ANA Discussion Forum
Archive => Archives => Topic started by: luv2teachsped on August 08, 2005, 04:33:24 pm
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Hi everyone! I am not complaining, but I think my biggest hurdle has been not being able to hear, especially in large groups. People can be very rude, even if they know you have a hearing loss. Any suggestions on how to cope? I am returning to teaching in a few weeks, and I think this is my biggest worry. I attended a class a few weeks ago with these samew teachers, and came away very frustrated. Help!! Thanks luv2teachsped
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Love2teachsped, I am having the same problem. I heard the cross hearing aids help but I haven't gone to get them yet. I hope sometime in the next 2 weeks I will get a chance to go out and find someone here on the Island that has them.All I can tell you is I wish you luck with the noise in school.It will be hard for you if one of the children are calling for you. You will have to figure out which one it is if your not looking at them when they call your name. But if your like me your already use to that. Funny story , I was in the bank and the teller said" Hi can I help you" so I went up to her and started to tell her that I didn't have my account number with me ,and asked if I can give her my liscence so that I can make a deposit. she said" oh sorry honey I did't call you she did" pointing to the teller next to her. Everyone was laughing so I proceeded to tell her I was deaf and was having a hard time figuring out where the sounds are coming from. So if any thing you will all have a nice little chuckle.But God willing , you will do fine.Look into the cros hearing aids . Keep in touch Glodineye.
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Oh my, I have such a hard time understanding people. I have learned to focus on hearing with the good ear. I sit at a table with the good ear the closest, walk beside someone with the good ear side. It just makes life so much easiler. I don't understand what someone is saying and lots of times, just agree with whatever they say. I know it would be hard for me to be in a room full of small children and try to understand them. When I am in a loud enviroment for too long, I can get such a headache too. Good luck to you and I hope it doesn't drive you crazy.
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Yes, all of the above for me, too! I think the pin available for purchase on the ANA website is a good idea. My kids are in the process of making me some that match my wardrobe. At first I didn't want one, because I felt like I was "advertising" my problem, or a need for sympathy or something. Now, 10 months later, I see it's just a very helpful tool. Even my family and coworkers forget about my hearing sometimes.
On the upside, if there's noise at night (and with 4 teenagers, there always is) I just turn onto my good side and sleep like a baby!
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Oh my! Everything everyone said I can definitiely relate to. I think what bothers me most is that people think that because you can hear on one side it doesn't make much of a difference but it most definitely does.  Also, it is very true that many people can be very rude about it when you try to "remind" them that you cannot hear them. I think with my family it's just frustration on their part but I don't think they realize how frustrated I am all the time and I don't say anything because they just don't get it. Just trying to hang in there and use whatever tricks or means necessary to get by! :-\
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Ditto to everything!!! I get frustrated and hurt when I ask someone to repeat themselves and they say "just forget it". Makes me feel like I have done something wrong. Majority of the time, I just nod my head like I understand what they are saying, even though I don't. The only positive note regarding my hearing loss, is the ability to tune out my snoring husband and dog. Other than that it has been a daily struggle for 7 years.
When I am out, the first thing I do is locate the best hearing postion possible, I will ask for a table next to a wall or furthest away from the middle of the room. I try to avoid places that have loud back ground music. My local newspaper prints restraunt reviews and I asked them to also add noise levels in their review. They happily obliged and each review contains noise levels and if they have background music as well.
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Oh Matti, I hate that "just forget it " thing I'v had that said to me alot before and it makes me feell very belittled. I feel like a bother to be around other than a fun person. I always get lost in a conversation, thats no picnic.
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Hey luvs jealr is back in the classroom maybe she can give you some pointers. I've not been back due to my speech problem but realize the few times I've visited that I won't be able to handle it hearing wise so am looking for a new career path!
I get a crick in my neck constantly turning my head so my good ear is closest to the speaker. I keep having to remind family and friends they are on the wrong side. I think with some family memebers they forget which side is my bad side because my grandma's is the opposite side. We drive my mom nuts when we're all together. She calls us bookends lol
FRUSTRATING! >:(
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Get a Baha!!! My biggest hurdle also was the hearing loss. The day I was in the car with my 9yo and asked him 3 times to repeat himself and he said "oh forget it" (I heard that), I was heartbroken. I've found the car to be a great place to get my kids to talk! I investigated the Baha, applied to insurance and was approved. The surgery was SCARY because of all the memories it brought up from last time BUT it was easy. I was home by lunch! There was hardly any pain. I did have a massive headache the day of surgery but Tylenol took care of it. I had a dull headache for a few weeks after, nothing too bad. And that's it. When I got the sound processor I was excited to "hear" my kids in the car again. I don't have to play the an shuffle anymore and I can follow conversations in groups again. Now, it's not perfect and I still get frustrated sometimes but when I forget to put it on I really regret it.
