Hearing Loss: Come introduce yourself and connect with others

Welcome to Connect,Toni Iacolucci @toniann. I am a hearing person, and I live in a community where we have a very active deaf/hard of hearing population.
I have friends who are hoh/deaf, and friends who are interpreters. From what I have picked up through interactions, is that there is a real need for the work that you are doing to promote an education to the medical staff and hospitals about the need for effetive communication to the hoh/deaf patients and family members. Thank you for what you are doing.

I feel that many of the hearing population do not realize the importance of having an interpreter for public events. Where I live, there is usually a 'tag' to request interpreter, or "Interprter provided" message. However, that is not always true outside of this community.

A deaf gentleman at my church, taught me the the ASL (American Sign Language) sign for the word PEACE. As an organ transplant recipient, it helps me avoid handshake germs.

I'm new here and use a cochlear implant and a hearing aid. To be eligible for a cochlear implant your hearing loss must be severe to profound. I'll be back when I can figure out how this forum works!

Welcome new members of the Hearing Loss group!
@llotteb @auntsuz1960 @genuinekim @sharieberts @briley @aecarney @aecarney @wasfitz19 @pjg1 @tallguy39 @pamtis @cjspizz @tls978 @davekoh

We look forward to getting to know you. Why not start by introducing yourself? What brings you to the community? What is your experience with hearing loss?

I am a 70-year old man with moderate hearing loss in both ears. Sensorineural loss. Wear two digital hearing aids that are one year old (Phonak). I am practically "deaf" when I don't wear them. Therefore, that and a streamer are what keep me connected to the world. I have trouble making out conversations around a banquet table, and at parties in general. I depend on CC on TV to help me with the language. I didn't wear hearing aids until late in life because of denial and stigma. I also didn't get aural rehabilitation like sign language, etc. Now I find ASL and lip-reading very difficult and wearisome. However, I am attending two hard of hearing support groups to make friends and learn coping skills.

Hi, @judymartin. Welcome to Connect.
I can understand your initial confusion with this forum. I am a volunteer mentor, and I am happy to help you (and anyone else) to figure it out. I am an 'oldie' to this site and I am here if you have any questions.

I would like to share the link to, "About Connect: Who, What, and Why" . I think it is a good starting point because it both intersting and informative. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/
I just saw that there is a brand newsfeed by ColleenYoung, Connect Director. "Mayo Clinic Connect: Your Safety and Privacy"
And at the end of the article, you will see a link to "How to Get Started About Connect"

I look forward to hearing from you. And let me know if you have any questions or need help finding your way around.

@rosemarya Thank you. I'll check it out tomorrow and let you know.

There are many types of support groups. I personally, belong to the Hearing Loss Association of America, and specifically to the Jacksonville Florida Chapter. There are more than 150 chapters in the country. I'm not permitted to give the link, so you will have to research.

There are many types of support groups. I personally, belong to the Hearing Loss Association of America, and specifically to the Jacksonville Florida Chapter. There are more than 150 chapters in the country. I'm not permitted to give the link, so you will have to research.