Do I need hearing aids?

I've seen "Disabilities Resource Center" and "Student Resource Center" - it's often the same place new students take math tests for placement and go for writing assistance and proofing. It should be somewhat obvious and close enough to the admissions center on your campus. My three colleges included information in the welcome packet to help you find the right information.

When I went through school I found that bringing carbon copy paper for note taking is REALLY helpful because you'll get the notes faster... I would want the notes right after class for an exam the following class and they didn't get there in time when they needed to be photocopied. I also ultimately included in my requests from the center that they include a list from the professor of words and terms they'll cover, both for me and my interpreter so that I recognized it, prepared saying it if it was hard or unrecognizable, and so that my interpreters could fingerspell it or prepare a sign name for the class.

As for how life is with hearing aids - I'm newer to them. I don't get large amounts of help with them for conversation but I feel bolder with mine on (I wear one in my left ear as I wait for a cochlear implant this upcoming fall)... I know when something is going on around me. It aches a little now and then, but I'm happy I have it. Mine is pretty small and is water resistant. That was important to me. I also found it superficial but also important that it didn't look like an old persons... mines black with a glitter ear mold. I think if you want to feel the best about wearing a hearing aid you should try to contact your audi or DRS or whomever to tell them what qualities are important to you so it fits your lifestyle and personality. You shouldn't feel scared or ashamed by it.
 
ChristineNeely said:
I've seen "Disabilities Resource Center" and "Student Resource Center" - it's often the same place new students take math tests for placement and go for writing assistance and proofing. It should be somewhat obvious and close enough to the admissions center on your campus. My three colleges included information in the welcome packet to help you find the right information.

When I went through school I found that bringing carbon copy paper for note taking is REALLY helpful because you'll get the notes faster... I would want the notes right after class for an exam the following class and they didn't get there in time when they needed to be photocopied. I also ultimately included in my requests from the center that they include a list from the professor of words and terms they'll cover, both for me and my interpreter so that I recognized it, prepared saying it if it was hard or unrecognizable, and so that my interpreters could fingerspell it or prepare a sign name for the class.

As for how life is with hearing aids - I'm newer to them. I don't get large amounts of help with them for conversation but I feel bolder with mine on (I wear one in my left ear as I wait for a cochlear implant this upcoming fall)... I know when something is going on around me. It aches a little now and then, but I'm happy I have it. Mine is pretty small and is water resistant. That was important to me. I also found it superficial but also important that it didn't look like an old persons... mines black with a glitter ear mold. I think if you want to feel the best about wearing a hearing aid you should try to contact your audi or DRS or whomever to tell them what qualities are important to you so it fits your lifestyle and personality. You shouldn't feel scared or ashamed by it.
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It's just amazing how much hearing I have lost since 2011 when I was last tested. In 2011 I just had mild hearing loss, but not it being moderate almost into severe, it's not only a bit frightening, but very confusing. I feel like I'm operating way out of my element. The audi wasn't pleased to know that the way I have been dealing with this was severely damaging. I turned things way, way up to try to enjoy things as I have always been accustomed.

I'd like some smaller hearing aids, but from what the audi told me, Rehabilitation Services only pay for the 'old people' hearing aids you described. I have considered just going sound off and using my limited ASL (I took ASL 1 when I really started to notice my hearing getting worse and I got an A. For the other students there, it was just a grade, for me it was assurance for future loss. Better to learn some ASL while you can hear a bit than when you can't I guess.)

I'm waiting to get a reply back from the audi about documents to give my school. I'm a community college student in a general studies major geared for guaranteed transfer. I did manage to track down the disability person, I went to the college's site and found the employee directory and contacted admissions looking for the point of contact.

They want the documents and they want to know what services I require. I sounded like an idiot in my reply because I have no idea what services I need since I don't really know what the school has. I had to admit the SDV 101 class I took a week or so ago, that I couldn't hear them and basically surfed the web the whole time.

I'm retaking a class I tried to get dual credit in high school but failed this semester, but it has a lab and it, like my other classes are fairly large, meaning plenty of excess background noise, meaning I won't be able to hear through it at all. I have plenty of concerns due to so many uncertainties and new changes, so please be patient with me.
 
Saavik said:
I'd like some smaller hearing aids, but from what the audi told me, Rehabilitation Services only pay for the 'old people' hearing aids you described.
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Not true...what qualifies you for services is how little you earn. It wouldn't hurt to contact them to see if they could offer assistance. They paid for my last analog hearing aids but I was earning way below the poverty level at the time.

BTW, do not blast music. I understand the frustration of not hearing it but that's doing more damage to what hearing you have left.
 
Lau2046 said:
Not true...what qualifies you for services is how little you earn. It wouldn't hurt to contact them to see if they could offer assistance. They paid for my last analog hearing aids but I was earning way below the poverty level at the time.

BTW, do not blast music. I understand the frustration of not hearing it but that's doing more damage to what hearing you have left.
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Yeah, I don't even make $10k in a year and as long as I can remember, I have always lived well below the poverty line. I made bad and rather desperate choices that also were a major cause of my hearing loss due to trying to get out of the poverty zone, I just stopped fighting it and gave up, poverty is like a Chinese finger trap.

