Join Hearing Loss Nation

HearingLossNation is a non-profit online community designed specifically for Hard of Hearing individuals between the ages of 18 and 35. Please Join because you will find people just like you who are all over the world who have a hearing loss just like you. They may even have the same exact hearing loss you have. I found many many friends that I connected with right away.

This website is great and I thank Patrick the administrator who created this because he connected me with people that are just like me & for the first time I dont have to hide my HEARING LOSS. You will deafinitely feel welcomed and happy you joined. So dont miss out come join us at the HEARING LOSS NATION. Its easy to join and its fun!

About the age group it saids you have to be 18-35 but in all honesty many people on it are over 35 years of age. So please DONT let that disscourage you.


*Smile*

Dealing with Bullies

hey all, I just recieved this in my email. This is very important especially for the parents I know that have kids who are DEAF/HARD OF HEARING and get bullied at school. PLEASE READ!! Remember this is from an email I got today. I didnt WRITE THIS!

I remember back in school was awful for me. I was scared of most of the kids because all I remember them saying was " deaf girl" " WHAT WHAT". Ill never forget these times because it happened mostly everyday. I also remember one time a kid threw my FM SYSTEM off my desk. I cried and I never told my parents ever even till this day THEY HAVE NO IDEA! I know alot about being bullied and I hate when I see children go through what I have been through. It is horrifying!

Here are some helpful things you may want to use:

Any student who is different in any way may be made fun of and bullied due to a lack of understanding, but special needs children are an easier target. Special needs children may talk differently, behave differently or interact socially in ways that appear inappropriate or strange to other kids their age because of their diagnosed condition.

While children should learn to accept constructive criticism, deal with occasional tactless remarks and forgive accidental touching, they often need adult help with bullying, whether verbal or physical. Here are some ways to intervene that will protect your children when you can’t be with them.

1) Make sure that communication lines are open and encourage kids to tell you about daily events. Listen carefully when children complain about being taunted, threatened, pushed or hit by other kids. Don’t dismiss their grief with, “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” Name-calling does hurt and can wound a child’s self-esteem.

2) Talk with children about these options for countering verbal or physical attacks without being mean or violent: Ask the bully to leave you alone and tell him or her that you are not interested in such comments, threats, etc.; If possible, walk away from the bully; Sometimes a humorous response might work. For example, if someone calls you a name, you might say, “I didn’t know that. Thank you very much.” Maybe the bully will be so surprised, he will leave you alone; Discuss the problem with a nearby adult such as a neighbor, a parent, a grandparent, a teacher, a school psychologist or a principal. Also ask your friends for advice.

3) Point out to children that when someone insults them with cruel words, these words do not make the insult true. Bullies often power-trip by trying to make others feel bad about themselves. Children can thwart bullies by retaining their own self-confidence and happiness. Remind kids that they have friends and family members who like them and care about them and see them as good and nice people.

4) Teach children that no matter how big, strong or popular someone is, he or she does not have the right to hurt our bodies or our feelings. All kids deserve respect.

5) Help children understand that other kids may need them to stand up against a bully. Kids should find a way to prevent bullies from hurting anyone, and a group of children may be able to stop harassment. It is not tattling to tell an adult that a bully or a gang is planning to attack someone. If one adult will not listen, children need to keep telling adults until someone assists them.

6) Urge children to tell you or other adults if they see kids carrying weapons.

7) If bullying occurs at school, talk with teachers or with the principal. Encourage them to hold class workshops on bullying with trained social workers or psychologists. Reading and discussing relevant juvenile literature, such as How the Moon Regained Her Shape, can help families and classes to open up the topic and discuss the negative impact of bullying. My sister, whose son has autism, sometimes goes to his school to explain to his classmates why he has so much trouble speaking. This gives the students and the teacher knowledge that fosters understanding. Also, suggest that the school officials establish a strong anti-bullying policy to keep kids safe. Many schools have a “Bully Box” to allow students to report harassment without signing their names. Occasionally, teachers or coaches may bully children, in which case parents or guardians need to intervene and inform appropriate officials.

8) Consider giving your children basic training in self-defense. There are many classes for youngsters in karate, judo, aikido and other martial arts. Such training can give children self-confidence and teach them how to block blows, discourage attackers and get away. Children with hearing loss, low vision or who are wheelchair-bound can do well in self-defense courses and competitions.

9) Dispel myths about bullies. Bullies can be any size, gender, age and skin color. We need to help children understand that bullying is not cool and that they have a right to counter bullies in any constructive way.

10) And lastly, if your child is the bully: The reasons behind bullying are numerous. Some bullies do not know how to treat others with respect because they see and hear disrespect from their parents or other relatives, they may not know how to react to differences or they may like to power-trip by insulting or hitting people. Depending on the issue that makes them behave this way, they may need the help of a good psychologist or social worker to find better ways to deal with anger, jealousy or other triggering emotions.

Teach your children not to bully others and to value their own bodies. Point out that everyone’s body is different and that we all have different strengths and weaknesses. Each one of us has a body that is right for him or her. Discuss questions like these with your family: Is anyone’s body perfect? What kinds of comments about someone’s appearance are appropriate? Do we have a right to make remarks that may hurt other people’s feelings? How can we have friendly arguments? What is appropriate to e-mail or post on the Internet?
By:Janet Heller

Janet also published a book about bullying: " How the Moon Regained Her Shape" from (Sylvan Dell Publishing, 2006 hardback, 2007 paperback). You can purchased it here

Redskins Ordered To Continue Captions

To the Hearing Loss Association of America Members, Remember on the cover of the HLAA magazine Reed Doughty of Washington Redskins for the NOV/DEC 2008 issue? Well the great news is Redskins Fans can now ENJOY watching football all over again at the games..

CLICK HERE for the article!!

I think this is wonderful that the LAW passed to provide Captions for the deaf/hh in Washington. Honestly THIS IS HOW IT SHOULD BE! I also think every sport should have Captions on their screens such as BASEBALL,NFL, HOCKEY. Its not fair to us and we want to be included. I really would love to see in NEW YORK especially considering there are alot of deaf/hh people out here for Captioning at baseball games especially the NEW YORK METS!! Im a big baseball fan.. and this year in 114 days there will be a new stadium. You would think they would put Captions on for us. Nope They wouldnt want to SPEND THE MONEY.. BUT... they have a "DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING DAY".. and honestly last year going to that game to support hearing loss, THEY DIDNT DO ANYTHING. I complained and the reason why they didnt do anything is because "stadium was being knocked down". They didnt want to spend money. In all honesty they shouldnt of put " Deaf and Hard of Hearing Awareness day" if they didnt want to support us!

Maybe someday soon this can happen if someone decides to sue just like they did for football team in WASHINTON. Thats the only WAY people are going to learn!

