Re: I'm new and just saying hello!

[Guest guest]

I work for a non-profit associated with a medical clinic, and am the

mother of a 14 year old severely hearing impaired daughter,

bilaterally aided. In our practice people with cholesteatoma's

(which I presume from your description is what your son had) do

really well with BAHA devices. BAHA stands for Bone Anchored Hearing

Aid. They work well for cholesteatoma cases because most of your

child's loss is probably conductive and the BAHA device bypasses the

damaged middle ear bones by conducting the sound through his skull.

You can get a softband BAHA (which just straps on to the head with a

tight head band) and if he likes that, the BAHA can be surgically

implanted using a titanium abutment for even higher quality sound.

They can be requested as assitive technology through your IEP.

BAHA's are made by a company called Entific, which recently got

bought out by Cochlear Corp, one of the major cochlear implant

manufacturers. The new BAHA (called the Divino) is digital and can

be combined with an FM system which is great for school (the teacher

wears a microphone and the sound goes straight to your child's

hearing aid, no background noise gets amplified)

Just a note on the person who said 3 failing hearing tests were

required. Clearly they don't have a clue what federal law requires.

IDEA requires demonstration of an educationally significant hearing

loss only, not demonstrating it 3 times. Anything else they say you

can't have, check with us first before you believe it :-)

Welcome to the group, and let me know if you have any more questions

Sheri

>

> Hello to all! I'm Dawn, mother to a 4 year old who just recently

> lost the hearing in his left ear due to a tumor. It's been a rough

> year for sure. I took my little guy into the urgent care on

January

> 23 of this year with what we thought was a routine ear infection.

> Antibiotics we prescribed and we were sent on our merry way. Then

> begins the journey to where we are today.

>

> What we thought was an infection turned out to be a tumor that

> destroyed 2 of the 3 bones in his middle ear as well as his

> mastoid. It is our hope (mine and the doctor) that eventually

these

> bones can be replaced with plastic ones and some of his hearing can

> be restored. In the mean time, we are trying to adjust (and

> readjust) to his hearing loss.

>

> I have hearing services in place through the public school system

> and things should be set up in his class room after the winter

> break. We lucked out and already had an IEP scheduled for the day

> after his surgery so I called and had them include the woman from

> hearing services. My son is in the preschool program through our

> public school system due to other delays he has. Having this

> already scheduled worked out well. At first, the woman said that

he

> needed to fail 3 hearing tests to qualify. They had only 2 on

> record and wanted another one before the meeting. Hello---he just

> had surgery and there is no way we can get a hearing test done that

> soon. They waited until he healed enough to have one done in the

> private ENT's office. The right ear is fine, but sure enough, he

> can't hear out of his left ear. Good enough to qualify for

> services. I asked that he be taught sign language along with

> receiving speech services. The didn't think this a good idea since

> he isn't deaf and they feel it would set his already delayed speech

> behind even more. I want him to have this skill in case we are in

a

> loud environment and I need him to " hear " what I am saying. I use

> both with him now when it is too loud for him to focus. He is

> already starting to catch on.

>

> Anyone else with a bilateral hearing loss , either with their child

> or themselves who can offer suggestions for his class room, home or

> community environments? Suggestions of things to avoid? Any and

> all suggestions would be appreciated.

>

> Thanks,

>

> Dawn

>

[Guest guest]

dawnandchildren wrote: <<Anyone else with a

bilateral hearing loss , either with their child

or themselves who can offer suggestions for his class room, home or

community environments? Suggestions of things to avoid? Any and

all suggestions would be appreciated.>>

Hi, Dawn.

I have two children, Emma (6 and hearing) and Emmett (4 next week and hard of

hearing). Emmett's right ear is deaf and he has a mild loss in his left ear,

which is aided. He lost the hearing in the right ear at a young age, we believe.

He started losing hearing in the left ear last October and became eligible for

and got the aid in March.

The unilateral loss is tough. As you already know, busy rooms cause a problem.

Doesn't even have to be loud. We're learning ASL on our own and it helps

tremendously. Great for the playground, the yard, just about any place. Our

district wouldn't pay for ASL classes either as Emmett isn't deaf and his first

language is spoken language (he has great speech/language so he was denied

services which we've decided to not fight just yet).

One thing that has helped Emmett a lot is that we've taught him to speak up

for himself. If he can't understand what someone is saying because they aren't

talking loudly enough or because they have their head turned, he'll ask them to

repeat themselves. He's also picked up on his own the technique of asking for

another word if he can't understand it the second or third time around. He's a

great lip reader (self taught, unbeknownst to us until he was diagnosed last

year) so he'll ask people to look at him so he can see their faces. He reads

expressions really well so we encourage that. Self-advocacy is a great skill for

all kids to have, and it really works. He learned the initial concept in about a

week last year and then started building on those by himself.

