Re: Sound Localization with CI

[Guest guest]

Jacques,

Perhaps that's why the hearing/speech tests are so extensive -- to make sure

that people *can't* cheat...

[Guest guest]

,

Cheating would be a very dangerous thing to do for a person with a fairly

good hearing and the frustrations would be terrible after the hookup. Qhen

someone tries a surgery it is certainly not to become worse than before

surgery.

Friendly,

Jacques

At 13:23 2004-06-14 -0500, you wrote:

>Jacques,

>

>Perhaps that's why the hearing/speech tests are so extensive -- to make sure

>that people *can't* cheat...

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

When I took an audiology class some years ago, I learned there is a way for

audies to know if the results are valid, but it escapes me at the moment.

Re: Sound Localization with CI

> Jerome,

>

> During my CI evaluation, I tried very hard to hear what I could even

though

> the purpose of the evaluation was to determine what I *couldn't* hear.

> Before my hearing and speech tests began, the audi told me that even if I

> couldn't understand a word or sentence, I should tell her what I think I

> heard and pronounce the respective word/sentence the best I could.

>

> Unfortunately, I couldn't even begin to venture a guess on some of the

word

> and sentence tests because with my left ear everything sounded distorted

and

> with my right ear, all I could hear were vowels. When it came to the

hearing

> in noise test, I couldn't hear the voice of whoever was speaking.

>

> I wonder if there's a way for the audi to determine whether a person is

> cheating? Why someone would want to cheat is beyond me but I'm sure it's

> been done before.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

In addition, communication is about much more than just hearing.. it is

receptivity, attitude, respect, open-ness, and patience mixed with reading of

facial expression and body language.

Use this time while you are researching the CI to also brush up on some of

the other aspects of communication that will go toward making your CI experience

a success when it finally does happen.

I always figured that my deafness was given to me so I would learn from it

and that is what I have been doing for 9 years. I feel that now, having learned

much, I am ready to gleefully step back into the world of hearing if a CI

becomes a reality for me.

Pam

In a message dated 6/14/2004 4:14:15 PM Alaskan Daylight Time,

lisak70@... writes:

> Jerome,

>

> If you're having this much difficulty with communication (which seems

> evident by what you've expressed in your posts) and are not yet comfortable

> with the idea of getting a CI, how about learning sign language? Is there an

> equivalent to ASL, PSE, SEE or Cued Speech in the pines?

>

>

[Guest guest]

Jerome,

If you're having this much difficulty with communication (which seems

evident by what you've expressed in your posts) and are not yet comfortable

with the idea of getting a CI, how about learning sign language? Is there an

equivalent to ASL, PSE, SEE or Cued Speech in the pines?

[Guest guest]

Jacques,

You're exactly right. I don't know why anyone would want to go through so

much trouble. Then again, I used to know someone who cheated on his hearing

test just to get a hearing aid. After he told me this, I ended our

friendship. If he really knew what it was like to live with hearing loss, he

would have thanked his lucky starts for the hearing God gave him. Oh well --

what can you do?? <smile>

[Guest guest]

Pam,

Beautifully stated! My thoughts exactly! I've also had a severe-profound

loss for 8 years. I'm fluent in sign and other forms of alternative

communication for the deafblind. I'm very comfortable with myself as a

deafblind person but as someone who is planning a career in the social work

field,. I don't want my hearing loss to limit my career opportunities. If a

CI allows me to hear more than I do now, wonderrful!! if not, I haven't lost

anything by trying.

[Guest guest]

Jerome,

Only you know what your needs are. The hearing tests are only a

reflection of your loss. They cannot show how the loss affects your

life. They also cannot make the determination that you are a good CI

candidate.

Are you ready?

Are you willing to take the next step?

Are you at the point you have nothing to lose?

If your CI clinic called you up tomorrow and said, hey, we will

implant you next week, will you say, Yes!

If you have doubts, you are not ready.

You cannot make a prediction. We cannot either. You KNOW all

there is to know. Jackie wrote you a very good post last week, did

you read it? I've nboticed you dont usually respond top posts that

make you look into your own heart. Do you want us to hold your hand

and say, Jerome, go on and get a CI, we will make it work for you?

No, we will not do that.

You KNOW what you need to know. There is nothing more for you to

research, to study, to read up on.

You are at the point where you dont know which way to turn. If

your parents are willing to pay for the CI, is there any reason why

they cannot put money on the BTEs for trial? 30 days, 60 days? If

you have doubts, then isnt this the most practical solution? You can

try different brands, different models, play with the programming, FM

systems, and after 30 or 60 days, assuming you gave the trials all you

had, then ask yourself.....

Am I ready?

Stop the endless questions, the research, you KNOW all you need.

It is time for action. The BTE trials. Put all you have into that.

Then and only then, ask yourself.........

Am I ready?

You must answer that to the affirmative before you can proceed to

be implanted. We cannot. And we wont. It is high time you deal with

the human aspects of this, not the technical aspects.

Are you ready, Jerome?

*---* *---* *---* *---* *---*

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves

himself.

-- Josh Billings

& Gimlet (Guide Dawggie)

Portland, Oregon

N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

rlclark77@...

http://home.comcast.net/~rlclark77/

[Guest guest]

and Pam

you said a mouth full!!! getting a CI does not " make " a person a better

person or a different person i think being comfortable with who you are

before getting a CI is very important

knowing that my identity or my lifestyle doesn't depend or center on my CI's

i was deaf for a very long time but during that time i did and do sign

but i also got involved in my kid's school and this small town i live

in i figured how a way to be a timer at my daughter's swim meets

even though i couldn't hear the gun getting my CI's has added much to

my life but i am still me i got my CI's for many reasons .....

mostly to work with preschooler in an inclusive classroom i have done

this

while being deaf my CI has enhanced my performance ... makes me feel safer

when with 10 3 yr olds looking at a CI as a way to have a social

life or a way meet others or a way " to get a life " is silly if you

don't have this before what makes anyone think a CI will magically do this

a CI doesn't make me a hearing person i don't get everything

i still misunderstand and still make an ass out of myself at times because i

didn't understand but i have years of experience doing this what's

a few more screw ups??? do people know i am deaf when i wear my CI's

in short exchanges most don't but in more complicated setting it comes

out if i wasn't comfortable with me being deaf this could be a

traumatic experience thinking Well i'm wearing my CI why am i still not hearing

perfectly?? or going to the opposite extream and

explaining to everyone and anyone you are wearing a CI believe me not

everyone out there gets excited over a CI and many don't care i am

more than just a CI'er (but i am happy to explain or answer any questions

that come my way or even pipe up when someone in a group says something about a

CI)

you need to know yourself and be comfortable with yourself before getting a

CI i think

susan

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/15/2004 1:17:55 PM Alaskan Daylight Time,

stargazzingnite@... writes:

> Well i'm wearing my CI why am i still not hearing

> perfectly?? or going to the opposite extream and

> explaining to everyone and anyone you are wearing a CI believe me not

> everyone out there gets excited over a CI and many don't care i am

> more than just a CI'er (but i am happy to explain or answer any questions

>

> that come my way or even pipe up when someone in a group says something

> about a

> CI)

> you need to know yourself and be comfortable with yourself before getting a

> CI i think

>

> susan

Exactly! and you are a wonderful role model..

Thanks for writing!

Pam