Monday, June 25, 2018
Back in the saddle adding life to my blogspot.
What's it like to go from being hard of hearing with the ability to use hearing aids to profoundly deaf. In 2008 within 3 days I lost all my residual hearing. A WOW moment it was. Silence can be good and knowing what it is like to not hear anything is a whole new ballgame. I thank God I have sign language under my belt. Where do we go from here. Stay tune.
What's it like to go from being hard of hearing with the ability to use hearing aids to profoundly deaf. In 2008 within 3 days I lost all my residual hearing. A WOW moment it was. Silence can be good and knowing what it is like to not hear anything is a whole new ballgame. I thank God I have sign language under my belt. Where do we go from here. Stay tune.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Hearing Loss Association of Lycoming County - PA
In August, 2011, the Hearing Loss Association of America saw the birth of a new chapter to their 200 plus chapters nationwide. In fact, this is the first hearing loss support organization established in this area. Our meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in Williamsport, PA. Our organization advocates, provides information, provides resources, and provides support to individuals with any type of hearing loss regardless of age.
What are the benefits of joining the HLA of Lycoming County?
What are the benefits of joining the HLA of Lycoming County?
- Receive the Hearing Loss Magazine every other month
- Attend the HLAA Convention annually with discount rate
- Participate in the national Walk4Hearing Campaign
- Participate in the national online webinars
- Participate in community held events
- Be active in participating in fundraising events
- Join local chapter near you
- Receive chapter newsletter
- Join national e-newsletter
- Understand and learn about the different types of hearing loss
- Learn about various assistive listening devices
- Learn how to adjust and cope with hearing loss
- How family members, relatives, co-workers can communicate better
- Empowerment and self-esteem
- Develop new friendships
- Understand various communication skills
- Discover closed captioned
- Comprehend hearing loss as being "invisible"
- Learn about other Internet resources
The benefits are endless! You are not only helping yourself, but educating those around you. Also, you are educating others on how to better communicate with you. It's a win-win situation.
As a member of numerous other national hearing loss organizations, I find researching all of them helps you to enhance and live a better quality of life. Yes, there are obstacles. You learn about ways to approach those obstacles head on.
In the process of learning about your own hearing loss, you know what kind of questions to ask physicians and audiologists.
I came to understand hearing loss can also affect individuals mentally. Sometimes people socially withdraw or isolate him/her self once the person notices they are not able to hear or communicate well with others. It is not uncommon to develop anxiety and depression.
Social networking is a positive way to reach out to others. You would be amazed how many members connect with other chapters across the state or across the country.
As this organization continues to draw members more specialized topics will be discussed.
If you wish to contact me, please do so at tybergkay7376@yahoo.com.
Life is an ongoing process and God has blessed us with a brain to find ways to meet the challenges in our daily life.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
9/11/11
It was 10 years ago today the United States was maliciously and deliberately attacked by terrorists. Like so many others across the great nation, we remember where we were at the time of the attack and how the day (s) unfolded in disbelief and horror.
Here is my story, I was in a beauty shop in Sharonville, Ohio getting my hair done. While reading a magazine my hairdresser overheard someone say the Twin Towers in NYC had been attacked. She said this is such a low voice I hardly realized what she said. Then another beautician came over and said, "It's true, and they are showing it live on TV." Another customer sitting in the chair next to me made the remark, "Ah, who cares it won't affect us." I stopped my beautician from what she was doing and went over facing the woman that made the remark and said, "New York City or not...this will affect every human being in the United States and how can you think it won't!!!" I was firm and straight forward. (It did affect everyone.) Then the TV showed the plane heading into the tower. My knees were weak and a tingling numbness came over my body in distress and disbelief. I was in a state of shock. The hair dresser finished with my hair and I took off for home. Yet to my knowledge, the plane that went down in PA and the Pentagon. I sat glued to TV screen as our children called us in horror and shock. Tears were shared on both sides of the phone. Why were we so distraught?
We lived in Peekskill, NY which is 35 miles from White Plains for 12 years. We were familiar with New York City, and we had come to love and appreciate the city with Broadway, fine dining, the Twin Towers, the Empire Building, the Bronx Zoo, TV commerical, and more. Family members would come to town and we would take them on a tour of the city. Numerous times we went up to the Twin Towers and the view over Manhattan from atop was incredible. The sight of all the skyscrapers, the Hudson River, and all of New York City. There was nothing like it!!! We came down the elevator and at the bottom we sat outside those strong steel concrete walls amazed at the structure and beauty of these towers. Nonetheless, we sat on the sidewalk leaning upon this massive structure having lunch one day. Therefore, it made it quite difficult to imagine the gigantic structure come tumbling down like wooden blocks a kid plays with. The massive amount of people inside those towers completely trapped. The rescue workers, fire personnel, and police personnel working frantically to help anyone and everyone. My heart ached to think of the hundreds of children left without a parent. Wives and husbands without their loved ones.
