What HAL does for the hearing handicapped

[Golfette]

Dave, thank you for the info on your FM. I am VERY interested. I am extremely non-technical minded, so please bear with me. I have viewed the Phonak website & bookmarked it.

 

I have a few initial questions - I have quite new Siemen digital aids. I guess I'll have to check with my provider to see if they are adaptable. Did you purchase your FM from your hearing aid vendor or from another source?

 

Were you able to try it out, without charge (like hearing aids) for a reasonable length of time?

 

Apparently you have a hand-held control for the FM? My HA controls are on the aid (no hand-held device). I assume I would have to have a hand-held device, and also use the controls on my HA at the same time?

 

I guess that's all for now (enough, isn't it:rolleyes: ?) I appreciate your patience.

 

Lisa (Golfette)

[LetsDoACruise]

Dave, thank you for the info on your FM. I am VERY interested. I am extremely non-technical minded, so please bear with me. I have viewed the Phonak website & bookmarked it.

 

I have a few initial questions - I have quite new Siemen digital aids. I guess I'll have to check with my provider to see if they are adaptable. Did you purchase your FM from your hearing aid vendor or from another source?

 

Were you able to try it out, without charge (like hearing aids) for a reasonable length of time?

Lisa,

Here's a source for seeing if your hearing aids are compatible or not.

http://www.phonak.com/fm_configurator

I *believe* the standard 30 day policy is in place for most Auds, but that you should talk over with him/her. My Aud had me use my HA's for about 2 months before she would allow me to use the FM. She wanted me to get to know the HA's before i started playing with the FM (yeah, i love to have a lot of toys :D). This would allow me to fully tune the HA's before getting the FM. The FM only sends the signal, the HA's do the tuning of the sound. If i didn't like it i was under no obligation to buy. I can't remember when i had to "decide" by, but it was over a month since i did extensive tuning with everything. My HA's have 5 programs and i wanted all of them programed.

 

Apparently you have a hand-held control for the FM? My HA controls are on the aid (no hand-held device). I assume I would have to have a hand-held device, and also use the controls on my HA at the same time?

Actually, the SmartLink *may* be able to control your HA's as they do mine. I'll try to find out for you. I can use either the HA controls or the ones on the SmartLink. Depends on which is more convenient at the time. The SmartLink is also BlueTooth compatible so i use it to answer my cell phone calls (when i'm in a completely noisless environment). It's all controlled via the SmartLink. Pretty neat.

 

I guess that's all for now (enough, isn't it:rolleyes: ?) I appreciate your patience.

 

Lisa (Golfette)

I am more than happy to help out in any way i can. If you have any more questions/concerns you can always email me at ddarbs55 @ netscape dot net.

-dave.

[Golfette]

Lisa,

I am more than happy to help out in any way i can. If you have any more questions/concerns you can always email me at ddarbs55 @ netscape dot net.

-dave.

 

Dave, you're a prince:)! Thank you for the info. It will take me a while to check it out, talk to my HA vendor, etc. Will get back to you soon with (undoubtedly) hundreds of questions.

[Sundagger]

I'm resurrecting this thread mostly because there is a little HOH community on the HAL board that doesn't exist on the Disabled Cruise Travel board on CC.

 

Tonight there was a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie on CBS. Normally I don't watch the Hallmark presentations, but this one starred Marlee Matlin and had cochlear implants as the topic.

 

It primarily was about the question of whether deaf children should have a cochlear implant. It didn't answer the question, but (in a melodramatic way) did present to the general public the concept of "Deaf Culture". It was worth watching just for that. It also didn't answer the question of "what" people with CIs actually hear. The important question of whether children should have the decision made for them or whether to wait until the child "grows up" to make the decision themselves was also unanswered. Leaving all those questions open is probably wise (or cowardly:rolleyes: ) on their part.

 

I'm sure it will be repeated on CBS and on the Hallmark channel. The DVD will "be available" in Hallmark stores in May. Not sure if it will ever get to Netflix.

[Golfette]

I wish I had seen the program Sundagger. I'm really sorry to learn that the program didn't make a statement, one way or the other. That is exactly what the situation was when I "left" the HOH world back in 2000. It is sad to think that 8 years later, nothing has changed.

