Marlee Matlin & John Rich from Celebrity Apprentice

I watched this show because Marlee Matlin was in it. I thought she did an amazing job on this show. She won 1 MILLION DOLLARS for Starkey Hearing Foundation in a few episodes back.

Here is the last episode of Marlee signing For the kids. Its not captioned but for those of you that know ASL you can watch. I thought this was done nicely. I was a bit surprised Marlee didn't win on the last episode.

Smoke Alarm Designed for the Hearing Impaired

Remember my old post from a few months ago about Fire Safety at my local HLAA chapter? Well this caught my attention as I have friends all over the world that read my blog.I cant stress this issue enough. The other day I received this awful email from my friend and I wanted to show this with you all because I want you to be AWARE that it is so IMPORTANT if you have a hearing loss that you have the proper equipment for EMERGENCIES!


Click Here

It is about a person who didn't have smoke alarm. Didnt realize there was a FIRE. Couldn't even hear her own child. SHE WAS DEAF. It was only a few days away until she was receiving her Lifetone Detector. The video itself is NOT CAPTIONED however BELOW the video is written word for word.

I hope you all PURCHASE this detector!
For those of you that want to purchase this LIFETONE alarm clock
CLICK HERE It is on sale for $140.00 usually it cost around $250.00 It is expensive but it is a LIFE SAVING detector that will save your life! This product will last you many years and is also a Clock, and has a two year warranty.

****PLEASE NOTE: THAT THIS PRODUCT WORKS ONLY IN THE US****

If you live OUTSIDE of the US and live in UK you can purchase Alarms at
Connevans Limited


I am so thankful for FDNY because they did provide me and over 50 other members at my local HLAA chapter a free LIFETONE alarm clock! THANK YOU THANK YOU!



Have a great night!

Cochlear's Phone with Confidence

Tonight I decided to use Phone with Confidence that I found on the cochlear website. You call an 1800 number and you practice listening with the phone they give you choices to choose from. I first did the Word List that has four words. I then listened to a full passage for the first time. Being this was my first time I didn't know what to expect so I used my personal audio cable and plugged it into my cell phone jack. I heard everything it was crystal clear. This took about 7 minutes its a great way to practice using the phone.

If you are interested in practicing with the phone using your cochlear implant go to cochlear's website: Telephone with Confidence GOOD LUCK!

Each day there is new words and passages you just click on the date and you follow the PDF. Tomorrow I will NOT use the audio cable I want to try and see If I can hear without the audio cable. All you do is put the phone up to your ear.



AND FINALLY!!!Some Great News.. Here in NEW YORK CITY there is going to be a free service for emergency alert text messages. Below is directly from Hearing Loss Association Website


FCC, FEMA Unveil Emergency Text Messaging System May 17, 2011
Washington, D.C., New York, NY – Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Federal Communications

Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski, Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator W. Craig Fugate, top executives from AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon and others convened at the World Trade Center site May 10, 2011 to announce PLAN--the Personal Localized Alerting Network. PLAN is a free service that will allow customers with an enabled mobile device to receive geographically-targeted, text-like messages alerting them of imminent threats to safety in their area. This service will be available in New York City by the end of 2011, at least two calendar quarters before the rest of the nation.

PLAN ensures that emergency alerts will not get stalled by user congestion, which can happen with standard mobile voice and texting services. Authorized government officials can send messages, which participating wireless providers then push using their cell towers to enabled mobile devices in a targeted geographic area.



I ALSO HEARD SOON** WE DON'T KNOW WHEN, THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO CALL 911 (EMERGENCY) VIA TEXT. THIS IS ONE OPTION** THAT NEEDS TO COME OUT ASAP. JUST THINK "WHAT IF" YOU ARE IN NEED OF HELP ASAP AND YOU CANT HEAR ON THE PHONE BECAUSE YOU ARE DEAF OR CANT SPEAK. 911 WILL BE THERE FOR YOU BY TEXT MESSAGING. WHO KNOWS WHEN THIS IS GOING TO COME OUT! BUT I KNOW ITS IN THE WORKS.