Does your favorite TEAM have Captions at their games on the screen??? If not, Complain...

Captioning YouTube

Thanks to Dave Pearson and Dana Mulvany, members of HLAA, we received the following information about YouTube:

"In a move to make videos easier to understand without volume or for hard of hearing people, YouTube has given users the option of embedding closed captions that show up as semitransparent overlays. Caption files that have text dialogue synced up to the proper timestamps can be uploaded during the time of upload or afterwards, and YouTube has provided multiple language support to let viewers swap between different languages of a single video without having to leave playback."

Click Here for more

Benefits of Binaural Hearing

My new friend JAMIE* emailed me today and told me to make sure to go onto youtube and watch this video. She is right this is why I am struggling so bad with my hearing loss. I finally realized why im struggling so much. Thank You Jamie* for your help. Im so glad we have so much in common!

Unfortunality, most of you know I havent been well all year because of the seziures and since I have them 99.9 of day still I CANNOT get the CI. I dont know If im qualified because I didnt get a chance to go to the doctors yet but I do know if I am I will be upset because I CANNOT get it right this moment. It stinks because I have struggled this entire year and you would think I COULD GET MY HEARING BACK. Who knows right now I have to wait it out and it simply STINKS! It's life though as much as its very difficult and saying " WHAT" and relyin on people to help me every minute for a 1 on 1 conversation upsets me and the person as it is.

Please take a look at this video It is closed captioned!

Smile*

Acronym Meanings to Know

Today I got an email from a friend of mine and she didnt understand what the abbrevations for ABI (Auditory Brainstem Implant)was. My bestfriend happens to have an ABI thats why she has emailed me and thought, I could help explain what the device does.

Anyways after doing that I thought it would be wise to take a good hour or so to write a list of all the Acronyms I knew and possibly could think of. The list is pretty long but I wanted to share this with all of you because many of these Acronyms I use in my blogs. Plus it would be good information to pass this along to a friend!

If there is One that I missed and you would like me to add it for you, please let me know and I will be happy to add it.

Smile*


ABI Auditory Brainstem Implant
ABR Auditory Brainstem Response
ADA Americans with Disabilities Act
ADDC Assistive Device Demonstration Center
AGB Alexander Graham Bell Association (www.agbell.org) Wonderful Organization
ALD Assistive Listening Device
ALDA Association of Late Deafened Adults (http://alda.org)
ALS Assistive Listening System
AN Auditory Neuropathy
ASL American Sign Language
ASP Automatic Signal Processing
AT Assistive Technology
ATA American Tinnitus Association (www.ata.org)
AVT Auditory Verbal Therapy
BAER Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response
BAHA Bone Anchored Hearing Aid
BTE Behind The Ear (hearing aid)
BICROS Binaural Contralateral Routing Of Signal
BSL British Sign Language
C & T Comfort and Threshold Levels for CI Mapping (High and Low)
CA Communications Assistant (Relay)
CAN Computer Aided Notetaking
CAPD Central Auditory Processing Disorder
CART Computer Aided RealTime captioning
CASE Conceptually Accurate Signed English
CC Closed Captioned
CHHA Canadian Hard of Hearing Association
CHS Canadian Hearing Society
CI Cochlear Implant
CIC Completely In the Canal (hearing aid)
CICI Cochlear Implant Club International
CROS Contralateral Routing Of Signal
DAI Direct Audio Input
dB decibel
ENT Ear Nose and Throat Doctor
EASe Electronic Auditory Stimulation effect
ENG ElectroNystamoGraphy
HA Hearing Aid
HAC Hearing Aid Compatible
HAT Hearing Assistance Technology
HATIS Hearing Aid Telephone Interconnect System
HCO Hearing Carry Over (using relay to supplement speech not hearing)
HI Hearing Impaired
HINT - Hearing in Noise Testing
HLAA- Hearing Loss Association of America
HOH Hard Of Hearing
IDEA Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
IEP Individualized Education Program
IFHOH International Federation of Hard of Hearing Organizations
IL Inductive Loop (aka Audio Loop)
ITC In the Canal (hearing aid)
ITE In The Ear (hearing aid)
IVRS Interactive Voice Response System
LC Low Cut (HA adjustment)
LR Lip Reading
MAP Making A Pathway to hearing. The way a Cochlear Implant's processor's parameters are set to deliver sound.
MCL - Most Comfortable Level
MRI Magnetic Resonance Imaging
NAD National Association of the Deaf (www.Nad.org)
NF2 NeruoFibromatosis type 2 (www.nf2crew.org)
NTID National Technical Institute for the Deaf (www.ntid.rit.edu)
OC Open Captioned
PSE Pidgin Signed English
RERC Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center
RF Radio Frequency
SD Speech Discrimination
SEE Signed Exact English
SLP Speech Language Pathologist
SLT Speech Language Therapist
SRT Speech Reception Threshold
SSD Social Security Disability
SSI Supplemental Security Income
SSPL Saturation Sound Pressure Level (HA adjustment)
TA Technical Assistance
TAP Technical Assistance Program
TDD Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (invented name for TTY)
TT Text Telephone (little used name for TTY)
TTY Teletypewriter like device that sends characters over the phone
TV Television
UCL UnConfortable Level
VCO Voice Carry Over
VR Vocational Rehabilitation

Equal Employment Opportunity Comission Not To Rush 11th Hour ADA ACT.

Action Alert: Tell EEOC Not to Rush 11th Hour ADA Amendments Act Regulations TODAY


* * * Immediate Action Necessary * * *


Tell EEOC Not to Rush Through 11th Hour ADA Amendments Act Regulations

AAPD staff have learned that the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has scheduled a Commission meeting for this Thursday, December 11 at 2 p.m. to discuss regulations interpreting the new ADA Amendments Act that was signed into law by President Bush on September 25. We have learned that one of the potential items for discussion is a new "Interim Final Rule" interpreting the new ADA Amendments Act that would take effect concurrent with the statute's effective date on January 1, 2009. If the Commission decides to issue an Interim Final Rule, that means that their regulations would take effect BEFORE anyone outside the commission has had an opportunity to review and comment on them. This is not acceptable.

Typically, administrative agencies issue a notice of proposed rulemaking and give stakeholders an opportunity to comment on proposed regulations before they take effect. We believe that it is essential that the disability community and broader civil rights coalition that worked hard to get the ADA Amendments Act signed into law have an opportunity to see and comment on the new regulations before they take effect, and we are concerned that the Commission would try to rush through a final rule with no public comment at the end of an administration.

Call today to let the EEOC Chairperson, Naomi Churchill Earp, and the Legal Counsel, Reed Russell, know that we want an opportunity to review the proposed regulations BEFORE they take effect. The ADA Amendments Act was the product of long negotiations and discussions with multiple stakeholders, and it is important that the regulations benefit from the same kind of broad-based input. The new law repudiates an overly narrow approach to the definition of disability that had been applied by the U.S. Supreme Court AND the EEOC, and we don't want to see the new regulations inadvertently create new problems for charging parties with disabilities and employers.