 

I'm sure the viewpoints of the two "communities" (the HOH and Deaf) remain the same, but I was hoping that education and the success of the cochlears might weigh in heavily enough for the program to make a statement.

 

Reminds me of the book by Jodi Picoult, "My Sister's Keeper", on a very emotional and difficult subject, where the author really copped out at the end with an unrealistic, totally unsatisfying ending.

[Hondu]

 

A little humor, the first day I got my first hearing aides (back in my early 20's), we walk out of the docs and what happens? A motorcycle goes roaring by! OMG - the pain! The first time you go to the bathroom to tinkle and OMG - you think you are at Niagra Falls! My DH turns a page of the newspaper and OMG - crackle, crackle, crackle - very loud! It is sooooo frustrating but there is not a darn thing I can do about it When I got my new fancy, EXPENSIVE, digital aides last year, we are driving home and I keep hearing this "click, click, click" noise - I thought something was already wrong with the aides - I ask DH "what in the world is that clicking noise?" - he starts laughing so hard and trying to stay on the road - it is the blinker - I knew the light flashed when the blinker was on, but didn't know they made a noise!!!!! :D Cheers! Cindie

 

 

I have only read page one of this thread so far but this quote was funny when compared to my adventure with a cochlear implant. For the past 26 years, I have had a progressive hearing loss and used hearing aids with decreasing efficiency.

I remember that my wife and I were in a restaurant and the waiter asked if I wanted another beer, but with my limited hearing, I thought he asked is everything(meaning food) okay. I said yes. To my great surprised he showed up a few minutes later with another beer which I really didn't want. I asked my wife why did he bring me a another and she said "you ordered it.":)

 

As I said, my hearing loss worsen over time and I became eligible for a cochlear implant. Now I can hear birds, water running, clock ticking, etc. It is not perfect but 100 percent better that a hearing aid.

 

On many of my cruises (Carnival, HAL, Princess, Celebrity) I have requested a closed captioned TV and cc movies and they have been quited accommodating. The only problem is that the in house programs are not captioned.

 

I was told (don't know how true) on different ships that if there was and emergency a staff member would come to the cabin to notify me and that I would be among the first in a lifeboat. Out with chivalry.

[Hondu]

 

I am not a candidate for cochlear implant - I am not sure why (perhaps because I will be totally deaf according to the doc) - they just said it wouldn't do a darn thing for me. Like someone above said, you can't enhance what isn't there.

 

As for social settings - a BIG PITA! All my friends and family know that I can't hear or distinguish speech and most are very good about it although I constantly have to ask them to look at me when they are talking to me.

 

Cindie

 

Based on this information, I believe you are a candidate for an implant. I would suggest you ask your doctor for a referral to an ENT Cochlear Implant specialist.

[Hondu]

I am using in the ear (ITE) model with the plastic part fitted. I used to use the BTE model, but was self-conscious about visibility and wanted to wear my hair really short. I know the ITE does show a little, but it's not as obvious as the BTE.

 

(By the way, I mispelled the manufacturer above. It's actually Widex, not Wydex. Doh!)

 

I am of the opinion that since regular hearing people wear Blue tooths just about anywhere and all day long, that the stigma of of ITE or BTE should be mute. I am bald headed and my processor for the implant is absolutely conspicuous. Sometime in the past, I too was self-conscious with hearing aids. But not anymore. By the way, one day recently at the gym, this guy came up to me and introduce himself and asked if I was wearing a new Blue tooth. I laugh and had to explain to him what a cochlear implant is.

[Hondu]

Many thanks Tlseven and Whiterose for your stories.

 

How long ago did you have your surgeries and what implant did you choose (if you were allowed a choice)?

 

It is interesting that most people chose Cochlear as their implant, but Rocky Stone, the founder of HLAA, chose Bionic Ear when he had his implant in the 1990's. I met Rocky at several of the National Conventions before his implant and he was a marvelous lipreader, but nearly totally deaf. After he had his implant, I was invited to his sister's house in L.A. (she was an HOH friend of mine) to see Rocky when he visited her. It was amazing - he could talk on the phone, he didn't have face me to read my lips, he could hear me from across the room. [/b]

 

Well, in my case I choose Advanced Bionics. After reading as much info as possible on the 3 majors (Cochlear America, Advanced Bionic and Med EL), AB seemed more to my liking. Haven't regretted it.

