"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive." Anaïs Nin


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Thursday, May 31, 2012

2012 Commencment Speech by Dr. Roz Rosen in ASL (captioned and audio)

Dr. Roz Rosen presents one of the best wisdom filled Commencement Speeches I've ever seen or heard. This is a message everyone should see/hear. It is worth the 18 minutes of your time to view. She has "ism" wisdom for all of us to learn. btw... "Audism" is now in The American Heritage Dictionary. http://ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=Audism&submit.x=0&submit.y=




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfhwwoTMUAA

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Dine & Sign Episode 36: Gary Vaynerchuk, Social Media and FaceBook

Alex has been working with a deaf director, Roger Vass on a series of movies about the future and about the senses. You can learn more about these projects and how to help and how deaf awareness fits in by watching this episode. Oh, and I do have to thank Alex for showing his appreciation by mentioning me and my blog. He's such a sweet young man. I wish him much success with his projects.





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDSL8ihaR4o

A Question for People With Disabilities



Do others misconstrue your need or passion for accessibility as aggression? Does that oppress you?

Please leave your thoughts and comments on this. It is a worthy discussion.

Monday, May 28, 2012

Dine and Sign Episode 35, Film Reflections and Bike Woes

Alex and his dad review Alex's movie trailer, and discuss transportation, as well as time.



Be sure to subscribe to their channel if you like their series! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKUyf4WWV4g

Saturday, May 26, 2012

More on the Issue of Captions and the Upcoming Social Media Event

I've had some inquiries about this event coming up on June 6. I would like to share here my response with one of those inquiries here, because I think I little more explanation is in order for some who don't quite understand what this event is all about: (There is an example letter below by Jessica Thurber from the blog at Deaf Politics http://deafecho.com/2012/05/the-captionthis-social-media-movement-deaf-politics-sample-letter/ that is excellently written. Do be polite and respectful in your correspondences as she suggested).

The laws for online mandatory video captioning have already been passed. It is now a matter of enforcing the regulation for language accessibility for the Deaf/deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing impaired/hearing disabled. By using the #captionTHIS hashtag, we will be sending the message out to all the media that are not in compliance with the captioning laws. There were a couple mentioned in the video, and many more on the visual billboard that was splashed on the screen. It goes beyond Twitter, it will be on FaceBook and any Social Media website out there, but we will be using the #captionTHIS as the marker everywhere.

He mentions just CNN and Netflix not being in compliance and are currently being sued by NAD and other supporters for language accessibility. This all ties into the ADA, but the deaf and hard of hearing communities are always overlooked because our disability isn't "visible".  People think of physical disability, any that is visible and obvious.

Also, along with that, there is the misconception that all deaf and hard of hearing people use Sign Language. Not so. Many, like myself, had parents that were advised against using Sign Language. Also, we have people living longer, and because of that, hearing loss is a natural part of aging, yet they never had the opportunity to learn to sign. Some news broadcasts have a box in the corner of the screen with and ASL interpreter. This is great for those who know ASL, but not for those who never learned or for those who have recently lost their hearing. 

Universal means the captions help everyone, no one falls in the cracks of not getting the same information as the hearing, or those who depend on ASL interpreters. Everyone can benefit. Turning on the captions has helped children and adults alike improve their reading skills as well. The deaf community in Europe is experiencing the issues with captions not being available. Deaf community is a global community. I have people from over 40 countries visiting my blog regularly looking for information and help. This issue is universal on so many levels. 

So, in a nutshell, on June 6, we will be sending the message out and bringing awareness that we want captions for accessibility to language throughout all the media. The deaf are getting farther behind, as the gentleman in the video described, because we don't have access to language to online videos, or live coverage on tv, such as CNN or sports. We aren't included. With captions available to us, we would have the same information at the same time as hearing people. It's really a shame because the technology is here to change that, but so many don't realize that by not providing captions, they are oppressing the deaf.

