To have the Cochlear Implant at profoundly born only

Cos i have often heard that hearing house doesn't like signing language and they rather if I know nothing sign language but it is loads of rubbish cos i know i can learn anything execpt if I can remember sign language back of my brain. I know I will keep fighting until I get one!

Means i can have more time focus on speech but tell you, there will be no speech to support but I know I will have to train myself is... just listening real basic dvds so i can practise listening and practise talking to my hearing friends. it will be bit hard for them not to sign to me.
 
Knowing sign language isn't a barrier to getting a CI in the USA. I know sign and I qualified even though my loss isn't as great as yours. Since I can understand speech with a HA under ideal conditions(ie. quiet room with no background noise and speaker who speaks slowly and clearly) with my HA, I thought I'd do much better on the tests than I did.

I know of an ASL deaf couple who got a CIs for both of them. I've never met them though.
 
R2D2 said:
It is an issue in New Zealand where SpaceyUFO lives. They have a socialized medical system and will only give CIs to adults who have acquired good speech skills, due to the fact that they work better on such people. So in NZ, they'd probably approve you, but not her.
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Well I have VERY good speech and good concept of phonetic/decoding skills ( gosh I even know how to break up words in parts according to speech..I forgot the formal terminology for that) and I am fluent in ASL now but yet, I have so many audiologists pushing me , even sending me emails, how I am such a great candidate for CIs..(yes bilateral CIS)..but I am TERRIFIED of surgery due to my one bad experience) but I guess in other countries, if the deaf person has excellent speech/listenening/lipreading skills and knows sign language, that person is not qualified?
 
SpaceyUFO said:
Cos i have often heard that hearing house doesn't like signing language and they rather if I know nothing sign language but it is loads of rubbish cos i know i can learn anything execpt if I can remember sign language back of my brain. I know I will keep fighting until I get one!

Means i can have more time focus on speech but tell you, there will be no speech to support but I know I will have to train myself is... just listening real basic dvds so i can practise listening and practise talking to my hearing friends. it will be bit hard for them not to sign to me.
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In another thread, there was mention of limitation of the CIs so sign language is still very critical...guess those specialists dont understand that! GEEEZ! That happens here in the US with the educational system...
 
shel90 said:
Well I have VERY good speech and good concept of phonetic/decoding skills ( gosh I even know how to break up words in parts according to speech..I forgot the formal terminology for that) and I am fluent in ASL now but yet, I have so many audiologists pushing me , even sending me emails, how I am such a great candidate for CIs..(yes bilateral CIS)..but I am TERRIFIED of surgery due to my one bad experience) but I guess in other countries, if the deaf person has excellent speech/listenening/lipreading skills and knows sign language, that person is not qualified?
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No that's not right. Bilingual people who have a good grasp of both speech and sign would qualify, no problem. But people with no or very limited speech skills would not, because their benefit is not as good and they are more likely to turn off their CIs. I know someone in the latter position and he turned it off after one year.

Why do you have so many audies bombarding you with e-mails? Is that normal in the US? You sound like a celeb! :giggle:
 
R2D2 said:
No that's not right. Bilingual people who have a good grasp of both speech and sign would qualify, no problem. But people with no or very limited speech skills would not, because their benefit is not as good and they are more likely to turn off their CIs. I know someone in the latter position and he turned it off after one year.

Why do you have so many audies bombarding you with e-mails? Is that normal in the US? You sound like a celeb! :giggle:
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Yea I am a celeb! I have no idea why I keep getting these emails cuz probably I make myself so well known in the field..I dont know and I dont even question it anymore cuz it would drive me nuts. I have gotten like 5 different emails from 5 different audis...maybe cuz I have a chance to be a good success story they can use for adversistment ( excuse my spelling..LOL)?
 
shel90 said:
Yea I am a celeb! I have no idea why I keep getting these emails cuz probably I make myself so well known in the field..I dont know and I dont even question it anymore cuz it would drive me nuts. I have gotten like 5 different emails from 5 different audis...maybe cuz I have a chance to be a good success story they can use for adversistment ( excuse my spelling..LOL)?
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Sales pitch!:giggle:
 
I will be leaving NZ in few days so they have referred me to another hospital for more test hopefully and i feel they will let me know when i gets back from overseas.
 
SpaceyUFO said:
Hi there. The letter says that I cannot have the cochlear implants that I am 26yrs old.

