"Twitter In the Life of a Deaf Woman"

In honor of International Deaf Awareness Week, my friend Ken asked if he could share one of my posts on his blog, Inkling Media. It is an honor to be the guest of Inkling Media today. Ken is also the person who introduced me to FaceBook. If I do anything right with Social Media, it is what I have learned from reading Ken's blog and tweets.

http://inklingmedia.net/2011/09/29/twitter-is-this-girls-best-friend-in-natural-catastrophes/


(the website may be experiencing technical difficulties)

Be sure to check out other posts while you are there.

The the End of the Progression

I call this the "end of the progression" because there is nothing that comes after deafness in regards to describing the degree. It is the end of hearing as I have known it. Though I can't pinpoint when it happened, because just as I didn't notice I had slipped from a mild loss to moderate loss, or when I slipped from a moderate to severe, profound, I didn't notice when I reached the degree of "deaf". Others noticed, but I didn't.

My experience of the progression from a hearing person to a deaf person has spanned nearly 3 decades, from age twenty three to my current age of fifty two. It was my Fabulous Husband who noticed that I had slipped into more silence. When the doctor asked me at the last visit how my hearing aids were working, it was my husband who spoke up to answer and said they weren't working all that well. He had observed the sounds slipping from my grasp without my notice. He has been so patient and understanding. He has enrolled in Sign Language classes and has been helping me every way he can. He has been a wonderful help and supporter as he shares this journey with me.

Though it is the end of my days as "hearing", it only means that there are new and different ways of doing things, seeing things. I'm learning to use my eyes more, becoming more "situationally aware" (something I have been learning from Women's Only Self Defense at Direct Action Tactical - check them out http://directactiontact.wordpress.com/ ) and I'm finding many alternatives available to help me in this part of my new lifestyle. I have found Social Media keeps me connected by introducing me to others around the world with the same situation and connects me to people who help me adapt to the changes. Social media has also directed me locally to where people meet to discuss issues related to hearing loss and deafness. I'm meeting new acquaintances and making new friends along the way. I'm learning new ways of doing things as well as seeing the world through "new eyes" and perspectives.

The Beginning of the Progression, Pt. 2

The day finally arrived to pick up my first pair of hearing aids. I had no idea what to expect. I rode the bus  into Nurnberg and told Former Husband there was no need for him to be there at this appointment, I knew my way to the Army Hospital by now.

I sat in the chair as the doctor placed the hearing aids into each ear. When they were both in place, he turned them on. I will never forget that moment. I looked at him and asked, "What is that in the hallway?" It was a women in high heels walking down the hall. I could hear people walking! Footsteps. I heard actual footsteps. How long had it been since I last heard footsteps?

When I got outside and across the street at the bus stop, I heard something I hadn't heard in years. Birds were singing. It sounded like thousands of them all around up in the trees. It was beautiful. I couldn't remember the last time I had heard them, I only knew I had known that sound before.

I took the bus only half way home. I decided to stop off at the other end of the park and walk so I could "hear" what I had been missing on all of those walks. I heard the water flowing through the creek, the whir  of bicycles as they whizzed by and more birds. I took my time, enjoying all the sounds and just listening.

When I got home, it was well past dinner time. My Former Husband was very upset and worried I hadn't been home yet. As I was going into the kitchen to start dinner I actually heard him cursing about my lateness. I called out, "I heard that".

I was also glad I had gotten my hearing aids when our daughter was born. I would have missed out on all those cute little baby sounds and gurgles, and not known when she was crying or in distress if she was in the next room.

The doctor was correct, my quality of life increased with the hearing aids. I never left home without them. Even now as I am deaf, and as imperfect as they are with deafness, I still don't leave home without them.

The Beginning of the Progression, Pt. 1

When I was in my early twenties, I was married several years to a Military Police Officer. We were stationed first at Fort Hunter Army Air Base in Savannah, Georgia, then we were stationed in a village near Nurnberg, Germany. I was twenty three and expecting my first child. My Former Husband often accused me of "selective hearing". I, in turn, accused him of being a mumbler.

One day he came home and told me I had an appointment at the Army Hospital in Nurnberg with a hearing specialist. I was adamant that I didn't have that bad of a hearing problem, he was just a mumbler. He was concerned that I wouldn't be able to hear the baby. When he said that, I took his concern seriously and I went to the appointment.

The doctor sat down with me after we did all the tests, and explained I had a moderate hearing loss, but with a pair of hearing aids, I could do very well. Growing up, I suffered many ear infections that left me with a mild hearing loss, but not so bad that it interfered with my life. I could use telephones and watch tv without people telling me it was getting a little loud. It was hardly noticeable,,,, until now. My Former Husband observed the small difficulties I was having were begining to increase. I didn't notice.

The doctor said as I aged, I would most likely experience a progressive hearing loss later in life. He couldn't tell me to what degree, or when I would experience it, but he assured me that for now, hearing aids would vastly improve my quality of life.