I hope that helps explains this event a little better. It's about a positive change for language inclusion, accessibility. 



See more here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgSrZ-s3MTY
If you have anything to add to help shed better understanding on this, please leave a comment.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

List of Summer Camps for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children and Teens



With summer vacation right around the corner, it's time to start thinking of fun things for our kids to do. Gwen Cox of Signing Time Academy posted this link on FaceBook to Gallaudet's list of camps for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children and Teens from various states that hosts these summer events.

 http://www.gallaudet.edu/clerc_center/information_and_resources/info_to_go/resources/summer_camps_for_deaf_and_hard_of_hearing_children.html

I'm sure they will be looking for volunteers as well as for campers and sponsors. 

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

June 6th, #captionTHIS Social Media Event

What a GREAT spokesman! What a GREAT video! What a GREAT idea! June 6th, deaf and hard of hearing communities will flood the internet with the message of captions for access to online videos. Let's work together to create a positive change for language accessibility and inclusion. Be sure to remember to use the hashtag #captionTHIS on June 6th!



Find out more about this event at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgSrZ-s3MTY

While you're at it, sign this petition for CNN to start providing equal access to their online videos. http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-cnn-to-start-providing-equal-access-to-their-online-videos

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

ASL Public Service Announcement Video At NYC's Times Square

ADWAS and Convo Relay Services have teamed up and created an ASL PSA (public service announcement) video that is running daily every hour for 18 hours a day at Times Square in New York City. It is time this issue is discussed so we can bring and end to this issue. This informative video explains it all, it's captioned (be sure to turn the CC on if you need the captions) and signed.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Tweetings in Meetings Keep Deaf and Hard of Hearing in the Loop


My friend Stephanie recently posted an open invitation on Twitter for a Social Media Club meeting. Fabulous Husband and I signed up to attend. I saw that it was for "social media" enthusiasts. This aptly describes me, seeing how the internet and social media has gotten me involved with getting out among people once again. Rather than staying home because I can't follow everything being said, social media has introduced me to a variety of intersting people and groups. However, I have to say this was THE BEST meeting I've attended outside of meetings where real time captioning has been used.

Because this was a Social Media Club meeting, tweets were encouraged! With tweets from others in attendance that day, I did not have to miss points being shared. With a designated hashtag set up, even people unable to attend were able to have access to the highlights. What a concept!

I would even go so far as to suggest churches put something like this into action if they are unable to do real time captions. Set up a designated "Tweeter" from a designated Twitter account along with a hashtag for the services for those who have smart phones, or even for those who are at home unable to catch the service in person. Be sure to announce and publicize this feature, along with the chosen hashtag so users know it's available.

No one has to miss important information with the help of Twitter and the real time possible solutions. It's also a great way to share lecture points from the classroom. Twitter can be its own meeting and classroom footnote all in and of itself, but it's much nicer to see the faces of those tweeting across the table and experience it all in person. For deaf or hard of hearing person tweetings in meetings are ideal concept.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

A New Episode of Dine and Sign: #34

Alex shares his dream of an idea for a film. It's an interesting concept. Take a look at the film trailer, and be sure to check next week's episode to see what his dad thinks. It's yet another cliff hanger.



Be sure to subscribe to their channel! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ca8nq4Analo

Friday, May 18, 2012

It's Time for A Drive..

... To the Shore ..



Click to see:  It's time for some fun in the sun!
I'm quite looking forward to visiting Assateague Island and the wild horses.
Click the highlights to see the pages and photos.
Have a lovely weekend! See you next week.....

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Mixed Marriage between Deaf/HOH and Hearing Spouses


This post is a little different, more personal than what I usually share, but I feel compelled to address an issue that I see being discussed on various blogs; "mixed" marriages between "deaf" and "hearing" partners.

Decades ago, when I was young, I married an even younger man. It was mostly out of loneliness that I married him. I didn't realize at the time that being married to the wrong person is lonelier than being single.