Congress did not instruct EEOC to issue regulations before the new law's effective date, and there is no reason for the regulatory process to move forward without the typical notice and opportunity to comment. Our message to EEOC is simple: Don't issue a rule before we have an opportunity to be heard.

Nothing about us without us.

To reach the Chair's office, call 202 663-4002.

To reach the Legal Counsel, call 202 663-4609.

For Hearing People : Talking to the Hard of Hearing

Tips on how to talk to a HARD OF HEARING PERSON**

--Whenever possible, face the hard-of-hearing person directly, and on the same level.
--Your speech will be more easily understood when you are not eating, chewing, smoking, etc.
--Reduce background noises when carrying on conversations -- turn off the radio or TV.
--Keep your hands away from your face while talking.
--If it's difficult for a person to understand, find another way of saying the same thing, rather than repeating the original words. Move to a quieter location.
--Recognize that hard of hearing people hear and understand less well when they are tired or ill.
--Do not talk to a hard-of-hearing person from another room. Be sure to get the attention of the person to whom you will speak before you start talking.
--Speak in a normal fashion without shouting or showing impatience. See that the light is not shining into the eyes of the hard-of-hearing person.
--A woman's voice is often harder to hear than a man's, because of its pitch. A woman might try to lower the pitch of her voice when talking to the hard-of-hearing to see if that helps.
--Speak slowly and clearly.
--If the hard-of-hearing person wears a hearing aid, make sure that it has batteries installed, the batteries work, the hearing aid is turned "on" and that the hearing aid is clean and free from ear wax.
--If you know (or if it becomes evident) from which side the person hears best, talk to that side.
--It is better to speak directly face-to-face in situations where relatively diffuse lighting is adequate and lights the speaker's face. This allows the hard-of-hearing listener to observe the speaker's facial expressions, as well as lip movements.
--Persons with hearing impairment can also benefit from seating themselves at a table where they can best see all parties (e.g. from the *end* of a rectangular table).
--Announce beforehand when you are going to change the subject of conversation. Doing so might avoid an unfortunate "faux pas" by a hard-of-hearing listener.
--Sometimes hard-of-hearing persons have "good" or "better" sides -- right or left -- ask them if they do. If they indicate a preference, direct your remarks to the "good" side or face-to-face, as they wish.
--Check to see that a light is not shining in the eyes of the hard-of-hearing person. Change position so that you are not standing in front of a light source such as a window, which puts your face in shadow or silhouette and makes it hard for the hard-of-hearing person to *speech read*.
--Avoid abrupt changes of subject or interjecting small talk into your conversation, as hard-of-hearing listeners often use context to understand what you are saying.
--If the hard-of-hearing person wears an aid, trying raising the pitch of your voice just slightly. If the hard-of-hearing listener is not wearing an aid, try lowering the pitch of your voice.
--If all else fails, rephrase your remarks or have someone whose voice is familiar to the hard-of-hearing person repeat your words.
--Don't talk too fast.
--Pronounce words clearly. If the hearing-impaired person has difficulty with letters and numbers say: "M as in Mary", "2 as in twins", "B as in Boy", and say each number separately, like "five six" instead of "fifty-six," etc. The reason for doing so is that m, n and 2, 3, 56, 66 and b, c, d, e, t and v sound alike.
--If you are around a corner, or turn away, you become much harder to understand.
--Keep a note pad handy, and write your words out and show them to the hard-of-hearing person if you have to - - just don't walk away leaving the hearing-impaired listener puzzling over what you said and thinking you don't care.

Many hard-of-hearing are embarrassed that they can't hear. Many avoid crowds or situations that make hearing difficult. Certain environments, such as radios, TVs, and ventilation systems are also a problem for the hearing impaired – especially for those that wear hearing aids.

WALMART AND THE DEAF

Last week's DeafDigest briefly mentioned Wal-Mart hiring the deaf but not promoting them to better paying positions. A DeafDigest subscriber from a Midwestern state said that Wal-Mart never hires interpreters for deaf employees in staff and award meetings. And that for the past 10 years Wal-Mart hired five deaf people in one Midwestern store. All of them were fired because of minor violations.Is it possible that Wal-Mart hires the deaf and keeps them for one year before firing them to take advantage of tax incentives for hiring the deaf?

ASL VERSION CLICK HERE

MRI'S & COCHLEAR IMPLANTS...

TO ALL COCHLEAR IMPLANT USERS:

Today I recieved an EMAIL that was about MRI'S AND CI'S.

PLEASE READ THIS ARTICLE.

Patients with cochlear implants may want to steer clear of certain magnetic imaging devices, such as 3T MRI machines, because the machines can demagnetize the patient's implant, according to new research published in the December 2008 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.

It is estimated that more than 100,000 people have cochlear implants.

The study, conducted by a team of German and American researchers, tested several cochlear device magnets on a 3T MRI scanner with active shielding at a variety of angles (0º, 80º, 90º, 100º, 110º, and 180º). The researchers discovered that during routine use of 3T MRI machines at angles above 80º, an unacceptable level of demagnetization was reached, causing permanent damage to devices with nonremovable magnets, and creating the potential of exposing patients to undesirable magnetic forces.

3T MRI scanners are the next generation of MRI scanners and are significantly more powerful than 1.5T MRI scanners.

The study authors recommend that MRI scans on patients with cochlear implants should be performed using a 3T MRI machine only if a 1.5T machine is not available, and if the benefits of the scan far outweigh the risk of cochlear implant demagnetization.

Source: Jessica Mikulski; American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE ARTICLE.


For a second I thought to myself OMG thats dangerous. I would be paranoid and I know for sure I wouldnt get an MRI done if I had a CI. So right away I emailed my Friend from florida who has a CI and I asked her if she ever had an MRI done with her CI and she said NO, not yet. I said but what do you mean? Its dangerous U cant have that test done. She told me the THREE top Cochlear Implant devices such as Cochlear America, Advanced Bionic, MED-EL are SAFE for MRI'S. I was shocked! She then Explained to me and gave me links for the exact websites.


COCHLEAR AMERICA is safe up to 1.5 telsa with your external device being removed.


ADVANCED BIONIC Bionic Ear System's HiRes 90K implant for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) at 0.3 Tesla and 1.5 Tesla with the internal magnet removed.


MED-EL website saids they dont require the internal magnet to be removed.


I Couldn't believe this after she told me this information. Im glad because If I ever get a CI and I need and MRI now I know not to panic.

I just wanted to let you all know this for your safety!!

