GiBz
05-04-2003, 03:28 AM
okay okaythis may sound stupid but have a hearing loss of about 40- 45 Db in my right and about 70 db in my left ... I am in Orchestra... and SUCk b/ci cant hear what I play hal the time unless its reallllllly HIGH!.... I am a sk8er/punk/goth... I dont know how my friends would make fun of me.... and m parents dont have the money to buy CIC hearing aids... so i have decided just to go on with out it .... I tak signlanguage at school and no one know b/c i can lip read pretty well but the problm is every one wants to turn around and tal ...( they dunt know i have a hearing problem) well thanks fr listenin to me blab on bye.....
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zip2play
05-04-2003, 09:07 AM
GiBz,
It doesn;t sound to me that you should be having that much trouble considering 40-45 db loss in the "good" ear. Cerainly speech will be a problem but an orchestra SHOULD be ok.
However, your life will be made MUCH better, if you fix the bad ear. One hearing aid will help immensely. If your parents cant get a CIC ("completely in canal" job??????) then get one that you can afford, EVEN if it's a casette you have to wear in your pocket- or an EAR TRUMPET-LOL.
Any friend who doesn't understand and mocks you should be shown the IRON gate- life is too short to deal with fools that narrow minded.
It doesn;t sound to me that you should be having that much trouble considering 40-45 db loss in the "good" ear. Cerainly speech will be a problem but an orchestra SHOULD be ok.
However, your life will be made MUCH better, if you fix the bad ear. One hearing aid will help immensely. If your parents cant get a CIC ("completely in canal" job??????) then get one that you can afford, EVEN if it's a casette you have to wear in your pocket- or an EAR TRUMPET-LOL.
Any friend who doesn't understand and mocks you should be shown the IRON gate- life is too short to deal with fools that narrow minded.
GiBz
05-04-2003, 02:12 PM
thanks for the help
montag66
05-05-2003, 04:18 PM
A few observations from an audiologist...
1. A 40 to 45dB hearing loss IS significant. Especially, for a school aged child. You should get appropriate recommendations from an audiologist, not an internet forum.
2. A CIC is inappropriate for a 70dB hearing loss. It would not offer enough power without significant feedback. Also, if you are still growing, a BTE is the only way to go. Otherwise, each time you hit a growth spurt you would have to buy a new hearing aid at $1500-$3000 each. If you have a BTE, you would only need to buy a new earmold at approx. $50 each.
3. The last place a hearing impaired person should be without hearing protection in an orchestra. You should really look into a pair of Musicians Earplugs in you are going to continue with music. The are made Westone. Look them up on the net or ask your audiologist for info.
4. Sign language is a fun language to learn but rather useless if you are not surrounded by others that use sign language. What, are you going to teach your skater buddies to sign? ;)
5. Money should not be an issue. All states have programs to help pay for medical care and prosthetic devices for school aged persons. With your reported degree of hearing loss, hearing aids shouldn't be a choice but mandatory, at least in school.
If you have any other questions, let me know!
Jim
1. A 40 to 45dB hearing loss IS significant. Especially, for a school aged child. You should get appropriate recommendations from an audiologist, not an internet forum.
2. A CIC is inappropriate for a 70dB hearing loss. It would not offer enough power without significant feedback. Also, if you are still growing, a BTE is the only way to go. Otherwise, each time you hit a growth spurt you would have to buy a new hearing aid at $1500-$3000 each. If you have a BTE, you would only need to buy a new earmold at approx. $50 each.
3. The last place a hearing impaired person should be without hearing protection in an orchestra. You should really look into a pair of Musicians Earplugs in you are going to continue with music. The are made Westone. Look them up on the net or ask your audiologist for info.
4. Sign language is a fun language to learn but rather useless if you are not surrounded by others that use sign language. What, are you going to teach your skater buddies to sign? ;)
5. Money should not be an issue. All states have programs to help pay for medical care and prosthetic devices for school aged persons. With your reported degree of hearing loss, hearing aids shouldn't be a choice but mandatory, at least in school.
If you have any other questions, let me know!