I filed for divorce and had the locks changed when the threat of physical violence reared its ugly head. I should have known this was coming the day he pointed to my ears and called my deafness "trash", and some other more colorful expletives.

In the beginning of that relationship, I had only a moderate hearing loss. After a round of ear infections, I had gone from a moderate hearing loss to areas of severe loss. Miss-communication and misunderstandings between us became too common.

When the marriage ended, I pretty much settled into the idea that marriage was not going to be something in my future. I learned that being alone was a lot better than being married and lonely.

After a few years, however, I became so lonely, I actually prayed for God to send me someone. I mentioned this to a friend one day who said, "You have to get out to the bus stop to catch that bus. What if he's waiting at the bus stop and you're waiting at home for him to ring the doorbell. You're missing more than the bus, Dearie." Oh, what truth!!

I started looking up dating websites and friend finding sites all over the place. I met many very nice men. After an introductory message or email, I would let them know I didn't hear well, so as not to waste their time or mine if they couldn't handle that issue. I let them know I preferred emails rather than phone calls. At the time, I used the old TDD relay system. For some, it was uncomfortable, for others, no problem at all.

After several years of meeting and dating interesting gentlemen from various walks of life, God threw an interesting curve ball in my direction. Without going into a lot of detail, I ended up with a baby in my care. After a year, I adopted this adorable child. I was no longer lonely, and my life took on the passion of taking care of this child. It did not matter to the court or the biological parent of this child that I was hearing impaired or single, it mattered only that I loved this child and wanted the best for him, as did all those involved in the situation.

As he grew, I missed a lot of adult company, especially the company of good male role models for him. The two men in my life at the time were either narcissistic and controlling or reactive and dramatic. God knew we needed someone healthy and well balanced and self controlled. I had been single between 10 and 15 years by now. I had continued meeting nice gentlemen, but many weren't willing to take on a hearing impaired wife with a young child at this late stage of life. I was beginning to think it was going to be just me and Little Fellow for the rest of our lives.

Then I found Fabulous Husband online. We shared not only spiritual things in common, but also interests and life experiences. The more we got to know each other, the more interesting things became between us. He had no qualms about using emails as our main communication at first, or using the relay systems for phone calls later on. Eventually, he made 2 trips out to Oregon to meet us and see us. After the second trip out, we pretty much knew that we would be a family, all three of us, Little Fellow, Fabulous Husband and I. My grown up daughter has immense respect and love toward him. He has been more of a father to her than her own ever was.

Back to the topic of "mixed marriage between deaf and hearing" couples. Now I am deaf, and Fabulous Husband has been there when I crossed the threshold from "hearing impaired" into "deaf". He has taken some sign language classes, but because I use voice and relied mostly on lipreading all my life, he is up close in my face so I can read his lips, and he speaks into the microphone of my hearing aids, or directly and loudly into my ear when I am not wearing them.

He is patient, adaptable with the changing hearing status, kind, well balanced and lovable. He is also a wonderful advocate for me. Did I mention what a wonderful father he is to my children? He is all around FABULOUS.

This has been my journey so far, in a nut shell regarding this topic. While some "mixed" marriages between the hearing and deafened may not work, there are others that work beautifully well. I am extremely blessed.

Marriage has its challenges for everyone, and we are all so different. While deafness may be an issue for some, for others, it's just a part of life and is just a matter of adapting to the changes as needed.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

9-1-1 Texting Coming to Syracuse, NY

Though the video isn't captioned, the story is transcribed for us. It's high time we see more texting systems being put in place for the deaf and hard of hearing community. We have first responders already learning ASL in various regions around the country and FEMA has been wonderful in gathering information how to better serve us.  Be sure to check the rest of the links below to see other areas of progress regarding emergencies and tests.(Thank you Sharon for posting this video on FB)

http://www.9wsyr.com/news/local/story/911-texting-services-to-help-hearing-impaired/PlSMlPz4wEWmwSG1uf1SbA.cspx

Along with the new emergency 9-1-1- text service, here are the Top 50 Emergency Uses for your Camera Phone by Paul Purcell (thank you Kim Stephens for the link) http://cameras.about.com/od/cameraphonespdas/a/emergency.htm

If you're on Twitter, some dispatch and emergency responders now monitor tweets. Check out hashtags #smem and you will see the latest topic being discussed. Need help right away, tweet that hashtag and someone will most likely pick up your emergency and direct help your way.