Have a wonderful night!

Being Misunderstood...

For those of you that know me and follow my journey many of you know that with a Cochlear Implant/ Hearing Aids either your child or yourself DOESN'T HEAR EVERYTHING with the device on. We all know THAT IS NOT THE CASE. I KNOW ALL OF YOU WILL AGREE WITH ME ON THIS!!!!

People ALWAYS ASSUME JUST BECAUSE I HAVE MY COCHLEAR IMPLANT ON means that I CAN HEAR THEM! Even before I had my implant, wearing hearing aids people always thought since I have it on I CAN HEAR THEM FINE! " you have your hearing aids on." I would thank to myself " YEAH AND?" NO that is NOT THE CASE. I wish it was.

Thankfully I got very lucky hearing so well with my implant being that its only 3 months but I am still learning, and have along way to go. Its only the beginning. There are times I need someone help.

For ex: Last Night I went to dunkin donuts and I couldn't understand the cashier that didn't speak English so I asked the person that was next to me if he could repeat what he was saying.

Hearing people I am tired of being misunderstood I really am. If I have an Implant on and If I don't respond to you that means I did not hear you. I am not ignoring you.


I understand that you wont ever have a clue what its like to LIVE WITH DEAFNESS or HEARING LOSS until your in my shoes.... but please stop saying to me
" YOU HAVE YOUR IMPLANT ON" because it does make me feel awful.


This happened to me 2x yesterday. I just dont want to be misunderstood anymore...


The worst part of it all is I talk like a hearing person you wouldn't know if I was deaf until I told you. This doesn't help much in this kind of situation. Sometimes I do think that If I didn't speak so well that It would help remind people I cant hear. Although I am very thankful for all that speech support I had since I was a baby.


Have you ever felt misunderstood about your hearing loss?
Feel Free to leave comments would love to hear from you :)

TAKE THE MILLION EAR CHALLENGE TODAY

MAY IS BETTER HEARING & SPEECH MONTH!

Please take a moment to take the MILLION EAR CHALLENGE TODAY.


*PLEASE NOTE* BELOW WAS NOT WRITTEN BY ME IT WAS TAKEN FROM COCHLEAR'S WEBSITE!

About the Campaign
Have You Heard? May is Better Hearing and Speech Month, a national event that provides an opportunity to increase awareness of hearing loss and available hearing solutions. Cochlear Americas is proud to support this important event and partner with communities to spread the word about hearing loss and solutions to restore hearing.

This year's campaign theme "Have You Heard?" reflects our commitment to the hearing loss community and the passion for bringing the gift of sound to those with hearing loss. Few people are aware of this growing public health issue, its social and economic impact and the availability of hearing loss solutions. One out of every ten people in the U.S. is estimated to have hearing loss.1, 2 And, an estimated two million people in the U.S. may be candidates for implantable technology, but approximately only 5 percent of people who can benefit have been treated.3, 4, 5, 6

Million Ear Challenge! We are launching a campaign challenging the public to help us spread the word about hearing loss and hearing loss solutions to one million people in 31 days! We want to encourage as many people as possible to get involved in this effort and inspire others to help change the lives of those who may be struggling with hearing loss.
Each year Cochlear donates more than $200,000 in products and accessories to people in need. When we reach our goal with the Million Ear Challenge, we'll celebrate this achievement by donating up to an additional $150,000 in products and accessories to people in need. Help us spread the word.

Traveling with Disabilities

Are you going away this summer? For those of us with hearing loss here are a few websites that can help you when you travel.


