Dear makers of hearing aids

We know that technology is advancing all the time, and the innovation with aids is moving forward along with progress.But wouldn’t you think that something could be done, with thought to the use of the telecoil especially on the bus or the train? Maybe us deafies listening to music is a mere after thought as its a well known fact that deafies don’t listen to music..so obviously wouldn’t be a design feature of any aid produced.

That the telecoil is for the use only in banks, shops and the Audi clinic via a loop. In environments where there is no disturbance from external feedback or interferance.

So because some of us a long time ago discovered that we could buy hooks and neck loops to enable us to gain some pleasure from music, we all went out and bought the necessary equipment costing a fair ammount depending on our budgets, to enable us to do the very thing…access music…in a clinical environment.

There are though items called shoes that fit to the aids, that are a bit more of an expense but the suitability to access music, the television or even a telephone with 3.5 hole in it, via direct input and in environments e.g on the bus or train without feedback or interferance. So with wisdom and thought, wouldn’t it be right for hearing aids when issued, when you open the box have contained all of the attachments required to fulfill functions featured in the manual?

Failing that could I be sent FREE because I am cheeky, direct input shoes for the Oticon mini-zests i’m using, it seems that they are more expensive than other models available?

Thank you, a music on the go enthusiast!

Its been a few weeks now since I re-evaluated my position in the “Deafidom tree”, and developed my own networking strategy..

In the aftermath of the Sarah Cox debate, after a ripple on D4L I decided to move on and find a sanctum…for myself.

I’ve spent some time amongst some interesting people who spend most of the time eating and talking about Art, Religion, Travel and Politics being a very small but important part on occasion.

This week Ofcom consultation proposes ‘restricted’ VRS, making it  available for 30 minutes a month and only during working hours, …and though this is topical at the moment the talk hasn’t been dominated by the issue….well not with me, I’m not clued up but I agree its not the same deal “hearies” get…

http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/2011/07/ofcom-plans-to-upgrade-telecoms-services-for-disabled-people/

And in BSL: Ofcom Review of Relay Services – BSL.wmv via signvideo

I think we can all be bogged down with the “right” way forward campaigns but at the same time remember that we also need to have a life..and be sociable, talk about pleasures and what have you..restricting this communication is dismal.

I’ve been over to Google + and have been invited into various circles, and “hanging out” with people I know and of course having the occasional public  invite too…Putting me into a circle would I thought be a difficult thing as after a number of weeks I’ve found that I’ve started to move people out of  the “deaf circle” myself and choosing interest alternatives.. obviously some people are in more than one and I’m sure I am too.

It was only last night when I was asked the question “are you a deaf person” that put things into perspective…its after a few weeks that its crossed a mind.

Being in a hiatus with the forum I moderate …has helped me think about things, and though I was happy before I am more so..making me think I’ve made the right choices for now..

“Sail away, away
Ripples never come back.
Gone to the other side.
Sail away, away. ”    (Genesis Lyrics 1976)

So after a week or so I Then decided that I’m developing my own social networking strategy ..where I intend to blog, blag and basically share in a more productive and enriching way with my creative Chi, and if others refuse to let the lamb lie down…then I must, bit like regeneration Dr Who style.

Being the same person having the same view, but looking at things on other spectrums..or on the other end of the string. (Towards the left) and a self moderating enigma.

I still moderate and contribute on Deaf4life, I havn’t been kicked out… or told I need to change tact or approach, along with the other fellow we do a damn good job, or I dare say its owner would have the last word, in fact he does.

What Next?

Mr Sutton the CEO of http://www.deaf4life.co.uk will soon make a decision on the way forward to attract a wider audience of those in Deafidom, and I’m sure that he will make a good decision, based on the positive feedback from the “future” post.

Its a great forum with some very interesting members who are both sociable and classification free with regard to friendship, support and understanding.

There’s a section on joining that asks the question “Hearing Status” over the last week I’ve changed mine daily… Hearing, Hard of Hearing, Deafened and Deaf..the only one I’ve not done is “No Comment” as its the odd one out…as I’ve been all of the above and I reserve the right to comment. Yet nobody else has mentioned it, if they’ve noticed…it doesn’t matter!