Jim
GiBz
05-05-2003, 05:43 PM
thanks, for your help, yea I didnt even know i had a hearing problem ntill my orcestra teacher asked me hy I didnt fix my notes im like because i didn re wrong and then we had a hearing testat school adnshe referred me to an audiologist. they said have hd it or a while becasue they can tell by my speech imparment. But I uess how i hav gotten by is beinh sort of anti social and reading lips which i dont realize I do. But thank you for the hep.
mlgable
05-06-2003, 11:12 AM
Take the audiologists suggestions and get the hearing aides you need. Since a professional has told you that in the canal aides won't work for you then go back to your own audiologist and have them work with in setting up aids that will work for you. They come in rather funky colors some times so you can get something that looks cool and "start a new trend" so to speak. The audiologist also told you about wearing musicians earplugs to help save what hearing you do have left. Get out and get those before you loose more hearing. As for your friends not understanding if you have hearing aids: That is the biggest mistake you can make.............if they can't accept you the way you are then they certainly shouldn't be called your friends. I am also wondering if you have ever been evaluated by an ENT doc to see if there is a fixable cause to your hearing loss. That is the one thing you left out in your post is what is causing your hearing loss. I have worn aids since I was in middle school so I have been in your situation. Good Luck.
GiBz
05-06-2003, 10:27 PM
they didnt really tell me why they just said that it was already done there was nothing I could do he said it was probably like that from birth.... but thank you and everyone for all the help
zip2play
05-07-2003, 12:00 PM
Just curious,
Since GiBz can't hear the orchestra, and has a decibel hearing loss FAR in excess of any protection he can get from earplugs, of what possible use can they be?
Like a blind person being told that it's important he wear sunglasses to protect his vision.
Deafness has very few advantages, but one of them HAS to be the ability to stop thinking about hearing protection....it's built in.
Of course WITH hearing aids, protection will occur with the flick of a switch. Unless there's some bizarre method (and reason) one can think of to get BOTH in the ear, but I doubt it.
GiBz....have you ever been to an ear surgeon? If your hearing problem was congenital (born with it), perhaps it's a conductive loss and something can be done to restore it. They are even doing cochlear implants...you need GOOD medical insurance though.
Since GiBz can't hear the orchestra, and has a decibel hearing loss FAR in excess of any protection he can get from earplugs, of what possible use can they be?
Like a blind person being told that it's important he wear sunglasses to protect his vision.
Deafness has very few advantages, but one of them HAS to be the ability to stop thinking about hearing protection....it's built in.
Of course WITH hearing aids, protection will occur with the flick of a switch. Unless there's some bizarre method (and reason) one can think of to get BOTH in the ear, but I doubt it.
GiBz....have you ever been to an ear surgeon? If your hearing problem was congenital (born with it), perhaps it's a conductive loss and something can be done to restore it. They are even doing cochlear implants...you need GOOD medical insurance though.
mlgable
05-07-2003, 12:35 PM
Loud noises will deteriorate what hearing he has left even though he has hearing loss. Hearing loss does not protect you from further damage. The are plugs are recommended until he gets the hearing aids that he is supposed to get.
zip2play
05-07-2003, 12:52 PM
mlgable,
Perhaps I'm not understranding correctly.
He's saying he CANNOT hear the orchestra or himself adequately. If he puts in earplugs (with perhaps another 25 db attenuation) how is it possible for him to hear anything at all? Earplugs will take away what little hearing he has left and from what I judge to be the case, force him to leave the orchestra. This doesn't sound like a suitable outcome; it certainly would not have been for me (first clarinet/bass clarinet in my high school orchestra) with considerable conductive hearing loss...later corrected by surgical intervention.
Perhaps I'm not understranding correctly.
He's saying he CANNOT hear the orchestra or himself adequately. If he puts in earplugs (with perhaps another 25 db attenuation) how is it possible for him to hear anything at all? Earplugs will take away what little hearing he has left and from what I judge to be the case, force him to leave the orchestra. This doesn't sound like a suitable outcome; it certainly would not have been for me (first clarinet/bass clarinet in my high school orchestra) with considerable conductive hearing loss...later corrected by surgical intervention.
