JUNE 2009 UPDATE
Hello!
I was recently certified as a hearing loss support specialist (June 2009).
My personal website has been taken down, and will be updated and put back up sometime later this year.
I am now back at work on the upcoming book proposal about life as a DHH person.
Now, about my background.
I was born and raised mainly in Illinois, in the greater Chicagoland area.
Most D/HOH (means deaf or hard-of-hearing) consider me either a very severely hearing-impaired person, or a soft deaf person. My husband considers me more deaf than hard-of-hearing, though.
I don’t know what caused my hearing loss. I was sent to an excellent oral deaf school in Michigan when I was two. Later, I went to regular high school and did well, but I wish I had notetakers at that time. I learned sign language the last year of high school.
Later, I spent a year at Gallaudet College (Now Gallaudet University), and then decided I’d like to live in California, so I attended CSUN. CSUN is otherwise known as California State University, Northridge, which is in part of northern Los Angeles.
I have my B.A. degree in English, and my M.A. degree in educational psychology, counseling and guidance from CSUN.
CSUN is a well-known university for providing support services for DHH (deaf or hard of hearing) people.
For information about the school, log on at: http://www.csun.edu
For information about the National Center on Deafness, which provides the support services at CSUN, log on at: http://www.csun.edu.ncod
Best decision of my life, because that’s where I met my husband, and made lots of friends, many who still stick with me today.
I don’t understand spoken conversation, unless I’m lipreading. I don’t understand TV, radio, or PA systems, even with a hearing aid. (This is called discrimination.)
I can hear (with my powerful hearing aid) non-speech sounds in my left ear only. For example, I can hear sirens, babies crying, phones ringing, and loud noises such as a car crash or motorcycle going by, only in my left ear. This is what is called residual hearing.
I am completely deaf in my right ear.
I MIGHT be able to hear and understand simple phone conversations, with my left ear, my hearing aid, and WITH a hearing aid and amplifier, but not with all people, and not all the time. At least I can do emergency phone calls if I have to!
I currently live in Southern California, with my husband and two daughters. My husband is hard-of-hearing, but my two children are hearing. My in-laws were deaf, so my husband is a CODA. (Child of Deaf Parents.) I guess I could be considered an unofficial one too.
What else. I consider my first language written English. My second language is oral English. My third one is American Sign Language. I know a smattering of French.
My big interest is freelance writing. At this time, I have two platforms. One is offering information and help to people who need help with hearing loss issues.
I am now gathering information to do a book proposal on a book about hearing loss, for hearing people. Although several others have written about the same topic, mine will be more of a practical tips type.
As for my freelance writing business, I also have another platform. It is writing articles on inspirational help/suggestions for writers. This is consistent with my M.A. in counseling and guidance.
If you want to see my writing blog, please log on to: http://www.ruthpealer.wordpress.com
I am glad to see this information about hearing loss. I was recently reunited with a family member after 18 years, and he is a caregiver to a cousin who has been told she will be completely deaf within a year. And Blind. I can see and hear, as can my family member, and the question i have is how to assist without being …… stupid. you know. the roll your eyes when the stupid person is looking the other way, type stupid. I would call it ignorance, but it comes across the same way sometimes. so the references here are good for me. thank you.
-sharon
Hi Sharon.
Normally I don’t respond to comments. However, I want to make sure this person who is going deaf and blind is getting help NOW. The sooner, the better. This person would benefit from people coming to visit as much as possible NOW.
Also, see if someone from a local deaf blind organization can come to visit ASAP. There are devices and equipment to help such people, but the important thing is to link up with the right organizations to get information and help. Do not wait.
Thank you also for commenting on my two postings. I’m thinking now I’d better put in a section about deaf blind organizations
in my future book. My mother-in-law was legally blind and deaf, and had Alzheimer’s later as well.
Thank you for your response. I’ll contact this person today. Enjoy your holiday. I did, as it was my birthday, so i just assume the entire nation celebrated it along with me.
-Sharon