Re: New to group and am thankful

[Guest guest]

,

I am glad that your son is doing so well. I wouldn't worry about the

statistics, because as long as you are on top of things and make sure your son

gets the extra services he needs to hear as good as he can, he should continue

to do great. Many school professionals don't understand the significance of a

unilateral loss and what that means for his hearing. What happens is he hears

half as well as everyone else, so while his other ear has normal hearing, he

still has problems hearing. Things to do about this. I would suggest comming

up with a 504 plan. This will basically say although he isn't a special

education candidate, he does need special provisions. One would be a classroom

with a good acoustic setting. That would mean carpeting or tenis balls on the

chairs to minimize background noise. If your son wears a hearing aid a FM

system would be a good idea, I consider it a must, because it sends the sound

directly to him so he doesn't have to get interfearance with background noise.

Even if he doesn't wear a hearing aid he can wear headphones or ear bud in the

good ear they don't have to amplify if it is for the good ear because the point

is to eliminate the background noise. A classroom is very noisy and that can

seriously limit how much info he is getting, so this seriously helps with that.

I know there are other things that people will come up with to help but those

things alone should help a lot. If you are on top of things and don't let the

school push you around, your son should continue to do just fine. There is no

reason for him to be in a special class if he is doing so well.

New to group and am thankful

My name is and I have a 5 1/2 year old son named Hunter. Approximately

1 1/2 years ago I found out that my son was completely deaf in 1 ear -

unilateral deafness, probably from birth. At first I was saddened by this and

kept hearing what the doctor told me - just accept that he will always have

" limitations " - I hate that word " limitations " . I want my son to be able to do

whatever he sets his mind to. My son had already been enrolled in speech

therapy since he was 3 and has now graduated that - he appears to have no speech

impairment at all. He will be starting kindegarten soon and really don't want

him labeled - " Special Ed " . When I found out I enrolled him in Montessori

School so that he could start out with an extra edge - it seems to have paid off

- he will be starting kindergarten in the " gifted and talented " class. Recently

I read an article that stated that 80% of unilateral hearing loss children fail

at least one grade in school. I am so concerned that my son

will have to endure this and I really want to prevent any misery that I can.

Also, I try to stay up to date on the latest research about hearing loss and

the remedies - it appears that regeneration of hair cells has been in testing

stages for quite a few years but does not seem to be making any progress. Is it

unrealistic to think that there will be a cure in his lifetime. Should I look

into getting him a hearing aid? He appears to be doing just fine without one.

While I have looked a lot on the internet on various issues regarding his

hearing loss - I have never corresponded with anyone that has had any similar

experience. Any advice would be appreciated.

[Guest guest]

,

I am glad that your son is doing so well. I wouldn't worry about the

statistics, because as long as you are on top of things and make sure your son

gets the extra services he needs to hear as good as he can, he should continue

to do great. Many school professionals don't understand the significance of a

unilateral loss and what that means for his hearing. What happens is he hears

half as well as everyone else, so while his other ear has normal hearing, he

still has problems hearing. Things to do about this. I would suggest comming

up with a 504 plan. This will basically say although he isn't a special

education candidate, he does need special provisions. One would be a classroom

with a good acoustic setting. That would mean carpeting or tenis balls on the

chairs to minimize background noise. If your son wears a hearing aid a FM

system would be a good idea, I consider it a must, because it sends the sound

directly to him so he doesn't have to get interfearance with background noise.

Even if he doesn't wear a hearing aid he can wear headphones or ear bud in the

good ear they don't have to amplify if it is for the good ear because the point

is to eliminate the background noise. A classroom is very noisy and that can

seriously limit how much info he is getting, so this seriously helps with that.

I know there are other things that people will come up with to help but those

things alone should help a lot. If you are on top of things and don't let the

school push you around, your son should continue to do just fine. There is no

reason for him to be in a special class if he is doing so well.

New to group and am thankful

My name is and I have a 5 1/2 year old son named Hunter. Approximately

1 1/2 years ago I found out that my son was completely deaf in 1 ear -

unilateral deafness, probably from birth. At first I was saddened by this and

kept hearing what the doctor told me - just accept that he will always have

" limitations " - I hate that word " limitations " . I want my son to be able to do

whatever he sets his mind to. My son had already been enrolled in speech

therapy since he was 3 and has now graduated that - he appears to have no speech

impairment at all. He will be starting kindegarten soon and really don't want

him labeled - " Special Ed " . When I found out I enrolled him in Montessori

School so that he could start out with an extra edge - it seems to have paid off

- he will be starting kindergarten in the " gifted and talented " class. Recently

I read an article that stated that 80% of unilateral hearing loss children fail

at least one grade in school. I am so concerned that my son

will have to endure this and I really want to prevent any misery that I can.

Also, I try to stay up to date on the latest research about hearing loss and

the remedies - it appears that regeneration of hair cells has been in testing

stages for quite a few years but does not seem to be making any progress. Is it

unrealistic to think that there will be a cure in his lifetime. Should I look

into getting him a hearing aid? He appears to be doing just fine without one.

