Re: HoH v. deaf

[Guest guest]

This is a great thread. Over the years we've had all sorts of problems

linked to this very issue of finding a definition. Where does one stop and the

other start? Definietly one of life's grey areas. There is no doubt that Ian is

HOH and not deaf. He has a moderate loss, gets good service from his aides and

is completely oral. However, using HOH to describe him is not enough. The

way most people interpret that is that they should talk slowly and loudly,

making it harder for him to understand them. And his oral ability belies his

actual hearing loss. He seems to hears perfectly because he speaks just like

hearing people. So, many people don't believe us no matter what we say.

So, our choice of words is " Ian is going deaf " because then the repsonse is

what it should be. They talk facing him and don't scream. Many times it evokes

some sort of sympathetic (pitying?) response which I shrug off (I actually

make a face that says " don't be ridiculous " ) But saying he was HOH also evokes

that response.

That little phrase seems to explain it for most people. However, for an

actual definition, Ian is HOH. It is how he defines himself. If he does lose all

his hearing, he wants to get a CI (or two) and he will still probably refer to

himself as HOH. We'll see.

What a great question to raise -- and great discussion followed.

Best - Jill

[Guest guest]

This is a great thread. Over the years we've had all sorts of problems

linked to this very issue of finding a definition. Where does one stop and the

other start? Definietly one of life's grey areas. There is no doubt that Ian is

HOH and not deaf. He has a moderate loss, gets good service from his aides and

is completely oral. However, using HOH to describe him is not enough. The

way most people interpret that is that they should talk slowly and loudly,

making it harder for him to understand them. And his oral ability belies his

actual hearing loss. He seems to hears perfectly because he speaks just like

hearing people. So, many people don't believe us no matter what we say.

So, our choice of words is " Ian is going deaf " because then the repsonse is

what it should be. They talk facing him and don't scream. Many times it evokes

some sort of sympathetic (pitying?) response which I shrug off (I actually

make a face that says " don't be ridiculous " ) But saying he was HOH also evokes

that response.

That little phrase seems to explain it for most people. However, for an

actual definition, Ian is HOH. It is how he defines himself. If he does lose all

his hearing, he wants to get a CI (or two) and he will still probably refer to

himself as HOH. We'll see.

What a great question to raise -- and great discussion followed.

Best - Jill

[Guest guest]

We had a meeting of our parent support group today. , who is our

teacher of the deaf and is deaf herself, was the speaker (excellent

presentation!). SHE was asked the differences between deaf and HOH and she

feels the dividing line is whether you can talk on the phone or not. I thought

that was interesting. Since my boys can both talk on the phone (ad nauseum!), I

guess that makes them HOH. I would say they certainly both function as HOH.

Barbara

[Guest guest]

We had a meeting of our parent support group today. , who is our

teacher of the deaf and is deaf herself, was the speaker (excellent

presentation!). SHE was asked the differences between deaf and HOH and she

feels the dividing line is whether you can talk on the phone or not. I thought

that was interesting. Since my boys can both talk on the phone (ad nauseum!), I

guess that makes them HOH. I would say they certainly both function as HOH.

Barbara

[Guest guest]

We had a meeting of our parent support group today. , who is our

teacher of the deaf and is deaf herself, was the speaker (excellent

presentation!). SHE was asked the differences between deaf and HOH and she

feels the dividing line is whether you can talk on the phone or not. I thought

that was interesting. Since my boys can both talk on the phone (ad nauseum!), I

guess that makes them HOH. I would say they certainly both function as HOH.

Barbara

[Guest guest]

We haven't really run into the problem that some of you have. No one ever seems

to notice that is wearing aids (although they do give her some strange

looks when she speaks to them). When it has been asked, or I'm telling someone

about her I usually say " she has a moderate/severe hearing loss " You would

think more people would question that, but they never seem to. She was

diagnosed at 2 1/2 and I was told she was HOH. No one ever mentioned her being

deaf until last year when we were at a parent conference and the speakers were

parents of a well know deaf individual. At one point while the mother was

speaking, she mentioned that no matter what we parents call it, our children

are deaf. I always thought of deaf as being unable to hear things and HOH as

being able to hear, but having difficulty with some sounds. Of course I'm sure

this comes from my youth. We had neighbors who were deaf and a grandfather who

was (most certainly) HOH.

