Guest guest Posted April 23, 2004 Report Share Posted April 23, 2004 I have been chatting with a fella who is blind and deaf and has little mobility. He lost his hearing when quite young, so has little memory. He feels that if he cannot get speech comprehension, anything else is of little benefit. He thinks waiting for new technology will pay off. I think he believes that future technology will give him speech comprehension. We are debating this. What do you all think? *---* *---* *---* *---* *---* Always remember you're unique, just like everyone else. & Gimlet (Guide Dawggie) Portland, Oregon N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup rlclark77@... http://home.comcast.net/~rlclark77/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 23, 2004 Report Share Posted April 23, 2004 Hi ! I really liked Alice's reply back to you about the fellow having two ears so maybe get one implanted now and save the other for the future. There is no guarantee that speech discrimination will kick in. I never had much speech discrimination in my whole life and lost what little I did have during my elementary school years. Thank goodness for loud brothers and sisters! At my CI Candidacy, I was told that speech discrimination may not kick in for me. On my hook up day, I was just so happy to hear and understand environmental sounds even though I had to rely on lipreading to understand people. It was a real happy day for my family and me. Then 3 months later, we were all surprised when I answered to my name being called just a few feet away from me and started understanding some tv programs and some store PA systems and conversations. I still rely on lipreading but that's okay by me. It's what I am used to. The CI has made lipreading even easier. I don't have to concentrate sooo much like I used to. Yes, I realize lipreading is not an option for your friend; but my point is that he will be able to hear some sounds with one CI. Like your friend, I became a CI Candidate long before I actually went for the testing. I thought I had too much residual hearing to risk it back in the late 80's. Plus there was a guy in the waiting room that day all freaked out because he was not doing well with his new implant. I wanted no part of it. Little did I know. I have no regrets though for waiting so long. I am just so thrilled with what my CI has given me today! It's better than any hearing aid. And yes, I only had one ear done. I guess I could have my right ear done in the future. But, first I would have to get family support for another possible 12 week recovery. So far, the gang says no way. I can't blame them. They are all thrilled with the results of this one and relieved that I am finally pretty much back to myself balance wise. It's not an easy decision to make regarding when to get implanted. It's a toss up sometimes. I am glad I finally did get implanted. Sorry to be sooo long! Happy Birthday, ! Good luck to your friend! Patti (aka Velma) Surgery day 11/25/02 (What A Day!) Hook Up Day 1/2/03 (A Happy Day!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 24, 2004 Report Share Posted April 24, 2004 Lee, I hope we meet soon, I would enjoy talking with you about your experiences. You also said, " Your fiend will have to understand that it will take longer for our group to understand speeches... " Yep, he can indeed be a fiend at times. (heh I couldnt resist that) *---* *---* *---* *---* *---* I just broke up with someone and the last thing she said to me was, " You'll never find anyone like me again! " I'm thinking, I should hope not! If I don't want you, why would I want someone like you? " --Larry & Gimlet (Guide Dawggie) Portland, Oregon N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup rlclark77@... http://home.comcast.net/~rlclark77/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 24, 2004 Report Share Posted April 24, 2004 Patti, I think the guy has a few misperceptions about the CI. So I expect we will be tossing emails back and forth, arguiing, Yeah, he is like that. LOL I've often wondered how a preling can learn sounds. I mean, when we are born with normal hearing, there is no programming so whatever sounds come in, we perceive them as such. So how does a preling work with the audie to achieve the programming that is as close to normal sound as can be? Intriguing as Data would say. He thinks technology will take care of it in 5-10 years. Well, he really does not know what he is missing, is almost 40 now. But I have a feeling he knows he is missing " something " . When I told him why I want 2 CI's, he said this.... " I don't see why having an implant in both ears will eliminate the need for visual cues. " He just does not understand what normal hearing is like. I do because I had mild loss most of my life. *---* *---* *---* *---* *---* The best defense against logic is stupidity. -- & Gimlet (Guide Dawggie) Portland, Oregon N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup rlclark77@... http://home.comcast.net/~rlclark77/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 24, 2004 Report Share Posted April 24, 2004 Alice, Those of us who had normal or near normal hearing or vision can attest to the reality that two makes pie. (I made that up, its copyrighted! LOL) Yes, we can adapt to one eye or one ear. But if we have the option to have pairs, we should go for it. In this guy's case, he could get a jump start on it and get a CI now. *---* *---* *---* *---* *---* Health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die. & Gimlet (Guide Dawggie) Portland, Oregon N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup rlclark77@... http://home.comcast.net/~rlclark77/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 24, 2004 Report Share Posted April 24, 2004 In a message dated 4/23/2004 11:24:26 PM Pacific Standard Time, rlclark77@... writes: You also said, " Your fiend will have to understand that it will take longer for our group to understand speeches... " Yep, he can indeed be a fiend at times. DANG DANG DANG, FIRE THE SPELLING CHECKER! LOL Lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 24, 2004 Report Share Posted April 24, 2004 In a message dated 4/24/2004 12:08:15 AM Pacific Standard Time, rlclark77@... writes: I've often wondered how a preling can learn sounds. I mean, when we are born with normal hearing, there is no programming so whatever sounds come in, we perceive them as such. So how does a preling work with the audie to achieve the programming that is as close to normal sound as can be? Intriguing as Data would say. You asked a good question ! We grew up by " visual cue " , what we lipread, we visioned, what noises we may have heard, we visioned. I was also dependent on what little I can get, from hearing aid, only as " environmental alert " . When I was first activated my audie told me VISION...... use it and your brain will connect the two (vision and hearing). Since I was already very dependent on lipreading, I somehow connect what I hear and lipread. In time, some words just come across to me without lipreading. When I first heard the crow, I was CLUELESS....... My daughter was with me, didn't know what I was talking about, so I pointed in direction where it sounded the loudest, then she was surprised cuz it somewhat further out and heard a crow and told me. A few days later,,, I heard that SAME sounds, I know I heard it before but didn't remember where I heard it. Looking around, still clueless, I looked down at Tanner (my dog) and he was busy looking UP. There it was, a crow and I connected it. And remember what my daughter told me ... so there the clue.... The 3rd time I heard it.... I didn't care but knew it was a crow. I find the more I hear the same sounds, I usually " get it " after 2 or 3 times. I do not see it any different for a blind person, as they have other mode of communication and it can find it way to connect. You say he lost his hearing prior to school years, I was told even in short time, the audio memory are still there, just " asleep " waiting to be awaken. Your friend could be one of many who having doubts. I know someone who " think " it better to wait 5 10 years. But I want it now... Each person has own opinion. Yesterday, I met a " rude " deaf man at Shari's. He just barge right up to Tanner and start petting him, then I realized he is deaf so I signed to him that Tanner is a hearing dog. He asked if I am deaf and I told him yes, then he asked why I talk so good to " her " (my daughter). I told him that I have talked all my life and it natural to me....... BEEP BEEP BEEP..... came the battery warning,,,, then it died while waiting for table. I did the reset and died again, so changed batteries right there, he then asked about THREE BATTERIES?!?!?!?! I told him it is a CI, he went on bragging about his 5,000 dollars hearing aid, the best out there..... I didn't want to tell him that CI is better. so I kept on nodding nodding nodding. Later my daughter ended up being asked by a waitress to sign to him because he wasn't understanding what she was trying to explain, and I was thinking,,,, hummmmmm 5,000 dollar hearing aid???? Each person has there own set of ideas. It is just as bad as everyone have their own preference of colors........ no one will agree which is " best " . I hope I explained the best I can, visioning the sounds. Lee any typo, blame my spelling checker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 24, 2004 Report Share Posted April 24, 2004 Po' Lee, now haz no speling chequer. Wat too dew naw?! Hehehe. *---* *---* *---* *---* *---* If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends? -- & Gimlet (Guide Dawggie) Portland, Oregon N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup rlclark77@... http://home.comcast.net/~rlclark77/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 24, 2004 Report Share Posted April 24, 2004 robert, i agree with jolene. im preling but glad i didnt wait the time is laready here with sawesome ci technology. about your deaf blind freind how does he communicate with people most of time? sign? or speaking? and does he use aids? also if he s not ready for ci , we have to respect that too. joni preling hook up 4-6-04 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 24, 2004 Report Share Posted April 24, 2004 Yeah Lee, sometimes our old memories are triggered. We dont give our brains enough credit. Dont bother with the crows, they are nothing but noisy pests. LOL Look for song birds. Ahhh but I would love to see blue jays again even if THEY are noisy. They are so pretty. I look to Gimlet too for visual clues when I think I hear someone talking to me or if I hear something and cannot get a fix on it. *---* *---* *---* *---* *---* You can't solve a problem with the same thinking that created the problem in the first place. --Albert Einstein & Gimlet (Guide Dawggie) Portland, Oregon N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup rlclark77@... http://home.comcast.net/~rlclark77/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 24, 2004 Report Share Posted April 24, 2004 Joni, He relies on tactile signing. You are right, if he isnt ready, he isnt ready. But when he keeps hounding us with issues, then I am going to hound him back and remind him, you wanna do ir or what? You will never know if a CI works until you try it. *---* *---* *---* *---* *---* " Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. " --Helen Keller & Gimlet (Guide Dawggie) Portland, Oregon N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup rlclark77@... http://home.comcast.net/~rlclark77/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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