and son

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

You found the right forum. Let me start by saying depression is not

uncommon when you have hearing loss. Both for you and for your son.

Losing hearing in one ear in no way prepares you to be totally deaf.

When I lost my hearing in the remaining ear (I'd been deaf in one ear for

20 years), I was SO depressed. BUT you are taking steps to remedy the

situation. And if your son gets implanted soon, he will be hearing

better than he probably has in his life. So that's something to look

forward to. Because if he's had severe to profound hearing loss all his

life, he's going to have hearing in all the frequencies with a CI. So

remind him that this is a temporary set back. Because it is.

Being in total communication, he can sign until he gets his hearing

back, so that's a plus. But do get him evaluated as soon as possible,

and get him in line for the implant.

Of course you feel depressed about your son's loss. You would gladly

take it yourself if you could, most parents would. And no, you are not

weak in admitting you are depressed. Losing one of your senses is

devistating. Just when you think being hard of hearing is the worst

thing that could happen, then he loses the hearing in one ear. OK, so

you adjust to that, thinking THAT's the worst that can happen, and you

get hit again. This time total hearing loss. Yep, life is unfair,

always has been. But you have the means to fight back. So do make the

appointment, and keep it.

Let me or anyone on the forum know if you have any questions about

implants. Many of the people are parents of children with implants. The

rest are folks who have them, or are waiting to get them. So someone is

going to have the answers to your questions.

Good luck,

The Original

Date: Fri, 16 Dec 2005 20:42:28 -0000

From: " robertbudder " <robertnj63@...>

Subject: new to group

Hello group,

i am robert and i live in new jersey. My son is 11 ans was born

with a severe to profound hearing loss. We got him hearing aids as a

baby and he was put in to total communication programs. He has

learned speech and has done ok in a deaf program that is contained in

a mainstreem school system. About 2 years ago he lost whatever

hearing he had in his left ear. He got by wearing his one hearing aid

and was doing ok. Just last week he suddenly lost all the hearing in

his right ear and we are devastated. He just started to cry...and he

suddenly was immersed in total silence. I have been so depressed and

find myself crying in my car every day as i drive to and from work.

Last week, i met with a cochlear surgeon at the University Hospital

in Newark. I met the audiologist there as well..we did testing and

they said they would love to implant him. I went home and have been

reading non-stop about everything i can lay my eyes on. I now have an

appointment with childrens hospital in philadelphia to see what they

have to offer. This appt is on Dec.30. Im trying to do all this and

battle this feeling of depression i feel building inside me. He keeps

telling me he hates his life now. He tells me he cant even hear his

voice anymore. He used to have such a lovely voice...but his words

are becoming less and less clear..its almost like he is slipping away

through my fingers. I explained the cochlear to him and he wants it.

So this is my story, i found this group just a few minutes ago, i

turn to all the members for support, hope, comfort. Every time i see

my son i feel his pain, i pain every second of every day, maybe i am

weak..i dont know...but i want to do everything possible to help

him.......anyway..thanks for letting me join.

robert