When the speaker said that our children were deaf, that really struck a cord

with me and I've wondered about this since then, so I'm glad to see this thread.

I still think of as being HOH. She gets great benifit with her aids, but

even with her aids off, she can hear things. If she chooses later in life to

refer to herself at deaf, that would be fine with me.

And yes, we too refer to her aids as her " ears "

Debbie, mom to , 5, mod/sev bilat SNHL and , 2, hearing and

repeating

" I'm through accepting limits, Cuz someone says they're so. Some things I

cannot change, But till I try I'll never know " Defying Gravity from

" Wicked: The Musical "

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

We haven't really run into the problem that some of you have. No one ever seems

to notice that is wearing aids (although they do give her some strange

looks when she speaks to them). When it has been asked, or I'm telling someone

about her I usually say " she has a moderate/severe hearing loss " You would

think more people would question that, but they never seem to. She was

diagnosed at 2 1/2 and I was told she was HOH. No one ever mentioned her being

deaf until last year when we were at a parent conference and the speakers were

parents of a well know deaf individual. At one point while the mother was

speaking, she mentioned that no matter what we parents call it, our children

are deaf. I always thought of deaf as being unable to hear things and HOH as

being able to hear, but having difficulty with some sounds. Of course I'm sure

this comes from my youth. We had neighbors who were deaf and a grandfather who

was (most certainly) HOH.

When the speaker said that our children were deaf, that really struck a cord

with me and I've wondered about this since then, so I'm glad to see this thread.

I still think of as being HOH. She gets great benifit with her aids, but

even with her aids off, she can hear things. If she chooses later in life to

refer to herself at deaf, that would be fine with me.

And yes, we too refer to her aids as her " ears "

Debbie, mom to , 5, mod/sev bilat SNHL and , 2, hearing and

repeating

" I'm through accepting limits, Cuz someone says they're so. Some things I

cannot change, But till I try I'll never know " Defying Gravity from

" Wicked: The Musical "

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Tessa is only 2 and we are just starting out on this journey. She has a

severe to profound loss and I mostly tell people she is deaf. Sometimes

they will question and say " She can't hear anything? " and that's when I

" teach " them that most deaf people can actually hear a little bit, and it

varies from person to person. Most of the reason that I call her deaf is

because she can't hear enough, even with her aids, to learn to speak right

now. We are looking into getting her a CI and so far she is a candidate.

Often times I struggle with " do I tell them or not? " Sometimes in the

store, someone will come up to her and say " aww....you're cute....what's

your name? " When she looks at them quizzically like " huh? " I never know

what to say. Do I act like my child is just rude and dumb or do I tell them

she is deaf? Sometimes I tell them and sometimes I get " oh...I'm so sorry. "

That infuriates me....I want people to know that my daughter is the same

as any other two year old...she communicates with us wonderfully, better

than some speaking 2 year olds....it's nothing to be sorry about. That's

how God made her and we love her just as much as we loved her before we

found out. That's just my opinion on the subject....granted, no one wants

to learn that their child can't hear...but she is worth every bit as much to

us as she was before.

Sara

_________________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

Tessa is only 2 and we are just starting out on this journey. She has a

severe to profound loss and I mostly tell people she is deaf. Sometimes

they will question and say " She can't hear anything? " and that's when I

" teach " them that most deaf people can actually hear a little bit, and it

varies from person to person. Most of the reason that I call her deaf is

because she can't hear enough, even with her aids, to learn to speak right

now. We are looking into getting her a CI and so far she is a candidate.

Often times I struggle with " do I tell them or not? " Sometimes in the

store, someone will come up to her and say " aww....you're cute....what's

your name? " When she looks at them quizzically like " huh? " I never know

what to say. Do I act like my child is just rude and dumb or do I tell them

she is deaf? Sometimes I tell them and sometimes I get " oh...I'm so sorry. "

That infuriates me....I want people to know that my daughter is the same

as any other two year old...she communicates with us wonderfully, better

than some speaking 2 year olds....it's nothing to be sorry about. That's

how God made her and we love her just as much as we loved her before we

found out. That's just my opinion on the subject....granted, no one wants

to learn that their child can't hear...but she is worth every bit as much to

us as she was before.