[Sundagger]

I have only read page one of this thread so far but this quote was funny when compared to my adventure with a cochlear implant. For the past 26 years, I have had a progressive hearing loss and used hearing aids with decreasing efficiency.

I remember that my wife and I were in a restaurant and the waiter asked if I wanted another beer, but with my limited hearing, I thought he asked is everything(meaning food) okay. I said yes. To my great surprised he showed up a few minutes later with another beer which I really didn't want. I asked my wife why did he bring me a another and she said "you ordered it.":)

 

As I said, my hearing loss worsen over time and I became eligible for a cochlear implant. Now I can hear birds, water running, clock ticking, etc. It is not perfect but 100 percent better that a hearing aid.

 

On many of my cruises (Carnival, HAL, Princess, Celebrity) I have requested a closed captioned TV and cc movies and they have been quited accommodating. The only problem is that the in house programs are not captioned.

 

I was told (don't know how true) on different ships that if there was and emergency a staff member would come to the cabin to notify me and that I would be among the first in a lifeboat. Out with chivalry.

 

Welcome to the HAL HOH board!!:D . Everyone has something to contribute, and from what I've read of your posts, you certainly do also.

 

On the lifeboat situation - if you have "registered" with the HAL Accomodation and Access department prior to sailing, the ship knows about you. The thing I've found with the staff assistance is that there is a bit of misinformation about you. They seem to handle all "disabled" people similarly - so I have always received numerous offers in my mailbox of assistance with my wheelchair (and I have no mobility problems), so it is best to inform the Guest Relations dept on the ship that you have a hearing problem. Then they will assign a person to you (theoretically) who will assist you in an evacuation situation.

[Sundagger]

I wish I had seen the program Sundagger. I'm really sorry to learn that the program didn't make a statement, one way or the other. That is exactly what the situation was when I "left" the HOH world back in 2000. It is sad to think that 8 years later, nothing has changed.

 

I'm sure the viewpoints of the two "communities" (the HOH and Deaf) remain the same, but I was hoping that education and the success of the cochlears might weigh in heavily enough for the program to make a statement.

 

Reminds me of the book by Jodi Picoult, "My Sister's Keeper", on a very emotional and difficult subject, where the author really copped out at the end with an unrealistic, totally unsatisfying ending.

 

 

Hi Lisa,

Yes, Hallmark isn't in the business of even "conceivably" offending any viewpoint. We tend to forget that the overwhelming majority of people in the world haven't even heard of cochlear implants. At least this did serve as a little public service announcement in the form of a drama.

[LetsDoACruise]

I can't believe i missed it! :mad: there was a write-up on it on CNN a week or two ago as well.

oh well, i guess i'll look for the rerun on Hallmark channel. DW is known to hit that one every so often.

 

HONDU - thanks for the input. another person making me lean towards getting those CI's. i had a lot of salt this past weekend and the tinnitus is so bad i can't even hear myself. :D

When did you get your CI's?

 

Sundagger - Oh, i can't wait for the muster drill when the staff sees i can't understand a thing. i'm sure they'll put me on some kind of list right then and there.

-dave.

[Golfette]

Hondu - thanks for posting. Glad to hear from you!

 

What I'm trying to determine about an implant right now is how much better it is possible for me to hear speech and participate in social life with groups. I certainly cannot get any definitive answers. I hear fairly well with 1 - 3 people in a quiet environment, but how many "quiet environments" are there in this world:o . I wear two top of the line digitals, but according to the audiologist I don't have a lot of hearing left to work with. I don't want to give up where I am for something that doesn't look to be considerably better. It is a big step to take, but I will be looking into it as well as a personal FM system.

[etoile]

I didn't enjoy "Sweet Nothing in My Ear" because of the cop-out ending. I know, I know...we shouldn't expect anything else from Hallmark! But the ending just wrapped up SO fast.

 

As for what people with CI's hear, there are some demos online, but you have to be able to hear to appreciate them.

