Hi from Australia

I'm so confused though - simply because he doesn't look, sound or act deaf in any way.
This hearing loss he has is significant.
Drs are saying that the testing is not conclusive, one way or another.

So what happens after you go to an ENT?
 
Welcome to AllDeaf. Please do feel free reading around AllDeaf. :)
 
Mixxx said:
Ah good point about the lights - I might bring that up with him as a suggestion.
He responds well to my voice, and finds it soothing - I maintain a moderate tone when I talk. He has issues with my husband's voice, but that's because its naturally very loud (ie booming). Hubby has started to moderate it somewhat though, and is making a bit of an effort.

A lot of you have suggested Auslan, but he can speak - he's quite articulate and loves a chat. Will conversation not be possible? Oh wow you can see how confused I am.

Thanks for the info miss-delectable. I went to that Aussiekids site before I came here but there didn't appear to be any recent activity there, which is why I came here. We've only just started at a new school - and they are awesome. I'm hopeful for him that we won't have to move him yet again...
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We suggested because it is easier. If he has Asperger's, it will make it easier on him as he have enough load to carry as it is without adding lipreading to that load. It doesn't mean you two have to stop talking and start signing. It just means he can sign with you when he having a bad day. Learning Auslan may take awhile but it'll get easier.

Plus, I've heard about Autism and Sign Language and how they can communicate better that way.
 
Mixxx said:
I'm so confused though - simply because he doesn't look, sound or act deaf in any way.
This hearing loss he has is significant.
Drs are saying that the testing is not conclusive, one way or another.

So what happens after you go to an ENT?
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I was born with a much much more profound hearing loss than your son has and yet people tell me that I dont sound nor act deaf hence the assumption that I could understand more than I really do. It made life a struggle for me.

I am curious...what do you mean your son doesnt look deaf? How do deaf people look to you?
 
Hello and welcome learning to sign will help both you and your son I am learning to sign myself and it is a wonderful experience and is helping me to communicate better with a good friend of mine and this is also a asset for you son as learning to sign will make it eaasier for him because he won't have to lypread what people are saying to him making things better for both sides.Anyways hope you enjoy reading and posting here on all deaf.
 
This is definitely food for thought.

I broached the topic with him and he quite liked it. Although I have concerns around whether he would really apply himself to learning it... I guess there is only one way to find out...

shel90 said:
I was born with a much much more profound hearing loss than your son has and yet people tell me that I dont sound nor act deaf hence the assumption that I could understand more than I really do. It made life a struggle for me.

I am curious...what do you mean your son doesnt look deaf? How do deaf people look to you?
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I didn't mean to sound offensive. He just doesn't present as a deaf person - he presents normally, this is how we and medical practitioners have missed this for 10 years. There's no language issues now (there were for many years), there is no obvious disability when you speak to him. The only inkling is he doesn't listen, but he appears naughty - that's all.

So no offense intended.

I imagine he will cop a bit of flak from people thinking he's 'bunging it on' (Aussie slang).
 
Mixxx said:
This is definitely food for thought.

I broached the topic with him and he quite liked it. Although I have concerns around whether he would really apply himself to learning it... I guess there is only one way to find out...

I imagine he will cop a bit of flak from people thinking he's 'bunging it on' (Aussie slang).
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Well, your son might apply himself to learning Auslan if he gets to socialise with deaf kids his age. That might be an incentive.

Unfortunately, some members here has copped some flak from people who don't believe they're deaf just because their speech is quite good. All we can do is to prove them otherwise in different ways. If that does not work then we ignore them.

Let us know if you have questions or concerns.
 
Yes... I'm all for making life easier for him.

We have new employment laws here in Australia. My boss came to me this morning and said 'whatever we can do for you to make life easier'. I'm a high performer at work and have really put in the hard yards working full time. Of course there are days where that has absolutely killed me (and my son and my daughter and husband too). We leave at 7:30am and don't get home much before 6pm most nights, which is a lot, but that has been our reality for years. I now realise just WHY he is so tired, having to work so hard to listen and follow instructions and before we realised about his loss, I had already been really worried about him staying in after school care 5 x days per week, every week.

So, I've opted for one day's work from home per week (yay!), and will arrive at 7:30am each morning, and leave at 3, so that I can go and pick him up after school. He was thrilled about this arrangement, and I'm hopeful it is sustainable in the long term. Unfortunately working part-time isn't possible.

The school have been fantastic, and can't do enough for us. They are thrilled we've been able to catch it so soon in the school year.
 
Growing up with hearing loss...

Sounds to me like this is all great news, especially if it turns out to finally the be the answer to what you think may be holding him back from his full potential. There are lots of things that will typically hint that someone is having difficulty hearing/ comprehending what is going on around them, i.e. Inability to repeat what was said, TV or music too loud (though the latter would be typical for any teenager), not responding when you are trying to get their attention, etc. School would be extremely difficult if he can't follow what the teacher is saying, and having the other kids pick on him would only compound matters.

Once the audiologist has confirmed what his range of hearing loss is, start looking at hearing aids and the possibilities presented by loop systems. I used one that was sewn into a cushion I sat on as a kid while the teacher used a lapel microphone. Switching my hearing aids to the "T" (telecoil) mode meant I could have been sitting in the middle of a Metallica concert and still heard nothing but what the teacher was saying. I still use that setting for phone conversations and actually find it a huge advantage over others who can't filter out the sounds of their environment.

Having said all that, I can't stress enough how much of a confidence booster classes in the martial arts can be. Believe me, kids are taught to never use their skills except as a last resort and as a defense, but just the knowledge that they can do so is HUGE. Of course, it is vitally important that none of his peers know this (except those who also participate in the classes, obviously) as this is like waving a red flag to a bull for brainless boys feeling challenged. Belief in oneself, and the courage to persevere and even excel in the world we find ourselves is what ultimately leads to happiness - for those we love as well. Best of luck!
 
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