Sara

_________________________________________________________________

Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's FREE!

http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/

[Guest guest]

Tessa is only 2 and we are just starting out on this journey. She has a

severe to profound loss and I mostly tell people she is deaf. Sometimes

they will question and say " She can't hear anything? " and that's when I

" teach " them that most deaf people can actually hear a little bit, and it

varies from person to person. Most of the reason that I call her deaf is

because she can't hear enough, even with her aids, to learn to speak right

now. We are looking into getting her a CI and so far she is a candidate.

Often times I struggle with " do I tell them or not? " Sometimes in the

store, someone will come up to her and say " aww....you're cute....what's

your name? " When she looks at them quizzically like " huh? " I never know

what to say. Do I act like my child is just rude and dumb or do I tell them

she is deaf? Sometimes I tell them and sometimes I get " oh...I'm so sorry. "

That infuriates me....I want people to know that my daughter is the same

as any other two year old...she communicates with us wonderfully, better

than some speaking 2 year olds....it's nothing to be sorry about. That's

how God made her and we love her just as much as we loved her before we

found out. That's just my opinion on the subject....granted, no one wants

to learn that their child can't hear...but she is worth every bit as much to

us as she was before.

Sara

_________________________________________________________________

Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's FREE!

http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/

[Guest guest]

Hi Sara-

I spent many years wondering why it was ok for complete strangers to come up to

me and make such personal remarks about our child. I certainly would not go up

to them and begin to comment on their hair color or anything like that. Yet

when our son was an infant he had a trach, a gtube and a naso-gastric string (a

black thread about as thick as newspaper twine that came out his nose, was

looped over his ear and then went through the gastrostomy hole.) These all were

highly visible (especially if he was tube feeding or being suctioned), and we

were the unasked for recipients of much concern and curiosity. At one point, I

was tired of feeling like a one-woman-advocate for medical challenge awareness,

and if the person happened to say the words " what's wrong with him? " I would

strongly reply " Nothing. He is perfect. "

I think part of the strength of my response was based in the fact that I was one

of the people who leapt right into taking care of things when our son was born.

There were far too many things to deal with and to do. But let me tell you, I

have had some incredible grief and fear that I never knew I had squelch out of

my soul over the past few years, and so now I personally have a different

perspective.

Now our son is fifteen, and he is not so little as to gain the sympathy and

concern of strangers. But if he were, and they were to express their sorrow, I

would love to have the chance to say " Yes. I was sorry too. I greive over the

differences he will never know and the many times I was afraid we would lose

him. But you know what? This child is every bit as perfect, and he has been

the greatest gift to me. There are lots of things that are different, but the

most important things are the same. Thank you for your concern. "

I think those strangers are pitying your lovely precious girl. They just become

afraid because for a moment the universe seems less trustworthy, because they

never thought about children being born with differences. They are afraid of

the differences because they have never had to face them in a small child. If

they had the luxury of really thinking it through they would know.

I guess what I am trying to say is when strangers comment it is more about them

than it is about your little girl. The comments will die down as she grows up.

Something about little guileless children bearing differences with equanimity

just bring people to their knees.

Don't let it get you down )

take care,

Yuka

Often times I struggle with " do I tell them or not? " Sometimes in the

store, someone will come up to her and say " aww....you're cute....what's

your name? " When she looks at them quizzically like " huh? " I never know

what to say. Do I act like my child is just rude and dumb or do I tell them

she is deaf? Sometimes I tell them and sometimes I get " oh...I'm so sorry. "

That infuriates me....I want people to know that my daughter is the same

as any other two year old...she communicates with us wonderfully, better

than some speaking 2 year olds....it's nothing to be sorry about. That's

how God made her and we love her just as much as we loved her before we

found out. That's just my opinion on the subject....granted, no one wants

to learn that their child can't hear...but she is worth every bit as much to

us as she was before.