Check out last November's small research project along side FEMA's National Emergency Test and Stephanie Jo Kent with hashtags #smem and #demx  here: http://www.reflexivity.us/wp/2012/01/emergency-warning-and-community-response-the-edge-of-technology-and-culture/

Spread the word, good things are being done to include the deaf and hard of hearing citizens of the USA.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

More Big Rock Stars Acknowledging ASL Interpreters and the Deaf

Here is a short clip of Bruce Springsteen dancing with the interpreters at one of his performances and joining in with the signing! It's time camera men and media catch interpreters at work and acknowledge the deaf audiences and their language and share them in the media, don't you think?

"Dancing in the Dark" with the Boss himself:

Here is the article with the story behind the video, and a mention of Tom Petty and one of his Heartbreakers signing to the deaf in attendance.
http://www.nola.com/jazzfest/index.ssf/2012/05/watch_bruce_springsteens_new_o.html

Monday, May 14, 2012

Russian Cat Signs "Food" or "Eat"

I'm so pleased to see this adorable video is still making the rounds. This Russian Kitty is signing "food" or "eat" to  its human. Simply adorable!




Sunday, May 13, 2012

A Montage of "Party in the USA" ASL Music Videos by Stephen

Captain Valor is quite the creative genius. He went through myriads of YouTube "Party in the USA" ASL music videos and melded the talents of all these people into one fabulous montage of a party. Captions and Signs. Such a fun video to start the week off!


Be sure to check out Stephen's videos at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwhGJUMnJac

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

ASL Interpretation on "The Voice"

My friend Laura posted this on her page and tagged me to take a look at the interpreter in this video from "The Voice".  Sadly, we only see bits and pieces of her interpretation.  I wish the camera men would feature interpreters while filming as well for the deaf and hard of hearing viewers.  We also see the choir signing at the end of the song. The embed to share feature is turned off, so you'll have to go to the YouTube site to watch. I didn't see any captions, yet. Just click the highlight to see the clip:  The Voice: Watch for the interpreter

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

"Sharing Selfishness to Find Happiness?" Dine and Sign Episode 33

Alex and his dad offer a lot of food for thought in this week's discussion. I like how Alex's dad explains how life was years ago versus today's world. We get to learn a bit of history, and how society changes over the years.




If you like this, be sure to subscribe to their channel:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=iv&annotation_id=annotation_559245&src_vid=yZTPBxSTq7s&v=rRIpxObujcs

Monday, May 7, 2012

Churches and the Hearing Impaired

For many of my peers, coming into deafness late in life is a struggle. I am fortunate, though, because I learned the basics of Sign Language years ago, and I continue to learn today. However, so many older adults never had the opportunity. Learning a new language at this stage of life can be incredibly difficult. Many have arthritis which makes signing difficult. It's also not easy to recall the vocabulary and nuances of new or foreign language.

For this generation, worship services are extremely difficult. While many churches are thoughtful enough to offer ASL interpreters for the deaf, they overlook having Captions for the late deafened adults who are caught in a wedge between the two worlds.

Churches would be surprised to see how easy it is to provide CART,  Real Time Captioning. All it takes is a computer, a screen and a typist or stenographer. It is quite simple to do, and wouldn't cost much if someone volunteered their time and talent. If no one knows how to do this, there are wonderful professionals available to provide the service remotely over the internet. The technology to do this is amazing and worth the investment. It is heartbreaking to see Churches that are incredibly "financially healthy" sending thousands of dollars overseas to connect people with God, but neglecting the very people in their neighborhood the very same opportunity by simply providing captions.