Welcome to the group,

Johanna

All messages posted to this list are private and confidential. Each post is the

intellectual property of the author and therefore subject to copyright

restrictions.

[Guest guest]

Dear Dawn,

Welcome to the group. My daughter Sierra, 5 years old has a cochlear implant.

Sierra also had a cholesteatoma, we had to wait six months after it was removed

before she could get her implant. The waiting is hard. We have been teaching

Sierra sign language since she was six months old. She has had some degree of

hearing loss since birth and she also has a trach so for the first four years it

was her only way to communicate. How much hearing loss does your son have? As

for the school ask them to show you were you are required to have three hearing

test. You should also ask them to make changes to the classroom to block out

some noise (tennis balls on chairs, curtains on windows, keep door closed during

class time, fans turned off if possible) there is a lot of background noises in

classrooms. You definitely want a FM system in his room as well. I'm sure some

other members will have even more suggestions for you. We have all been where

you are now. Take care and God Bless.

Natasha~Mom to~

(8/25/97) & *Sierra (11/28/00)

*Multiple Craniosynostosis, Crouzon's Syndrome,

Syndrome, Asthma, Trach, Tracheamalacia,

Bronchomalacia, Subglottic Stenosis, Chonal Stenosis,

FTT,GERD, G-tube & Nissan, Strabismus, Profound hearing loss,

CI implanted 8/19/04. Activated 9/7/04

Sierra's story: www.cappskids.org/CAPPSCranioKidSierra.htm

www.tracheostomy.com/trachkids/kids18/sierra.htm

www.Caringbridge.org/oh/sierra

I'm new and just saying hello!

Hello to all! I'm Dawn, mother to a 4 year old who just recently

lost the hearing in his left ear due to a tumor. It's been a rough

year for sure. I took my little guy into the urgent care on January

23 of this year with what we thought was a routine ear infection.

Antibiotics we prescribed and we were sent on our merry way. Then

begins the journey to where we are today.

What we thought was an infection turned out to be a tumor that

destroyed 2 of the 3 bones in his middle ear as well as his

mastoid. It is our hope (mine and the doctor) that eventually these

bones can be replaced with plastic ones and some of his hearing can

be restored. In the mean time, we are trying to adjust (and

readjust) to his hearing loss.

I have hearing services in place through the public school system

and things should be set up in his class room after the winter

break. We lucked out and already had an IEP scheduled for the day

after his surgery so I called and had them include the woman from

hearing services. My son is in the preschool program through our

public school system due to other delays he has. Having this

already scheduled worked out well. At first, the woman said that he

needed to fail 3 hearing tests to qualify. They had only 2 on

record and wanted another one before the meeting. Hello---he just

had surgery and there is no way we can get a hearing test done that

soon. They waited until he healed enough to have one done in the

private ENT's office. The right ear is fine, but sure enough, he

can't hear out of his left ear. Good enough to qualify for

services. I asked that he be taught sign language along with

receiving speech services. The didn't think this a good idea since

he isn't deaf and they feel it would set his already delayed speech

behind even more. I want him to have this skill in case we are in a

loud environment and I need him to " hear " what I am saying. I use

both with him now when it is too loud for him to focus. He is

already starting to catch on.

Anyone else with a bilateral hearing loss , either with their child

or themselves who can offer suggestions for his class room, home or

community environments? Suggestions of things to avoid? Any and

all suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Dawn

All messages posted to this list are private and confidential. Each post is

the intellectual property of the author and therefore subject to copyright

restrictions.

[Guest guest]

Dear Dawn,

Welcome to the group. My daughter Sierra, 5 years old has a cochlear implant.

Sierra also had a cholesteatoma, we had to wait six months after it was removed

before she could get her implant. The waiting is hard. We have been teaching

Sierra sign language since she was six months old. She has had some degree of

hearing loss since birth and she also has a trach so for the first four years it

was her only way to communicate. How much hearing loss does your son have? As

for the school ask them to show you were you are required to have three hearing

test. You should also ask them to make changes to the classroom to block out

some noise (tennis balls on chairs, curtains on windows, keep door closed during

class time, fans turned off if possible) there is a lot of background noises in

classrooms. You definitely want a FM system in his room as well. I'm sure some

other members will have even more suggestions for you. We have all been where

you are now. Take care and God Bless.

