new member

[Guest guest]

Welcome, Kirsten!

My four year old son has a severe/severe to profound loss. He was diagnosed

at two years of age. I remember how hard it was in the beginning, not

knowing anything at all about deafness. There are a lot of wonderful books,

and I'm sure Kay or someone will give you a reading list! I just wanted to

say that my son's first pair of hearing aids were the standard Phonak Pico

Fortes that they seem to give to all kids. After six months, we switched to

Widex Senso C18 digital aids, and do not have any regrets. They have been

wonderful for him. The circuitry enhances voices so that you can hear

voices over the background noises. I think that he is doing as well as he

is with his speech and listening because he has these aids. With his

Phonaks, in an even moderately noisy environment, you could hear nothing

except loud noise. The digitals are expensive, but we think that in our

son's case, they definitely are worth the cost. Some audiologists do not

like to fit young children with them, but it is being done with success.

There was an article in a journal last fall about using real ear

measurements to fit digital aids on kids. If you need that type of

information, let me know and I can dig it up.

Anyway, we live on the Big Island of Hawaii. My son is in a hearing

impaired class in a public school, using Total Communication (speech and

signing.)

Good luck!

Dixie

p.s. You might be interested in enrolling in the Clinic's free

correspondence course. Some of it is aimed at kids with more

severe/profound losses, but it gives you a lot of information about hearing

aids as well as lots of ideas about stimulating language. The games and

activities would also work fine with a child Ezekiel's age with a moderate

loss. Kind of kick-start his learning. I know they have a web site but

don't know the url.

>From: Kirsten.Elin@... (Kirsten Elin)

>

>Hello to everyone - my name is Kirsten and my son was diagnosed about a month

>ago as being hard of hearing. Needless to say it was quite a shock, quite

>depressing, etc. but I guess I've gotten over that and now am just trying to

>figure out what it all means. He was fitted last week with hearing aids but

>got an ear infection and so now is wearing only one side. I have not yet met

>with the social service people in the area, and have not been given any reading

>material except what I've been able to find on the web with my limited browsing

>experience.

>

>Ezekiel's hearing loss is moderate - I guess he hears at about 50 dec. though

>in the ABR he responded at 60. Not sure which is the more accurate measure.

>He is almost 15 months old.

>

>My main concern/question is in trying to figure out just what this all will

>mean to me. I realize that many of you have children with more severe hearing

>loss, but would welcome any wisdom that may pertain to my situation. Also any

>insight into digital versus analog aids, and which is better for children would

>be interesting.

>

>I would like to get started in trying to figure out what I can do to help him

>catch up with language skills, etc. Any reading materials, etc. that can be

>recommended, or any courses that have been found helpful would be especially

>valuable to me. Are there different therapies, opposing views on how to teach,

>or just minor variations on the same theme?

>

>One more thing, I caught a bit of a discussion the other day regarding road

>warning signs - where does one purchase these, or do you have to go through the

>town to get them put up? I am especially worried because I have a circular

>driveway which people use frequently to turn around in, though luckily it's

not

>a very busy street.

>

>Thanks and looking forward to hearing from anyone and learning from everyone.

>

>

>Kirsten

>

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>

[Guest guest]

>Hello to everyone - my name is Kirsten and my son was diagnosed about a

month

>ago as being hard of hearing. Needless to say it was quite a shock, quite

>depressing, etc. but I guess I've gotten over that and now am just trying

to

>figure out what it all means.

Welcome to our little corner of the world. So glad you found us. If I can be

of any help, please don't hesitate to let me know.

>He was fitted last week with hearing aids but

>got an ear infection and so now is wearing only one side.

Yuck! 11 years ago when my son was first aided, I think it was only about a

week before he got his first ear infection too. I know that doesn't make it

any easier for you, but please know that I understand the frustration you

must be feeling.

>I have not yet met

>with the social service people in the area, and have not been given any

reading

>material except what I've been able to find on the web with my limited

browsing

>experience.

Lets get you started on the right foot. Visit the Listen Up Web

http://members.tripod.com/listenup/

Don't get overwhelmed. Most of the info you want will be in the " Basics "

section.

http://members.tripod.com/listenup/basics.htm

>My main concern/question is in trying to figure out just what this all will

>mean to me. I realize that many of you have children with more severe

hearing

>loss, but would welcome any wisdom that may pertain to my situation.