People are asking their churches everywhere to provide this service. How wonderful that some churches have jumped immediately to meet this need.

How wonderful that Jesus made the effort to visit the women, the children and the sick and disabled and whoever was seeking God. He took the time to be sure they were cared for, their needs were met, and that they knew by his actions that he loved them. He made the intentional effort to see that they heard the Good News God had for them. God is inclusive.

Providing Captions is such a small thing to do for your neighbor, yet it is an incredibly huge action of love.

Encourage your church to provide this service, and PUBLICIZE that it is available in your literature, in your announcements, everywhere you can. People are looking for God and a place to "see" the word of  God acted upon with intention, in word, and in deed.

Want to know more? Here are a few places with more information:

CCAC aprovides information and support for "Community" access via captioning, such as this webpage on our site: http://ccacaptioning.org/cart-community-clubs-religious-organizations-social-groups/

Need Captions? Just ask here: CaptionMatch.com

Great video and info here: http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/disability_issues&id=7997085

http://www.broadcastcc.com/

http://remotecaptioners.com/

http://www.mcdhh.mo.gov/resources/CaptioningServices.htm

http://www.acscaptions.com/



Sunday, May 6, 2012

Inspiring Video of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Role Models

My friend, Sharon posted this on her FaceBook page. What a wonderful video from the UK, captioned and BSL (British Sign Language) and ASL (American Sign Language). . I didn't know any deaf or hearing impaired people when I was young, either. As far as I knew, I was the only kid in school and college with a "hearing problem".  It wasn't until I was an adult that I met other deaf and hearing impaired people. I'm so happy to see videos like this for today's young people to inspire, encourage and support them. Kudos to Ted Evans for finding these amazing individuals and their stories!

I had the video embedded here, but Fabulous Husband said it auto started every time the page loaded, and would begin to play while browsing through the stories. So I removed the embed feature, but you will have to go to the website to view the inspiration video there.

Visit Ted's website here:  Ted Evans

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Wonderful interpretation of "God Gave Me You"


Allyballybabe2006 interpreted and uploaded this delightful little video, "God Gave Me You". The lyrics are below the video. If you like what you see, be sure to subscribe to the young lady's channel.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?src_vid=NR-kK3R-Viw&annotation_id=annotation_395076&feature=iv&v=ypCU6hd0-U4
[Blake Shelton - Verse 1]
I've been a walking heartache
I've made a mess of me
The person that I've been lately
Ain't who I wanna be

But you stay here right beside me
Watch as the storm goes through
And I need you
[Chorus]
God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I've lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it's true
God gave me you
[Blake Shelton - Verse 2]
There's more here than what were seeing
A divine conspiracy
That you, an angel lovely
Could somehow fall for me
You'll always be love's great martyr
Ill be the flattered fool
And I need you

[Chorus]
God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I've lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it's true
God gave me you
[Bridge]
On my own I'm only
Half of what I could be
I can't do without you
We are stitched together
And what love has tethered
I pray we never undo
[Chorus - Outro]
God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I've lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it's true
God gave me you, gave me you
Gave me you

these lyrics are submitted by BURKUL2
these lyrics are last corrected by Rhonda F.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Dine and Sign Episode 32 (Deaf Awareness and Bad Parents)

Alex and his dad Discuss "Deaf Awareness and Bad Parents?"  I'm looking forward to next week's continuation of this conversation. This one is a cliff hanger.



Be sure to subscribe to their channel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZTPBxSTq7s

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

What an Implanted Device is Like for People Who Have Lost Their Hearing

( Transcript From Rush Limbaugh's Radio Program)
Questions on the Host's Hearing March 18, 2011  

BEGIN TRANSCRIPT RUSH:  Evan in West Coxsackie, New York, welcome to the EIB Network.  Hello.

CALLER:  Hey.  I'm just wondering, when you listen to music with your hearing aid, how's it sound?