Natasha~Mom to~

(8/25/97) & *Sierra (11/28/00)

*Multiple Craniosynostosis, Crouzon's Syndrome,

Syndrome, Asthma, Trach, Tracheamalacia,

Bronchomalacia, Subglottic Stenosis, Chonal Stenosis,

FTT,GERD, G-tube & Nissan, Strabismus, Profound hearing loss,

CI implanted 8/19/04. Activated 9/7/04

Sierra's story: www.cappskids.org/CAPPSCranioKidSierra.htm

www.tracheostomy.com/trachkids/kids18/sierra.htm

www.Caringbridge.org/oh/sierra

I'm new and just saying hello!

Hello to all! I'm Dawn, mother to a 4 year old who just recently

lost the hearing in his left ear due to a tumor. It's been a rough

year for sure. I took my little guy into the urgent care on January

23 of this year with what we thought was a routine ear infection.

Antibiotics we prescribed and we were sent on our merry way. Then

begins the journey to where we are today.

What we thought was an infection turned out to be a tumor that

destroyed 2 of the 3 bones in his middle ear as well as his

mastoid. It is our hope (mine and the doctor) that eventually these

bones can be replaced with plastic ones and some of his hearing can

be restored. In the mean time, we are trying to adjust (and

readjust) to his hearing loss.

I have hearing services in place through the public school system

and things should be set up in his class room after the winter

break. We lucked out and already had an IEP scheduled for the day

after his surgery so I called and had them include the woman from

hearing services. My son is in the preschool program through our

public school system due to other delays he has. Having this

already scheduled worked out well. At first, the woman said that he

needed to fail 3 hearing tests to qualify. They had only 2 on

record and wanted another one before the meeting. Hello---he just

had surgery and there is no way we can get a hearing test done that

soon. They waited until he healed enough to have one done in the

private ENT's office. The right ear is fine, but sure enough, he

can't hear out of his left ear. Good enough to qualify for

services. I asked that he be taught sign language along with

receiving speech services. The didn't think this a good idea since

he isn't deaf and they feel it would set his already delayed speech

behind even more. I want him to have this skill in case we are in a

loud environment and I need him to " hear " what I am saying. I use

both with him now when it is too loud for him to focus. He is

already starting to catch on.

Anyone else with a bilateral hearing loss , either with their child

or themselves who can offer suggestions for his class room, home or

community environments? Suggestions of things to avoid? Any and

all suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Dawn

All messages posted to this list are private and confidential. Each post is

the intellectual property of the author and therefore subject to copyright

restrictions.

[Guest guest]

Dear Dawn,

Welcome to the group. My daughter Sierra, 5 years old has a cochlear implant.

Sierra also had a cholesteatoma, we had to wait six months after it was removed

before she could get her implant. The waiting is hard. We have been teaching

Sierra sign language since she was six months old. She has had some degree of

hearing loss since birth and she also has a trach so for the first four years it

was her only way to communicate. How much hearing loss does your son have? As

for the school ask them to show you were you are required to have three hearing

test. You should also ask them to make changes to the classroom to block out

some noise (tennis balls on chairs, curtains on windows, keep door closed during

class time, fans turned off if possible) there is a lot of background noises in

classrooms. You definitely want a FM system in his room as well. I'm sure some

other members will have even more suggestions for you. We have all been where

you are now. Take care and God Bless.

Natasha~Mom to~

(8/25/97) & *Sierra (11/28/00)

*Multiple Craniosynostosis, Crouzon's Syndrome,

Syndrome, Asthma, Trach, Tracheamalacia,

Bronchomalacia, Subglottic Stenosis, Chonal Stenosis,

FTT,GERD, G-tube & Nissan, Strabismus, Profound hearing loss,

CI implanted 8/19/04. Activated 9/7/04

Sierra's story: www.cappskids.org/CAPPSCranioKidSierra.htm

www.tracheostomy.com/trachkids/kids18/sierra.htm

www.Caringbridge.org/oh/sierra

I'm new and just saying hello!

Hello to all! I'm Dawn, mother to a 4 year old who just recently

lost the hearing in his left ear due to a tumor. It's been a rough

year for sure. I took my little guy into the urgent care on January

23 of this year with what we thought was a routine ear infection.

Antibiotics we prescribed and we were sent on our merry way. Then

begins the journey to where we are today.

What we thought was an infection turned out to be a tumor that

destroyed 2 of the 3 bones in his middle ear as well as his

mastoid. It is our hope (mine and the doctor) that eventually these

bones can be replaced with plastic ones and some of his hearing can

be restored. In the mean time, we are trying to adjust (and

readjust) to his hearing loss.