Rehabilitaion services paid for my trip to the audi, but I'm still waiting to get any word from them on my need of hearing aids. That and I want this ringing to go away already.

The volume levels I have been playing at were the car's radio from 75-100% volume or the ipod with volume limiter off at 100%. Left my hearing feeling worse, but I can't live without music. I played guitar and last semester the professor in that class kept telling me to turn the amp down, but when I did, I couldn't hear it over the other students, so I gave up and just picked at a string for an hour until class was over. Last semester made me realize that I needed to follow up on my 2011 hearing test when they informed me of mild hearing loss.
 
I'd like some smaller hearing aids, but from what the audi told me, Rehabilitation Services only pay for the 'old people' hearing aids you described. I have considered just going sound off and using my limited ASL (I took ASL 1 when I really started to notice my hearing getting worse and I got an A. For the other students there, it was just a grade, for me it was assurance for future loss. Better to learn some ASL while you can hear a bit than when you can't I guess.)

I totally agree - I started taking ASL 1 with some hearing loss but not yet in dire need and I'm VERY glad I did. Another benefit in my mind is that many of my friends from my new college when I moved as well as from my old college during the thick of my adaptation into worse hearing were FROM this class.... the deafness was a non-issue because of where we met. When I transferred to my new school having the highest level of ASL classes was a must not only because I wanted more upper level classes but also because I knew there would be more students there who knew ASL instead of that awkward "wanna be my friend? your sign language looks cool! We have nothing in common but I want to know that language!" haha I wanted to fit in and have more in common with my peers.

They want the documents and they want to know what services I require. I sounded like an idiot in my reply because I have no idea what services I need since I don't really know what the school has. I had to admit the SDV 101 class I took a week or so ago, that I couldn't hear them and basically surfed the web the whole time.

Surfing the web the whole time - isn't that what most people do through college? haha jk. I always felt like everyone in undergrad was on facebook or playing the school newspaper's soduku....

I'm retaking a class I tried to get dual credit in high school but failed this semester, but it has a lab and it, like my other classes are fairly large, meaning plenty of excess background noise, meaning I won't be able to hear through it at all. I have plenty of concerns due to so many uncertainties and new changes, so please be patient with me.

I went through a whole lot of ear pain and ear pressure so I didn't want anything in my ears through the beginning of my hearing loss.... but I do now currently use a hearing aid. I know theres technology out there that helps you deal (sort of) with sound in noise. My HA has a setting to narrow down the speech to whats in front of me. There are also microphones that help with hearing one voice clearer in a busy room instead of just the general program for "whatever's in front of you" - sorry I don't know the name of the technology, I don't own it because I don't need it for my job/lifestyle. My CI is coming with a lapel microphone for that sort of situation.... should be easy to look up or ask your audi. Ah or I have an idea!!! If everyones surfing the web the whole time can you get a buddy to type up their notes on a screen next to you? I have followed lectures without interpreters this way.... they're going to take notes anyway.... people are usually faster/clearer typers than writers.... might help you follow closer to real time as right now you're not comfortable with ASL yet. PS - the right terp can be awesome. I used them a few classes into my ASL for the "easy to interpret classes" - self defense & mathematics... then I eased into the more complex and vocab-thick courses as I got better and faster in ASL. I had 2 terps who worked with me most frequently because during downtime in the course work they also enjoyed teaching me slang and related vocab.
 
Today I have lost any remaining hope I had left. DRS contacted me back and said I'm on a wait list that is about a year or so. While I wait for my hearing aids, I'm only further damaging my hearing. I guess if it doesn't matter to them or anyone else on this rock, why not just keep the volume way way up and finish off the last of my hearing? School starts this Monday and I somehow doubt the school is going to offer much in the way of accomodation.
 
I honestly think you have bigger issues than just moderate hearing loss. Trying to hurt your hearing, trying to get a caption phone, insisting on going sound/voice off, all you talk about it how horrible life is since you have moderate hearing loss, insisting on destroying your future because of lack of accommodation.

Any hearing loss sucks but in the grand scheme of things... moderate loss is doable. Seems you've romanticized the idea of the "tragic disabled deaf person who needs lots of pity, attention, and highly visible special treatment".

Get put on your wait list for hearing aids and live your life. I do think you should get some help for your depression though.
 
Saavik said:
Today I have lost any remaining hope I had left. DRS contacted me back and said I'm on a wait list that is about a year or so. While I wait for my hearing aids, I'm only further damaging my hearing. I guess if it doesn't matter to them or anyone else on this rock, why not just keep the volume way way up and finish off the last of my hearing? School starts this Monday and I somehow doubt the school is going to offer much in the way of accomodation.
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I agree that you need more help than for your moderate hearing loss, but I will provide you a link to a program that will help you out to get hearing aids if you really need them and are low income.

