hohs. And, it is still that way today in schools. Even though I support CI's (cochlear implant), I also support that the person needs to learn asl and become fluent in it, as well as associate with other deaf/hohs.

 

[Altotwo]

to alldeaf.com, Altotwo! I haven't read the book, but do have my experiences, as do most other deaf/hohs. And, it is still that way today in schools. Even though I support CI's (cochlear implant), I also support that the person needs to learn asl and become fluent in it, as well as associate with other deaf/hohs.

Thanks Pete. This book is awesome. It was recommended for our class. It is a huge book but very easy to read. It helps hearing people like myself understand the plight much better and the history. I am all for ASL as a language of its own. My father-in-law is very hoh, although 78 he uses hearing aids but even that doesn't help all the time. He's got major problems with them so I have learnt to be very patient with him and appreciate my hearing but learning this new language for me is a blessing that I am taking from our dear Lord that I am able to learn it.

Thank you for the welcome. I am so glad to be here!

Altotwo

 

[pek1]

By the way, Altotwo, what you may consider doing, instead of yelling or talking loud in order for your grandfather to hear you is to bend down and speak directly into his better ear facing back (that way he won't smell your breath). Drop the volume just a bit, see how loud you need to talk to him. Believe me, you will become a favorite in no time!

 

[Altotwo]

By the way, Altotwo, what you may consider doing, instead of yelling or talking loud in order for your grandfather to hear you is to bend down and speak directly into his better ear facing back (that way he won't smell your breath). Drop the volume just a bit, see how loud you need to talk to him. Believe me, you will become a favorite in no time!

Thank you Pete. That is what I do. I understand it can be hard for him to keep trying to adjust his hearing aids so I do get closer and speak in a normal tone and if he still cannot hear, than I approach him to speak closer to his ear. This way, for me, I'm still showing respect to him and not making a huge deal out of his not hearing. The times that bother me is when we are in a restaurant, and the waiter/waitress asks him what he wants and he does not hear it. What can I do to make it more pleasant and easier without having to make my father-in-law feel helpless because he doesn't hear the waiter/waitress? Any suggestions?

Thanks ahead of time

Altotwo

 

[pek1]

Thank you Pete. That is what I do. I understand it can be hard for him to keep trying to adjust his hearing aids so I do get closer and speak in a normal tone and if he still cannot hear, than I approach him to speak closer to his ear. This way, for me, I'm still showing respect to him and not making a huge deal out of his not hearing. The times that bother me is when we are in a restaurant, and the waiter/waitress asks him what he wants and he does not hear it. What can I do to make it more pleasant and easier without having to make my father-in-law feel helpless because he doesn't hear the waiter/waitress? Any suggestions?

Thanks ahead of time

Altotwo

Lightly tap the table to get his attention to look at you. When he does, point your index finger at him, then toward the waitress/waiter for food and beverage orders. Don't hesitate to jump in to help him if he gets frustrated.

 

[Altotwo]

Lightly tap the table to get his attention to look at you. When he does, point your index finger at him, then toward the waitress/waiter for food and beverage orders. Don't hesitate to jump in to help him if he gets frustrated.

thank you Pete. I appreciate the advise. Will definitely try that!

have a great weekend.

Altotwo

 

[pek1]

thank you Pete. I appreciate the advise. Will definitely try that!

have a great weekend.

Altotwo

My dad is 84 and received hearing aids about 12 years ago. I do the same thing for him so as not to insult him or make him feel bad about not being able to hear. It gives him independence, too. He has mentioned that he doesn't know how I do it. And I tell him it isn't easy. He can't hear in crowded situations and it's extremely difficult, actually impossible for me. Windy conditions outside, I am like a deer . . . I hear nothing and am almost completely crippled, due to the noise on the hearing aids.

 

[BearBeauty]

While I didn't have the same expierence of strictly oral as most, I did become deaf from spinal mengentisis. Almost everyone knows my story, started out oral and gradually learned sign over the years until started using it full time in middle school and high school.

my suggestion, since you're on SSI with 4 kids, is to find out if your Vocational rehab or the deaf services in your area can help you. Just Go and find out how they can help. If you are considering CI's, you can ask your local lion's club or a similar club if they're willing to help. Some people have had sucess with these. The clubs can help you raise the money for the CI if you are a canditate.