Hearing Disabilities


Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions

How to Get Through the Line Faster

Learning many new things about my Cochlear Implant

So much has been going on. Remember my last post I said my backup processor that was brand new, never used just didn't want to turn on? Well.. turns out that I am getting a refurbish implant regardless if you just got activated that's what you get. I didn't like the sound of that at all because I just received it and already something isn't working. Also because that is not what I was told. Yes I understand that's life but It just came out of the kit! LOL. I was originally told that I was getting a brand new one well good thing I checked online and I found out myself that it was going to be refurbished. They lied to me over the phone :( I was a little disappointed because one person tells me one story and then the other person tells me a different one. Whatever. It's over with it is what it is. I didn't even think they would have refurbish processors yet being that is so NEW*. Only my luck lol. I am still waiting patiently for my backup processor. I have to send the old one back and they will see what the problem is. My audiologist called yesterday and gave them my mapping. So I should have my backup soon within a few days. It was alot of stress and calls but thankfully it is taking care of and someone finally knew what they were talking about on the phone! I have learned alot though and this WILL NOT STOP ME FROM MY HEARING JOURNEY! In life you live and learn yeah I was a bit frustrated because I had to many different stories going and I'm new to this and I didn't know what to do. Its all taken care of so now I am happy once again.

I learned new things too during the last few days. I am going away 2x this summer. The HLAA Convention will be my first trip with my implant. I have alot of gathering to do I DO NOT know what equipment I need to bring for my implant. I don't want to bring my rechargeable battery pack and then the charger just to recharge my REMOTE! It is alot just to charge a small remote. So I was hoping that there was another alternative and there is.

Nuc 5 users in your kit you get the Nucleus Remote Assistant Charging Kit inside has a USB cable and a wall outlet plug. All you gotta do is bring your USB cable and the small wall outlet plug. Plug one side into your Remote Assistant and the other into the wall outlet charger then plug it into the WALL. It is so Simple! If you TRAVEL with a computer you can also charge the remote this way by simply putting the USB cord into the computer then the other piece into the wall outlet charger then into the wall. However, I was told doing it this way MAY TAKE A LITTLE BIT LONGER TO CHARGE! So keep this in mind. I don't know if that is the case. I will get back to you on that. I did test it to see if it works by plugging it into the wall and the remote lets you know its charging. The less stuff I bring the better.
Here are two pictures for a better understanding if you are confused.







Another thing I learned is Warranty Information. It can get CONFUSING! If you look in the book DEPENDING on where you live US. 3 YEAR warranty for processor then 1 year warranty for coil, coil cable, battery etc. Then friends on Facebook said that Cochlear gives you an additional extra 2 years for the Coil, Coil cable and so on. I called to double check sure enough Facebook friends are correct. So that's great because I got worried because the implant already failed. I wanted to make sure I know this warranty info down pat and in the book it said different.

So depends on where you LIVE! I live in the US! You get 3 years for the Processor & 3 years for the coil, coil cable & coil magnet. HOWEVER...... You only get 1 YEAR yes 1 YEAR! for the REMOTE ASSISTANT! After that 1 year there is NO* INSURANCE to purchase for the REMOTE. If the remote breaks out of the warranty you can just purchase a new one on the store. It is alot to know. It also can get very expensive once you are OUT OF WARRANTY. So my advice for all of you... ONCE YOUR WARRANTY IS UP... Call the company and find out how much the warranty plans are for the year. For ex: Once my 3 years is up Im going to call cochlear and I'm going to purchase a 1 year warranty program. Unfortunately you have to pay for it EVERY YEAR. So the warranty only lasts you 1 year you can always renew it after the year is up.


I wanted to TELL YOU ALL that DO NOT LET THIS GET YOU DOWN or DISCOURAGE YOU. To be honest I got upset because I was frustrated with different information I was told. It is overwhelming but I wouldn't change it for the world. Just like my friend said CAN YOU HEAR? and I stopped for a second and realized okay she is right YES I CAN HEAR VERY VERY WELL WITH THIS IMPLANT & NOTHING WILL STOP ME FROM MOVING FORWARD. So you live and you learn like I said.

So keep in mind this happens & we have to be thankful we even have this technology out there for US. I don't want you to sit there and be like I DON'T WANT THE IMPLANT NOW BECAUSE IM READING this. DO NOT LET ANYTHING STOP YOU! IF YOU WANT TO HEAR.. DO IT its the best miracle that ever happened to me and I couldn't be any happier.

