Something I'd like to share with you

AlleyCat said:
That makes sense and I get your point. I gathered from his original post that he's having a lot of difficulty understanding anyone outside his family without lipreading (correct me if I'm wrong) so that makes me think his speech discrimination could be low enough. I did not catch his age but if he's had his since he was 6, it would appear to be that old and not as high on speech discrimination scores.
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if that's the case, i think the OP should talk to his audi about upgrading his current ci.
 
deaf_mexecan said:
about getting a second CI, well its the surgery that i'm worried about, when i read about the risks it made me not want to get one, (when i got my first one i barely knew i was even getting an implant)
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i understand.
 
Hear Again said:
i would definitely talk to your audi about it. he/she can give you speech discrimination tests to determine how much your ability to communicate has suffered.
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i think i might just do that, i think my communication HAS suffered due to the fact i didnt know about this from my audi it might be that i didnt hear it or whatever
 
deaf_mexecan said:
i think i might just do that, i think my communication HAS suffered due to the fact i didnt know about this from my audi it might be that i didnt hear it or whatever
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after you talk to your audi, let us know what he/she says. good luck!
 
deaf_mexecan said:
i think i might just do that, i think my communication HAS suffered due to the fact i didnt know about this from my audi it might be that i didnt hear it or whatever
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you might want to consider getting a different audi. It is odd that your audi doesn't care to make sure that you actually heard it. You'll want to have a caring audi who makes sure you heard it and understand it.
 
Jiro said:
You don't have the deaf friends in the beginning because you don't know ASL and you've been focusing so much on trying to fit into hearing world. There are handful of deaf clubs/areas/meet-ups around here and I'm sure same for your location. You need to learn the language (ASL) first before you make friends. We're both in 2 worlds - hearing and deaf world so it's good idea to learn languages for both worlds. I'm attempting to do that so. the progress is very slow for me....

I have met deaf friends from AD but there's a language barrier because I don't know ASL so we used paper/pen.
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I disagree.

Pen and paper is cool to a certain extent. But if one wants to learn ASL. Lose the pen and paper because it is deprives you of learning.

If you are using it to learn a certain sign or as a teaching method. Then I feel it is great. You can learn a lot.

I have been there. I learn ASL in 1989.
 
Jiro said:
you might want to consider getting a different audi. It is odd that your audi doesn't care to make sure that you actually heard it. You'll want to have a caring audi who makes sure you heard it and understand it.
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i wonder if the OP is prelingually deaf? if he is, that could explain why his audi doesn't care enough to give him good maps. (i've heard of the same thing happening to other preligually deaf ci users.) that's no excuse, but might have alot to do with the fact that his audi isn't being attentive to his needs.
 
deaf_mexecan said:
Ever since I got my CI when I was 6 years old, a new world opened up for me, but at some point while exploring this new world I felt trapped between the hearing and the deaf world. In the deaf world i couldn't bring myself to learn as much ASL because I wanted to communicate vocal mostly. In the hearing world, I've tried my best to be a good listener at least but nowadays its been tough because i can't concentrate as well i did before, making it frustrating to communicate with hearing people.

Now I feel lost between both worlds because I can't communicate well with either of them. I've been trying to train myself to focus by reading their lips as I usually have done in the past, but i'm not sure it works anymore because of my attention span, my mind seems to wonder after only hearing the first couple of words that comes from the speakers mouth so i find it really hard to keep a conversation going.

Has anyone with a CI ever had problems like this? if so, what have you done to overcome it?
I dont have any deaf friends or hard of hearing. So thats why my main communication is with hearing people. I've been meaning to find a site where all deaf and HOH people unite and talk experiences and I think i found the one most popular.
I'm fighting to kill this depression that is keeping me trapped between both worlds. I'm not gonna let it take over me, so you can say i've been dealing with it for a while now, maybe since my teenage years. You can say that i've felt alone, like i was the only one in the world, i know thats not true, but when the fact that I havent met or talked to anyone thats been in my shoes for a long time, yeah it makes me think that I am.

I'm sorry to say so much, but this is how i feel and i hope that feeling goes away.
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Thanks for the post; for sharing your feelings, bc I can relate to them. I do not have a CI but I sure do feel trapped. I spend most of my time in the hearing world. I work from home and have isolated myself from hearing/work related issues because I grew tired of the constant tension.

I am just now learning ASL..and as of now do not have any deaf friends, but am seaching for some HOH friends; and am so glad I found this website.