As far as sign language, Try finding a local program or class that's free or cheap in your area, or go to deaf events in your area, and learn from the people around you. Sometimes it can be helpful to be in touch with other deaf that may understand your situation.

Welcome to AD! Enjoy your time here.

 

[dberge320]

Hi wow! thanks for the replies
Ok i have thought of learning asl, but don't really have anyone i can use it with. I dont know anyone that is deaf, never really did. I know very little sign language and have communicated a little with a totally deaf person but he was also able to read lips so that helped lol. i never grew up around deaf ppl.
Only reason why i was thinking of getting a CI is because of my kids, i used to hear ok with HA but not lately, i feel its not fair to my children and i just would like to get back to the way i was hearing. I don't want full hearing...ack! i enjoy being deaf 95% of the time lol..its fun . Tho I miss my music and it bothers me a lot that i can't understand my youngest like i did with my other kids

As for alot of the clubs and associations i have searched only help children, i was in lions club as a child for help for my mom. My dr doesn't even know of any and neither does SSI

So in all honesty I'm not sure if i want the CI, i just want to find out if i am a candidate then take it from there if I am, do more research and such. No sense in not at least looking into it. I had made myself a promise as to use it as a last resort, i had tried a very strong aid and its not so much as needing more loudness...its the clarity i need now. I don't even know if a CI will help with better understanding of what i hear. So for the last year i was trying different aids, had to take alot of steroids to see if that helped, been to 2 different state hospitals seeing specialists to see why I all of a sudden lost the understanding of what i hear....they can't figure out why

so more feedback and replies pls

 

[BearBeauty]

You can use sign with your children if they are willing to learn. there is a group of dvds called signing time that teach you signs, and there are other dvds as well, I am not sure which ones.

 

[mshel]

HI, I have been deaf since i was 5-6 months old, completely deaf in 1 hear and more then 65% in the other, but was never "allowed" to learn sign language (this was in the 70-80's). I was wondering if others ever in this situation? My mom put me thru years of speech therapy classes and she was advised to enroll me in a regular public school. So I ended up relying on lip-reading and my hearing aid. Did great for many years. Last 4 years I'm not understanding much of what i do hear and kinda feel I should have been able to learn sign as a child. I have 4 kids oldest at 16 and youngest at 4, i'm hurting a bit cuz I never truly heard him, i mean i hear him but cant always make out what he says. But kids are wonderful, they all adapted to my hearing loss at an early age and found ways to make sure i understand them (like youngest throws stuffed animals at me from crib when he wakes up to get me up )

Anyways i was wondering if any of u ever fell into this kind of situation. Sorry for the long post hehe

I can relate. Pretty much same for me but with my adopted parents. My birth mother is sad to know that they did that. Know some ASL and still learning.

 

[jillio]

Hi wow! thanks for the replies
Ok i have thought of learning asl, but don't really have anyone i can use it with. I dont know anyone that is deaf, never really did. I know very little sign language and have communicated a little with a totally deaf person but he was also able to read lips so that helped lol. i never grew up around deaf ppl.
Only reason why i was thinking of getting a CI is because of my kids, i used to hear ok with HA but not lately, i feel its not fair to my children and i just would like to get back to the way i was hearing. I don't want full hearing...ack! i enjoy being deaf 95% of the time lol..its fun . Tho I miss my music and it bothers me a lot that i can't understand my youngest like i did with my other kids

As for alot of the clubs and associations i have searched only help children, i was in lions club as a child for help for my mom. My dr doesn't even know of any and neither does SSI

So in all honesty I'm not sure if i want the CI, i just want to find out if i am a candidate then take it from there if I am, do more research and such. No sense in not at least looking into it. I had made myself a promise as to use it as a last resort, i had tried a very strong aid and its not so much as needing more loudness...its the clarity i need now. I don't even know if a CI will help with better understanding of what i hear. So for the last year i was trying different aids, had to take alot of steroids to see if that helped, been to 2 different state hospitals seeing specialists to see why I all of a sudden lost the understanding of what i hear....they can't figure out why

so more feedback and replies pls

Not to discourage you from investigating the possibility of getting a CI, but I would suggest that the decision should never be made based on what would benefit other people, but rather, what would benefit you. Being in contact with other deaf might help you clarify this position.