GiBz
05-07-2003, 01:54 PM
yes, i cannot hear my self play but i cna hear the other quit well as we have a large orchestra , it just kind of seems to drowned over me and cause me not to hear myself play.... not to sound mean or anything.... but i am a girl.... just saying .... thanks everyone once agen for replying to my post
montag66
05-07-2003, 04:46 PM
Originally posted by zip2play:
Just curious,
Since GiBz can't hear the orchestra, and has a decibel hearing loss FAR in excess of any protection he can get from earplugs, of what possible use can they be?
Like a blind person being told that it's important he wear sunglasses to protect his vision.
Deafness has very few advantages, but one of them HAS to be the ability to stop thinking about hearing protection....it's built in.
Of course WITH hearing aids, protection will occur with the flick of a switch. Unless there's some bizarre method (and reason) one can think of to get BOTH in the ear, but I doubt it.
GiBz....have you ever been to an ear surgeon? If your hearing problem was congenital (born with it), perhaps it's a conductive loss and something can be done to restore it. They are even doing cochlear implants...you need GOOD medical insurance though.
Well, she didn't say she was deaf, she described her problem as hearing impaired. Hearing impairment and deafness are completely different. She most likely has different hearing thresholds at different frequencies. And as mlgable has stated it is advisable to protect what hearing is left. The idea that a person with hearing loss doesn't need hearing protection because it is "built in" is ridiculous.
I have no idea what you are trying to say regarding " a bizarre method of getting both hearing aids"??? Also, one should no rely on a hearing aid to provide much hearing protection just because it is turned off. Most hearing aids have a vent which will allow sound through. At ITE's are made of a hard acrylic and do not nearly offer the protection of custom fit silicone hearing protectors.
Just curious,
Since GiBz can't hear the orchestra, and has a decibel hearing loss FAR in excess of any protection he can get from earplugs, of what possible use can they be?
Like a blind person being told that it's important he wear sunglasses to protect his vision.
Deafness has very few advantages, but one of them HAS to be the ability to stop thinking about hearing protection....it's built in.
Of course WITH hearing aids, protection will occur with the flick of a switch. Unless there's some bizarre method (and reason) one can think of to get BOTH in the ear, but I doubt it.
GiBz....have you ever been to an ear surgeon? If your hearing problem was congenital (born with it), perhaps it's a conductive loss and something can be done to restore it. They are even doing cochlear implants...you need GOOD medical insurance though.
Well, she didn't say she was deaf, she described her problem as hearing impaired. Hearing impairment and deafness are completely different. She most likely has different hearing thresholds at different frequencies. And as mlgable has stated it is advisable to protect what hearing is left. The idea that a person with hearing loss doesn't need hearing protection because it is "built in" is ridiculous.
I have no idea what you are trying to say regarding " a bizarre method of getting both hearing aids"??? Also, one should no rely on a hearing aid to provide much hearing protection just because it is turned off. Most hearing aids have a vent which will allow sound through. At ITE's are made of a hard acrylic and do not nearly offer the protection of custom fit silicone hearing protectors.
Biblophile
05-08-2003, 05:23 AM
I am a sk8er/punk/goth... I dont know how my friends would make fun of me.... and m parents dont have the money to buy CIC hearing aids...
Hi Gibz!! I am a 23 year old hoh(hard of hearing) college kid. I can totally understand what you're going through. I remember absolutely hating my aids in jr. high and thinking that they looked "dorky" I didn't have too many friends in school but that's b/c I went to a school FILLED with stuck-up snotty snobby yuppies! Actually now most of the kids I grew up with don't even think twice about the fact that I am hoh! Even most of the kids whom I just met at school don't even think twice about the fact that I am hoh!
It seems like when I was really self-conscenoius about my aids, I got teased a lot more...now that I love them..I don't get teased at all about them!
You're probaly thinking that the aids will make you look like an old person....not nessarly. There are WICKED cool colored hearing aids, earmolds and tubing!
They even have earmolds that change color, have glitter or GLOW IN THE DARK! (VERY useful if you lose the aid under your bed)
If you make your hearing aid look cool, then people will think it's cool and won't tease you!