I have hearing services in place through the public school system

and things should be set up in his class room after the winter

break. We lucked out and already had an IEP scheduled for the day

after his surgery so I called and had them include the woman from

hearing services. My son is in the preschool program through our

public school system due to other delays he has. Having this

already scheduled worked out well. At first, the woman said that he

needed to fail 3 hearing tests to qualify. They had only 2 on

record and wanted another one before the meeting. Hello---he just

had surgery and there is no way we can get a hearing test done that

soon. They waited until he healed enough to have one done in the

private ENT's office. The right ear is fine, but sure enough, he

can't hear out of his left ear. Good enough to qualify for

services. I asked that he be taught sign language along with

receiving speech services. The didn't think this a good idea since

he isn't deaf and they feel it would set his already delayed speech

behind even more. I want him to have this skill in case we are in a

loud environment and I need him to " hear " what I am saying. I use

both with him now when it is too loud for him to focus. He is

already starting to catch on.

Anyone else with a bilateral hearing loss , either with their child

or themselves who can offer suggestions for his class room, home or

community environments? Suggestions of things to avoid? Any and

all suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Dawn

All messages posted to this list are private and confidential. Each post is

the intellectual property of the author and therefore subject to copyright

restrictions.

[Guest guest]

Natasha,

I love the suggestion of the tennis balls on the chairs. I'm going to get some

for my chairs here at home! Not just for Cody, but for my nerves as my children

l-o-v-e to drag the chairs across the floor.

The school has a specialist that comes in to work with the children who are

deaf/HOH, and she knows sign language. I don't even care if it's just a few

words here and there to help Cody make sense out of what is going on. Things

like STOP and COME HERE are things that he understands already. We are working

on others for him.

Dawn

-------------- Original message ----------------------

[Guest guest]

Dawn,

Sometime in the last two weeks (you can look in the archives) there was

a post about why learning to sign made sense and did not delay language

development. The reason that this stuck with me was that my oldest

daughter is a linguist. I asked her about this and she assured me that

according to the latest reasearch, not only does a second language not

cause delay, but it also helps other parts of development.

Some people choose to have their children learn to sign, while others

don't. Whatever you choose, I don't think that concern about language

acquisition should be a big factor. Having been through the IEP

process, I would suggest that you take what is said with a grain of

salt and that you do your own research and talk to your own experts

when possible.

I'm new and just saying hello!

Hello to all! I'm Dawn, mother to a 4 year old who just recently

lost the hearing in his left ear due to a tumor. It's been a rough

year for sure. I took my little guy into the urgent care on January

23 of this year with what we thought was a routine ear infection.

Antibiotics we prescribed and we were sent on our merry way. Then

begins the journey to where we are today.

What we thought was an infection turned out to be a tumor that

destroyed 2 of the 3 bones in his middle ear as well as his

mastoid. It is our hope (mine and the doctor) that eventually these

bones can be replaced with plastic ones and some of his hearing can

be restored. In the mean time, we are trying to adjust (and

readjust) to his hearing loss.

I have hearing services in place through the public school system

and things should be set up in his class room after the winter

break. We lucked out and already had an IEP scheduled for the day

after his surgery so I called and had them include the woman from

hearing services. My son is in the preschool program through our

public school system due to other delays he has. Having this

already scheduled worked out well. At first, the woman said that he

needed to fail 3 hearing tests to qualify. They had only 2 on

record and wanted another one before the meeting. Hello---he just

had surgery and there is no way we can get a hearing test done that

soon. They waited until he healed enough to have one done in the

private ENT's office. The right ear is fine, but sure enough, he

can't hear out of his left ear. Good enough to qualify for

services. I asked that he be taught sign language along with

receiving speech services. The didn't think this a good idea since

he isn't deaf and they feel it would set his already delayed speech

behind even more. I want him to have this skill in case we are in a

loud environment and I need him to " hear " what I am saying. I use

both with him now when it is too loud for him to focus. He is

already starting to catch on.

Anyone else with a bilateral hearing loss , either with their child

or themselves who can offer suggestions for his class room, home or

community environments? Suggestions of things to avoid? Any and

all suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Dawn

All messages posted to this list are private and confidential. Each

post is the

intellectual property of the author and therefore subject to copyright

restrictions.

[Guest guest]

Dawn,

Sometime in the last two weeks (you can look in the archives) there was

a post about why learning to sign made sense and did not delay language

development. The reason that this stuck with me was that my oldest

daughter is a linguist. I asked her about this and she assured me that

according to the latest reasearch, not only does a second language not

cause delay, but it also helps other parts of development.