*Smile*

Study Offers New Clues For Treatment Of Vertigo, Hearing Problems

At times I have vertigo and my Dr. told me while back its because of my hearing loss just like my balance is off most of the time because of my hearing loss. Since I am DEAF in my R ear and I only can hear somewhat okay in my L ear. The VERTIGO has gotten worst this month. This is an email I recieved today and I think its VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW IF YOU SUFFER WITH VERTIGO.



A study performed at the University of California, Los Angeles shows for the first time how microscopic crystals form sound and gravity sensors inside the inner ear. Located at the ends of cilia, these crystals play an important role in detecting sound, maintaining balance, and regulating movement.

Dislodged ear crystals are to blame for the most common form of vertigo. Known as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, the disorder plagues up to 10% of people older than 60 and causes 20% of patients' dizziness complaints.

The researchers' findings, published November 30 in the online edition of the journal Nature, suggest a potential gene target for the treatment of people suffering from common hearing and balance problems related to cilia disorders.

"People have known for a long time about the importance of cilia for propelling sperm up the uterus and moving mucus out of the lungs," says Kent Hill, associate professor of microbiology, immunology, and molecular genetics at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and the UCLA College of Letters and Science. "Our study illustrates that cilia perform many additional jobs that are essential to how our bodies develop and work."

Hill's team employed high-speed, high-definition video imaging to watch cilia moving in real time inside the developing ears of embryonic zebrafish. These small, bony fish undergo stages of development similar to humans and other vertebrates, making them useful models for research.

The researchers labeled cilia in the fish with fluorescent probes and used video microscopy to visualize the cilia and other inner ear structures. In the control group of fish, long cilia beat like tiny oars, causing tiny particles to circle in a vortex around them. The tornado of whirling particles accumulated at the proper location to form the inner ear's crystalline sensors.

"We next blocked expression of a gene that controls dynein—a tiny molecular motor that drives cilia movement," Hill says. "When we examined the embryos, we saw that cilia movement came to a halt. As a result, the particles did not assemble in the correct site. So not only did ear crystals form in the wrong place, but they were misshapen and abnormally sized."

It has been suggested cilia movement contributes to the formation of ear crystals, but the idea had never been tested before, he says. "Our findings show that cilia in the ear do move and demonstrate that cilia movement is needed for ear crystals to assemble in the right place."

Hill says the findings offer promise for the treatment of patients with hearing disorders and people with disorders marked by poor cilia function.

"The idea that physical movement can influence vertebrate development is very provocative," Hill says. "Scientists typically look at whether a particular gene is switched on or off, or if a particular protein is activated that determines if a tissue develops normally. In this case, microscopic currents in the fluid surrounding developing tissue are affecting its development. We need to understand more details of this process and determine how common it is during development."

Update information on C/C from COAT, Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology

If you are interested in the recent FCC ruling, order, and NPRM on closed captioning issues, a summary has been posted on the NAD website HERE

(1) provided clarification about how the closed captioning rules apply to the transition to digital television (DTV);


(2) changed the closed captioning rules to provide a more efficient process for consumers to contact television video programming distributors about closed caption problems and to file complaints (including, for the first time, the ability to file closed captioning complaints directly with the FCC); and


(3) requested comments about how the closed captioning rules should apply to digital broadcasters that “multicast.”

The new rules will be effective and comments will be due 30 days after publication in the Federal Register (not done yet).

Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions

GOOD NEWS EVERYONE!!!!

Today I recieved this email that TSA's Diamond Self-Select program currently available at 48 airports. They allow families, individuals unfamiliar with air travel procedures and travelers with SPECIAL NEEDS to go through security at their own pace. Learn more about TSA's disability-related policies and procedures. CLICK HERE

I am very happy that I got this email. It is about time Airports make it easier for those of with hearing impairment and other disabilites.

Disability-related items permitted through the security checkpoint include:

1- Hearing Aids
2- Cochlear Implants

Since I wear my Hearing Aid and will be traveling in June for the first time with it on here is the link that I read to make sure it is okay to wear my Hearing Aid while going through the security. HEARING DISABILITIES

For many of you that I know travel very often this would be good information for you.

Hope this helps.

Smile & Have a Great Day!

Bilateral cochlear implants: When one's good and two is better

Today I got this email about Bilateral Cochlear Implants and I thought this article was very intestering so I wanted to post it here. For those of you that are thinking of going Bilateral for yourself or for your children you should read this.

click here


I havent been around for a few days because I slept over Will's because his mom asked me to decorate the christmas tree. It was alot of fun as always.

Tonight I am going with my entire family to a Breast Cancer Benefit. Joanne recently had a double mastectomy with limited medical insurance. Joanne is my future brother in law Mother. So tonight is all about JOANNE and I wish for you a speedy recovery. Joanne You are always in my prayers and Im very happy you loved the breast cancer bracelet I gave you along with the mass card. You deserve the best!

Q-TIPS WEAPONS OF EAR DESTRUCTION

I just checked the HLAA forum.. because today I wrote on the board that " I started wearing my LEFT hearing aid again and It is soo ITCHY when its in my ear. I also told them that I use Q- TIPS to clean my ear after my 2 showers a day! YES i know its bad but honestly I wore hearing aids all my life and never had this ITCHING PROBLEM! IT driving me nuts and I needed support and I got one person telling me to go to my pharmacy to get 1/2 white vinegar and 1/2 burning alcohol. So im waiting to hear back from her because I wanted to know if this was in 1 bottle. I also just recieved another answer and it was this oops... I know its bad q-tips and Now I have to face reality and FIGURE out how to clean my EARS without Q-TIPS..


Tsk, tsk, tsk, Danielle. This is from Web MD:

Q-tips, weapons of ear destruction
A week does not pass where I have the opportunity to chastise yet another injured Q-tip user on the Ear Disorders Board or in my own clinic. I had two today, including one admitted bobby-pin user. I have a well-deserved reputation of being a venomous and unsympathetic opponent of using Q-tips in the ear, so I thought this topic deserved another blog post.

Now, I use the term Q-tip, a brand name and registered trademark of the Chesebrough-Pond/Unilever Company, and makers of Vaseline and other slick products, in the generic sense. Since Q-tips are a lot easier to say than "cotton-tipped applicators", I will use this term. There are certainly other manufacturers of cotton-tipped applicators out there, but none with eighty years of manufacturing experience.

I always thought that the Q of Q-tip meant "quick" since others have chosen to bastardize this fine brand name in this fashion. I was surprised to discover that the Q actually means "quality".

Let me say up front to ward off the lawyers of this fine company, that it is not the Q-tips that are the problem. It is the USERS of the Q-tips that I wish to address. Q-tips do not harm people; people harm people.

I wish that I had a box of Q-tips to check my facts, but I have been told that the company has a warning on the box not to use them INSIDE the ear. That is a very good and responsible statement. Unfortunately, few people read the box or heed this warning.