I have a TON of great resources for you. There are all kinds of great listservs, messageboards and even a magazine for deaf and hoh teens put out by Gallaudet University! If you're interested, please PM or e-mail me! Hope I helped!
Hi Gibz!! I am a 23 year old hoh(hard of hearing) college kid. I can totally understand what you're going through. I remember absolutely hating my aids in jr. high and thinking that they looked "dorky" I didn't have too many friends in school but that's b/c I went to a school FILLED with stuck-up snotty snobby yuppies! Actually now most of the kids I grew up with don't even think twice about the fact that I am hoh! Even most of the kids whom I just met at school don't even think twice about the fact that I am hoh!
It seems like when I was really self-conscenoius about my aids, I got teased a lot more...now that I love them..I don't get teased at all about them!
You're probaly thinking that the aids will make you look like an old person....not nessarly. There are WICKED cool colored hearing aids, earmolds and tubing!
They even have earmolds that change color, have glitter or GLOW IN THE DARK! (VERY useful if you lose the aid under your bed)
If you make your hearing aid look cool, then people will think it's cool and won't tease you!
I have a TON of great resources for you. There are all kinds of great listservs, messageboards and even a magazine for deaf and hoh teens put out by Gallaudet University! If you're interested, please PM or e-mail me! Hope I helped!
GiBz
05-08-2003, 05:26 PM
Hey, thanks you really helped me, you seem alot like me and have been thru alot of what I am going through now.... by the way i had a question what is your email? I would like to talk to you again if that is alrite with you
Biblophile
05-08-2003, 06:01 PM
My e-mail is listed on my profile....Hope to hear from you soon! BTW I have many goth/punk friends at college and they all think my aid is WICKED COOL!
Biblophile
05-11-2003, 02:27 AM
Sorry about that. Didn't realize that we couldn't post our e-mail addys. I will try to post some interesting and helpful links if the mods will let me!
[This message has been edited by Biblophile (edited 05-11-2003).]
[This message has been edited by Biblophile (edited 05-11-2003).]
Biblophile
05-28-2003, 02:28 AM
Gibiz, whatever happened to you? I've been waiting for your e-mail for a while. I know we're limited as to which links we can post. However if you are interested in corresponding with me, go to Yahoo! Groups and there is a hearing aid group called Hearing aids are cool! I'll be able to give you a lot more info and cool links. Hope to meet you soon! I was going to post a link to a VERY cool magazine for deaf and HOH teens but I don't think the mods will like that.
Kitty_babe
06-21-2003, 10:45 AM
Hello,
This is Gibz and Bibilophile you two are totally coool.
I would like to say that i am going through the mostly the samething as Gibz and i would like to say that if they can't except you for who you are then screw them.So what cause in a couple of weeks i maybe getting my own hardware and i'm proud so what you don't hear so good but you still you and if that can't see past the hardware then they are horrible people. I would also like to say that i would like to keep in contact with Gibz and Bibliophile my email is "Spirit.two2@verizon.net" please email me and send me your emails too you seem to cool not to keep in touch with. Chow
[This message has been edited by Kitty_babe (edited 06-21-2003).]
This is Gibz and Bibilophile you two are totally coool.
I would like to say that i am going through the mostly the samething as Gibz and i would like to say that if they can't except you for who you are then screw them.So what cause in a couple of weeks i maybe getting my own hardware and i'm proud so what you don't hear so good but you still you and if that can't see past the hardware then they are horrible people. I would also like to say that i would like to keep in contact with Gibz and Bibliophile my email is "Spirit.two2@verizon.net" please email me and send me your emails too you seem to cool not to keep in touch with. Chow
[This message has been edited by Kitty_babe (edited 06-21-2003).]
Kitty_babe
12-22-2003, 09:53 PM
Hey Gibz and biblophile,
Whatever happened to you?
I have been waiting but you never emailed me. I joined Hearing aids are cool and looked for you Biblophile but no one answered my post. My name is ScryingCrystal on Hearing aids are cool
Whatever happened to you?
I have been waiting but you never emailed me. I joined Hearing aids are cool and looked for you Biblophile but no one answered my post. My name is ScryingCrystal on Hearing aids are cool