Sara

[Guest guest]

Hi Sara-

I spent many years wondering why it was ok for complete strangers to come up to

me and make such personal remarks about our child. I certainly would not go up

to them and begin to comment on their hair color or anything like that. Yet

when our son was an infant he had a trach, a gtube and a naso-gastric string (a

black thread about as thick as newspaper twine that came out his nose, was

looped over his ear and then went through the gastrostomy hole.) These all were

highly visible (especially if he was tube feeding or being suctioned), and we

were the unasked for recipients of much concern and curiosity. At one point, I

was tired of feeling like a one-woman-advocate for medical challenge awareness,

and if the person happened to say the words " what's wrong with him? " I would

strongly reply " Nothing. He is perfect. "

I think part of the strength of my response was based in the fact that I was one

of the people who leapt right into taking care of things when our son was born.

There were far too many things to deal with and to do. But let me tell you, I

have had some incredible grief and fear that I never knew I had squelch out of

my soul over the past few years, and so now I personally have a different

perspective.

Now our son is fifteen, and he is not so little as to gain the sympathy and

concern of strangers. But if he were, and they were to express their sorrow, I

would love to have the chance to say " Yes. I was sorry too. I greive over the

differences he will never know and the many times I was afraid we would lose

him. But you know what? This child is every bit as perfect, and he has been

the greatest gift to me. There are lots of things that are different, but the

most important things are the same. Thank you for your concern. "

I think those strangers are pitying your lovely precious girl. They just become

afraid because for a moment the universe seems less trustworthy, because they

never thought about children being born with differences. They are afraid of

the differences because they have never had to face them in a small child. If

they had the luxury of really thinking it through they would know.

I guess what I am trying to say is when strangers comment it is more about them

than it is about your little girl. The comments will die down as she grows up.

Something about little guileless children bearing differences with equanimity

just bring people to their knees.

Don't let it get you down )

take care,

Yuka

Often times I struggle with " do I tell them or not? " Sometimes in the

store, someone will come up to her and say " aww....you're cute....what's

your name? " When she looks at them quizzically like " huh? " I never know

what to say. Do I act like my child is just rude and dumb or do I tell them

she is deaf? Sometimes I tell them and sometimes I get " oh...I'm so sorry. "

That infuriates me....I want people to know that my daughter is the same

as any other two year old...she communicates with us wonderfully, better

than some speaking 2 year olds....it's nothing to be sorry about. That's

how God made her and we love her just as much as we loved her before we

found out. That's just my opinion on the subject....granted, no one wants

to learn that their child can't hear...but she is worth every bit as much to

us as she was before.

Sara

[Guest guest]

Hi Sara-

I spent many years wondering why it was ok for complete strangers to come up to

me and make such personal remarks about our child. I certainly would not go up

to them and begin to comment on their hair color or anything like that. Yet

when our son was an infant he had a trach, a gtube and a naso-gastric string (a

black thread about as thick as newspaper twine that came out his nose, was

looped over his ear and then went through the gastrostomy hole.) These all were

highly visible (especially if he was tube feeding or being suctioned), and we

were the unasked for recipients of much concern and curiosity. At one point, I

was tired of feeling like a one-woman-advocate for medical challenge awareness,

and if the person happened to say the words " what's wrong with him? " I would

strongly reply " Nothing. He is perfect. "

I think part of the strength of my response was based in the fact that I was one

of the people who leapt right into taking care of things when our son was born.

There were far too many things to deal with and to do. But let me tell you, I

have had some incredible grief and fear that I never knew I had squelch out of

my soul over the past few years, and so now I personally have a different

perspective.

Now our son is fifteen, and he is not so little as to gain the sympathy and

concern of strangers. But if he were, and they were to express their sorrow, I

would love to have the chance to say " Yes. I was sorry too. I greive over the

differences he will never know and the many times I was afraid we would lose

him. But you know what? This child is every bit as perfect, and he has been

the greatest gift to me. There are lots of things that are different, but the

most important things are the same. Thank you for your concern. "

I think those strangers are pitying your lovely precious girl. They just become

afraid because for a moment the universe seems less trustworthy, because they

never thought about children being born with differences. They are afraid of

the differences because they have never had to face them in a small child. If

they had the luxury of really thinking it through they would know.