Starkey Hearing Foundation | So the World May Hear
 
eirlys said:
I honestly think you have bigger issues than just moderate hearing loss. Trying to hurt your hearing, trying to get a caption phone, insisting on going sound/voice off, all you talk about it how horrible life is since you have moderate hearing loss, insisting on destroying your future because of lack of accommodation.

Any hearing loss sucks but in the grand scheme of things... moderate loss is doable. Seems you've romanticized the idea of the "tragic disabled deaf person who needs lots of pity, attention, and highly visible special treatment".

Get put on your wait list for hearing aids and live your life. I do think you should get some help for your depression though.
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You have no idea where my hearing is at, doctor. I'm just saying it seems I have no alternative if I want to hear things clearly, but to continue keeping the volume up. If I need your second rate psychiatry, I'll ask for it. I do lots of things where I need to clearly hear things and I can't, so I turn it up to compensate. Is it good? No, but what else can I do?
 
Saavik said:
You have no idea where my hearing is at, doctor. I'm just saying it seems I have no alternative if I want to hear things clearly, but to continue keeping the volume up. If I need your second rate psychiatry, I'll ask for it. I do lots of things where I need to clearly hear things and I can't, so I turn it up to compensate. Is it good? No, but what else can I do?
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I have given you one alternative, and there are more if they turn you down.

And your suicidal ideation in other threads is unhealthy for the rest of us on the board.

I believe we actually have rules against it.
 
Bottesini said:
I have given you one alternative, and there are more if they turn you down.

And your suicidal ideation in other threads is unhealthy for the rest of us on the board.

I believe we actually have rules against it.
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What are you on about?

I'll check out that link, but seriously, what suicidal ideation?
 
Saavik said:
You have no idea where my hearing is at, doctor. I'm just saying it seems I have no alternative if I want to hear things clearly, but to continue keeping the volume up. If I need your second rate psychiatry, I'll ask for it. I do lots of things where I need to clearly hear things and I can't, so I turn it up to compensate. Is it good? No, but what else can I do?
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Posting private information on a public forum, you opened the door. Moderate loss isn't going to destroy your life while waiting a year for hearing aids. When I was little, I needed two for my moderate to severe loss which was bilateral. My parents could only afford one, and believe it or not, I survived a year before the state finally pitched in and paid for the second. There's a number of people on this and the hearing aid forum that would give anything just to have moderate loss. If you're determined to destroy your hearing because you're having a hissy fit, you need psychologist more than the audi. Honestly, I don't know why crazy people seek out this forum to have public melt downs....
 
Lau2046 said:
Posting private information on a public forum, you opened the door. Moderate loss isn't going to destroy your life while waiting a year for hearing aids. When I was little, I needed two for my moderate to severe loss which was bilateral. My parents could only afford one, and believe it or not, I survived a year before the state finally pitched in and paid for the second. There's a number of people on this and the hearing aid forum that would give anything just to have moderate loss. If you're determined to destroy your hearing because you're having a hissy fit, you need psychologist more than the audi. Honestly, I don't know why crazy people seek out this forum to have public melt downs....
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Moderate range is a large area to guess exactly where it's at when you don't have enough details to know. Key there is "when I was little", I'm an adult and grew up hearing, I love music and playing guitar. It's like a guy telling another guy to relax because a circumcision wasn't bad, when the person telling the other to relax had it done before they were really aware of anything.

If you were a runner and ran every day of your life and suddenly your legs didn't work so well and getting around without looking foolish was incredibly hard, if not impossible and you could no longer enjoy running or anything like that because you had issues in both knees, but there were options you couldn't afford.

Fear not, an agency said they could pay for it, so you might be mobile and enjoy some of the things you once did, and were under the impression it would take maybe a few months and got told it would be a year or more, I bet you'd be irriated, hopeless.

Not everyone is going to be happy 100% of their lives, that's a fact.

I'm not determined to intentionally do anything, but when I want to hear things, it is damaging, but there isn't a lot I can do but give up on things I enjoy like music and just playing my guitar, et cetera. I don't need pity, just understanding FFS.
 
Bottesini said:
I have given you one alternative, and there are more if they turn you down.

And your suicidal ideation in other threads is unhealthy for the rest of us on the board.

I believe we actually have rules against it.
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Be Nice to her. You're bullying my friend.
 
Evo Dragon said:
Be Nice to her. You're bullying my friend.
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No I am not!

I told her where to get help, and I told her not to wish she did not exist as it is bad for all of us.

So you stay out of this. And that is more than you have done.

You aren't helpful at all, just creepy and misguided. And stupid!

You have made me angry now.
 
Bottesini said:
No I am not!

I told her where to get help, and I told her not to wish she did not exist as it is bad for all of us.

So you stay out of this. And that is more than you have done.

You aren't helpful at all, just creepy and misguided. And stupid!

You have made me angry now.
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What angry? You can't ignore each other? or You had failed your own anger mangerment?
 
Evo Dragon said:
She's upset of your bully. I suggest her put ignore on you and save her stress.
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Really? I don't know why since I was the only one who tried to give her concrete help, but from now on, I won't respond to anything related to her..
 
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