We had the ear molds made so the aids would fit my ears well, and I made a follow up appointment to pick them up within two weeks. I'm so glad I went to that appointment, because my husband's concern about hearing the baby were very well founded. I was excited to see how the hearing aids were going to work and if they really would make a difference. Those two weeks were rather long as I waited for my hearing aids to come in.

Hearing Health Information from Western Pennsylvania

This is a well put together site with information for the baby boomer generation. Hearing loss is a major issue as we age. However, also note that the number one disabling casualty of war is hearing loss from the guns and explosions. Many of our soldiers are at risk as well. There is a lot of good information here.
http://www.healthbridges.info/?p=1030&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wpa_health_information+%28Western+Pennsylvania+Health+Information%29

"Free Captioned Educational Videos for Children"

(e has compiled a short list of websites offering free captioned educational videos for children. Check out her list here:
http://www.ehwhathuh.com/2011/09/free-captioned-educational-videos-for.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EhWhatHuh+%28Eh%3F+What%3F+Huh%3F%29

"Get Service"

You don't need the captions to "get" this video. It's powerful on its own when you get to the punchline.

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

Elijah on Mt. Carmel

 This is simply an amazing performance, written and performed by Anna Wiebelhaus. I wish the video quality was better, and that there was an appropriate set design to add to the atmosphere. This does stand alone with her amazing expressiveness, and she wrote this herself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqZ3JmIvaPk

What Does It Mean?

Have you ever had a hearing test done by an audiologist? I've had a few. However, they really don't tell a person a whole lot. They show you a graph with lines and peaks where your hearing is, and where it should be if it isn't "normal". There are decibels and percentages, which for a person math and numerically challenged, they mean nothing.

Then, there are the definitions, mild, moderate, severe and profound hearing loss.

I always end up after having such tests wondering, "What does it mean?" The answers never make sense because they go back to the numbers, percentages, decibels, and the terms mild - profound. I've never even seen the term "deaf" on those.

They need to explain the results in simpler terms. I have some ideas.

Mild - just turn the volume of everything up a little and ask the mumblers to speak up.

Moderate - Get hearing aids NOW.

Severe and Profound - Use the Closed Caption button on your TV so you don't disturb the neighbors or wake the dead from their peaceful slumber. You're deaf.

I wonder how long I've been saying "I don't hear well" when I could have simply been saying, "I'm deaf".

"The Kissing Booth"

A very funny short clip with "Switched At Birth" Sean Berdy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doDGqMZSQbA&feature=autoplay&list=ULCasJOEOTRrE&lf=mfu_in_order&playnext=3

The Flying Spaghetti Monster Interpreted by Jesse Schlueter

This one is for the kids,,, and the kid in you. :-) Creative and fun.
"The official music video for Alex the Seal's song, "The Flying Spaghetti Monster", which is on the 2011 release, Kids' Club.

Additional vocals in the song were provided by Stephen Dunsford.

The sign interpretation is performed by Jesse Schlueter, and the lyrics are included as closed captions."http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AL1fCUu5cz0

Sharing Faith Through Sign Language

I saw this link on Twitter tweeted by CaptionItWrite and I wanted to share how this organization is bringing people together with Sign Language. I also like how one couple learned to sign so they could communicate while they were scuba diving.

http://www.shelbycountyreporter.com/2011/09/18/sharing-faith-through-sign-language/

Door Bells and Music

Today, the maintenance crew was to come to our home and change the filter on our air units. I found the new filter sitting outside the front door. Evidently one of the new guys saw my sign on the door "Delivery person, please leave packages at the door. I am deaf and cannot hear the doorbell." He did just that. I had Fabulous Husband call the main office to let them know that I was home and it was OK for them to let themselves in. A short time later, I noticed a hand waving across the room, and it was the nice young maintenance man trying to get my attention to let me know he had changed the filter and was all done. The new fellow that came by earlier was confused by the note. It's frustrating not being able to know when someone is at the door.

Sometimes, I like to get into the car, take off my hearing aids and turn the music up to hear it like I used to. I have to turn the cd  up to "MAX" and can only make out the song by the rhythmic pattern and beat, and knowing the cd well enough which song should be playing. If there is one thing I miss dearly with hearing loss it is music in its natural, authentic state. Hearing aids often process music into the sound of an old am transistor radio, and sometimes with bad station reception.

It's not just the communication issues that we struggle to deal with when we experience progressive hearing loss and deafness, but the day to day situations. The things I used to be able to hear and took for granted, things I didn't appreciate until I started slipping into the silence.

The King of Anything (this is just a fun video!)

A Fun video by the madannasls
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfXYwMruLHw&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

Part 3 of Speak Up Librarian's LA trip

Here are the continuing adventures of Award Winning Advocate, "Speak Up Librarian" and her LA trip.
http://speakuplibrarian.blogspot.com/2011/09/my-la-story-part-3.html

A Simple Solve for SOME Emergencies

My husband is so fabulous. He came up with this wonderful solve in case of emergency for employees. Each Deaf or Hard of Hearing employee should be issued a pager with one vibrating sequence of code for each emergency to wear on their person, or badge. For instance, in case of a fire and leave the building a simple long buzz followed by a short vibrating buzz. Pause. Long and short. For a fire drill, a different code sequence. He also said, a gps in it would be great so others could know if the Deaf or Hard of Hearing person is still in the building and where they are.
Of course, there would be other specifics to be worked out, but isn't this a great idea for a start? I think so.