There is so much I could tell you, I think it would be enough to fill an

entire bookshelf. ;-)

My son was also diagnosed in the moderate range. Right now it sounds like

you're so full of questions, and yet don't know enough about the subject to

be able to narrow it down enough for specific questions. My web site will

help you out with a number of questions you might have. If anything there

confuses you, or if you have questions that aren't answered, or you can't

find something, or...or....or, please feel free to let us know. We have lots

of wonderful folk here whose reason for being here is to help out those

going through these early stages.

>I would like to get started in trying to figure out what I can do to help

him

>catch up with language skills, etc. Any reading materials, etc. that can

be

>recommended, or any courses that have been found helpful would be

especially

>valuable to me. Are there different therapies, opposing views on how to

teach,

>or just minor variations on the same theme?

Oh yes, but it's on the web site. There is an excellent course you can get,

and the best part of it is it's free. It's the Correspondence

Course:

http://www.johntracyclinic.org/

>One more thing, I caught a bit of a discussion the other day regarding road

>warning signs - where does one purchase these, or do you have to go through

the

>town to get them put up? I am especially worried because I have a circular

>driveway which people use frequently to turn around in, though luckily it's

not

>a very busy street.

You have to go through the city to get them. In some cities it's a piece of

cake. In some cities though it's like pulling teeth. In our city, we can't

get one. They say it provides a false sense of security. My hubby said he

was going to take up that battle, but he's been too busy really to do much

about it. He even offered to pay for it himself, and he was turned down.

What I think he's decided to do is to get a picture of the sign they use

here in front of the schools for the deaf and have a sign made, then attach

it to the speed limit sign himself (which we did manage to get the city to

put up).

Once again, Welcome!!!

Kay

listenup@...

Listen Up Web

http://members.tripod.com/listenup/

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the list . It is a wonderful place to meet other families.

My name is Elaine and I have a 5 year old deaf child, Jake, that was

implanted in 2/99 with the Clarion. Just like Kay's son, Jake has surprised

everyone with his progress! In three months he finished his IEP!!!!! I also

have a 6 year old hearing child, .

Welcome again,

Elaine

[Guest guest]

Hi , Welcome....... I have a 5 year old daughter who was recently

implanted last Feb. 99. For Nellie, it was the best decision. Her

speech is improving, its a wonderful feeling when other people can

understand her and not just her mother........ We have a ways to go but

everybody we work with says, it was a good decision.

We have the Nucleus 24, body worn speech processor and behind the ear.

Nellie wears the bte a lot, since there is no cords to mess with and the

fanny pack to wear. She is a very active little girl and its been

wonderful...

Good Luck to your family,,, Tahna

& Curtis Gilmore wrote:

> Hello, My name is Gilmore and I am a mother of three children.

> Twin boys that are four years old and a baby girl who is 16 months

> old. My husband is deaf and has a cochlear implant. My twins also have

> implants they were hooked up at age two and are doing wonderful now.

> My daughter will be getting her implant in september. I would love to

> hear from anyone else who has gone through the implant process. As

> well as other parents of deaf children.I am greatful I found this

> list!

[Guest guest]

, welcome, I think you will find many soulmates on this list, plus a

wealth of information and understanding. I have a 10-month old HOH son,

Ben, and a mildly impaired 4-year old daughter, Isabella; Ben was aided at

3 months. I have learned a ton from the other people on this list, and

look forward to conversing with you as well!

Stefanie

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone,

I just joined and thought I'd introduce myself. My

name is Marlena, I'm 37, married, mother of one, stay

at home mom, live in Texas. I've had a weight problem

all my life and just recently decided to do something

about it. Looking forward to tips and ideas from all

of you!

Marlena

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi Marlena,

When you get to craving something (and you know your not REALY

hungry)...just come here and start reading back posts. I do that

myslef sometimes :-)

Ang

> Hello everyone,

>

> I just joined and thought I'd introduce myself. My

> name is Marlena, I'm 37, married, mother of one, stay

> at home mom, live in Texas. I've had a weight problem

> all my life and just recently decided to do something

> about it. Looking forward to tips and ideas from all

> of you!