While I have looked a lot on the internet on various issues regarding his

hearing loss - I have never corresponded with anyone that has had any similar

experience. Any advice would be appreciated.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

My daughter had a profound hearing loss since birth in one ear only.

She did lose her hearing in the other ear starting at the age of 8 but that is

another story. She did very well (and still does). She never wore a hearing

aid in that ear because the loss was so great (>120dbl in all frequencies)and

her hearing in the other ear was normal. She has totally normal speech - never

had speech therapy and loves school. The only thing she used when she started

school was a totable fm system. I know some children with a unilateral loss

that don't even use an fm and have done fine. Personally if the loss is severe

to profound I would recommend one.

I hope this is helpful.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

My daughter had a profound hearing loss since birth in one ear only.

She did lose her hearing in the other ear starting at the age of 8 but that is

another story. She did very well (and still does). She never wore a hearing

aid in that ear because the loss was so great (>120dbl in all frequencies)and

her hearing in the other ear was normal. She has totally normal speech - never

had speech therapy and loves school. The only thing she used when she started

school was a totable fm system. I know some children with a unilateral loss

that don't even use an fm and have done fine. Personally if the loss is severe

to profound I would recommend one.

I hope this is helpful.

[Guest guest]

,

My dh's cousin is 14 and had has moderately-severe hearing loss in one of

his ears. His other ear is perfect. Odd...they don't know why...but he

does. I just wanted to reassure you that he is doing wonderful in school.

He is actually at a gifted school and my aunt informs me that " he is a geek

in a geek school " So, he is incredibly smart. He got a 31 on his ACT and

he's only in 8th grade! It blows me away. Anyhow...I just wanted to

reassure, and though he's not completely deaf in that ear, he still hears

very little in terms of speech in that ear and he has done fine. His real

problem is social because he's so stinkin smart that he doesn't relate well

to other kids. Weird, huh? Just wanted to give you some encouragement.

Sara

Tessa, 21 months, bilateral severe/profound hearing loss

>

>Reply-To: Listen-Up

>To: Listen-Up

>Subject: New to group and am thankful

>Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2004 08:54:37 -0700 (PDT)

>

>My name is and I have a 5 1/2 year old son named Hunter.

>Approximately 1 1/2 years ago I found out that my son was completely deaf

>in 1 ear - unilateral deafness, probably from birth. At first I was

>saddened by this and kept hearing what the doctor told me - just accept

>that he will always have " limitations " - I hate that word " limitations " . I

>want my son to be able to do whatever he sets his mind to. My son had

>already been enrolled in speech therapy since he was 3 and has now

>graduated that - he appears to have no speech impairment at all. He will

>be starting kindegarten soon and really don't want him labeled - " Special

>Ed " . When I found out I enrolled him in Montessori School so that he could

>start out with an extra edge - it seems to have paid off - he will be

>starting kindergarten in the " gifted and talented " class. Recently I read

>an article that stated that 80% of unilateral hearing loss children fail at

>least one grade in school. I am so concerned that my son

> will have to endure this and I really want to prevent any misery that I

>can.

>

>Also, I try to stay up to date on the latest research about hearing loss

>and the remedies - it appears that regeneration of hair cells has been in

>testing stages for quite a few years but does not seem to be making any

>progress. Is it unrealistic to think that there will be a cure in his

>lifetime. Should I look into getting him a hearing aid? He appears to be

>doing just fine without one. While I have looked a lot on the internet on

>various issues regarding his hearing loss - I have never corresponded with

>anyone that has had any similar experience. Any advice would be

>appreciated.

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

My dh's cousin is 14 and had has moderately-severe hearing loss in one of

his ears. His other ear is perfect. Odd...they don't know why...but he

does. I just wanted to reassure you that he is doing wonderful in school.

He is actually at a gifted school and my aunt informs me that " he is a geek

in a geek school " So, he is incredibly smart. He got a 31 on his ACT and

he's only in 8th grade! It blows me away. Anyhow...I just wanted to

reassure, and though he's not completely deaf in that ear, he still hears

very little in terms of speech in that ear and he has done fine. His real

problem is social because he's so stinkin smart that he doesn't relate well

to other kids. Weird, huh? Just wanted to give you some encouragement.

Sara

Tessa, 21 months, bilateral severe/profound hearing loss

>

>Reply-To: Listen-Up

>To: Listen-Up

>Subject: New to group and am thankful

>Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2004 08:54:37 -0700 (PDT)

>

>My name is and I have a 5 1/2 year old son named Hunter.

>Approximately 1 1/2 years ago I found out that my son was completely deaf

>in 1 ear - unilateral deafness, probably from birth. At first I was

>saddened by this and kept hearing what the doctor told me - just accept

>that he will always have " limitations " - I hate that word " limitations " . I

>want my son to be able to do whatever he sets his mind to. My son had

>already been enrolled in speech therapy since he was 3 and has now

>graduated that - he appears to have no speech impairment at all. He will

>be starting kindegarten soon and really don't want him labeled - " Special

>Ed " . When I found out I enrolled him in Montessori School so that he could

>start out with an extra edge - it seems to have paid off - he will be

>starting kindergarten in the " gifted and talented " class. Recently I read

>an article that stated that 80% of unilateral hearing loss children fail at

>least one grade in school. I am so concerned that my son

> will have to endure this and I really want to prevent any misery that I

>can.