I found the following statement on their Web site:

"Q-Tips cotton swabs have more cotton at the tip* than any other swab, making them the safest, softest and gentlest tool you can use for family care. They also provide the ultimate precision, making them the perfect tool for uses outside your ear." (I added the italics to the word, "outside").


Human beings have been digging around in their ears since the Dawn of Time. I bet even selective-hearing Adam was cleaning out his ears during God's "Don't eat the apples" lecture. Museums have examples of ivory and gold ear spoons that date back thousands of years. When I was visiting Japan a few decades ago, a cute little Japanese girl handed me a sample of a modern, disposable ear spoon. That's what the world needs: another product that can cause potential harm.

We can blame some of this stuff on our parents and our parent's parents and so on. They were the ones that started the rumor that earwax was bad stuff that had to be removed, like toe jam or a booger hanging out of your nose. They could not have been more wrong.

While excess, hard, or obstructive earwax can be problematic, most earwax (cerumen) is infinitely more beneficial. It is a normal, protective coating for the sensitive skin of the ear canal. A canal coated with ear wax will repel water and help prevent external ear infections. When you dig it out like some demented gold miner, you leave your ear very vulnerable.

Since we do not have the ability to look inside our own ears at the present time (you can buy a video otoscope for under a thousand dollars if you want), most Q-tip users blindly probe around looking for yellow, often getting red instead. Many will look at their wax-stained swab with pride and admiration of a job well done. Eventually, they will go too far and injure or rupture their eardrums. If it wasn't for pain and blood, I suspect that some people would excavate around until they pulled out little bones or brain tissue. Perhaps, many have already done that.

Q-tips are not unlike the plungers used to load cannon. They can pack softer wax deeply in the ear canal against the eardrum. By creating a formidable plug and preventing the eardrum from moving normally, it is quite easy to cause some significant hearing loss. Water can also be trapped behind these self-created wax dams and entertain you by constant sloshing around. When this happens, the ear will need to be lavaged -- washed out by a gentle stream of warm water. Or, you will need to see your medical provider, someone that CAN look inside your ear and remove the impaction professionally.

Chronic Q-tip use creates dryness in the sensitive ear canal. Dry skin itches. People with itchy ears use Q-tips (and other found objects) to scratch them. The scratching causes itching. Do you see the cycle here? Eventually, the damaged skin will break down and crack, allowing opportunistic bacteria or yucky fungus to invade. Congratulations. You have caused otitis externa, also known as Swimmer's Ear.

Speaking of swimmers, chronic water exposure can wash out all of the protective wax, too, causing the water to remain in the ear canal. In order to remove the water, people will use Q-tips, or put drops of drying alcohol in the ear canal, often making the matters worse. I recently tested a new product called DryEar, a portable/rechargeable ear dryer. I loved it. It blows a gentle stream of warm air into the ear canal to dry out that trapped water.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Q-tips; a fine, well-made product. They have hundreds of clever uses. As long as you don't put them INSIDE your ears, they are a safe product. In the hands of idiots, they are true Weapons of Ear Destruction.


After reading this I am going to try very hard to not use Q-TIPS anymore.

CHRISTMAS COMMERICIAL IN SIGN LANGUAGE.

I was cooking dinner tonight for my boyfriend and him and my father yelled to get my attention to see this christmas commericial. This is the 2nd Commericial that I have seen on tv that relates to deafness and ASL. I am so happy that I saw this.
take a look


Since the whole thing isn't captioned, I've written it out here to the best of my lipreading abilities:

Man: I'm sorry my signing isn't so good.

Woman: You're doing fine!

Man: I'm learning some new signs...for you.

Woman: Really?!

Man turns and grabs a gift.

Man: Merry Christmas!

Woman gazes at her brand new watch and sighs with awe.

(Commercial goes to something about Kay Jewelers. I have no idea if they're saying anything. Not sure if it was captioned on the TV since I missed that part. )

Man: Do you like it?

Woman: Read my lips. (She smiles)



I LOVE IT!

TELCOMMUNCATION UPDATE!!!

For those of you that are hard of hearing and wear hearing aids, GREAT NEWS... VERIZON & AT & T have a list of all the phones that are compatabile with hearing aids!! About time! If you would like to know what phones are compatible with your hearing aid please click here This goes right to the HLAA website. It will tell you by clicking on what cell phone company you have what phones are compatible with hearing aids!!!

Today is my 23th Birthday!! I cant wait for a piece of CAKE since its been 23 days on this High Protein diet I dont want to be on.

Smile

Hearing Aid and Cochlear Implant Sweat Bands

Whoever wears a BTE hearing aid or a Cochlear Implant and has a problem with moisture and prespiration this product called Hearing Aid Sweat Bands can be purchased here .

What is a Hearing Aid Sweat Band? The hearing aid sweat band is a piece of Fabric that protects your hearing aid or CI from damanaging from mositure and prespiration. You can wear it all the time. Especially while outdoors and play a sport. One of the many benefits is that you can avoid expensive hearing aid repairs. You are also able to control your hearing aid or CI while it is on.

I am deafinitely going to buy this because I learned that moisture will effect my hearing aid and I rather spend a few dollars on something that will help keep the moisture away so I can avoid expensive hearing aid repairs.

If you buy it let me know what you think.

Great News on Insurance Coverage for Hearing Aids

EVERYONE THAT WEARS HEARING AIDS OR IS LOOKING INTO GET AIDS... HERE IS SOME GREAT NEWS!!

Our hard work has paid off. Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) has been pushing for hearing aid coverage in federal health plans. HLAA has learned that several of the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) insurance plans have expanded their coverage to include coverage of hearing aids for adults. The Federal Government is the largest employer in the US. FEHB covers some 8 million federal employees, retirees and their dependants. That’s a lot of health insurance!

Expanded hearing health care coverage is great news not only for federal employees, but for everyone who depends on their employer for health insurance. As the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) points out in their news release, the FEHB program is often seen as a model program that serves to show the way for other insurers. Below are examples of added coverage offered in the FEHB plans:


Blue Cross/Blue Shield is adding hearing aids for adults up to $1,000 per year, every 3 years in both options.
APWU is adding a new benefit with one exam and testing every 2 years paid at 90 percent of PPO allowance or 70 percent of allowance for non-PPO. Hearing aids every three years limited to $1,500 maximum.
Mail Handlers, which already provided benefits of $200 per hearing aid per ear, is increasing the amount to $500, with replacement available every five years.
GEHA is adding a new benefit with a maximum of $500 per ear, every five years.
Panama Canal is adding a new benefit with a $1,000 lifetime maximum.
Foreign Service is adding a new benefit of 100 percent coverage, up to a maximum of $1,200 per aid per ear per person and hearing exam, once every five years.
Rural Carriers is adding a new benefit up to $1,100 per hearing aid per ear once every five years.
The Association is changing their hearing benefit coinsurance from 10 percent to 0 percent and will cover up to a maximum of $1,400 for one hearing aid per ear.
Samba is adding hearing benefits up to $500 per lifetime for hearing aids.
NALC is providing a lifetime maximum of $1,000 for hearing aids
Health Alliance is adding a new benefit at a maximum of $500 for hearing aids/devices once every three years.
FEHB’s inclusion of hearing aids makes it clear they see the lack of hearing aids for their employees as a health care issue. It’s our expectation that other carriers will follow the lead of FEHB. HLAA will be watching to see whether more carriers pick up expanded hearing health coverage.