I know you have the best support here that anyone in our position can find.

Blessings

Angelus
 
Jiro said:
you might want to consider getting a different audi. It is odd that your audi doesn't care to make sure that you actually heard it. You'll want to have a caring audi who makes sure you heard it and understand it.
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Yep and get second opinion!

Good luck and Have fun learning ASL too? :)
 
Mod's Note:

The thread is moved to it's proper location.
 
I'm not from there but I understand Atlanta and the outlying areas have a huge deaf community. Maybe try a little immersion......
 
deaf_mexecan said:
Ever since I got my CI when I was 6 years old, a new world opened up for me, but at some point while exploring this new world I felt trapped between the hearing and the deaf world. In the deaf world i couldn't bring myself to learn as much ASL because I wanted to communicate vocal mostly. In the hearing world, I've tried my best to be a good listener at least but nowadays its been tough because i can't concentrate as well i did before, making it frustrating to communicate with hearing people.

Now I feel lost between both worlds because I can't communicate well with either of them. I've been trying to train myself to focus by reading their lips as I usually have done in the past, but i'm not sure it works anymore because of my attention span, my mind seems to wonder after only hearing the first couple of words that comes from the speakers mouth so i find it really hard to keep a conversation going.

Has anyone with a CI ever had problems like this? if so, what have you done to overcome it?
I dont have any deaf friends or hard of hearing. So thats why my main communication is with hearing people. I've been meaning to find a site where all deaf and HOH people unite and talk experiences and I think i found the one most popular.
I'm fighting to kill this depression that is keeping me trapped between both worlds. I'm not gonna let it take over me, so you can say i've been dealing with it for a while now, maybe since my teenage years. You can say that i've felt alone, like i was the only one in the world, i know thats not true, but when the fact that I havent met or talked to anyone thats been in my shoes for a long time, yeah it makes me think that I am.

I'm sorry to say so much, but this is how i feel and i hope that feeling goes away.
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I'm sorry you are feeling this way. I have been depressed over my hearing and understand that. What is your number one concern - your CI, not having any deaf or HOH friends, or depression? You have to tackle the most important concern first. I suggest you discuss your mapping with your audie and maybe there is some mapping problems. I would check about that upgrade too. Sites like this help to meet others. There are so many people like you here, so make friends and realize you are not alone.
 
deaf_mexecan said:
another reason why i havent learned ASL is because I don't know anyone else that uses it, and i have no trouble speaking and listening to my family, its more of the people out there in the world, like anyone you would meet on the street.
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I know exactly how you feel. I don't know anyone that is deaf/hoh, it does not run in my family. I lost my hearing late and though it intrigues me, I keep thinking that if I learn ASL I will only be talking to myself. I think I found one person that knows ASL, but that is it. I live and work in a hearing world, the main reason for the CI.
 
deaf_mexecan said:
Ever since I got my CI when I was 6 years old, a new world opened up for me, but at some point while exploring this new world I felt trapped between the hearing and the deaf world. In the deaf world i couldn't bring myself to learn as much ASL because I wanted to communicate vocal mostly. In the hearing world, I've tried my best to be a good listener at least but nowadays its been tough because i can't concentrate as well i did before, making it frustrating to communicate with hearing people.

Now I feel lost between both worlds because I can't communicate well with either of them. I've been trying to train myself to focus by reading their lips as I usually have done in the past, but i'm not sure it works anymore because of my attention span, my mind seems to wonder after only hearing the first couple of words that comes from the speakers mouth so i find it really hard to keep a conversation going.

Has anyone with a CI ever had problems like this? if so, what have you done to overcome it?
I dont have any deaf friends or hard of hearing. So thats why my main communication is with hearing people. I've been meaning to find a site where all deaf and HOH people unite and talk experiences and I think i found the one most popular.
I'm fighting to kill this depression that is keeping me trapped between both worlds. I'm not gonna let it take over me, so you can say i've been dealing with it for a while now, maybe since my teenage years. You can say that i've felt alone, like i was the only one in the world, i know thats not true, but when the fact that I havent met or talked to anyone thats been in my shoes for a long time, yeah it makes me think that I am.

I'm sorry to say so much, but this is how i feel and i hope that feeling goes away.
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I can understand how you're feeling. I have to go back and forth between the hearing and the deaf world too. I have lived with hearing people my whole life. And my parents also decided that I should be commuicating with the deaf side too. I go to a hearing school, and then I'd go to AD to talk with deaf peers while i can. I also had speech therapy since I was about 4 years old And was learning how to sign at 4 years old. But I'll tell you something, In elementary school and in middle school; those were my worst years. I never had a friend to hang out with, and i never really talked to one hearing person to make me feel more comfortable to talk with.