I was 9 mo post op when I first considered the Baha and 15 mo post op when I had the implant.
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Pembo do you have tinnitus? I was told I wasn't a candidate due to the tinnitus in both ears..still trying to get clarification on that
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Batty, I do have some in the "deaf" ear. It doesn't make it go away though.
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Then I'll just have to resign myself to this darn noise for the next 40 years or so!
I laugh at the tv ads that say will "cure" tinnitus...could you imagine the industry they'd have it was true?
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I wish there was a cure! Sometimes it is louder for me, other times I don't even notice it. I was having trouble with my Baha and it was causing white noise too! They replaced it and it's gone.
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Hey BP!
You mentioned your "crick" in your neck. Would you believe I have a herniated disc in my neck? It makes me wonder if its from all that turning!!! Just kidding! As I go back and read past posts, it's good to see how far we've all come! I am coming upon one year(whew, doesn't seem like it was that long ago!) and can say that I'm finally learning to speak up and advocate for myself! My students are the least of my worries. I guess they're probaly used to being told I can't understand you, so I can't hear you isn't any different. We are all very patient with each other! I've thought of a BAHA, but frankly I can't seem to imagine another brain surgery! Take Care-luv2teachsped
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I have bulging disc in C3-C7 and a herniated disc in T11-12. From being hit by a drunk driver! I know that makes my "crick" worse. My neck is stiff just about every morning when I wake up. UGH!
I have thought about the baha but was told it wouldn't help :(
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hearing is still fairly intact post treatment but the tinnitus is driving me crazy! When outside, I'm finding noises such as sirens, motorcycles, etc are the killers. Restaurant crowds as well. Been shoving cotton in my ears during times like that. Last night, PapaPearl (my dad) was over... was running into "muffled" hearing as well. I know it's still too soon post-treatment but REALLY hoping some of this alieviates soon.. and if not, I'm going to monitor this thread for remedies/suggestions. At this point, I truly believe I'm going to have to muster mental strength and learn to "deal" with it now.... thanks all for sharing here as you have.
xo
Phyl
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Phyl:
Although my "good"hearing is not hypersensitive, many here have said their hearing is very sensitive post AN. Hopefully someone will have some suggestions. Glad to hear things are going well so far. Although I don't post very often anymore, I do read every night and keep up on everyone. Even if you"wenches" are a little too loopy for me!!! Glad you can have fun!!!Take Care-luv2teachsped
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Us wenches loopy? Surely you jest ;) :-*
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luv2teach, thank you for sharing that with me....definately still sensitive post treatment but actually, so far, so good! :) I know we are a little loopy sometimes, but our hearts are in the right place... I'll take some loopy anyday, in light of what we all are enduring. Sending you hugs and wishes for a terrific holiday weekend!
yeah, you too, batty! :)
xoxo
Phyl
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My students have djusted to my being deaf in one ear. They usually remember which ear to talk into. We also have the joke about the kids I can hear even if I do hear with only one ear. LOL.
Jean
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Hi JeanLea!
The big joke in our room is to call out somewhere in the room and watch Mrs. J turn circles trying to find the person.!! We all get a big laugh! Yesterday, as we were walking the class down the hall for bathroom break I turn around and "shushed" the kids behind me, only to have the kids and my assistants laugh and point to the kids in front of me. Hey, if you don't have fun with it? I have pretty much gotten used to my SSD and goofy walk at times, everyone close to me just laughs with me. We just try and keep the kids with Cerebal Palsy from hanging on to me, as we both usually end up bumping into the wall or falling on the floor.Have a great Easter everyone!! I think(I know!) , I talk more with people on the board than I do with my own children anymore. You know how that is, ages 20 and 22, they have their own lives!!Luv2teachsped
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I am adjusting to ssd also as I had lost most of my right side hearing before surgery. My husband and children have adjusted to sitting on my "good" side.Actually, it's kinda funny, my daughter said she and my husband have a heck of a time walking in the mall etc... because both are used to walking on the left side!!!
Loud noises still bother me and I still don't like the TV or radio too loud but life is good as I am continually improving!!
Have a blessed Easter,
Lynn
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2 yrs post op and still having a very difficult time. I end up just having to tell people I am deaf in one ear so they don't think I'm being ignorant, because they do sometimes. I don't want sympathy, just understanding. When I hear the "well you can still hear in the other ear" it pisses me off because SSD makes hearing in general so difficult, but I don't have to tell any of you that! I am not a candidate for a baha and can't afford a cros right not (from what I've heard, not sure it would work for me either). Hopefully the "static" in my head will lessen with time. As for the loopyness, omg, I stumble for no reason and I never know when I will, so yes, I'm loopy, very! My kids and dh can attest to that one. Should we start a loopy club? LOL
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I just tell people I'm "partially deaf" and leave it at that. The worst are service people who ask you questions while you're looking thru your wallet or something and you have no idea you've even been spoken to. When you look up they stare at you like you're being rude! I just say, "I'm sorry did you speak to me--I'm partially deaf" and most of them will speak up. My hubby is the worse! He thinks he can yell something to me from another room and I'll actually hear it with the TV or radioMargaritaville on! I quit saying WHAT? WHAT? and just ignore him. Trying to train him to get at least within eyeshot before he says any thing to me!