Some people choose to have their children learn to sign, while others

don't. Whatever you choose, I don't think that concern about language

acquisition should be a big factor. Having been through the IEP

process, I would suggest that you take what is said with a grain of

salt and that you do your own research and talk to your own experts

when possible.

I'm new and just saying hello!

Hello to all! I'm Dawn, mother to a 4 year old who just recently

lost the hearing in his left ear due to a tumor. It's been a rough

year for sure. I took my little guy into the urgent care on January

23 of this year with what we thought was a routine ear infection.

Antibiotics we prescribed and we were sent on our merry way. Then

begins the journey to where we are today.

What we thought was an infection turned out to be a tumor that

destroyed 2 of the 3 bones in his middle ear as well as his

mastoid. It is our hope (mine and the doctor) that eventually these

bones can be replaced with plastic ones and some of his hearing can

be restored. In the mean time, we are trying to adjust (and

readjust) to his hearing loss.

I have hearing services in place through the public school system

and things should be set up in his class room after the winter

break. We lucked out and already had an IEP scheduled for the day

after his surgery so I called and had them include the woman from

hearing services. My son is in the preschool program through our

public school system due to other delays he has. Having this

already scheduled worked out well. At first, the woman said that he

needed to fail 3 hearing tests to qualify. They had only 2 on

record and wanted another one before the meeting. Hello---he just

had surgery and there is no way we can get a hearing test done that

soon. They waited until he healed enough to have one done in the

private ENT's office. The right ear is fine, but sure enough, he

can't hear out of his left ear. Good enough to qualify for

services. I asked that he be taught sign language along with

receiving speech services. The didn't think this a good idea since

he isn't deaf and they feel it would set his already delayed speech

behind even more. I want him to have this skill in case we are in a

loud environment and I need him to " hear " what I am saying. I use

both with him now when it is too loud for him to focus. He is

already starting to catch on.

Anyone else with a bilateral hearing loss , either with their child

or themselves who can offer suggestions for his class room, home or

community environments? Suggestions of things to avoid? Any and

all suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Dawn

All messages posted to this list are private and confidential. Each

post is the

intellectual property of the author and therefore subject to copyright

restrictions.

[Guest guest]

,

I'll go look up that post and read it so that I am armed with the information I

need to get everyone on board with helping my son. He also has an Auditory

Processing Disorder that we discovered several years ago. My feeling is that if

he already has problems with processing, then maybe the signing will help with

this also. I am not suggesting (as the school feels I am) that they stop trying

to get him to speak and process language. I am only suggesting that they give

him other options.

I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such knowledgeable parents.

Dawn

-------------- Original message ----------------------

From: stromms@...

[Guest guest]

,

I'll go look up that post and read it so that I am armed with the information I

need to get everyone on board with helping my son. He also has an Auditory

Processing Disorder that we discovered several years ago. My feeling is that if

he already has problems with processing, then maybe the signing will help with

this also. I am not suggesting (as the school feels I am) that they stop trying

to get him to speak and process language. I am only suggesting that they give

him other options.

I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such knowledgeable parents.

Dawn

-------------- Original message ----------------------

From: stromms@...

[Guest guest]

I asked that he be taught sign language along with

> receiving speech services. The didn't think this a good idea

since

> he isn't deaf and they feel it would set his already delayed

speech

> behind even more. I want him to have this skill in case we are in

a

> loud environment and I need him to " hear " what I am saying. I use

> both with him now when it is too loud for him to focus. He is

> already starting to catch on.

Dawn - welcome to the group! It still irks me after 11 years when

anybody says that the use of sign language will delay spoken

language! Were you able to succeed in getting some sign taught to

him - if not - let me know and I will see what I can dig up to

help. I know many hard of hearing children who use sign and (I know

Yuka on this list knows these kids) - I know hard of hearing

hispanic kids who speak English, Spanish and sign! Sign can be used

as a bridge to spoken language especially with kids whose language

is delayed. Also, putting the captions on your TV - the closed

captions will get him to start putting the printed word together

with the signed and spoken word. Glad you found us.

>

> Anyone else with a bilateral hearing loss , either with their

child

> or themselves who can offer suggestions for his class room, home

or

> community environments? Suggestions of things to avoid? Any and

> all suggestions would be appreciated.

>

> Thanks,

>

> Dawn

>

[Guest guest]

I asked that he be taught sign language along with

> receiving speech services. The didn't think this a good idea

since

> he isn't deaf and they feel it would set his already delayed

speech

> behind even more. I want him to have this skill in case we are in

a

> loud environment and I need him to " hear " what I am saying. I use

> both with him now when it is too loud for him to focus. He is

> already starting to catch on.

