Opening Topic for Open Chat Night: Learning American Sign Language

Last Monday, I had dinner with a few friends in the HLAA chapter group.  One of our conversations was about when we learned sign language.  My hearing is close to normal by wearing hearing aids so I didn’t find the need to learn sign language to communicate with others.  My hearing impaired teachers tried to teach me signs at the age of three but I refused to learn.  More than likely I would have been forced to learn ASL if I had been surrounded by others with hearing loss.  As I have mentioned in the past, I was the only kid in the entire school who wore hearing aids.

I recently attended several events with people who are deaf, and it is very difficult to communicate with them.  In the near future, I would like to take classes to learn basic signs so I can easily interact with others who can’t hear.  Share your experiences and at what age you started learning sign language.

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Opening Topic for Open Chat Night:  Describe a turning point in your life

People with hearing loss go through various experiences in their lives.  During the past year, I have learned more how modern technology such as Cochlear Implants altered many lives.  Some of those in the chat room describe it as a life altering experience that got them out of their comfort zone.  Other people in the forum have talked how closed captioning on television and open captions at the movies minimize the barriers to enjoy these forms of entertainment.  That itself was a life changing experience.

As a web designer, I created a Website and establish a social network for people with hearing loss.  I am able to make new friends and connect with others with hearing loss using the Internet and my design skills.  It made me realize I’m not alone in this world and that we all have similar traits.  I feel good about myself while helping others.  This has been the turning point in my life after being isolated in the hearing world for so many years.

Let’s all describe a turning point and how it has changed our lives.

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Opening Topic for Open Chat Night: How to break out of your comfort zone

Many of you already know I have been taking steps to get out of my comfort zone.  I have made some progress to stretch those limits, but I’m still having this fear holding me back from adding more adventure and excitement to my life.  For instance, I found a place where they have social events for new people to meet in the Milwaukee area.  For the past month I have been trying to convince myself to attend one of those events but just can’t get myself to do it.  Some of those events take place at a bar and I know lots of people there will be talking, and so I’m afraid of not being able to hear what people say because of the background noise.  That itself won’t ease my shyness and put forth an outgoing personality.  I have rarely hung out with friends during my life, don’t go to bars and have only been to a couple of parties.  When an opportunity comes, I feel that it’s a place where I truly don’t belong.  I want to change myself to be more outgoing but my expectations are either too high or too low.  Progress is slow sometimes!

I’ve heard from others in the hearing loss community dealing with similar situations.  Share your experiences or thoughts on how to break out of your comfort zone.  I think it will help all of us try something new no matter how challenging it can be.

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Opening Topic for Open Chat Night:  Learning from Cochlear Implant users

We had an interesting conversation in last week’s Open Chat Night.  A member was scheduled to get Cochlear Implants and wanted to know the experiences of others who have gone through the process.  We had a couple other implant users share their story from surgery to activation.  It’s really amazing how this type of technology is helping people in our generation.

I think it’s great that users are coming to our chat on Wednesday nights to discuss their experiences with this great technology.  Tomorrow night, stop by and share your journey into the world of sound!  This will be helpful for those who are considering or planning to get the Implants.

www.OpenChatNight.com

Because of the success and feedback, Open Chat Night will continue on Wednesday of each week at 8pm EST.  But for those who can’t make it on Wednesdays, I am considering the possibility of adding a second Open Chat Night.  This is where I need your help.

Please take a moment to answer my poll (top left column on my blog).  I would like to know what night works best for you.  I also welcome any feedback or suggestions on this idea.

Once again, this week’s Open Chat Night (June 30th) will be for all regulars to get caught up (newcomers are also welcome).  All past topics will be open for discussion.  Click here for all past topics.

Thank you all for being a part of this wonderful group!

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Opening Topic for Open Chat Night:  How to take care of your hearing aids

Hearing aids are very expensive.  The digital hearing aids I have been wearing for the past 10 years (BTE and ITC) have cost thousands of dollars.  When paying so much, taking good care of the aids is a must.

Last weekend I was at the HLAA convention’s exhibit hall and stopped by a booth for Dry & Store.  I became interested in this product after a leader of the HLAA chapter group recommended it.  I learned that lots of moisture and germs can enter the aids while wearing them, which can cause damage to the aids and potentially create ear infections and itching in the ears.  Dry & Store Conditioning System is an electrical appliance that helps to reduce the risks.  You simply place your hearing aids in an enclosed box for 8 hours to sanitize them.  I have purchased one for myself.

Share products you use to ensure that your hearing aids will last longer.  For all of you wearing hearing aids, how long did they last before you had to buy new ones?

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Opening topic for Open Chat Night:  Finding your identity

I went to the HLAA chapter meeting on Thursday, and one of the topics discussed was about identity.  I would like to learn more about deaf culture and identity.  For instance, some deaf people refuse to get cochlear implant even though it will help them hear.  They have their own set of ideals on what they strongly believe.  I’m not very familiar and would like to hear other people’s views on this subject.

While growing up, I wasn’t surrounded by people with hearing loss to help me understand the deaf culture.  I pretty much accepted myself as being a part of the hearing world.  It was only because I had mild to moderate hearing loss.  The hearing aids helped me hear almost normal but I faced many challenges and obstacles down the road.

Describe how you develop your identity and where you consider yourself in this world.

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Opening Topic for Open Chat Night: Adapting to new technologies

A member of our Wednesday’s chat described his experience with getting new hearing aids, and I thought it would be good for members to discuss their own experiences with new technologies. 

As we all try something new in our lives, it takes some time to adjust.  It will soon be five years since I got my first in-the-canal digital hearing aids.  I was overwhelmed by the new sounds for the first month, and I remember being surprised at the clarity and depth of sounds.  I had to make several trips to the audiologist to have my hearing aids’ settings adjusted to more comfortable levels.

Share your own experience with new hearing aid or Cochlear Implant technology, or any other technology that has had an impact on your life.

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Opening Topic for Open Chat Night:  Early memories after discovering your hearing loss

I’m sure each of us has memories from the days following discovery of hearing loss.  Moments in time that will forever be carried with us.

For me, one of those moments was when I attended hearing impaired classes in elementary school.  Every morning I would arrive early to school, put on a box with a transmitter and receiver, and then play with the school-supplied building blocks.  The memory is so vivid that I can still see the sun rising up as I would stack the blocks as high as possible before watching them come tumbling down.  It was such a special moment in my life as my journey started in the hearing loss world.

I believe my story is the perfect metaphor for how hard I’ve been working to stand tall and never give up, even when it seems everything is tumbling down around me.

Join us on Wednesday night to share unforgettable moments!

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Opening topic for Open Chat Night:  Taking on a greater responsibility

We had our first Walk4Hearing fundraising event in Milwaukee on May 16th, 2010.  I was in charge of coordinating the field volunteers.  This is the very first time I’ve taken the role of being a coordinator at an event and I found it to be a very challenging and rewarding experience.  I felt good about myself for taking on a new responsibility and getting involved in the community.  It was a real learning experience and next time I will be an expert!

Describe any new responsibility you have taken and share your experiences.

www.OpenChatNight.com