Ask your employer if they cover hearing aids in your plan now. Let us know if they do. If your employer doesn’t provide similar coverage, show them what’s happening with FEHB. If federal employees enjoy hearing aid health insurance coverage, why shouldn’t the rest of us benefit too?!

EU May Limit Volume on Ipods and MP3 players

Individuals listening to personal stereo devices may find that the volume level just isn’t as loud if European Union’s Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risk has their way.

According to committee researchers, one out of ten users listen to music at decibel levels that cause permanent hearing damage. MP3 players and the like with the use of in-ear headphone phones, commonly called “earbuds,” have the ability to reach 120dB. Hearing damage can begin as low as 90dB (think truck traffic). 120dB is 5 points louder than a rock concert. Ultimately this could put up to 10 million people in the EU at risk.

Typically younger people are the ones at risk for this type of hearing damage and the committee’s concern is that these music devices will eventually have a long-term negative impact on the health of their constituents.

A British study found that 6.9 per cent of people aged 18 to 25 played their personal stereos louder than 90dB. The Royal National Institute for Deaf People has calculated that more than two thirds of young people who regularly use MP3 players face premature hearing damage.

As well as hearing loss and tinnitus, loud noise can also affect the memory, attention, school performance and may even lead to higher blood pressure, according to some studies.

Apple, makers of iPod have introduced software that can limit the volume of their device, but only after being ordered to do so by the French government or have their products removed from stores.

The European Commission is organizing a conference to discuss the findings and is expected to recommend a reduction in the maximum legal volume of these personal stereo devices.


I thought this was a very interesting email i got this morning thought to share it with you all. I use to listen to my IPOD.. and to tell you the truth when it was on the HIGHEST volume level it could go to I still couldnt hear as much just MUMBLES. My POINT is I stopped using my ipod because my hearing loss gradually decreased because I kept the the Volume so loud on the Ipod I believe thats why I lost more of my hearing. Thats what I Believe. Studies do show just like this article which came from a Doctor whos that you can damange your ears. I deafinitely agree with this article and If u do have an IPOD OR MP3 SET IT to a proper volume same goes with ur kids if they have these devices you can set the volumes and they wont be able to touch it unless u unlock it yourself.

Landmark Tinnitus Treatment Study Published

I received this email today and thought I share it with you all.

Top News
Landmark Tinnitus Treatment Study Published

Bethlehem, Pa — Neuromonics Inc has announced publication of the largest private-practice study evaluating the Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment, which comprehensively targets the condition’s neurological processes. Published in the November issue of Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology, the 470-patient study demonstrates that 92% of the patient cohort who met suitability criteria significantly improved following the Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment.

This is the first study that evaluated the Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment’s efficacy for the entire tinnitus population; the study did not just include the most suitable patients, but also more difficult-to-treat sufferers with complicating clinical factors. The research showed that the treatment also improved symptoms for those patients with complications, including those who also presented with decreased loudness tolerance (hyperacusis) or severe hearing loss. The results provide instructive guidance to health care professionals, by demonstrating how defined criteria relating to treatment suitability impacts treatment outcomes.

“This data further validates the Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment’s effectiveness for difficult-to-treat patients with limited therapeutic options,” said Peter Hanley, PhD, study co-author. “This is the first study to reflect the broad diversity of patients seen in a ‘real world’ private practice clinic setting, and demonstrates that the Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment leads to significant improvements for a broad cross section of patients with tinnitus. By comprehensively addressing tinnitus’ underlying neurological processes, Neuromonics is uniquely positioned to help the millions of patients seeking quality-of-life improvements.”

Traditional treatment options for tinnitus sufferers have offered limited long-term benefit. Notably, 49% of the patients in this study had previously tried other common treatments, with limited success. And importantly, unlike traditional therapies, the Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment led to rapid changes in tinnitus disturbance in this study. The data shows 78% of the overall benefit reported by patients through the course of treatment occurred during the first 10 weeks of treatment.

While the study’s 470 patients all had tinnitus, a condition commonly characterized by ringing in the ears, they differed in their level of symptom severity and clinical profile; for example, the existence of associated clinical complications. All patients were fitted with the Neuromonics device and provided with treatment in a network of private-practice clinics. The study compared treatment outcomes across three cohorts, to which patients were assigned based on pre-defined criteria, including their psychological state and level of hearing loss.

The Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment delivers a prescribed acoustic neural stimulus, customized for each patient’s individual audiological profile, and incorporating specially processed, relaxing music. The stimulus is designed to provide relief and relaxation in the initial phase of treatment, and then progressively over a period of several months, to facilitate desensitization to the tinnitus. In this way, the therapy can help the brain filter out the tinnitus perception, so that it no longer intrudes on the patient’s conscious attention, and no longer has a disturbing impact on quality of life. By targeting the condition’s underlying neurological basis, Neuromonics may offer enhanced effectiveness for patients compared to alternatives.

About the Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment
Neuromonics’ noninvasive, FDA-cleared device is customized to the patient's unique hearing and tinnitus profile. It delivers a customized neural stimulus that targets the brain’s auditory pathways and is believed to aid in neuroplasticity, or the process of neuronal change. This process appears to be involved in allowing the brain to filter out the disturbing tinnitus perception. This stimulus incorporates spectrally modified, customized music, which engages the brain's emotional response center, the limbic system, and thereby reduces tinnitus-related disturbance. Research published in the April 2007 issue of Ear & Hearing demonstrates the Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment yields clinically significant reduction in tinnitus disturbance in more than 90% of suitable patients in a formal clinical trial setting. The Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment is the most comprehensive, long-term therapy that targets the neurological processes of tinnitus; specifically, its audiological, attention-based, and emotional aspects.

