1. < Hearing Loss
Moderator

Hearing Loss: Come introduce yourself and connect with others

Posted by Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung, Feb 5, 2019

Welcome to the Hearing Loss group on Mayo Clinic Connect.
This is a welcoming, safe place where you can meet people living with hearing loss, and friends and family supporters. Whether you were born deaf or hard of hearing, experienced hearing loss after birth or with aging, it helps to connect with others. Together we can learn from each other, support one another and share stories about living with hearing loss, coping with challenges and celebrating milestones.

Let’s chat. Why not start by introducing yourself? What is your hearing loss experience? Got a question, tip or story to share?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Hearing Loss Support Group.

lunameow14 | @lunameow14 | Feb 22, 2019
In reply to @rosemarya "Welcome to Connect,Toni Iacolucci @toniann. I am a hearing person, and I live in a community..." + (show)
@rosemarya

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.

Jump to this post

ASL or sign language is the best communication. My husband and I use CC on TV all the time.

REPLY
Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Feb 22, 2019
In reply to @judymartin "I'm new here and use a cochlear implant and a hearing aid. To be eligible for..." + (show)
@judymartin

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!

Jump to this post

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.

REPLY
1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 24, 2019

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?

REPLY
2 replies
chunwa | @chunwa | Feb 24, 2019
In reply to @colleenyoung "Welcome new members of the Hearing Loss group! @llotteb @auntsuz1960 @genuinekim @sharieberts @briley @aecarney @aecarney @wasfitz19..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

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?

Jump to this post

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.

REPLY
2 replies
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 24, 2019

Welcome, @chunwa. There are few people I'd like to introduce you to. @babarker and @vickid117 both use Phonak aids. @judymartin and @wassy2019 also recently joined the group here. @lunameow14 is an avid user of ASL; she may have some words of encouragement or tips for you.

Chunwa, I don't think you're alone in not getting hearing aids due to stigma and denial. Attending in-person support groups is a great place to make friends and learn coping skills. Luckily this online forum gives support for those people who may not have a local in-person group. What top tip have you learned from the support groups that you could share here?

REPLY
JK | @contentandwell | Feb 24, 2019
In reply to @chunwa "I am a 70-year old man with moderate hearing loss in both ears. Sensorineural loss. Wear..." + (show)
@chunwa

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.

Jump to this post

@chunwa I also depend on CC when watching TV. How did you find the support groups that you mention? I would be interested in finding that type of group.
Thanks. JK

REPLY
1 reply
judymartin | @judymartin | Feb 24, 2019
In reply to @rosemarya "Hi, @judymartin. Welcome to Connect. I can understand your initial confusion with this forum. I am..." + (show)
@rosemarya

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.

Jump to this post

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

REPLY
1 reply
judymartin | @judymartin | Feb 25, 2019
In reply to @judymartin "@rosemarya Thank you. I'll check it out tomorrow and let you know." + (show)
@judymartin

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

Jump to this post

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.

REPLY
2 replies
JK | @contentandwell | Feb 25, 2019
In reply to @judymartin "There are many types of support groups. I personally, belong to the Hearing Loss Association of..." + (show)
@judymartin

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.

Jump to this post

@judymartin Thanks. That one was recommended to me by a woman who is an active volunteer and benefactor of CHC (Center for Hearing and Communications) in NYC, so I looked it up. Unfortunately the closest chapter is more than hour away and their monthly meetings are at night.
JK

REPLY
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 25, 2019
In reply to @judymartin "There are many types of support groups. I personally, belong to the Hearing Loss Association of..." + (show)
@judymartin

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.

Jump to this post

Hi @judymartin, you will be able to post links in a few days. New members are not permitted to post links so that we can protect the community from spammers. You were clearly not trying to post spam, so please allow me to post the link for you.

Hearing Loss Association of America http://www.hearingloss.org

REPLY
1 reply
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.