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.

www.OpenChatNight.com

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.

www.OpenChatNight.com

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.

www.OpenChatNight.com

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