RUSH:  Music?

CALLER:  Yeah, like if you're listening to music on an iPad or something?

RUSH:  Well, not very good.  I cannot listen to music that I've never heard before and identify the melody.

CALLER:  Oh.

RUSH:  I have a cochlear implant. It doesn't have nearly the sensitivity of the human ear, it's not even close.

CALLER:  I was just wondering.

RUSH:  Like violins or strings sound like fingernails on a chalkboard to me.

CALLER:  Oh, well, I was just wondering.

RUSH:  What I have to do, I can still listen to music, but it has to be music that I knew and that I've heard before I lost my hearing.  And what happens is that my brain, fertile mind, provides the melody.  I actually am not hearing the melody, and the way I can prove this to you, sometimes it will take me, even a song that I know, it will take me 30 seconds to identify it if I don't know what it is.  Now, if I'm playing a song off iTunes and the title is there and it starts then I can spot it from the middle, but if I'm listening to a song from the beginning, and I don't know what it is, it sometimes can take me 30 seconds to recognize it, if I knew it before.  But the quality of music that I hear is less than AM radio, in terms of fidelity.  I can turn the bass up on an amplifier and I don't hear any difference at all.  I can feel the floor vibrate, but I don't hear any more bass.  I can turn highs up and I can hear the difference in the highs, but on the low end I actually cannot -- (interruption)  I'm getting a note here that says: "You're not missing anything.  There aren't any melodies in music today."  (laughing)  At any rate, you adapt to it.  I've adapted.  

The worst part of my hearing is being in a crowd.  Like right now, I hear myself as well as I heard myself when I could hear.  If I'm talking to one other person in a quiet room I can comprehend 90-95% of what they say depending on how fast they're speaking.  There are some words that sound alike.  But you add room noise, like if Kathryn and I are watching TV and she wants to talk to me about what we're watching, I have to hit pause or the mute 'cause I cannot hear what she's saying.  Even if she's sitting two feet away I will not hear as long as there are other noises there.  Any room noise when added to other room noise is gonna be louder than the one voice that I'm trying to hear.  I've got the implant on my left side so if we go out in a public place, anybody on my right side, it's hopeless.  I'll have to literally turn to them, and sometimes as I turn to them they turn with me.  They don't know what I'm doing so we'll do pirouettes 'til I finally say, "No, you stay where you are.  I'm trying to position my ear so I can hear you."

The way I look at this, though, because when I tell these stories, "Oh, that's really horrible."  No, it's not.  'Cause if you look at the timeline of humanity, however long it is, 10,000 years, a million, billion, whatever the number is, my little time on it is not much larger than a grain of sand.  And yet I happen to lose my hearing at the same time technology had evolved to the point where cochlear implants had been invented.  If I had lost my hearing 15 years ago, it would have meant the end of my career.  I would not have been able to hear.  And the doctor said you might think that you could speak normally just by virtue of memory and feel, the way voice feels when you speak, but eventually your speech would deteriorate, and it would sound to people as though you had a speech defect.  It would just be automatic no matter how good you are, no matter how professional you are at it.  So that's really fortunate.  It's almost miraculous that my being afflicted with this autoimmune disease happens to coincide with technology.  Some call it divine intervention.  Some call it the age of miracles.  We're all one way or another part of this age of miracles.  Music is the one thing that I miss, but you know what else?  This is another thing.  Compatibility with other people in normal circumstances takes a big hit.  For example, my most comfortable is sheer quiet now.  The ringing of a phone or I'll be sitting in my library and there will be a noise. I remember we had been working on the alarm system, and I hadn't been told we were working on the alarm system and every 30 seconds something in the room would beep. I said, "Oh, my gosh, it that the smoker detector, what the hell?"  I'd have to call somebody in the office and say, "Where is this coming from?" because I couldn't tell where sound was coming from and I had no idea what it was.  One time the phone was left off the hook and there was street noise, it was the phone at the gate.  And it was street noise, but it didn't sound like street noise to me.  I don't even remember what it sounded like, but I couldn't pinpoint what it was.  The phone was still on the hook but the mute button on the speakerphone was off so I had no idea where it was coming from. I had to call somebody in and say, "What is this, where's it coming from?"  'Cause you always worry about something blowing up when there's a sound that you don't know.  