Wthout all your help and answers on Facebook thank you CI friends your support has been amazing and I cant thank you enough really. I don't know what I would do without all of you. Thank you also for the nice emails. I am glad many of you enjoy reading my blog. This is what its all about you meet so many people around the world just like you that deaf or hard of hearing and we learn so much from each other. I cant wait to meet many of you!!!We are going to have a BLAST!

And of course I heard a WHISPER for the first time It was so low so I had to pay close attention BUT I HEARD IT. I'M telling you I NEVER IN MY LIFE with my hearing aids I NEVER heard A WHISPER BEFORE with my mod-severe loss. It was a cool feeling to hear that. I also heard my fan didn't realize where the sound was coming from but then I realize that was the only thing on in my room.

It gets better and better everyday and I am the happiest person ever! I really am. This is the best gift ever to be able to hear especially my niece babbling and trying to have a conversation with me is PRICELESS. She finally signs MORE & BALL !!!!!! YAYYY all my hard work has paid off.


Enjoy this beautiful day!

Mapping #4 Results

Yesterday on May 12, 2011 I went into the city for my 4th mapping. I have only been activated for 2 months. First my audiologist put me in the sound booth for about 5 minutes just to see if I’m hearing sounds. I heard it all. I hear in the normal range on the audiogram which is 0-10 decibles with my implant on. I am so amazed how well I am during. It is a miracle. She couldn’t believe that I didnt even have to look at her to have a conversation ( old habit). My audiologist said that she hasn't seen amazing results since she started at the clinic.
Then we went into the room and I asked her questions. First I told her that my implant falls off my head when my hair is down and because my curly hair is so thick sigh. She showed me what a HUGGIE was and we tried to test it out but it was too small and it didnt fit my implant. Then I told her my backup processor which I never used YET that was sitting in the case still WONT TURN ON. We both tried to figure out the problem she tested it with the coil, put new disposable batteries in, changed batteries, even put it on the computer and it would just not TURN ON! After about 5 tries we gave up and have no idea why it wont turn on. Maybe its the light? but it cant be she said because you hear no sound. That is odd. It has only been sitting in the everyday case for 2 months! I called cochlear they are sending me a new one right away. They are going to map it all this way I don't have to run back into the city. Good thing I listened to my friends that said GO GET YOUR BACKUP. I would have never done that if my implant wasn’t sounding weird for about 20 minutes the other day. I should receive my new processor in about a week they said.

I told her I want the mapping a little bit longer but not too loud so she tweaked it a little bit. Then she said lets practice so hard words say the word AH-BA, AH-CA,
AH-ZA, AH-MA, AH-TA. I got them all correct even with the loud city noise and the window opened that we tried to shut. AMAZING! SIMPLY AMAZING.

Lastly she said next month before I go to the convention she wants to see me. She is going to do a full evaluation on me this time to see how I have been doing for the past 3 months. She is also going to put on a few new programs such as “ NOISE PROGRAM”. It is still too soon that is why she didn't do it today. She wants me to hear everything get used to all the noise first. So next month im excited she is turning that on.

I explained to her I was having trouble at the restaurant for mother’s day. I was able to hear my brother in law across from me but not my mom sitting next to me. It was so loud in that restaurants. She even said people that don't have a hearing loss have a problem hearing at restaurants. Overall Im doing amazing. I am so happy. The best decision I ever made.

Yesterday when I left the office I used the phone to call my mother to tell her the news. I heard her so much better. All I did was put the phone to my ear. PRICELESS!

On June 7th I will be going for another mapping as well as the first full evaluation.

Thank you all for all the support!



Have a great weekend

A Play in the Life of a Captioner - STAGETEXT

Check this out this is interesting. It is Captioned.

I love going to shows that are captioned or interpreted. It is very convenient. I thought this video was interesting because I didn't know the captioner takes time out and goes to the play to practice. At first I thought the captioner just goes in an hour before showtime to get started.