Dawn - welcome to the group! It still irks me after 11 years when

anybody says that the use of sign language will delay spoken

language! Were you able to succeed in getting some sign taught to

him - if not - let me know and I will see what I can dig up to

help. I know many hard of hearing children who use sign and (I know

Yuka on this list knows these kids) - I know hard of hearing

hispanic kids who speak English, Spanish and sign! Sign can be used

as a bridge to spoken language especially with kids whose language

is delayed. Also, putting the captions on your TV - the closed

captions will get him to start putting the printed word together

with the signed and spoken word. Glad you found us.

>

> Anyone else with a bilateral hearing loss , either with their

child

> or themselves who can offer suggestions for his class room, home

or

> community environments? Suggestions of things to avoid? Any and

> all suggestions would be appreciated.

>

> Thanks,

>

> Dawn

>

[Guest guest]

I asked that he be taught sign language along with

> receiving speech services. The didn't think this a good idea

since

> he isn't deaf and they feel it would set his already delayed

speech

> behind even more. I want him to have this skill in case we are in

a

> loud environment and I need him to " hear " what I am saying. I use

> both with him now when it is too loud for him to focus. He is

> already starting to catch on.

Dawn - welcome to the group! It still irks me after 11 years when

anybody says that the use of sign language will delay spoken

language! Were you able to succeed in getting some sign taught to

him - if not - let me know and I will see what I can dig up to

help. I know many hard of hearing children who use sign and (I know

Yuka on this list knows these kids) - I know hard of hearing

hispanic kids who speak English, Spanish and sign! Sign can be used

as a bridge to spoken language especially with kids whose language

is delayed. Also, putting the captions on your TV - the closed

captions will get him to start putting the printed word together

with the signed and spoken word. Glad you found us.

>

> Anyone else with a bilateral hearing loss , either with their

child

> or themselves who can offer suggestions for his class room, home

or

> community environments? Suggestions of things to avoid? Any and

> all suggestions would be appreciated.

>

> Thanks,

>

> Dawn

>

[Guest guest]

Dawn

Could you/would you consider a total communication environment for

your son? Then the school would need to find the option and provide

it to you. With the auditory processing disorder I think there are

teachers of the D/HH who may be able to help. Where are you located

generally? SOmeone on the list would/should know of someone in your

area to help advocate or offer suggestions to you.

mary

> ,

>

>. My feeling is that if he already has problems with processing,

then maybe the signing will help with this also. I am not suggesting

(as the school feels I am) that they stop trying to get him to speak

and process language.

[Guest guest]

Dawn

Could you/would you consider a total communication environment for

your son? Then the school would need to find the option and provide

it to you. With the auditory processing disorder I think there are

teachers of the D/HH who may be able to help. Where are you located

generally? SOmeone on the list would/should know of someone in your

area to help advocate or offer suggestions to you.

mary

> ,

>

>. My feeling is that if he already has problems with processing,

then maybe the signing will help with this also. I am not suggesting

(as the school feels I am) that they stop trying to get him to speak

and process language.

[Guest guest]

Dawn

Could you/would you consider a total communication environment for

your son? Then the school would need to find the option and provide

it to you. With the auditory processing disorder I think there are

teachers of the D/HH who may be able to help. Where are you located

generally? SOmeone on the list would/should know of someone in your

area to help advocate or offer suggestions to you.

mary

> ,

>

>. My feeling is that if he already has problems with processing,

then maybe the signing will help with this also. I am not suggesting

(as the school feels I am) that they stop trying to get him to speak

and process language.

[Guest guest]

Hi Dawn - I'm late in saying welcome but sure am glad you're here! I

have two boys who are deaf. Tom is 13 and just was activated with his

cochlear implant last week, prior to that he wore hearing aids. Sam is

11 and wears two hearing aids.

There is a child at my younger son's school who has auditory neuropathy

- sign is his first language and he's doing well with it.

Good luck!

Barbara

dawnandchildren@... wrote:

> ,

>

> I'll go look up that post and read it so that I am armed with the

> information I need to get everyone on board with helping my son. He

> also has an Auditory Processing Disorder that we discovered several

> years ago. My feeling is that if he already has problems with

> processing, then maybe the signing will help with this also. I am not

> suggesting (as the school feels I am) that they stop trying to get him

> to speak and process language. I am only suggesting that they give

> him other options.

>

> I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such knowledgeable parents.