I guess what I am trying to say is when strangers comment it is more about them

than it is about your little girl. The comments will die down as she grows up.

Something about little guileless children bearing differences with equanimity

just bring people to their knees.

Don't let it get you down )

take care,

Yuka

Often times I struggle with " do I tell them or not? " Sometimes in the

store, someone will come up to her and say " aww....you're cute....what's

your name? " When she looks at them quizzically like " huh? " I never know

what to say. Do I act like my child is just rude and dumb or do I tell them

she is deaf? Sometimes I tell them and sometimes I get " oh...I'm so sorry. "

That infuriates me....I want people to know that my daughter is the same

as any other two year old...she communicates with us wonderfully, better

than some speaking 2 year olds....it's nothing to be sorry about. That's

how God made her and we love her just as much as we loved her before we

found out. That's just my opinion on the subject....granted, no one wants

to learn that their child can't hear...but she is worth every bit as much to

us as she was before.

Sara

[Guest guest]

on 10/10/04 8:59 PM, Yuka Persico at yuka@... wrote:

> I guess what I am trying to say is when strangers comment it is more about

> them than it is about your little girl.

Yuka, your whole response was beautifully put, but I especially loved this

line. I believe that most times people ask seemingly insensitive questions

about something unusual going on in YOUR life, whether it be hearing aids on

a baby or the untimely death of a father, it is really about THEM, and

wondering how they would handle the situation. I think they are trying to

come to terms with an uncertain universe, and the way to get control over a

situation is to understand it, to prepare themselves for the time when they

will have to deal with it.

Of course, it's not always easy to remember this when you are on the

receiving end of the questions. Oh, well!

Stefanie

[Guest guest]

on 10/10/04 8:59 PM, Yuka Persico at yuka@... wrote:

> I guess what I am trying to say is when strangers comment it is more about

> them than it is about your little girl.

Yuka, your whole response was beautifully put, but I especially loved this

line. I believe that most times people ask seemingly insensitive questions

about something unusual going on in YOUR life, whether it be hearing aids on

a baby or the untimely death of a father, it is really about THEM, and

wondering how they would handle the situation. I think they are trying to

come to terms with an uncertain universe, and the way to get control over a

situation is to understand it, to prepare themselves for the time when they

will have to deal with it.

Of course, it's not always easy to remember this when you are on the

receiving end of the questions. Oh, well!

Stefanie

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/10/2004 8:27:49 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

snobordnwifey@... writes:

Often times I struggle with " do I tell them or not? " Sometimes in the

store, someone will come up to her and say " aww....you're cute....what's

your name? " When she looks at them quizzically like " huh? " I never know

what to say. Do I act like my child is just rude and dumb or do I tell them

she is deaf? Sometimes I tell them and sometimes I get " oh...I'm so sorry. "

That infuriates me....I want people to know that my daughter is the same

as any other two year old...she communicates with us wonderfully, better

than some speaking 2 year olds....it's nothing to be sorry about. That's

how God made her and we love her just as much as we loved her before we

found out. That's just my opinion on the subject....granted, no one wants

to learn that their child can't hear...but she is worth every bit as much to

us as she was before.

Sara

I would learn and teach Sara a simple ASL conversation for those moments:

" the lady/man says What's your name? " And she can have a sign that represents

her as her answer. Then you can translate. The point would be made and you

would not have to explain a thing..

Jill

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/10/2004 8:27:49 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

snobordnwifey@... writes:

Often times I struggle with " do I tell them or not? " Sometimes in the

store, someone will come up to her and say " aww....you're cute....what's

your name? " When she looks at them quizzically like " huh? " I never know

what to say. Do I act like my child is just rude and dumb or do I tell them

she is deaf? Sometimes I tell them and sometimes I get " oh...I'm so sorry. "

That infuriates me....I want people to know that my daughter is the same

as any other two year old...she communicates with us wonderfully, better

than some speaking 2 year olds....it's nothing to be sorry about. That's

how God made her and we love her just as much as we loved her before we

found out. That's just my opinion on the subject....granted, no one wants

to learn that their child can't hear...but she is worth every bit as much to

us as she was before.