I was usually the shy one. But I grown up. I started to be more comfortable and started to not be afraid to stand up for myself anymore, not afraid to take a stand for others if they're being in their worst days, and started to communicate with hearing people. But the easy thing is: if you don't understand anybody, all you have to do is ask them to repeat it nice and slow.

What's so hard about that? Tell them that you're learning to lip read. It would take years for a deaf person to master lip-reading. Trust me, Been there-done that. And as for the deaf world, you could tell them that you want to learn to sign. But it will be a process. But now since i'm in high school. there are so much more people than elementary school, and middle school. I'm in the marching band and winter drumline. And I have made so much more friends.
But sure I don't have a boyfriend yet but i'll keep hunting for one along the way :naughty:

All you have to do is stay positive. Be positive will help you be confident, standing up for yourself, and helping others. I know that other people are in this situation like you are. But as long you're confident, you can achive in ANY situation, even like this one. I hope this helps. I might be off topic (i doubt it haha.) But that is probably what i think you should work on. Being positive.

that's coming from a 15 year old girl whose been in the hearing and deaf world back and forth :D
 
coolgirlspyer90 said:
I can understand how you're feeling. I have to go back and forth between the hearing and the deaf world too. I have lived with hearing people my whole life. And my parents also decided that I should be commuicating with the deaf side too. I go to a hearing school, and then I'd go to AD to talk with deaf peers while i can. I also had speech therapy since I was about 4 years old And was learning how to sign at 4 years old. But I'll tell you something, In elementary school and in middle school; those were my worst years. I never had a friend to hang out with, and i never really talked to one hearing person to make me feel more comfortable to talk with.

I was usually the shy one. But I grown up. I started to be more comfortable and started to not be afraid to stand up for myself anymore, not afraid to take a stand for others if they're being in their worst days, and started to communicate with hearing people. But the easy thing is: if you don't understand anybody, all you have to do is ask them to repeat it nice and slow.

What's so hard about that? Tell them that you're learning to lip read. It would take years for a deaf person to master lip-reading. Trust me, Been there-done that. And as for the deaf world, you could tell them that you want to learn to sign. But it will be a process. But now since i'm in high school. there are so much more people than elementary school, and middle school. I'm in the marching band and winter drumline. And I have made so much more friends.
But sure I don't have a boyfriend yet but i'll keep hunting for one along the way :naughty:

All you have to do is stay positive. Be positive will help you be confident, standing up for yourself, and helping others. I know that other people are in this situation like you are. But as long you're confident, you can achive in ANY situation, even like this one. I hope this helps. I might be off topic (i doubt it haha.) But that is probably what i think you should work on. Being positive.

that's coming from a 15 year old girl whose been in the hearing and deaf world back and forth :D
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:gpost:
That's a lot of wise advice from a 15 year old. Even this 50+ reader can learn a lot from you.:ty:
 
etalton said:
:gpost:
That's a lot of wise advice from a 15 year old. Even this 50+ reader can learn a lot from you.:ty:
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haha, its no problem. But I think thats what everybody should work on: Being postive to stay positive. Alot of us feel depressed most of the time if its something that we feel like we can't get the job done. With the money problem with the government, everybody became depressed by losing alot of jobs, etc. But Thats what i think all of us should work on the most.

A doctor note from me:

Do something that makes you happy: Listen to your ipod, take a long shower, go see a really funny movie, read a good book, play with your pets, play on the Wii trying to beat others :D

When you're sad: Eat a tons of choclate..Trust me, it helps when i get down. Jump up and down on your bed (might work!!) watch a really stupid show on television, Write a story to keep your mind busy. Being creative and staying focused on something will make your mind forget on other negative things that you have had in the past. Play a game on the computer, Go hang out with friends. Trust me, if you have confidence; you will make tons of friends. Try being funny, try smiling alot that way that shows that you're a sweet person to be around with, be more outgoing.

Yes we know sometimes going out into the real world means a dangerous world. But it doesn't mean that we have to stay in our little world and not go anywhere and not improve on anything.

But I have a suggestion. Go on MTV channel and watch MADE. Alot of teenagers and people who are in their 20s go on made to change and make something out of themselves. See how they get their confidence, see how they get out of their shell, and so much more. maybe it might help you.
 
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