Unfortunately we cannot accept the referral as a Cochlear Implant is not suitable for someone who has been profoundly deaf since 6 months of age and we note that SpaceyUFO has received minimal help from hearing aids over the years.

We would therefore advise that no further action has been taken by the District Health Board Cochlear Implant Clinic on this referral.

Thats what it says to me. It is load of CRAP! I know that I still can get one cos I have heard of sounds before with my hearing aids. Cat purring, dog woofing, car passing, mmmmmmmm, Hello, door close and open, drawer open and close, musics, kids screaming, bell goes, toilet flushing and people talking (didn't understand them).
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Perhaps they declined because of your history of using hearing aids on and off. They might think it's a no for you because you might do the same with a cochlear implant. I think it's BS because I see just about anyone who is deaf can get it.
 
shel90 said:
If u had asked me that same question when I was in my early 20s, I would have said , "No I am not deaf because I can speak and lipread." How dumb I was back then??? I have no CIs and have a profound hearing loss. To say that I wasnt deaf was really :roll: of me. I was in HUGE denial about my deafness. Now, I embrace it and life is so much better. :)
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hmmm..I don't deny that I am technicially deaf, but everyone's different in how they feel with their deafness. Perhaps the girl uses "hearing impaired" or "hard of hearing" to describe her deafness? I never say I am deaf, but hard of hearing or hearing impaired. Hearing Impaired doesn't bother me. Impaired just means your ears don't function well like other people, and I have never had anyone perceive hearing impaired as you not being intelligent. They seem to understand you just can't hear well, so it never bothers me. If I say I am deaf, people treat me different, so I don't like using it simply because of their reaction to the word deaf.

Some people at work say thank you in sign language when, in reality, I don't sign at all. It kind of bothers me because they assume that everyone who is deaf uses sign. There was a customer who asked another co-worker if I signed while she moved her hands in circle "does she sign?" Then my co-worker told her no and explained how I could hear her without looking at her at times.

Also, I don't think ASL classes are doing too good of a job explaining each individual culture that some sign and some don't--people still assume you sign, period. The customers say, thank you and looks away like they are shy. I go like.....I don't know what to do because I am not around signs to be comfortable with it. I simply say Thank You in their language. I had a man talk to me in French, and I was like ....... I had a lady ask me if I was interested in teaching her sign, and I said that I didn't--so I am not the best person to teach her what she wants.

There was a man who asked if I signed, and he said his wife did. He didn't look like he knew much sign either. He asked why I didn't , and I said that my mom wanted to teach me to talk (I am glad she did). Then, he went on to another co-worker who was listening explaining that some parents don't teach sign because they want their kid to be 'normal.' I was like...whatever I am not unhappy about it. I just kept quiet because it's not my nature to argue things they don't understand plus it's none of his business to butt into my personal life decisions.
 
ClearSky said:
Some people at work say thank you in sign language when, in reality, I don't sign at all. It kind of bothers me because they assume that everyone who is deaf uses sign. .
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Yes that's a hard one. I worked at a deaf organisation for a while in my early twenties. I did find that some deaf people, especially those who were previously oral and had adopted sign, would sign to me as they spoke. But when they communicated with hearing colleagues they only spoke and pretty fluently at that. They often said that their choice to sign was political in nature but were obviously good enough to switch between the two according to need.
I felt that instead of just accepting me for who I was and checking my personal communication preference that they were sending me a preachy message, telling me that I ought to adopt the same choice that they made. I always found their sign/speech slow and cumbersome too.

However when I was working in another room with different colleagues we all both signed and spoke, regardless of whether we were hearing or deaf and it was fun and more natural. I picked up signs faster that way. There was no judgement and I felt that those particular deaf/hearing girls accepted me regardless. There was no politics and it was more about friendship.
 
R2D2 said:
Yes that's a hard one. I worked at a deaf organisation for a while in my early twenties. I did find that some deaf people, especially those who were previously oral and had adopted sign, would sign to me as they spoke. But when they communicated with hearing colleagues they only spoke and pretty fluently at that. They often said that their choice to sign was political in nature but were obviously good enough to switch between the two according to need.
I felt that instead of just accepting me for who I was and checking my personal communication preference that they were sending me a preachy message, telling me that I ought to adopt the same choice that they made. I always found their sign/speech slow and cumbersome too.