But I crave silence, blessed silence because anything other than speech is just noise.  It is irritating noise.  Well, most people go crazy in quiet environments.  They don't like it.  Most people love having the TV on in the background or some sort of sound or other. It irritates me.  It irritates the heck out of me because it's just noise and I can't identify it.  I know if it's noise on TV, but I can't tell you what somebody's saying.  I have to have closed-captioning to understand everything being said in a TV program, particularly if there's a music soundtrack.  And very few people use closed-captioning.  It distracts them.  Me, I need it. (interruption) No, I'm not just getting old and cranky, Snerdley.  And going in public to a restaurant is, depending on the place, it is impossible. It literally can be impossible to have a conversation except with anybody on the left, and at some places I have to get within an inch of what they're saying to be able to comprehend.  I hear everything, but making sense of it…  

See, the human ear has 35,000 hair cells in each ear.  They're microscopic.  But they still are different sizes and widths, lengths, and they vibrate.  When they sense noise, sound, whatever, they start the whole process of energy through the audial nerve.  Well, the autoimmune system killed all 35,000 hair cells in both ears, so they're laying down.  They're still in there, but they're laying down.  Cochlear implant, I've got eight electrodes, and I'm actually now down to six because two of them were causing facial tics when the volume got too high. My eyes were closing, I looked spastic.  I had to deactivate two of those electrodes, so I'm down to six.  So I've got six manmade bionic electrodes trying to do the job of 35,000 or 70,000 hair cells in terms of frequency response and all that, and there's no way, it just can't be done.  (interruption) No, the technology has not improved.  Now what has improved is, like this Esteem thing that we talk about, if you have residual hearing, that's miraculous.  The hardware hasn't changed.  There are some software improvements.  

For example, with the implant I have there's a program called High Res, which activates 20 electrodes.  But it doesn't work for me.  Everybody is different.  They turn on those 20 electrodes -- I got 'em in there -- you turn on the 20 and everybody sounds like the chipmunks to me. It's worse.  And that's the digital.  I'm using the analog.  Everybody that has one of these things has a different experience.  Everybody says you need to get one on your right side now.  I kept the right side clear because there might have been a cure for these dead hair cells.  Now I've been told there won't be.  So if I get an implant on the right side that would solve some of the spatial stuff and it would enable me to hear people on my right side if I'm in a public place or what have you.  Music, it's amazing what the memory can do when I'm listening to music that I love, that I've known. In fact, I can create the music without evening hearing it.  Your memory, your mind can do that. 

BREAK TRANSCRIPT

RUSH:  Look, folks, don't get the wrong idea.  Having a cochlear implant has a lot of positives.  I was out playing golf the other day with a bunch of guys, and there was a loudmouth crow in a palm tree right on the tee box, no more than ten feet above us.  The thing was cawing like crazy.  You just wanted to grab something and throw it at the damn bird to shut up, and it was screwing everybody's tee shots off.  I mean, you can't concentrate. The guys would swing and right at the moment of impact, "CAWWW!" and you could just see the effect. 

All I did was take my implant off, gently place it on the ground, and total silence. No distractions whatsoever.  However, I do have tinnitus (some people say tinn-i-tus) in my right ear -- which, in my case, I constantly hear Gregorian chants.  That's the noise in my right ear, but I've got so used to it I don't hear it unless I stop to focus on it, but it's always there.  I always think I'm in touch with God.  Gregorian chants are constantly going off in my right ear.  END TRANSCRIPT *Note: Links to content outside RushLimbaugh.com usually become inactive over time.