Capt Deb 8)
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I think we should be the "wonky-headed crew" loopy sounds like we're crazy and that we are not lol
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"wonky headed crew" ummm I guess that is better than "loopy". I agree with Deb the worst are the service people. Just happened again today. I look up and the cashier is just looking at me! I too say"sorry, I'm partially deaf" and they usually just repeat"paper or plastic?" I don't however assume anything anymore. The last time I just said "plastic please", and I got I very dumbfounded look from both the cashier and the bagger. I forget what they asked now, but it had nothing to do with "plastic or paper"! luv2teach :o
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I stopped at the 7-11 to get a lottery ticket..figured I can't win if I don't buy one LOL the guy said something about what the man in front of me said..I told him I'm sorry I didn't hear him I'm deaf in my left ear (the other customer was standing on my left side) and the guy said..HUH What'd ya say poking fun of me. Needless to say I'm not in poking fun of mood and had to bite my tongue to leave without lashing as the guy was trying to be funny. I had just come from church where I cried and paniced the entire time I was there. UGH! :'(
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Batty: I'm am so sorry. Unfortuantely there are always those who have nothing better to do than to poke fun of others. After 25 long ,miserable years in a marriage ,I now understand that those people cut others down to puff themselves up.Ironically, one of the worse people for making fun of me, is an uncle who himself has a cleft palate and is hard of hearing!(unfortunately, he is also married to my mother, don't even go there!) But he is a miserable person who thinks life has "stuck it to him", and lives to get back at others for the pain he felt his whole life, growing up.Pay no attention to them girl! Hope you had a nice, relaxing Easter!luv2teach
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Hey teach your'e in Michigan not arkansas!
Have you ever heard that diddy I'm married to my grandma?
I ignored him and bit my tongue as I was already down enough with out that. Should have just gone home instead of trying to win the lottery LOL I only got two numbers to add insult to injury!
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I currently have SSD (right side) due to NF2. My sister was born deaf on her right. The first time I saw her after losing my hearing, we had a heck of a time walking together. We both naturally tried to walk to the right of each other. When walking down the hall of a hospital where my Dad was having AN surgery, we nearly crashed into the wall, as we both veered to the right so we could hear the other. We just stopped and laughed.
I too am a teacher (middle school), and not being able to locate the source of a sound has been frustrating. I have informed my students that if they ask a question without also raising their hand, they will be ignored. This works most of the time. The faculty and staff that I work with have been great. Many of them try to orient themselves so that I can hear them. Noisy situations are frustrating, but I try to concentrate on imroving my speech reading skills in these situations. During my last year of teaching middle school band, while in a room with 150 students warming up their instruments before a concert, I noticed a girl who was chewing gum, which was a big no-no with me. I got her attention from across the room and motioned for her to spit the gum out. She looked at me and said "Bite me," assuming that since I couldn't hear her that I wouldn't know what she said. She was quite embarassed when I walked over to her and said "no, I will not bite you." At least sometimes there is humor in all of this!
Jeff
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I would like to have a Baha too but I am scared to death because of memories of the AN operation. So many complications, but now I have no headaches or any pain in my neck or anything. I suffered a stroke and went in a comma for 4 weeks and other complications also. I,m afraid something will go wrong or I will be stuck with bad headaches or neckaches. How do they do this operation? Is there alway pain? What do they say can go wrong? I am just afraid to tamper with this.
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From what I hear the BAHA surgery is very minor--usually done on an outpatient basis. You could probably google it and get better info, or start a thread requesting other BAHA recipeint's input.
Capt Deb
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For information on the BAHA go to:
www.entific.com and
http://www.cochlearamericas.com/
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One of my symptoms is hyper-sensitivity in my AN ear. It seems strange that the ear I am supposedly partially deaf in, hurts when my dogs bark or my kids scream, etc. I wonder if that Hyper-Sensitivity goes away after radiology treatment of the tumor? Any comments?
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There is a forum for BAHA users at http://www.baha-users-support.com/cgi-bin/2bb/2bb.cgi
ask all the questions you want .... I did!!!
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thecakes - My surgeon said that some drs do the implant surgery as in-office procedure, it is that easy. I had a low grade headache after surgery that's it.
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dowdog- I had translab almost 1 year ago. I notice sensitivity during very loud music at the higher frequencies. It does seem strange that our good ear is extra sensitive, but maybe its nature's way of preserving our hearing.luv2teach