However when I was working in another room with different colleagues we all both signed and spoke, regardless of whether we were hearing or deaf and it was fun and more natural. I picked up signs faster that way. There was no judgement and I felt that those particular deaf/hearing girls accepted me regardless. There was no politics and it was more about friendship.
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I gotta admit that I do that to deaf/hoh people who dont know sign. It is nothing personal..just in my mind, knowing that they are deaf/hoh, my urge to sign to them overcomes my reminders to myself that they dont know sign. Also, I noticed when we talk to each other, we misunderstand each other so that's another situation that prompts me to sign to them even though they dont know it. It is just weird. However, I dont encounter oral deaf people too often so maybe I dont get enough practice of not signing with them.

Must be a pychological thing. :dunno:
 
shel90 said:
I gotta admit that I do that to deaf/hoh people who dont know sign. It is nothing personal..just in my mind, knowing that they are deaf/hoh, my urge to sign to them overcomes my reminders to myself that they dont know sign. Also, I noticed when we talk to each other, we misunderstand each other so that's another situation that prompts me to sign to them even though they dont know it. It is just weird. However, I dont encounter oral deaf people too often so maybe I dont get enough practice of not signing with them.

Must be a pychological thing. :dunno:
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I must admit whenever you retell the story about the man you met at the shop who wanted a CI but didn't wish to learn sign this comes to mind. I think we just have to respect each other's personal preferences, even though we wouldn't make the same choices ourselves. If someone comes across to me as not being entirely happy with me and my choices, then this turns me off both to them and their message.

I think the best way to preach one's lifestyle is to just "be". The happiness and self esteem that ones feels will simply radiate and make the other person curious and interested. I think that is why I got on so well with the group who were just getting on with using sign than preaching it.
 
R2D2 said:
I must admit whenever you retell the story about the man you met at the shop who wanted a CI but didn't wish to learn sign this comes to mind. I think we just have to respect each other's personal preferences, even though we wouldn't make the same choices ourselves. If someone comes across to me as not being entirely happy with me and my choices, then this turns me off both to them and their message.

I think the best way to preach one's lifestyle is to just "be". The happiness and self esteem that ones feels will simply radiate and make the other person curious and interested. I think that is why I got on so well with the group who were just getting on with using sign than preaching it.
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Well that guy was complaining how he couldn't understand anyone and when I suggested signing, he got defensive and made very dirty look. Also...we could barely understand each other so I just find it ironic that 2 deaf people were unable to communicate with each other.

My friend in PA has a deaf sister who doesn't know sign and she is always telling us girls who r signers not to sign around her cuz she doesn't understand it but if we don't, then we all will keep misunderstanding each other and it wud make communication diificult for all of us (there r 5 of us that hang out) so who should be respectful here? Should 4 of us girls who r signers respect her wishes not to sign and use oral communication cuz she doesn't understand sign but only to end up misunderstanding each other cuz we r all unable to hear and some of us don't have good oral skills to begin with? Or should we tell her that we r all comfortable signing and that she has to respect our wishes? What's the right thing to do in that situation? It is confusing! Ha..
 
R2D2 said:
I must admit whenever you retell the story about the man you met at the shop who wanted a CI but didn't wish to learn sign this comes to mind. I think we just have to respect each other's personal preferences, even though we wouldn't make the same choices ourselves. If someone comes across to me as not being entirely happy with me and my choices, then this turns me off both to them and their message. So true, I feel like this so often. If someone is mean to me or disrespectful, it turns me off and I don't receive their message.
:bowdown:
I think the best way to preach one's lifestyle is to just "be". The happiness and self esteem that ones feels will simply radiate and make the other person curious and interested. I think that is why I got on so well with the group who were just getting on with using sign than preaching it.
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I think you have made such a powerful statement here. I hope people really listen to what you are saying
 
shel90 said:
Well that guy was complaining how he couldn't understand anyone and when I suggested signing, he got defensive and made very dirty look. Also...we could barely understand each other so I just find it ironic that 2 deaf people were unable to communicate with each other.
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Had to laugh at the irony of that! Reminds of those lightbulb jokes...how many people does it take...?!?