Tonight's Meeting " Therapy Hints & Stratagies for the Hearing Impaired"

Tonight I went to LIJ for a meeting about " Stratagies and Therapy Hints for the Hearing Impaired". It was very very interesting. I felt right at home because I was surrounded by people just like me who have a hearing loss. This wonderful doctor spoke about how if you speak to someone and you cant understand them tell the person " Im Hard of hearing" " Can you please repeat what you said". I thought this topic tonight was really interesting because many people that came have differet degrees of hearing loss. I couldnt hear anything thankfully there was an interpreter who I was able to rely on.The speech pathologist also gave us speech reading hints- here are some.
1- have the light at your back and on the speakers face
2-KEEP ALERT and attentive.
3-Take advantage of all visual clues ( emotion, gestures, etc)
4- Be willing to ask people to repeat.
5- Do not try to get every word. Frequently a few words will provide you with enough information to clarify the entire statement.
( I deafinitely agree with number 5 because I do that all the time. I dont catch all the words but If i hear kitchen & drink that means to get whoever a drink.)
6- Dont try to seperate speech reading from hearing. In conversation you will hear some and see some. Take advantage of the hearing and fill in with speech reading.

The doctor said: " We have to make work, meaning, the hearing aids or the ci has to work making sure it has good batteries and is functioning to a comfortable program. She also said " We have to train our brains how to HEAR (BY LISTENING), PAYING ATTENTION*, and FOCUSING all the time.

MOST IMPORTANTLY- ( WHAT I DONT DO) is make sure u tell the person who u are speaking to that you are " HEARING IMPARIED" before you continue on with the conversation. Unlike me its a awful habit that I have when Im out somewhere and I rely on the person whos with me to tell me what the other person has said. Like for instance I went to the movies the other night because a movie was showing with Closed Caption. I relied on my boyfriend to tell me what the manager was saying on how to use the Rear Window device. So I turned to Will and he said to the manager " Shes Hearing Impaired she didnt understand what you said, can u repeat." I dont know why i do this but i do it all the time and its a very bad habit.

It was my turn to speak because the doctor wanted to get to know everyone So I told everyone my story that I was born with sensorineural hearing loss and what im dealing with now with my tinnitus and recrutment that keeps me up during the night and it very painful. The doctors just couldnt believe that im suffering. They want me to make apointment ASAP "Tommorow" she goes as a joke and starts laughing lol. I was shocked because of all the attention and support I was getting. I am going to take this opportunity and meet with the doctor who wants me to do an entire evaluation all over again. She also thinks I need a new ENT & Audiologist and shes right its about time. They are wonderful people here at LIJ. I went to the right place tonight and I'm so glad I did. I also saw my best buddy Roberta there so that made the night even better.

Next week is the HLAA meeting that will be my first meeting and Im trying to get an interpreter the doctor tonight said she is willing to set one up for me. I am looking forward to my first HLAA meeting.

Soon-- once I get better im considering the CI now that I know alot more information and I dont want to feel left out anymore and I want to be able to communicate better with those around me. The doctors also thought this would be a great idea for me.

Finally- I met this mother her son is 17 years old and hes been hard of hearing since he was 10 years old. I told her to email me tonight beacuse I am willing to help her son with advice on hearing loss & if he has any questions. I am sure most of my experiences will help her son get through this so he is comfortable with his hearing loss and knows what to do and where to go. This really made my night to see a mother whos son is struggling to communicate taking her first steps in helping her son. It really made me happy to see this tonight.

Overall, Today I learned quite a bit from this meeting, so glad I went.

RALLY CAPS

I met Jodi a few months ago through facebook. She is a mother of a child named Jordan who happens to be deaf and wears a Cochlear Implant (CI) in order to hear. Jodi wrote an amazing book called Rally Caps. Jodi's father is thinking about turning the book into a movie. I think that's a great idea! Help Spread the word Thanks!

3 year old boy in LA had his CI Stolen.

As I'm sitting here just googling glancing around about CI'S (Cochlear Implant's). I came across a link about a boy who got his CI stolen from someone. I found out in LA ,a three year old boy who is deaf was at mcdonald's with his mother ,when a teenager stole the 3 yr old's cochlear implant right OFF HIS EAR thinking it was a Bluetooth. What amazes me is that they thought a 3 year old would be wearing a blue tooth headset.What would a 3 year old be doing with a BLUETOOTH? Exactly, I highly doubt that one. Since his CI was stolen he cannot HEAR anything without this device. Not only can he not hear the Cochlear Implants cost over $700,000 or more depending on which one you get. This happened to the child 2x. You would of thought after the first time is enough but I guess not. I think I'ts his mother fault for not watching him carefully. I hope this boy gets another one because he cannot hear without this device. If I was a parent of a 3 yr old and my child had a CI I wouldnt leave my child unattended. Here is the link to read the full story.

NYC WALK4HEARING

THE FIRST WALK4HEARING IN RIVERSIDE PARK- NYC!!!

MY TEAM " TEAM NICOSIA"

Today my family and friends supported me at the Walk4Hearing in NYC.I had such a wonderful time although it was pretty cold out there we were able to finish the 5k within an hour. Many people came up to all of us and took so many pictures. The green shirts really made us stand out. I had the chance to meet everyone I have been talking to online with. One is my dearest friend Roberta who has a profound hearing loss since age 5. She has worn hearing aids in both ears for 49 years but she always struggled in the hearing world trying to get by. Two years ago she was able to get each ear implanted with the freedom cochlear implant. She told me she can hear many things she never heard before.. now she is able to talk on the telephone although sometimes she still has difficutly. I am so happy we finally got to meet.She is a wonderful person and friend.
Roberta and I

When I came home I receieved such a nice letter from Roberta this is what she wrote:

Hi Danielle,

I must say, it was really a pleasure to meet you as well as walking with you in the Park. It was so much fun, even though it was freezing, it was worth it. My daughter Andrea was very pleased to meet you too and had enjoyed the walk4hearing.
Danielle, you are doing very well in speaking and concentrating with your communications and was very impressed with you. You have a very nice family and friends and was also glad to have met them too.

this email made my night.


I have met a few other friends and It was a pleasure meeting them all. It was very exciting day for me. We were asked to be filmed so my entire team and I stood together while I the ( Team Captain) spoke about how much we have raised which was an easy $3,000.00!!!!

Overall, Today was an amazing 1st time experience for me to support hearing loss. All my life I always wanted to support my hearing loss and today was that day! I couldnt believe all the people coming up to me saying " Are you Danielle, I been wanting to meet you, I love your shirts".

Lastly, I just wanted to say to my family and my Teammates who joined me in this special event today a hudge THANK YOU! I wouldnt of been able to do this without your support today! This means the world to me!I will never forget this day. I'm so glad all of you had a great time and Im so glad all of you supported me today who happens to be the only one in the family who struggles with a hearing loss.

As of Todays date the NYC WALK4HEARING MANHATTAN CHAPTER RAISED $110,617.11 !!!!!!!!

Thank you all who sponsored me!!


Roberta, Anne Pope and Me

My Story on Sudden Deafness ( SSHL)

Sudden Deafness...Whats that? Well to tell you the truth I never heard of it even though I had a hearing loss all my life.

Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSHL), or sudden deafness, is a rapid loss of hearing. SSHL can happen to a person all at once or over a period of up to 3 days. It should be considered a medical emergency. A person who experiences SSHL should visit a doctor immediately.A doctor can determine whether a person has experienced SSHL by conducting a normal hearing test. If a loss of at least 30 decibels in three connected frequencies is discovered, it is diagnosed as SSHL. Thats all know so far about Sudden Deafness.

This is my story about my sudden deafness-
At the end of Sept 2008 I woke up on Saturday and my right ear felt different then usual. It was popping like when ur in an airplane or elevator. It was an awful experience. It make me kind of nauseous.. I let it slide like I usually do when it comes to my hearing loss. I went out Saturday all day and night came home went to sleep wokeup on Sunday September 14 the date I will never forget because it was the first time I couldnt hear at all in my right ear. I starting to cry.. and then immediately called my ENT whos known me since I was a baby. He knows my ears like back of his hand. I went in that same day as a "Medical Emergency".. we talked and then he did a hearing test on me.. he couldnt believe what has happened. He has retested me again just to make sure because he was unbelievbly shocked because I went to him last month and my hearing decreased but wasnt like this at ALL! So he was right we go back to his office and saids hes prescribing Prednisone which is a sterioid i have never been on before. He said he wants to try and see if we can get my residual hearing back.. he say " it may or may not come back" we will give this a shot. I said okay whats there to loose. He called my mother yesterday and said on tuesday he wants to see if it improves if not i have whats called " Sudden Deafness" i cried and panic because i didnt know what to do or think.. at that moment. He also said he gets 1 patient a week that has this similar situation. I was shocked. I just sat there and I said this cant be. I thought i miss understood my mom and she wrote WEEK on paper. I went back Sept 24 and Sept 29th. Still my hearing in the right was the same. Doctor said presidone wasnt helping after i gained about 10 pounds and it made me fall asleep everywhere i mean everywhere from in the shower, just sitting at the computer. I was mortified. He said " he doesnt know what to do" he knows about my recent health problems since this pass year. He doesnt reccomend the CI because " I CAN COMMUNICATE WELL" okay hes right I can get by because I was trained all my life to lip read I was in therapy 24/7 and I mastered it when I was a little girl. SO WHAT? I cant HEAR? Thinking about it... even if i had hearing in my right mod-severe like i did i heard somethings but I dont know whats its like to hear WATER,TV unless its blasting on volume 100 etc. So I miss out on alot and now that i have 1 ear to rely on its becoming more and more stressful today is October 13th! Im struggling and its a shame it really is im pushing myself to try and hear with this one ear and I cant do it. It is really devasting. I go back to the ENT/AUD DEC 1ST! Who knows whats going happen. Im deaf in my right ear.. and I wish this was all a dream. I am the only person in the family with a hearing loss so talking to them ofc they dont understand because they dont know what its like because they never experienced this before. Thats my story on Sudden Deafness! For people that just recently experienced this like me PLEASE DONT TAKE PRESIDONE! ITS AWFUL. I know my doctor was trying to help but really if 90% of the people it dont help then why GIVE IT TO ME? My luck ofc i didnt get anything back.

SSHL people - Please go to the doctor IMMEDIATELY DONT WAIT 1-2 weeks.

Thats it for now-- Ill be back on December 1st for the update.

Cochlear Kids

There is an amazing mother named VAL in Alabama who has two kids that are deaf. Who recently wrote a book about the two of them. I read the book as soon as I got it today and I couldnt put it down. Her book called " Im All Ears" is a must buy... im warning you, you need alot of tissues. I never cried so much in my life. She is a true inspiration to me because today I still wonder how these kids are getting by while parents sit back and do nothing about it and when these kids dont get the proper education they deserve. Seeing from a mothers point of view on how she copes and what she does for these kids really touches my heart.
Back when I was a child I struggled tremendously and till this day its the same. It's hard because my parents didnt know what to do I'm lucky I went to the audiologist & the ent ( ears, nose & throat doctor). My point is-- these days I see parents putting these deaf/hh kids into a public school without any help and it breaks my heart. When I graduated High School I knew I had to get a regular diploma I refused the " Special" Diploma and I graduated with a Regents thankfully somehow I got through it barely and I went on to college even though school was so tough. I continued to fight I went to college knowing nothing. I was in remdial classes which meant I was in 0 credits for 2 years learning college and basic level classes because I didnt get the proper education I was supposed to get. So reading Val's book really touched my heart and I am so proud of her even though I dont know her because of how much she does. Purchase her book today believe me when I tell you its a truly amazing book. Check out the website here

Val- this is for you.. Im sure you touched many lives.. You truly touched mine.. thanks for a wonderful book. Someday I would love to meet you to just give you one big Hug.

What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the sensation of rining, buzzing and other sounds in the ears or head without an external stimulus. I call it " ringing in the ears" to people that dont know what Tinnitus is. Its AWFUL. It can really make you misserable. Every moment of my day I suffer from this. Its deafinitely worst at night.Now that I am Deaf in my right ear from sudden deafness all the tinnitus went to the LEFT ear. Its even louder now the sounds. I can barely sleep at night at times. They say to try over the counter drugs or tylenol.. HEY GUYS ITS DOESNT WORK! I have tried it all for the past 4 years. I realized to stop spending my money on all these medicines since its not even doing a thing for me. I think We all NEED to try our best and block it out and the best way to do that for me and I dont know if this will work for you but what I do is
1: I stopped worrying about the pain because in reality it triggers other things for me.
2: Dont think negative about it what
3: what helps me a times is breathing in and out a couple of times.
4: Being Negative about it will only make it worst. Believe me I been there.

Well- I suffered and suffered for days and months and even years about this up until I came across this amazing book " The Consumer Handbook on Tinnitus".. It really helped me get through most of my day so if your really suffering from this buy the book... it will deafinitely change your perspective on tinnitus I MUST say there isnt a " CURE" for tinnitus YET but hopefully if we all get through this maybe someday down the road there will be a cure. Who knows in this case we all have to learn how to " DEAL WITH IT". Thats how I deal with it. I am doing much better with it. Somedays I have the bad days and somedays I have the good days. You can buy this book anywhere especially amazon.com touch the amazon link and it will direct you right to the page.

Walk4Hearing- NYC

On Sunday October 19, 2008 I will be walking for the NYC Walk4Hearing. This is the first time ever that im doing a walk. This is also the first time that the Walk4hearing is taking place in NYC. I have about 15 people joining me in this special event. So far as this date I have raised $2,765.00.I am so happy and thankful for all the support. My new goal is to AIM for $3,500.00. If you would like to Donate click here Thanks so much for the support this means so much to me!! All funds go to HLAA which helps me because they give me the support/services I need to help me communicate. So please whatever you can give will help. It would be greatly appreciated!