It's Like Playing Wheel of Fortune

I've struggled with learning to read lips as I continue to lose my hearing. However, lately, I'm finding I'm not reading lips as well either, and it's getting frustrating. Not just for me but for others. It's frustrating for people to have to keep repeating something I'm having difficulty hearing or trying to figure out. I have a vision impairment that interferes with my communication, rotary nystagmus, and if things move to fast, I miss details and nuances. 

My mother recently discovered one of my techniques. She is using it now herself as she is losing her hearing due to the aging process. She is 83. She sees the look of frustration on the faces of those she is trying to communicate with. She told me one day, "I just nod my head along with them in the conversation when they look like they want a response. They get frustrated with me when they have to keep repeating something. Most of the time they repeat the entire conversation, when it is just one word not making sense, yet that one word makes all the difference."

Another problem is sarcasm. As we lose our hearing, we lose the ability to distinguish the tone of sarcasm. Without hearing the tone, we think you are saying the opposite of what you really mean. I had friends who did this all the time. After while, you just give up trying to communicate or follow along because they are saying one thing one moment that is the total opposite of what they are saying the next minute. Very confusing.  

Back to the nodding of the head. My mother and I have found that sometimes keeping the peace and being polite is to simply appear to understand what we don't. To do otherwise causes a person to feel uncomfortable and not want to talk to us anymore, or be at a loss as to how to communicate with us.

I will often ask someone to repeat, but if I have to have them repeat the same phrase or word over and over, I give up in frustration. Then, I just politely nod my head and they will continue with the conversation where they left off.

Often people will ask me if I can hear them. Well, yes. If they're speaking loud enough, I hear something. But it's difficult to distinguish the sounds. It's difficult to have to explain this to everyone when they ask me that. It's not always a matter of hearing, it's a matter of interpreting what I see on the lips in conjunction with the few sounds I hear. Isn't that confusing? It's like playing Wheel of Fortune with every conversation I have. Ok, I've got a few letters, but look at all those blank squares. It's a constant fill in the blanks and trying to do that while following a conversation. It's difficult and exhausting.

At my son's school one day, I had asked one of the teachers her name. She answered, "Senior Pastor".  I kept asking her name each time I saw her. She continued to give me her title, not her name.  After while, I gave up and quit asking.

Half way through the school year, she sends a nice card to me. It is signed "Senora Kratzer".  Compare that to Senior Pastor and you can see how that can happen. This happens to me ...all....day.....long...

I constantly misinterpret sounds or words. I struggle through as best as I can. I've become very self-conscious  questioning what I'm hearing because I know that often what I think I am hearing or reading on the lips actually is not what is really being said. 

Did that make sense? Often what I think I am hearing or reading on the lips is actually NOT what is being said.

If you and I are talking sometime, and I answer a question oddly, chances are I didn't hear you correctly. Ask again, rephrase the question. That often makes the difference.

ASL Poetry demonstrated by deafgainasl

This is a short educational video uploaded by deafgainasl, a beautiful demonstration of how EVERYONE can enjoy ASL  poetry. Expressive, artistic, beautiful examples.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIkf89zC7qw

"The Sound of Sunshine" Signed By Jennie Batchelder

Love this interpretation! This one is dedicated to my Fabulous Husband.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuHbwPx4lWE&feature=player_embedded

An ITunes Update

Sam the Bright at Illustrator: Blog-alloon posts how ITunes has quietly been adding CC to some of the TV episodes. Check out his blog post:
http://illustrator.blog-alloon.com/archives/1493

Part 2 of Speak of Librarian's Award, complete with speech on video

This is Sarah's second post about her trip to the award ceremony. She posted a video, with captions, of her speech.
http://speakuplibrarian.blogspot.com/

Speak Up Librarian Wins Award and Blogs About the Ceremony

Here is part one of  Sarah's West Coast journey to the award ceremony
http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5004700316600353161&postID=1640371378982190743&page=1&token=1316008514620

ITunes NOW Has A Closed Captioned Option!

I was so pleased to see this post by Sam the Bright (Illustrator: Blog-alloon) about the new Closed Caption option offered by ITunes.
http://illustrator.blog-alloon.com/archives/1486

And We Have A Winner

I was so happy to see Liz's post pointing us to the "voting link" for one of my favorite Blog writers, Sarah at Speak Up Librarian Blogspot for an award of advocacy from Oticon . Here is the winning post from Liz and we all congratulate Sarah for advocating for  all of us who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
http://l1zblog.wordpress.com/2011/09/13/congratulations-speak-up-librarian/#comment-2845

"We Love Music Too" music video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbQJcJx_D58

Come experience music the way the Deaf and Hard of Hearing do, and share  music,  art, our hearts and and spirit with Queen Jade and her friends. She asks, "Music heals, did you know?" Come and see for yourself with this video and  share the good feelings music brings.