Have you ever been to a captioned show before? If so what was your experience like?

Hearing New Sounds...

Yesterday I heard this buzzing noise in my ear for about 10 minutes. I had no idea what it was where it was coming from. My windows were closed. I was confused and got worried. A friend of mine said " get out your backup processor" try that with the rechargeable's and a disposable batteries. For about 10 minutes or so couldnt put my implant on. I have no idea why. One friend said it may broken so I started to panic. I never wore my backup yet EVER. She also gave me the advice to WEAR it every now and then. I didnt think... I didnt know. Im still adjusting and new to this. I still cant put it on. So today I found out thanks to Facebook that I HAVE TO PAIR the implant. First I have to take the first implant off the remote then pair the second implant. I wasnt told this. I do remember my audiologist putting the backup on the computer and testing it. Thankfully Im going on Thursday for my mapping. PHEW. I emailed her as well. Good thing I checked! I still couldnt pair it im having a problem hopefully itll be fixed thursday.

Other than that Im hearing new sounds. Here is a short list.
-my footsteps as Im walking
- Birds and I think it was the wind with the windows shut in my bedroom. I think it was the wind im not quite sure.
-MUSIC- I hear all the words all the beets its amazing to all my songs on my ipod every one of them. I love my audio cable wire that I put into my implant and ipod in order to hear the music in my ears. AMAZING. I never heard music so well in my life! Even songs I dont know it takes me about 5 minutes to process the new song. Then I repeat it and I hear it fine.
-My niece screaming my name " DDDDDD" with my bedroom door shut. I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!
- Conversations outside
- the door or a car passing by with the windows open in my room all the way on the 2nd floor.
-an airplane
- Someone pulling in the driveway is a new one or shutting the car door.
- the ice cream truck from my bedroom with my windows shut. Soo neat! never heard that before.

I haven't been practicing at all. So much has been going over here but I put on my implant everyday and I just go about my day. I am less stressed as I mentioned before. There are times that I cannot hear you and I still WILL NOT SAY " i cant hear you" I don't know why I cant just say it!

Yesterday was Mother's Day so everyone went out to brunch. I was able to hear my niece across the table. I heard my mom talking about something but I couldn't really make out what she was saying. I was able to communicate fine with my sister and brother in law across from me. It was really loud and packed at my cousins restaurant. I thought I did really well though. I was able to understand most of what everyone was saying. This was my first time at a restaurant with my implant.

On Thursday when I go for my mapping, I'm going to ask my audiologist to put it louder. I am also going to ask her if she can please put the background noise option on my remote. For example: when I'm at a restaurant I can touch my remote and it will block out the background noise. I really want this program on but my audiologist said it is still too early. She will turn it on in a few months. I feel like I'm ready now. I think it will help me. I'm going to ask her again this month.

I am comfortable on this program but again I think I just need it LOUDER. I am hearing more and more each day. This has been an amazing journey. I am looking forward to going to my first hearing loss convention ever in June! I hope to see many of you there!

Time is flying like crazy and I cant believe that it has been 3 months with my Implant.

Another thing is my ears are so tiny like I said before. The implant falls off alot. I tightened the magnet as far as it can go. My curly hair is thick as ever. So I cant win. My audiologist did say on Thursday she will show me something and if im comfortable to buy it but I found out that this is used on children! I dont want to wear that item. I cant remember the name but i saw it online and I really dont want to wear that. I dont know of any other options but Im going to dry a headband. I have the small snugfit on my implant still and I cant use my implant without it because then it will fall off immediately.

I also want to make a note that I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Disposable batteries! I only use 2 and they last about 2 - 3 weeks. Its great. I use mostly my Disposable batteries because I have plenty of them.



Thanks for reading! Have a good night.

ASL MUSIC VIDEOS

I wanted to share these ASL music video's with you.. hope you enjoy them.




Then I found these amazing ASL Music videos from Madonna University.

Five for fighting: 100 years



Black Eyed Peas


Sara Bareilles- King of anything