>

> Dawn

>

> -

[Guest guest]

Hi Dawn - I'm late in saying welcome but sure am glad you're here! I

have two boys who are deaf. Tom is 13 and just was activated with his

cochlear implant last week, prior to that he wore hearing aids. Sam is

11 and wears two hearing aids.

There is a child at my younger son's school who has auditory neuropathy

- sign is his first language and he's doing well with it.

Good luck!

Barbara

dawnandchildren@... wrote:

> ,

>

> I'll go look up that post and read it so that I am armed with the

> information I need to get everyone on board with helping my son. He

> also has an Auditory Processing Disorder that we discovered several

> years ago. My feeling is that if he already has problems with

> processing, then maybe the signing will help with this also. I am not

> suggesting (as the school feels I am) that they stop trying to get him

> to speak and process language. I am only suggesting that they give

> him other options.

>

> I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such knowledgeable parents.

>

> Dawn

>

> -

[Guest guest]

Hi Dawn - I'm late in saying welcome but sure am glad you're here! I

have two boys who are deaf. Tom is 13 and just was activated with his

cochlear implant last week, prior to that he wore hearing aids. Sam is

11 and wears two hearing aids.

There is a child at my younger son's school who has auditory neuropathy

- sign is his first language and he's doing well with it.

Good luck!

Barbara

dawnandchildren@... wrote:

> ,

>

> I'll go look up that post and read it so that I am armed with the

> information I need to get everyone on board with helping my son. He

> also has an Auditory Processing Disorder that we discovered several

> years ago. My feeling is that if he already has problems with

> processing, then maybe the signing will help with this also. I am not

> suggesting (as the school feels I am) that they stop trying to get him

> to speak and process language. I am only suggesting that they give

> him other options.

>

> I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such knowledgeable parents.

>

> Dawn

>

> -

[Guest guest]

<<Anyone else with a bilateral hearing loss , either with their child

or themselves who can offer suggestions for his class room, home or

community environments? Suggestions of things to avoid? Any and

all suggestions would be appreciated.>>

I know you meant unilateral loss, so I will tell you that I myself have no

hearing in one ear. It happened from a major head trauma when I was 25 years

old and I'm now 38, so I have a good memory of hearing both ways. The obvious

thing is to make sure your son is always seated so that most of what he needs to

listen to is on his " good " side. Also, any background noise is going to make it

hard for him to hear, and he will not be able to tell where a sound is coming

from. These things can be frustrating and a child would have difficulty

explaining the frustration so the adults need to always take it into

consideration for him. Not knowing where the sound is coming from is something I

think is extra hard for people with regular hearing to understand. It is very

frustrating and embarrassing when you hear something (for instance someone calls

your name from somewhere in a parking lot) and you can't turn toward the sound

like most people would. I would specifically point this out and ask the teacher

to name the person who she has called on to talk so that your son knows who is

talking, and where to look. If you have other questions, feel free to ask.

As far as getting them to teach him sign language. I can see that it might not

be " necessary. " If you want to show them that it is, try to think of reasons

why not learning it hinders his learning of other things. It won't be good

enough that you want him to use it at home in loud situations. Also, try to

objectively look at the situation and decide for yourself if you agree about

sign language interfering with his speech delay that is already being addressed.

Maybe you'll agree that it would and decide you don't want it taught right now,

or maybe you will decide that the benefit of learning sign language outweighs

the risk that they are concerned about. I can see situations where either

answer could be best. Only you know your situation well enough to determine

what's right for your son.

Rhonda Savage

Mom to Audrey, 8, hearing; and Neal, 6, CII at 2.9 years

" Hard does not mean impossible. "

[Guest guest]

<<Anyone else with a bilateral hearing loss , either with their child

or themselves who can offer suggestions for his class room, home or

community environments? Suggestions of things to avoid? Any and

all suggestions would be appreciated.>>

I know you meant unilateral loss, so I will tell you that I myself have no

hearing in one ear. It happened from a major head trauma when I was 25 years

old and I'm now 38, so I have a good memory of hearing both ways. The obvious

thing is to make sure your son is always seated so that most of what he needs to

listen to is on his " good " side. Also, any background noise is going to make it

hard for him to hear, and he will not be able to tell where a sound is coming

from. These things can be frustrating and a child would have difficulty

explaining the frustration so the adults need to always take it into

consideration for him. Not knowing where the sound is coming from is something I

think is extra hard for people with regular hearing to understand. It is very

frustrating and embarrassing when you hear something (for instance someone calls

your name from somewhere in a parking lot) and you can't turn toward the sound

like most people would. I would specifically point this out and ask the teacher

to name the person who she has called on to talk so that your son knows who is

talking, and where to look. If you have other questions, feel free to ask.

