Hearing Aids And Cochlear Implants

Question: Teens: I want your opinions, would you count this as a disability? I am deaf, and for a while now, have worn cochlear implants http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl… They make me hear pretty well, by no means perfect, but I'm not held back by it. Everytime we go on a school trip, or I fill out an application form when it asks about disabilities, I have to put that in. I'm always disbelieving writing it in because I don't think of myself as disabled, and it kinda got me thinking what other people think. If you see someone wearing hearing aids or cochlear implants, (meaning they're not completely deaf they have help to hear) would you say they're disabled? I don't see it as much different from needing to wear glasses for bad eyesight, but what d'you think? Thanks for any input =)

Answer: Nope, I dont think of that as a disabilty. I don't think you need to put it down. You are right, its just like wearing glasses to help you see better. You just wear those cochlear implants to hear. :D Oh and I listened to the 8 channel one? Thats weird! It sounds like a horror film, or something. Haha. But thats cool, that they can make you hear. :D

Question: Parenting section: How do I deal with staring? I was born deaf and it's got gradually worse as I've got older. I wear cochlear implants http://www.schmidtlaw.com/wp-content/upl… I don't have a problem with being deaf, it's part of who I am. I can communicate fine. I can speak sign language, lip read, and I can hear a bit so I can talk to people normally in some situations. The problem I have is staring, when I'm out in town, people will glance at me, children tend to stare more, and I know it's at the implants, I'm not sure why, probably since they're not as well known as hearing aids and some people may not have seen them before. They are my godsend and I personally don't have a problem with them, but I feel uncomfortable when people look at me. I dont know what way to look myself and I get edgy. I know there's no way to stop people staring, but is there any way I can deal with it better? As I get so nervous. Thanks in advance =)

Answer: People are always curious about different things if u had rainbow coloured hair everyone would stare. To be honest the best thing to do is be loud and proud- u have a wonderful gift in ur life share it. Im aware some people are idiots and may look down but the rest of the crowd r just interested so just smile at the starers and walk on (in fact if u smile u may be stopped and asked questions especially by the children..... so depending on ur time limits smile when u can;) ). I hope it gets better soon!

Question: How do I deal with staring? I was born deaf and it's got gradually worse as I've got older. I wear cochlear implants http://www.schmidtlaw.com/wp-content/upl… I don't have a problem with being deaf, I can communicate fine. I can speak sign language, lip read, and I can hear a bit so I can talk to people normally in some situations. The problem I have is staring, when I'm out in town, people will glance at me, children tend to stare more, and I know it's at the implants, I'm not sure why, probably since they're not as well known as hearing aids and some people may not have seen them before. They are my godsend and I personally don't have a problem with them, but I feel uncomfortable when people look at me. I dont know what way to look myself and I get edgy. I know there's no way to stop people staring, but is there any way I can deal with it better? As I get so nervous. Thanks in advance =)

Answer: Yeah, I've started seeing them around a lot more frequently, so you've cleared that up for me! I think people will always look at people who are different. Maybe you could style your hair in such a way that it isnt seen, or just remind yourself that it really is just like someone wearing a cast on a broken arm or a knee support. It's no big deal, people look because they're interested at how it works, maybe they admire you for having the implant, I definatly do! Hope it helped, but one day you won't be bothered by it. :)

Question: What medicine/technology is there for my boyfriend with hearing problems? Well, he was born without 100% of his hearing then a bacteria sort of made it worse he has been wearing some sort of hearing aids which go really deep into his ears for years now but now the doctor is telling him his eardrums are getting worse and will eventually end up completely deaf i of course,do not believe this...i know there must be something out there which could prevent or treat this i also have much faith that God will prevent this from happening Both of us, will of course, be researching, he will be going to a different doctor for a second opinion, I am just new to this and don't fully comprehend the medicine or technology for this issue... i read about cochlear implants but i'm not sure if this would be possible for him. I am highly religious and have known of many miracles happening in other peoples lives and though, we plan on doing whatever possible to slow down the process or somehow treat it... we won't lose faith in God and would like that to be respected. I also read a bit on stem-cell research I know this could probably help my diabetes, but will it help him with his hearing?

Answer: ur prayers will be answered BEST OF LUCK any organ can be grown from stem cells.it's a costly affair and u both don't have ur stem cells.(not stored)

Question: Is it wrong to reject Cochlear Implants and Hearing Aids? I am going deaf and I have been given the option of a hearing aid for now, and a cochlear implant later once my hearing is severely gone. I have rejected this as I don't believe in such devices and think I should at the very least try and cope and accept being deaf and probably embrace it. Is it wrong for parents to force cochlear implants on their kids? edoedo: I sort of agree with you regarding hearing people... if I were to ever want a device to help me hear better I would only go for a hearing aid instead of a cochlear implant because at least hearing aid can be easily switched off and removed (don't want something on my skull)! In regards to oral communication, I ain't that good at it anyway and prefer more silent methods of talking such as text and hopefully soon sign language... more intimate and better I think... don't need the loudest voice to get attention of everyone.

