This article is reprinted from the March/April 2006 issue of Hearing Loss Magazine.
Telephone Options for Cochlear Implant Users
By Linn Tearney
Getting Started
I thought about the articles I have previously read on telephones for individuals with hearing loss and decided to approach the topic a little differently. Most articles discuss the features of various models of telephones that are available now. That’s fine except two months later, the featured phones are no longer available, replaced by new models.
“New” doesn’t always mean “better” for those of us with hearing loss because electronics in our hearing devices may interfere with the electronics in a new phone feature. Consumers continue to be confused by the choices, especially because, in some cases, shoppers can’t try them out before purchase.
Carrying on a phone conversation wasn’t a skill that was immediate for me when I received my cochlear implant in 1992. With a lot of practice, I gradually got better using the phone. Besides needing to be able to understand speech without lipreading, I also had to get over the phone fear that developed when Meniere’s robbed me of my final conversations with a human being who wasn’t standing directly in front of me.
I’m sure that most of us with hearing loss have been limited in some way by our inability to access telephones. The expanding field of telecommunications and the regulations requiring equal access are creating a variety of options for us. My goal with this article is to provide basic information to help each individual choose the best telephones for his or her needs.
Advocacy is the willingness to ask for what you need in a reasonable way while taking into consideration the other party’s interests, yet standing firm for the changes that are needed.
The Hearing Loss Association of America advocates for a communication accessible environment for all people with hearing loss and promotes self-advocacy for the individual.
Fighting for Captioned Telephone in New York State
What That Means for Phone Users Everywhere By David Branfield
Members of the New York State Association of the Hearing Loss Association of America are working to make Captioned Telephone available in their state Here is an explanation of what it is and why it is a viable solution for people with hearing loss who want to use the regular voice telephone is some capacity.
I’ve always liked this quote from William Arthur Ward, the 20th century American scholar and author: "Wise are those who learn that the bottom line doesn't always have to be their top priority."
Unfortunately, in this issue of Hearing Loss, our organization’s bottom line must be my top priority. In 18 months as your president, I’ve never written about finances, but after our last Board meeting, I determined it is necessary.
I’m not talking about expenses – ours are well under control. We continue to have the same budget that we’ve had the past three years. At the same time, we have maintained all our advocacy programs.
All this author wants is for people to know she has a hearing loss! Viva la Revolution!
Have you ever seen anyone wearing flesh-colored corrective lens frames? No?
Who, you might ask, would try to imitate their own skin – undoubtedly without success – when so many beautiful and fashionable glasses frames are readily available on the open market? Yet such an haute couture selection of glasses frames was not always the case.
Interesting Results from Our Membership Survey By Terry D. Portis
A few months ago, almost 1,600 of you completed a comprehensive survey on our organization, now called the Hearing Loss Association of America. The survey, our first one in 12 years, had 90 questions, so we appreciate the time it took to fill it out.
We will have another article or two on the survey results in upcoming issues, but I wanted to take the time to share some insights that I found particularly interesting.
How are you notified about an emergency situation that could put you and your family at risk? You don’t have to live in isolation and at risk because you have a hearing loss.
Do you have to rely on family and friends or local officials to wake you if you need to evacuate your neighborhood in the middle of the night due to flooding or a wildfire?
How do you know if a severe thunderstorm or tornado is about to strike your area?
Is wearing two hearing aids better than wearing one?
Dr. Ross has been posing this question for years. Each time, he examines both scientific and anecdotal evidence. But, this time…what is his conclusion?