As far as getting them to teach him sign language. I can see that it might not

be " necessary. " If you want to show them that it is, try to think of reasons

why not learning it hinders his learning of other things. It won't be good

enough that you want him to use it at home in loud situations. Also, try to

objectively look at the situation and decide for yourself if you agree about

sign language interfering with his speech delay that is already being addressed.

Maybe you'll agree that it would and decide you don't want it taught right now,

or maybe you will decide that the benefit of learning sign language outweighs

the risk that they are concerned about. I can see situations where either

answer could be best. Only you know your situation well enough to determine

what's right for your son.

Rhonda Savage

Mom to Audrey, 8, hearing; and Neal, 6, CII at 2.9 years

" Hard does not mean impossible. "

[Guest guest]

<<Anyone else with a bilateral hearing loss , either with their child

or themselves who can offer suggestions for his class room, home or

community environments? Suggestions of things to avoid? Any and

all suggestions would be appreciated.>>

I know you meant unilateral loss, so I will tell you that I myself have no

hearing in one ear. It happened from a major head trauma when I was 25 years

old and I'm now 38, so I have a good memory of hearing both ways. The obvious

thing is to make sure your son is always seated so that most of what he needs to

listen to is on his " good " side. Also, any background noise is going to make it

hard for him to hear, and he will not be able to tell where a sound is coming

from. These things can be frustrating and a child would have difficulty

explaining the frustration so the adults need to always take it into

consideration for him. Not knowing where the sound is coming from is something I

think is extra hard for people with regular hearing to understand. It is very

frustrating and embarrassing when you hear something (for instance someone calls

your name from somewhere in a parking lot) and you can't turn toward the sound

like most people would. I would specifically point this out and ask the teacher

to name the person who she has called on to talk so that your son knows who is

talking, and where to look. If you have other questions, feel free to ask.

As far as getting them to teach him sign language. I can see that it might not

be " necessary. " If you want to show them that it is, try to think of reasons

why not learning it hinders his learning of other things. It won't be good

enough that you want him to use it at home in loud situations. Also, try to

objectively look at the situation and decide for yourself if you agree about

sign language interfering with his speech delay that is already being addressed.

Maybe you'll agree that it would and decide you don't want it taught right now,

or maybe you will decide that the benefit of learning sign language outweighs

the risk that they are concerned about. I can see situations where either

answer could be best. Only you know your situation well enough to determine

what's right for your son.

Rhonda Savage

Mom to Audrey, 8, hearing; and Neal, 6, CII at 2.9 years

" Hard does not mean impossible. "

[Guest guest]

Rhonda,

You are right, I meant unilateral hearing loss and not bilateral.

" any background noise is going to make it hard for him to hear, and he will not

be able to tell where a sound is coming from "

This has already happened. I host a party at my house each year for my family

(siblings, parents, grandparents etc) and Sunday was THE day this year. Cody

was looking for me, crying because he couldn't find me. I was calling him and

of course with all the noise he couldn't figure out where I was, even though we

were in the same room. I asked my brother to turn him around so he could see

me. End of frustration. The poor little guy just wanted to check in with me

and couldn't. This breaks my heart when it happens.

Dawn

-------------- Original message ----------------------

[Guest guest]

Rhonda,

You are right, I meant unilateral hearing loss and not bilateral.

" any background noise is going to make it hard for him to hear, and he will not

be able to tell where a sound is coming from "

This has already happened. I host a party at my house each year for my family

(siblings, parents, grandparents etc) and Sunday was THE day this year. Cody

was looking for me, crying because he couldn't find me. I was calling him and

of course with all the noise he couldn't figure out where I was, even though we

were in the same room. I asked my brother to turn him around so he could see

me. End of frustration. The poor little guy just wanted to check in with me

and couldn't. This breaks my heart when it happens.

Dawn

-------------- Original message ----------------------

[Guest guest]

Rhonda,

You are right, I meant unilateral hearing loss and not bilateral.

" any background noise is going to make it hard for him to hear, and he will not

be able to tell where a sound is coming from "

This has already happened. I host a party at my house each year for my family

(siblings, parents, grandparents etc) and Sunday was THE day this year. Cody

was looking for me, crying because he couldn't find me. I was calling him and

of course with all the noise he couldn't figure out where I was, even though we

were in the same room. I asked my brother to turn him around so he could see

me. End of frustration. The poor little guy just wanted to check in with me

and couldn't. This breaks my heart when it happens.

Dawn

-------------- Original message ----------------------