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@julieo4 Thank you for your reply. I am not really very upset about the probable loss. It is what it is. I have been under the assumption that there will be a lot of technology available as I lose my hearing. Many hearing folks have said I should learn sign language. I tell them that unless they learn sign language, what good will it do. Other than my sisters, no one has said, "I will learn it with you." So I haven't looked at sign language as being an option that will be helpful. I'm glad you reinforced that. I am already hooked into HLAA. I should probably attend meetings and be more diligent about reading their emails. Thanks again,
Replies to "@julieo4 Thank you for your reply. I am not really very upset about the probable loss...."
American Sign Language (ASL) is a beautiful language. It's syntax is based on the French language. It cannot be written. It is romanticized by many who think it's easy to learn. It isn't easy to learn. Learning ASL is like learning any other foreign language. The culturally Deaf community embraces it. Very few people who become hard of hearing as adults, especially in mid life, use ASL. Nor are they accepted into the culturally Deaf community.
I'm pleased to know that you have connected with HLAA. I encourage you to go to the HLAA website and look at some of the options with webinars and recorded Zoom meetings. There have been many of them since the pandemic started. They are educational and helpful, and they are all captioned. If you use hearing aids that have telecoils, buy a neckloop that you can plug into your computer. You may be amazed at how well you can hear that way.
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That is how I feel about sign language. I have always wanted to learn it and it may come in handy for the places that do have sign language interpreters. But I very rarely see sign language interpreters and what good will it do if the people in my life don’t know it.