I came to realize that the American people stand stronger and higher than any building. We are a nation united to protect its freedom. As war was declared, my hearts went out to all our soldiers and civilians that have given up their lives to protect our freedom. We shall and we did overcome! The terrorists didn't know what they were in for when they attached us. Many have died, but we also know there are many more of them out there. Freedom does ring inside all of us. God bless the U.S.A.!
Here is my story, I was in a beauty shop in Sharonville, Ohio getting my hair done. While reading a magazine my hairdresser overheard someone say the Twin Towers in NYC had been attacked. She said this is such a low voice I hardly realized what she said. Then another beautician came over and said, "It's true, and they are showing it live on TV." Another customer sitting in the chair next to me made the remark, "Ah, who cares it won't affect us." I stopped my beautician from what she was doing and went over facing the woman that made the remark and said, "New York City or not...this will affect every human being in the United States and how can you think it won't!!!" I was firm and straight forward. (It did affect everyone.) Then the TV showed the plane heading into the tower. My knees were weak and a tingling numbness came over my body in distress and disbelief. I was in a state of shock. The hair dresser finished with my hair and I took off for home. Yet to my knowledge, the plane that went down in PA and the Pentagon. I sat glued to TV screen as our children called us in horror and shock. Tears were shared on both sides of the phone. Why were we so distraught?
We lived in Peekskill, NY which is 35 miles from White Plains for 12 years. We were familiar with New York City, and we had come to love and appreciate the city with Broadway, fine dining, the Twin Towers, the Empire Building, the Bronx Zoo, TV commerical, and more. Family members would come to town and we would take them on a tour of the city. Numerous times we went up to the Twin Towers and the view over Manhattan from atop was incredible. The sight of all the skyscrapers, the Hudson River, and all of New York City. There was nothing like it!!! We came down the elevator and at the bottom we sat outside those strong steel concrete walls amazed at the structure and beauty of these towers. Nonetheless, we sat on the sidewalk leaning upon this massive structure having lunch one day. Therefore, it made it quite difficult to imagine the gigantic structure come tumbling down like wooden blocks a kid plays with. The massive amount of people inside those towers completely trapped. The rescue workers, fire personnel, and police personnel working frantically to help anyone and everyone. My heart ached to think of the hundreds of children left without a parent. Wives and husbands without their loved ones.
I came to realize that the American people stand stronger and higher than any building. We are a nation united to protect its freedom. As war was declared, my hearts went out to all our soldiers and civilians that have given up their lives to protect our freedom. We shall and we did overcome! The terrorists didn't know what they were in for when they attached us. Many have died, but we also know there are many more of them out there. Freedom does ring inside all of us. God bless the U.S.A.!
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Hearing Loss and the Holidays
Season's Greetings from our family to yours.
People that do celebrate the holidays know it is a great time of the year to embrace each others company and catch up on what has happened over the last year. The important thing is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Typing his name just sends goof bumps down my arm in a good way. Remembering why we celebrate the holiday.
I find it amazing during the holiday season to drive around the mall and stores throughout town and suddenly say, "Gosh, I never knew we had this many people living in this area"? By January malls and stores look like a ghost town. This time of the year many of us are out and about attending children and grandchildren school programs and concerts. Attend various after school activities the children are involved in to celebrate the end of the season. Oh, how I miss those days. We are hustling in and out of stores trying to find that "perfect" gift to put under the tree. Then the stream of invites come delivered by hand or in the mailbox asking us to attend a party. We rush around shopping for the right attire for these occasion....a frustrating nightmare sometimes. There are different kinds of parties. There are parties with just people standing around chit chatting and enjoying the food and company of others. Next, there are those potluck parties where you mingle and try out wonderful dishes while enjoying friendships kindle. Then there are parties where the event is more formal and elegant with a sit down dinner, band in the background, dance floor, open bar, etc. We can't forget those parties you get invited to where people are crowding you, not everyone knows everyone else, the music/DJ is blasting in the background, shoes on the wooden dance floor makes annoying noise, and it feels like a zillion people are talking all at once. The holidays can bring those of us with hearing loss an enormous "headache". If there was a vote on headaches at such affairs, I would likely get a 25,000 or more "yes" responses.
How do individuals with a hearing loss handle these wonderful party times? Let me say if you have a suggestion, please add yours to the suggestion box. Here is what I have found to be useful without making myself miserable by the end of the party.
People that do celebrate the holidays know it is a great time of the year to embrace each others company and catch up on what has happened over the last year. The important thing is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Typing his name just sends goof bumps down my arm in a good way. Remembering why we celebrate the holiday.