Sara

I would learn and teach Sara a simple ASL conversation for those moments:

" the lady/man says What's your name? " And she can have a sign that represents

her as her answer. Then you can translate. The point would be made and you

would not have to explain a thing..

Jill

[Guest guest]

Jill....

Great answer. I'm going to work on that with my 2 yr old as well,

since I'm often in the same predicament. I find that often instead

of telling them that she's deaf, ( & going through the fallout from

that comment) I'll answer for her. I just tell them that she

doesn't talk yet. It works for now because she's small. But she is

actually old enough to learn the phrase, " My Name is....... " if

signed.

Thanks again....

Debby

>

>

> I would learn and teach Sara a simple ASL conversation for those

moments:

> " the lady/man says What's your name? " And she can have a sign that

represents

> her as her answer. Then you can translate. The point would be made

and you

> would not have to explain a thing..

>

> Jill

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Jill....

Great answer. I'm going to work on that with my 2 yr old as well,

since I'm often in the same predicament. I find that often instead

of telling them that she's deaf, ( & going through the fallout from

that comment) I'll answer for her. I just tell them that she

doesn't talk yet. It works for now because she's small. But she is

actually old enough to learn the phrase, " My Name is....... " if

signed.

Thanks again....

Debby

>

>

> I would learn and teach Sara a simple ASL conversation for those

moments:

> " the lady/man says What's your name? " And she can have a sign that

represents

> her as her answer. Then you can translate. The point would be made

and you

> would not have to explain a thing..

>

> Jill

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Jill....

Great answer. I'm going to work on that with my 2 yr old as well,

since I'm often in the same predicament. I find that often instead

of telling them that she's deaf, ( & going through the fallout from

that comment) I'll answer for her. I just tell them that she

doesn't talk yet. It works for now because she's small. But she is

actually old enough to learn the phrase, " My Name is....... " if

signed.

Thanks again....

Debby

>

>

> I would learn and teach Sara a simple ASL conversation for those

moments:

> " the lady/man says What's your name? " And she can have a sign that

represents

> her as her answer. Then you can translate. The point would be made

and you

> would not have to explain a thing..

>

> Jill

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

It's funny we are having this discussion. Just yesterday we were at

Mcs standing in line to order and this boy came up to

and said to him (twice!) in what I thought was a slightly

mean/mocking way, " What's that on your head!? " I am not sure if it

was really mean, but considering that the boy was older than

(maybe 10 and is 7), it seemed a little snotty the way he was

asking.

I tried to get 's attention and have him respond himself, but

it was either too loud or he was too absorbed in the Happy Meal toy

display. When he didn't answer, I said in a loud voice (hoping the

boy's parent -- wherever he/she was -- could hear), " is

deaf. That's a cochlear implant and he uses it to hear. " His

mother (she heard me!!) sheepishly told me, " Sorry! " But I smiled

no-big-deal-ishly and said " That's OK --I am glad he asked because

now he knows what it is. " (Inside, though, I was still a little mad

about how the boy asked, and was relieved when a friend, also the

parent of an HI child, walked in and distracted me from thinking

about this.)

I have observed that in life, many of the unkind things people do

are done out of their own insecurity. As others have said, fear has

a lot to do with. I think Mcs Mean Boy probably thought

had a really cool toy that he himself might like to have

(maybe it's a new walkie-talkie or something!), and being a little

jealous that he did not have that toy, asked meanly about it --

a " sour grapes " kind of situation. ( has short hair and his

3G is silver.) I just don't see even the typical mean kid asking

another kid about obvious medical devices right in front of that

kid's mother, so I must assume it was not obvious what the CI

processor was! (A grown man once asked me if it was a phone!!)

In general, I actually do like to explain to other children what is

on 's head and they are usually very interested and think it

is cool. Occasionally, if they are even looking at it (or trying

not to!) and obviously curious, I will even say, " Are you wondering

what is on his head? It's OK, I can tell you. It's really cool. "

Nearly 100% of the time, what I initially perceive might be a

negative attitude from kids actually turns out to be pure

curiosity. Our best interaction was at another Mcs when

had his processor off in the PlayLand because of the

potential of static electricity zapping it. and the only

other child in the structure had a disagreement about right-of-way,

Of course could not hear! I explained to the boy's dad that

he could not hear, and the dad explained to his son. Well, the son

turned out to be the sweetest, most curious, kid (no doubt thanks to

his father) and we had the longest conversation about the implant.