>

>Also, I try to stay up to date on the latest research about hearing loss

>and the remedies - it appears that regeneration of hair cells has been in

>testing stages for quite a few years but does not seem to be making any

>progress. Is it unrealistic to think that there will be a cure in his

>lifetime. Should I look into getting him a hearing aid? He appears to be

>doing just fine without one. While I have looked a lot on the internet on

>various issues regarding his hearing loss - I have never corresponded with

>anyone that has had any similar experience. Any advice would be

>appreciated.

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

Welcome to the group! It is just wonderful that your son is doing

so well! It sounds like you are a superb advocate for him.

With regards to unilateral hearing loss, there are some similarities

to a child with a single cochlear implant in that the person with

hearing on only one side of the head can have difficulty following

group discussions, which take place often at school or in the

workplace. It is hard to know who is talking because with only one

ear, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to tell from which

direction a sound is coming (i.e. to localize) based on listening

alone. Sometimes, by the time one figures it out, the conversation

has moved on and another person is speaking! My son (cochlear

implant user) is mainstreaming for first grade this coming year, and

some of the things the teacher will do to help him follow group

discussions are 1) when calling on a student to point to the child

and always say his/her name so my son knows who is talking, and 2)

enforce a " one speaker at a time " rule (this is also to limit

background noise.) The teacher says she already does anyway this

using a " talking stick " so that only the child holding the stick can

talk. This slows down the conversation a little, promotes better

listening, and provides a visual clue to whose turn it is to talk.

My son will also use an FM system and have an coustically modified

classroom. (We are thinking about getting a second implant for him

in his other ear.)

A woman who used to work with my husband has a daughter who is deaf

in only one ear. One story she told was that at swimming lessons,

the girl had a very difficult time understanding what was said. The

acoustics were poor at the indoor pool, and when water got in her

good ear, she couldn't hear well. The mom forgot to say anything to

the swim teacher, but he approached her after and said, " What's up

with your daughter? She just can't seem to pay attention. " So I

suppose there can be times like that that catch you off-guard. (The

girl is doing really well in school, but the way!)

You asked about hair cell regeneration. Since I'm a scientist, I

have been following the progress in this field just out of

curiosity. There are some encouraging recent results, but according

to one expert (Dr. Doug Cotanche, Harvard Med/Children's Hospital

Boston), a clinical therapy is not going to be available for at

least 15-20 years. All therapies would almost certainly involve

gene therapy and/or stem cell therapy. These are very difficult

techniques to implement, and controversial as well. The first

diseases for which they will be used are those that are life-

threatening. I predict it will be a very long time before they are

used cure deafness, since it is not a life threatening condition.

Sorry -- that sounds kind-of depressing, I know, and I really hope

that I am wrong and the progress comes sooner. The good news is,

cochlear implants keep getting better and better, and probably well

within that time frame, a fully implantable device will become

available.

Lydia

Mom of , age 7, cochlear implant at age 4, hearing aids before

that starting at 14 months

[Guest guest]

Our teachers do this for our boys (they are 9 and 11 and wear two hearing aids).

In addition, they always repeat when an answer given is wrong, as well as right

(so they'd say " no Susie, two plus two isn't five " ). Particularly if Sam, my

younger son, didn't hear the wrong answer, he's not going to embarass himself by

repeating the wrong answer when he didn't hear it...

Barbara

--- Lydia wrote:

1) when calling on a student to point to the child

and always say his/her name so my son knows who is talking, and 2)

enforce a " one speaker at a time " rule (this is also to limit

background noise.)

--- end of quote ---

[Guest guest]

Our teachers do this for our boys (they are 9 and 11 and wear two hearing aids).

In addition, they always repeat when an answer given is wrong, as well as right

(so they'd say " no Susie, two plus two isn't five " ). Particularly if Sam, my

younger son, didn't hear the wrong answer, he's not going to embarass himself by

repeating the wrong answer when he didn't hear it...

Barbara

--- Lydia wrote:

1) when calling on a student to point to the child

and always say his/her name so my son knows who is talking, and 2)

enforce a " one speaker at a time " rule (this is also to limit

background noise.)

--- end of quote ---

[Guest guest]

Our teachers do this for our boys (they are 9 and 11 and wear two hearing aids).

In addition, they always repeat when an answer given is wrong, as well as right

(so they'd say " no Susie, two plus two isn't five " ). Particularly if Sam, my

younger son, didn't hear the wrong answer, he's not going to embarass himself by

repeating the wrong answer when he didn't hear it...

Barbara

--- Lydia wrote:

1) when calling on a student to point to the child

and always say his/her name so my son knows who is talking, and 2)

enforce a " one speaker at a time " rule (this is also to limit

background noise.)

--- end of quote ---