I find it amazing during the holiday season to drive around the mall and stores throughout town and suddenly say, "Gosh, I never knew we had this many people living in this area"? By January malls and stores look like a ghost town. This time of the year many of us are out and about attending children and grandchildren school programs and concerts. Attend various after school activities the children are involved in to celebrate the end of the season. Oh, how I miss those days. We are hustling in and out of stores trying to find that "perfect" gift to put under the tree. Then the stream of invites come delivered by hand or in the mailbox asking us to attend a party. We rush around shopping for the right attire for these occasion....a frustrating nightmare sometimes. There are different kinds of parties. There are parties with just people standing around chit chatting and enjoying the food and company of others. Next, there are those potluck parties where you mingle and try out wonderful dishes while enjoying friendships kindle. Then there are parties where the event is more formal and elegant with a sit down dinner, band in the background, dance floor, open bar, etc. We can't forget those parties you get invited to where people are crowding you, not everyone knows everyone else, the music/DJ is blasting in the background, shoes on the wooden dance floor makes annoying noise, and it feels like a zillion people are talking all at once. The holidays can bring those of us with hearing loss an enormous "headache". If there was a vote on headaches at such affairs, I would likely get a 25,000 or more "yes" responses.
How do individuals with a hearing loss handle these wonderful party times? Let me say if you have a suggestion, please add yours to the suggestion box. Here is what I have found to be useful without making myself miserable by the end of the party.
- Go with the desire to have a good time and a good attitude.
- You can decide whether you want to go or not. I have found to be respect, I attend and find something I enjoy.
- If there is a band or DJ. Ask them to play something that is the loudest and then decide where to sit for my ear(s) comfort level.
- If the music is disturbing, turn the hearing aid down or lower the Cochlear Implant volume.
- Should there be a speaker, find out where the person is going to stand so you can lip read that person.
- If you know about the party in advance, request a sign language interpreter if you need one.
- If you have an FM system or person pocket assistive device...bring it along.
- If you see a headache coming on, excuse yourself and take a 15 or 20 minute break. Let someone know you are going outside for a minute so the group does not think you have suddenly left without saying good-bye.
- If you have trouble understanding someone that does not realize you have a hearing loss, politely tell them you have a hearing loss or are deaf.
- In case you still cannot hear someone, lead them to an area that is quieter and the two of you can have a conversation.
- Remember if alcoholic beverages are served and the person you know has been drinking you might observe their speech might be slurred or difficult to understand. Don't get upset with yourself if you can't understand that person.
- Let the waiter or waitress at your table know you are deaf or hard of hearing and tell them to come around and face you or tap you on the shoulder when asking if you would like some coffee, water, or take your plate.
- Face people approximately 12 inches away when talking to them.
- Always thank the wonderful host or hostess for the party even in sign language.
- Should you still get a headache take something for it.
- I have found deciding not going to the party is an escape from reality unless you are a die hard "not a party type of person". Some people are comfortable with crowds and groups and others are not.
- Enjoy the party and have a good time.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
When you find out you have a hearing loss?
Gulp! A person learns he/she has a hearing loss. Or the hearing parent learns for the first time their beautiful child has a hearing loss. The elderly grandmother has a hearing loss. [My first question to the individual is how did he/she find out they had a hearing loss? Did they go to an Ear-Nose-Throat doctor, a certified audiologist, etc.?] Wow! It can come as a shock and numerous other reactions can occur.
Yes, it can be traumatic. In life many of us face the unexpected illnesses or tragedies that permanently disables us from doing what we used to do or enjoy. Individuals that have a hearing loss is different from person to person. In the same way, one person's prescription glasses cannot be worn by another person. If an individual is profoundly deaf that person does not have any hearing whatsoever. It's a conclusive fact.
Since a child I have lip read, read, learned from audiologists and ENT doctors, professors, researchers, deaf and hearing professionals, workshops, seminars, symposiums, and the like on how things could have been better handled when I was a child. This is the first of series I will cover on that and how I faced the fact I had a hearing loss.
How do parents tell a child she or he cannot hear like Mommy and Daddy? That answer varies from one family to the next. The sooner it is presented in a positive light rather than a negative light the better. Be loving, supportive and sincere.
First, you are still you as a human being. That is first and foremost. What's the key here? You are a human being like anyone that walks this Earth before being [and this should never come about in the 21st Century] labeled as "Deaf"/"Hard-of-Hearing (HOH) person. Okay, I just knocked the socks off of you right there. In our society today still there are people that look at you as having a hearing loss before looking at you as a person and what wonderful qualities or talents you may have instilled in you. Look at the big picture. Create the attitude that this is what I can do not what I can't do. Read this last sentence very carefully and let this sink in. If I were saying this to your face I would say afterward, "Read my lips!" That's the truth unless the person only communicates in sign language I would then use sign language.