shel90 said:
My friend in PA has a deaf sister who doesn't know sign and she is always telling us girls who r signers not to sign around her cuz she doesn't understand it but if we don't, then we all will keep misunderstanding each other and it wud make communication diificult for all of us (there r 5 of us that hang out) so who should be respectful here? Should 4 of us girls who r signers respect her wishes not to sign and use oral communication cuz she doesn't understand sign but only to end up misunderstanding each other cuz we r all unable to hear and some of us don't have good oral skills to begin with? Or should we tell her that we r all comfortable signing and that she has to respect our wishes? What's the right thing to do in that situation? It is confusing! Ha..
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That is a tough situation for you to be in. Personally, I would say to you four go ahead an sign away! Better that you guys understand something than nothing and feeling like stumbling in the dark!!!
 
shel90 said:
Well that guy was complaining how he couldn't understand anyone and when I suggested signing, he got defensive and made very dirty look. Also...we could barely understand each other so I just find it ironic that 2 deaf people were unable to communicate with each other.
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Okay I get you. I didn't realise that he had been very defensive with you and gave you dirty looks, which might imply that he didn't think much of sign per se. However having said that, I think that for adults who are used to being integrated in the hearing world, simply adopting signing is not as easy as it sounds. It doesn't just involve simply changing the language you're using but also involves a lifestyle change. It means having to find a whole set of new friends who also sign, socialising at new places and so on. It is the equivelent of moving to a new country with a different language and starting again. (Would you say this is a fair summation Shel, since you have been there and done that?)

It doesn't actually solve the existing problem of communication at work (assuming hearing environment), or with existing family and friends (assuming they won't get to a fluent level of sign). I think of signing as more of a mental health relief from the frustration of daily life from the hearing world rather than a solution for it. This is where I feel the CI plays a useful role, it helps with interaction with the hearing world. Different tools for different things.

My friend in PA has a deaf sister who doesn't know sign and she is always telling us girls who r signers not to sign around her cuz she doesn't understand it but if we don't, then we all will keep misunderstanding each other and it wud make communication diificult for all of us (there r 5 of us that hang out) so who should be respectful here? Should 4 of us girls who r signers respect her wishes not to sign and use oral communication cuz she doesn't understand sign but only to end up misunderstanding each other cuz we r all unable to hear and some of us don't have good oral skills to begin with? Or should we tell her that we r all comfortable signing and that she has to respect our wishes? What's the right thing to do in that situation? It is confusing! Ha..
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I think that the friend should defer to the majority in that case. As you say, the rest of you find it easier to communicate in sign. When I was working with the signing group, I didn't expect them to change everything for me.
 
I got this letter today. (I have removed the real names for privacy and used my AD name)

Dear xxxxx

Thank you for your letter dated 25th June 2007 requestion that SpaceyUFO be assessed as a possible Cochlear Implant Candidate.

Based on the extensive information you have provided we would adcise that we could not offer consideration of Cochlear Implant to SpaceyUFO as sign language is her pimary mode of communication.

We are therefore unable to accept the referral for SpaceyUFO as providing a Cochlear Implan will not change her mode of communication.

If you should have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely
xxxxx
Clinical Co-Ordinator

c.c. SpaceyUFO
Dr xxxxx xxxx
 
Sorry to hear that, SpaceyUFO :(

Would going to Australia be your next step or do you plan to appeal against that letter? This whole process must be very frustrating to you.
 
R2D2 said:
Okay I get you. I didn't realise that he had been very defensive with you and gave you dirty looks, which might imply that he didn't think much of sign per se. However having said that, I think that for adults who are used to being integrated in the hearing world, simply adopting signing is not as easy as it sounds. It doesn't just involve simply changing the language you're using but also involves a lifestyle change. It means having to find a whole set of new friends who also sign, socialising at new places and so on. It is the equivelent of moving to a new country with a different language and starting again. (Would you say this is a fair summation Shel, since you have been there and done that?)

It doesn't actually solve the existing problem of communication at work (assuming hearing environment), or with existing family and friends (assuming they won't get to a fluent level of sign). I think of signing as more of a mental health relief from the frustration of daily life from the hearing world rather than a solution for it. This is where I feel the CI plays a useful role, it helps with interaction with the hearing world. Different tools for different things.



QUOTE]


True..he kept asking me if the CI would make him hearing and I was very uncomfortable to be put in that position. I found it odd that he would ask me, someone who doesnt have one. Strange.
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