My culture hasn’t changed, as most cultures seldom do but Its been adapted to suit myself for my own happiness and hopefully it will make me more sociable, and keep me on the thought that we all belong…under Deafidom.

Following on from my last blog where I asked the question of the re-location of others I now ponder my own location in deafidoms classification.

Well Its like this according to my belief  its a culture/Identity thing and I don’t know why? I believe that all deaf people belong together in what I call “deafidom” no matter what degree of deafness or hearing loss you have. Its a united and more together welcoming state to be in socially.

Deaf4Life the popular forum I moderate after discovering that people were unsure to join (due to the fact that they didn’t see themselves as deaf so need not apply)..posed the question to the members to suggest ideas on how to improve the look and appeal and encourage all to join.

“Hearing loss”  was mentioned and that was it..Deaf members were offended and an ensuing debate occurred…and in the crux classifications came in and “us and them” talk occurred the hard core deaf, the “D” or the “born and signing deaf” wished to state their pride and solidarity, pointing out Hard Of Hearing people didn’t belong in the Deaf community and if they wanted to …should have their own.

Those who do not sign classified as the small “d”, effectivly are hearing as they use hearing aids and do not have the same standing, as they are oral or considered “Oralist” .
As in all aspects of politics there are those on both sides who argue, both being culturally deaf yet both being dictated to by social and medical models.

So where do I fit in to this menagerie?

Well..   I am what Doug Alker once quoted, “those that walk without the banner” from Dante’s Divine comedy… neither born deaf or acquired deafness in later life, I became  deaf in early childhood, like a lot of people from measles moderate-severe loss in both ears I am oral, educated in mainstream schools and sign to SSE, to no level just picking it up from childhood from watching See Hear when signing was a lot slower and Maggie Wooley and Clive Mason were the anchors.

I considered myself (d)eaf…I thought this was acceptable and I have been comfortable with that Identity for most of my adult life, I won’t go through the childhood years..ahem!
Now I’m thinking maybe I am Hard Of Hearing or if its right I am one of the Acquired deaf, as I was hearing ok upto the age of 6?  Hmm.. yet they appear to have an understandable “we are unfortunate” angle but I don’t see myself as unfortunate, though I’m sure people have felt sorry for me at some stage.

Forums are used to argue the same issues over again with little regard to the next generation unsure and looking for Identity I feel, deaf people are arguing amongst themselves and conflicts occur, and with the RNID rebranding with emphasis on loss its raw at the moment a nerve hit.

Deaf4Life possibly following suit mistakenly..when all we are doing is improving by adding a few words in for search engines and being open to all … sadly some deaf have made themselves infamous in the process yet some though have moved the issues of deafness forward and still do today.

The politics and the inner sanctum doesn’t really matter its how you feel yourself and your own Identity…what’s important is that you belong somewhere in it all…and have friends who make you feel a part of it.

After many years of commentary on most of the deafie forums, and in the course making a name for themselves in the name of deafness..The Heretics now banished from a “deaf  voice” via The forums, retreat to the only place available to them..a place that is moderated by robots set to react upon words from a catalouge of non-discussables.

A place where they can cuss and spit …until the plug is pulled!

So its the end of BBC Ouch boards and its a shame, as there were a multitude of people who found support and guidance from these boards from all manner of disabilities, not just the deafie section. The Ouch section will move to the news dept…and the social interaction aspect ie the boards the BBC feel have been “out classed” by “self moderating” and “specialist”  outlets on social networks.

Where does it leave those, who thought they were offering “specialist” voices?

The BBC have advised that they “find each other again”  by 6th July 2011 and possibly move on towards the social networks.. for those who abhor the new arrangements, they will find themselves trapped in the archive “Tower” of  the BBC.

Where are you going to go… “The circus” moderated by “specialist” clowns  .. Hmmm!

Though I have had interactions through my life with pockets of “the deaf”, I am therefor not “deaf brained”.

