I was raised orally, but I had enough residual hearing to benefit from this for the most part. I was diagnosed with a mild hearing loss at age 3, but didn't receive my first pair of hearing aids until age 15 even though they (and ear surgery) were recommended for me at age 3. I think I functioned pretty well in school. I had excellent grades, lots of friends and did not let my deafblindness stand in the way of any of my goals. I was able to attend Homecoming and Prom. I also participated in advanced choir for 2 years, the band for 2 years, I was in Honors courses, I was a member of my school's Academic Decathalon team, I served on the editorial staff of my school newspaper for 2 years, I was on the Forensics (speech) team for 2 years and placed 2nd and 3rd in State competition missing Nationals by only 2 points. I also participated on the Debate team for one year. I don't feel as if I've missed out on my education because of my hearing loss or deafblindness, but at the same time, I think that knowing tactile sign (PSE, SEE, ASL) would have made thing so much easier.