>

> Marlena

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

hey Marlena, nice to meet you. my name is cynthia, i

am new to the group too. i am from tenneessee, single

20 yrs old, waitress. i am glad that you decided to do

something about your weight and there is a product

that my grandmother found that works really well. she

lost 10 pds and my grandfather lost lost 14 pds, i'm

not suer i think more now, anyways, if you think you

would be interested just post again and i'll get the

info 4 u .

God bless, cynthia

--- Marlena Baker wrote:

> Hello everyone,

>

> I just joined and thought I'd introduce myself. My

> name is Marlena, I'm 37, married, mother of one,

> stay

> at home mom, live in Texas. I've had a weight

> problem

> all my life and just recently decided to do

> something

> about it. Looking forward to tips and ideas from all

> of you!

>

> Marlena

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

You sound just like me a month ago. I was feeling just awful about

myself. I decided to start making small changes and this time I've

stuck to it. I just walked around the block every other night and

started to give up foods that had a lot of carbs in them. I gave up

diet sodas one week, then salt the next, and so on. I feel so much

better now. I wake up every day thinking I can do it again! I can

move a little more and eat something healthy! I don't look at the

numbers as much now. I am happy with every little goal I reach each

day. Start out with one small thing and you can do the rest in no

time at all. Keep on posting. Even if you've had a tough day. Speak

out and you'll feel better.....glad you are here....Ramona

> Hello all,

> Actually I'm not very new. I joined this group months ago but

never

> introduced myself, nor did I ever post anything.

> I have read some of the messages and it seemed to me that everyone

> here is trying to get in shape... which is what I need desperately,

> at this point. I have to loose about 150 lbs but will settle for

> losing 100. I have no motivation whatsoever... no will power... no

> plan.. nothing. Thats why I haven't posted anything. It seems

like

> everyday lately I have been gaining weight. I feel awful (heavy),

I

> look disgusting. I'm married to a man who is much thinner than me.

> He says he doesn't mind and in public he always holds my hand, will

> rub my back as we walk, will kiss me etc... But I know he would

want

> me to loose weight,, he would be much happier with a thin woman.

> I guess I have just been feeling sorry for myself the last little

> while and hating myself more and more.

> I have been obese all my life. I was born at 9lbs and have grown

> ever since. I'm 43 now. I have been married for 3 years. (first

> marriage).

> Thats the short of my life. Is there anyone out there that is not

> trying to get fit yet but wants to?.. I hate to use the " D " word..

> but is there anyone out there that isn't doing the " d " word , or

> maybe it took you a long time, a very long time, to decide to do

> something?

[Guest guest]

Good luck and welcome... just remember... climbing a mountain starts

with a small step... every step you make adds up... stop looking at

the big picture and start with a small goal... like today I'm going

to walk for 5 minutes and loose 5lbs in the next month.... That you

can do!

Joanne

> Hello all,

> Actually I'm not very new. I joined this group months ago but

never

> introduced myself, nor did I ever post anything.

> I have read some of the messages and it seemed to me that everyone

> here is trying to get in shape... which is what I need desperately,

> at this point. I have to loose about 150 lbs but will settle for

> losing 100. I have no motivation whatsoever... no will power... no

> plan.. nothing. Thats why I haven't posted anything. It seems

like

> everyday lately I have been gaining weight. I feel awful (heavy),

I

> look disgusting. I'm married to a man who is much thinner than me.

> He says he doesn't mind and in public he always holds my hand, will

> rub my back as we walk, will kiss me etc... But I know he would

want

> me to loose weight,, he would be much happier with a thin woman.

> I guess I have just been feeling sorry for myself the last little

> while and hating myself more and more.

> I have been obese all my life. I was born at 9lbs and have grown

> ever since. I'm 43 now. I have been married for 3 years. (first

> marriage).

> Thats the short of my life. Is there anyone out there that is not

> trying to get fit yet but wants to?.. I hate to use the " D " word..

> but is there anyone out there that isn't doing the " d " word , or

> maybe it took you a long time, a very long time, to decide to do

> something?