Second, it took me 10 years to "accept" that I had a hearing loss and there was nothing I could do about it. I did not bring this upon myself. There is nothing I can do to heal my ears (some case those surgery can be the answer for some). I am still the same person I have always been. Why should I pity myself? Why should I feel sorry for myself? When I was young thinking I had a hearing loss was the last thing that entered my mind was "your deaf kiddo". I was kid. I wanted to play and be a part of the family. I wanted to learn. I wanted to do all the things my classmates did. I wanted to play house. I wanted to be a nurse. There was a period of time I actually was asking and blaming God for making me "deaf" (since then I realized under my Christian faith this is not what God did to me). In fact, it was my faith in God that made me move forward. That does not mean though there weren't times I questioned God and I did a lot of praying under my blankets at night or out in the fields on the farm. I was one curious gal as a kid. I questioned everything.
Another factor is if doctors or professionals can not pin point the reason you lost your hearing. I have a simple solution- Do Not Get Hung Up On It! It is not worth the time or energy to go in circles in your mind. Move on. I repeat move on. Realize you have a hearing problem and seek sound professional assistance in addressing how you can adjust and overcome. In my own way, I beat it. I see I have your ears perked up already. It is what it is and learn to adapt and live with it. Now, don't get the wrong idea folks. This does not mean stay at home all the time and don't go out, decline invitation to places, give up vacations, never attend parties, lock yourself up in a room or closet, decline going to meetings, etc. Remember the movie, "The Miracle Worker" with Patty Duke? This is 2010 and there are many resources and assistive devices available today for those with a hearing loss. It is hard in the beginning for anyone to learn where to turn to next. Smile...I have lots of information for you.
Stay tune for 3, 4, 5, in this series.
Yes, it can be traumatic. In life many of us face the unexpected illnesses or tragedies that permanently disables us from doing what we used to do or enjoy. Individuals that have a hearing loss is different from person to person. In the same way, one person's prescription glasses cannot be worn by another person. If an individual is profoundly deaf that person does not have any hearing whatsoever. It's a conclusive fact.
Since a child I have lip read, read, learned from audiologists and ENT doctors, professors, researchers, deaf and hearing professionals, workshops, seminars, symposiums, and the like on how things could have been better handled when I was a child. This is the first of series I will cover on that and how I faced the fact I had a hearing loss.
How do parents tell a child she or he cannot hear like Mommy and Daddy? That answer varies from one family to the next. The sooner it is presented in a positive light rather than a negative light the better. Be loving, supportive and sincere.
First, you are still you as a human being. That is first and foremost. What's the key here? You are a human being like anyone that walks this Earth before being [and this should never come about in the 21st Century] labeled as "Deaf"/"Hard-of-Hearing (HOH) person. Okay, I just knocked the socks off of you right there. In our society today still there are people that look at you as having a hearing loss before looking at you as a person and what wonderful qualities or talents you may have instilled in you. Look at the big picture. Create the attitude that this is what I can do not what I can't do. Read this last sentence very carefully and let this sink in. If I were saying this to your face I would say afterward, "Read my lips!" That's the truth unless the person only communicates in sign language I would then use sign language.
Second, it took me 10 years to "accept" that I had a hearing loss and there was nothing I could do about it. I did not bring this upon myself. There is nothing I can do to heal my ears (some case those surgery can be the answer for some). I am still the same person I have always been. Why should I pity myself? Why should I feel sorry for myself? When I was young thinking I had a hearing loss was the last thing that entered my mind was "your deaf kiddo". I was kid. I wanted to play and be a part of the family. I wanted to learn. I wanted to do all the things my classmates did. I wanted to play house. I wanted to be a nurse. There was a period of time I actually was asking and blaming God for making me "deaf" (since then I realized under my Christian faith this is not what God did to me). In fact, it was my faith in God that made me move forward. That does not mean though there weren't times I questioned God and I did a lot of praying under my blankets at night or out in the fields on the farm. I was one curious gal as a kid. I questioned everything.
Another factor is if doctors or professionals can not pin point the reason you lost your hearing. I have a simple solution- Do Not Get Hung Up On It! It is not worth the time or energy to go in circles in your mind. Move on. I repeat move on. Realize you have a hearing problem and seek sound professional assistance in addressing how you can adjust and overcome. In my own way, I beat it. I see I have your ears perked up already. It is what it is and learn to adapt and live with it. Now, don't get the wrong idea folks. This does not mean stay at home all the time and don't go out, decline invitation to places, give up vacations, never attend parties, lock yourself up in a room or closet, decline going to meetings, etc. Remember the movie, "The Miracle Worker" with Patty Duke? This is 2010 and there are many resources and assistive devices available today for those with a hearing loss. It is hard in the beginning for anyone to learn where to turn to next. Smile...I have lots of information for you.
Stay tune for 3, 4, 5, in this series.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)