I know I could do extensive research to find out what learned people have discovered the deaf brain is, and I have a few theories based on the findings. But what I’d like is someone to put the finger on the button and put me out of my misery.

I know people who are deaf who don’t believe there is a “deaf brain” and its just used an an excuse to duck out of thinking, or show motivation. So if you have a “deaf brain” could you explain what you mean… thank you very much!

Nothing unusual there I said, as a lot of people do it, especially deaf people, as we suffer form D.I.L.S. on occasion and theres nothing like a good waggle . As long as you don’t go too deep you are quite safe…”How deep do you go” .

She looked at me, gave an uneasy smile and said ” about half the length of a bud” …my face must have moved her…

“Why on earth do you do it …anyway?” she didn’t know, it was a habitual pleasure she had gained from it from a very early age, Its not good I said you could cause serious damage? she does it all the time, and has a box in her handbag for periods of a quick fix…a quick, “waggle” when the urge occurs.

I suggested she pack the practice in, seriously as its not good…she could deafen herself! …another look of embaressment and then she mentions “ringing in the ears”…

How deep do you waggle…and do you let your children see you doing it?

Sometimes I get the feeling that in the heat of moments we can say the most of undesirable things to one and another.  We can create a wound in the metaphoric skin and in stupidness make existing tears a little wider and make matters deeper. Little matters get proportionally expanded and the ever ending infection remains.

Is it the way forward ..that its better to justify actions with original thought, doesn’t whine or whinge or include digging puppets.

Sometimes its better to remain silent, and form a protective scab over the tear and eventually the healing can begin, it takes courage to bite your lip..and more to say “I misunderstood”..or “I made a mistake”..

Have a ” Healing ” New Year…and try not to knock the scabs….

These people start off with a the desire to wear hearing aids for pleasure even though they are not deaf, and find that hearing aids and deafness have erotic and fetish quality; they join forums and internet groups so they can meet deaf people to have relationships with.

Meeting the unknown?

I don’t understand how these people can parade around the homes they live in, wearing hearing aids (quite readily available on ebay) and coming in contact with people whom they’ve known all their lives, and then pass off for being a “deafie”. Some even become so despaired that they choose to “cross the bridge’” and choose to become deaf by barbaric means  impairing their hearing.

Then visit the doctor, does the medical profession not think …”erm ..we have a  person with a serious mental health issue?”… what do they say?

“Yeah, doctor…I erm…fell on a knitting needle on both my ears “…or do they sit there in their homes exposing their ears to excessive high volumes of music or noise until their lugs bleed.

I found a group for such people, and I’m not sure what to think really..all I can come up with is that is not right..is it?  …but its gained another six members in the last seven days?

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Deaf-Wannabee

I moderate on D4L.. as you are aware, and I try to be vigilant for new members “stalking” for “deafie” relationships..I would therefore like to reassure members of the Deaf4Life forum that our organised Chat nights are safe and moderated.

Of course, it’s always wise to play it safe in ANY chatroom or indeed anywhere on the World Wide Web. Never give details of where you live. Never divulge your password, bank details or any other personal or security details. If in doubt, leave the chatroom and contact a moderator who will look into the matter immediately. If indeed to wish to meet a fellow member try to do it with a friend in tow, or wait for a group meet…We can spot a “wannabe”…

These people must think its cool to be deaf…well yeah!, but its an acquired taste…and its on the rise..

Its in the head...simples!

Forgive me for being a little confused with the concept of implantation or Cochlear Implants but recently I’ve come across two separate occurances that give me the impression that the general Deaf population believe that after implantation…you are no longer Deaf?

A young lad who requested an installation of a Fire Angel fire alarm in his hostel room was denied because the Advocate for the Deaf, believed that because the implant was in his head, he would hear a conventional alarm whilst he was asleep.

Reading a post in another forum, a recipient of an implant was told, “please don’t forget us deafies, when you get switched on” What do you think?..Does the average Deaf person, having the educational standard of an 11 year old have the one dimensional thinking of an 11 year old too…or are they being misguided into believing such silly notions.