Answer: Well I can try give you a short answer if I can. Is it wrong to reject Cochlear Implants and Hearing Aids? To my answer is Yes and no. So the answer it yes so allow me explain this..... Do you know thos wolves are losing thier lands because they don't have the rights to stop those people but people don't care about it And those wolves have no power because they don't know how to read or their rights. It is same thing with Deaf child or children; those parents do what they think it is best for them but most of time the answer is NO. Because many Deaf babies don't know their rights and just like those wolves don't know their rights. Sad it is? It is all about the money and greedy! Yes is is extremely wrong for them to force thier kids when they don't know their rights and it is way too early for them to get CI. So, have you lately ask those kids with Cochlear Implants about George Washington the first Prez of the America? Now , can you tell me how many Deaf child with CI know that George Washington have a wood teeth? Most of them don't know! Do you know why is that? Because they focus their their speech too much time while they have CI on it! And that hurt their future just like those wolves can't stand up for themselves. So yes, I do support Cochlear Implants in some what.... it is good for Hearing people when they lost their hearing: because they already learned how to talk and know the sounds...... Yes they can get their CI, I support it! But for kids? NO! No no no no. Today too many Hearing people are forcing Deaf people to learn how to speak but their education got way behinded because of this. Let them be who they are. That all, I have to say.

Question: What do you think about a deaf girl maybe being a pro soccer player? So I really love soccer, and I sometimes think about trying to make it a career. The thing that bothers me though is the fact that when I'm on the field, I can't hear my coach that well, and I will have to take out my hearing aid/cochlear implant before a game starts if it'll be raining. And I don't hear my teammates that well either, especially if they are yelling in a really high pitched voice (If you've ever been to a high school girl's soccer game, you would probably know what i'm talking about. So what do you think about a deaf person being a pro soccer player? Do you think i would have a chance if I worked hard enough? I know I will definitely still be facing some discrimination issues, but oh well.

Answer: Yeah totally, just let your teammates know to yell louder. My brother had a friend with your exact same problem. When the ref would blow the whistle, he would keep playing. The ref almost gave him a card but they sort it out. So one day he went up to all of his teammates, By the way he was a new kid, and told them that he's sorry if he doesn't hear and that they could yell at him in order to communicate and he wouldn't be mad. So at their next game, our opponents thought that everyone was mad at him, because they were yelling, but the yelling helped and they won. Just because you have a disability, it doesn't mean you can't play. Hope I helped. Good luck in the future.

Question: Parents: What do you think of this? Should I go for it or not? ok... so as my contacts knows...im almost completely deaf. i can only hear out of my left ear when i remember to put my hearing aid in. the problem is im always losing my hearing aid... my grandma was talking to me today and she suggested that i get a cochlear implant after we talk to my doctor and see if it's possible... my grandma said she'll pay for the surgery and all that *should i do it? have you or anyone you know gotten it? what should i ask my audiologist when i go talk to her? no, it wont clear out my grandma's finances. she said she was talkin to one of her friends whose 3 yr old son just got one... and after the comment that was made to me last night.... i figured... why not?

Answer: Wow! That is awesome! I think you should go for it if you really want that. I know I would (as long as it wouldn't hurt my grandmother's finances). I have a friend who has one in her right ear. She said it's much easier than her hearing aide and she hears very well. She loves it. She has been deaf all her life in one ear and 70% hearing loss in her right ear. She just got her implant 3 years ago. I'm interested to hear what sunshine :) has to say on this one too. I wish you the best Missy! That is so neat.

Question: What do I say when people tell me "I'm sorry about your hearing loss"? I don't get it: People ask me why i have a hard time understanding the coach when he blows the whistle, or they ask me how severe my hearing loss is. I explain to them that I can't hear certain pitches even with my cochlear implant and hearing aid, and I've been at least 80% deaf my entire life. When i explain that my hearing is getting worse in my hearing aid ear (loss is 90% now), they just say "I'm sorry." "sorry" for what? did you steal my hearing? Don't feel bad for me! I am used to being deaf. I don't understand what it's like to actually be able to understand the confusion around me. I'm just used to it. I know it sounds like i'm unkind and ungrateful, i'm just confused about why people would say it as if they were pitying me. I don't understand what there is to pity. When people say "I'm sorry i asked a rude question about your hearing," then i say "it's okay" I just don't like it when people say it like "I'm sorry you were dealt a bad hand. it must be the worst thing in the world to be deaf" I'm grateful that people ask, and that i have so many people in my family who support me, I just don't like it when they react badly when they find out that i'm deaf.

Answer: People who have not experienced hearing loss (or some other disability for that matter) don’t know what it’s like to have it. They are used to relying on their hearing a lot, so if they imagine losing their hearing they think it must be really bad, and they assume that it’s the same for someone who has always had hearing loss. They don’t realize that there’s a difference between being born that way and losing one’s hearing at a later point in life when hearing has already become an important function for the person. They don’t realize that you are used to it and don’t think it’s that bad. They imagine that things must be so hard for you, so they pity you. It's just from ignorance. You can simply explain to them that you are used to being deaf and don’t find it that bad and that there is nothing to be sorry about.