They had such fun -- even took out the batteries from his

processor and stuck them to the magnet in his head for fun!

Everybody laughed. Another time about a year ago, I explained to a

kid that had " bionic hearing " and corrected me, " No,

Bionicle hearing. " (He loves Lego Bionicle toys.) Being slightly

older, the other kids thought this was cute. So my attitude is,

teach them while they are young. That way they will be accepting of

it their whole life!

Lydia

Mom of , implant 1/01 at age 4, and Colin, almost 11 years

old, hearing

>

> Jill....

> Great answer. I'm going to work on that with my 2 yr old as well,

> since I'm often in the same predicament. I find that often

instead

> of telling them that she's deaf, ( & going through the fallout from

> that comment) I'll answer for her. I just tell them that she

> doesn't talk yet. It works for now because she's small. But she

is

> actually old enough to learn the phrase, " My Name is....... " if

> signed.

> Thanks again....

> Debby

> >

> >

> > I would learn and teach Sara a simple ASL conversation for those

> moments:

> > " the lady/man says What's your name? " And she can have a sign

that

> represents

> > her as her answer. Then you can translate. The point would be

made

> and you

> > would not have to explain a thing..

> >

> > Jill

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

>

> Nearly 100% of the time, what I initially perceive might be a

> negative attitude from kids actually turns out to be pure

> curiosity.

I agree. Caleb is only five and most children who ask about his aids are

around the same age as he is and are just curious. I always tell them

that his aids are his " /ear/ - glasses " , so that he can hear better.

There is a little girl in his gym class seems to be quite taken with

Caleb. Her name is Sydney and she is always looking out for Caleb in

class. Her mother is a teacher and evidently, she must of spent some

time answering questions that Sydney had about Caleb, because the 4 year

old has never asked us anything personally. But anyway, the mom told me

that one day after they had both been going to gym for a while, Sydney

was playing at home with pipe cleaners and she twisted two around the

back of her ears to " make ears like Caleb's. " I thought that was pretty

cute.

Caleb, 5, bilateral sensory - neural loss, aided

, 7, hearing

[Guest guest]

>

> Nearly 100% of the time, what I initially perceive might be a

> negative attitude from kids actually turns out to be pure

> curiosity.

I agree. Caleb is only five and most children who ask about his aids are

around the same age as he is and are just curious. I always tell them

that his aids are his " /ear/ - glasses " , so that he can hear better.

There is a little girl in his gym class seems to be quite taken with

Caleb. Her name is Sydney and she is always looking out for Caleb in

class. Her mother is a teacher and evidently, she must of spent some

time answering questions that Sydney had about Caleb, because the 4 year

old has never asked us anything personally. But anyway, the mom told me

that one day after they had both been going to gym for a while, Sydney

was playing at home with pipe cleaners and she twisted two around the

back of her ears to " make ears like Caleb's. " I thought that was pretty

cute.

Caleb, 5, bilateral sensory - neural loss, aided

, 7, hearing

[Guest guest]

>

> Nearly 100% of the time, what I initially perceive might be a

> negative attitude from kids actually turns out to be pure

> curiosity.

I agree. Caleb is only five and most children who ask about his aids are

around the same age as he is and are just curious. I always tell them

that his aids are his " /ear/ - glasses " , so that he can hear better.

There is a little girl in his gym class seems to be quite taken with

Caleb. Her name is Sydney and she is always looking out for Caleb in

class. Her mother is a teacher and evidently, she must of spent some

time answering questions that Sydney had about Caleb, because the 4 year

old has never asked us anything personally. But anyway, the mom told me

that one day after they had both been going to gym for a while, Sydney

was playing at home with pipe cleaners and she twisted two around the

back of her ears to " make ears like Caleb's. " I thought that was pretty

cute.

Caleb, 5, bilateral sensory - neural loss, aided

, 7, hearing