[LetsDoACruise]

I didn't enjoy "Sweet Nothing in My Ear" because of the cop-out ending. I know, I know...we shouldn't expect anything else from Hallmark! But the ending just wrapped up SO fast.

 

As for what people with CI's hear, there are some demos online, but you have to be able to hear to appreciate them.

LOL...that's like the highway sign that says "Braille Institute Next Left". :p

I am interested, though, as i believe your hearing is probably still much better than mine, did you listen to the demos? If so, what was your impression and how would you describe the clarity/quality? thanks!

-dave.

[Golfette]

Etoile, and anyone else, do you know what the site is for hearing CI demos on line? I would like to try. I wonder if the demo features a person speaking also so you can read lips?

[etoile]

There are several different demos, but none of them have any video. It's all just audio files. If you have volume control on your hearing aids and computer, you can turn them up and perhaps get some use out of this anyway. Or ask a friend to listen and tell you what it sounds like.

 

Keep in mind that most modern implants have at least 16 channels and often quite a few more, but all of these demos include what it sounds like with just a few channels as well as more channels. (So you will hear 1 channel, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, etc. - you will hear old technology as well as modern technology.)

 

http://www.pbs.org/saf/1205/features/Interactive/intro1.htm

http://www.hei.org/research/aip/audiodemos.htm

http://www.healthaffairs.uci.edu/hesp/Simulations/simulationsmain.htm

http://www.utdallas.edu/~loizou/cimplants/cdemos.htm

[Taxguy77]

I can't believe i missed it! :mad: there was a write-up on it on CNN a week or two ago as well.

oh well, i guess i'll look for the rerun on Hallmark channel. DW is known to hit that one every so often.

 

HONDU - thanks for the input. another person making me lean towards getting those CI's. i had a lot of salt this past weekend and the tinnitus is so bad i can't even hear myself. :D

When did you get your CI's?

 

Sundagger - Oh, i can't wait for the muster drill when the staff sees i can't understand a thing. i'm sure they'll put me on some kind of list right then and there.

-dave.

 

Tat'll be the day when the staff sees anything except 'Get it over with'.

Do CI's stop the tinnitus? Mine isn't too bad so far, concentration on something else stops it, but sometimes it comes when I try to sleep. :mad:

[Golfette]

Thanks for the info Etoile - I appreciate it!

[LetsDoACruise]

Yeah, thanks, etoile! definitely sounds better with more channels from what i could tell.

BTW - how are the hearing aids? did you get them yet?

 

Taxguy77 - welcome to CC! i guess you made it through the season, eh? According to TLSeven - the tinnitus he/she experienced diminished a little. I've read that it didn't diminish at all for others. I guess each person is different.

 

Don't know if any of you have been there or not, but i just found cihear dot com. It's all about CI's and also has personal stories of people who have gone through the operation and recovery as well as a message board. Best yet, it also has a captioned video of an actual CI operation - with diagrams next to the video. I just started looking at it.

 

Golfette - It's awesome! If you're not too weak in the knees you should look at it. It looks very informative. If it gets too graphic maybe you can cover up the video and leave the captions and diagrams so you can see how it's done. :)

-dave.

[Golfette]

Golfette - It's awesome! If you're not too weak in the knees you should look at it. It looks very informative. If it gets too graphic maybe you can cover up the video and leave the captions and diagrams so you can see how it's done. :)

-dave.

 

Eeek! It's early in the a.m. & I'm too "weak in the knees" right now. Don't know whether I want to see it. I talk big, but I'm a real chicken.

 

Were you able to understand the speech? How was it "different?"

 

Golfette

[serendipity1499]

:) OMG...I was doing a search for Travel Insurance & this thread came up..I've only read a few pages but am thrilled to learn that we can request Closed Captioning on HAL's T.V's..Even though it's not perfect, it helps me to understand what is going on..

 

I'm also hearing impaired & have worn hearing aids for the past 15 years...It's hereditary but was brought on at an earlier age, than my Mothers hearing problem, because I never covered my ears during lunch/coffee breaks on the outside observation deck at JFK...Our office was right next to the observation deck & we all loved to sit out there to watch the coming & going of flights..Of course those who worked on the tarmac had ear covers but it never dawned on us that we should also cover our ears...:( How dumb we all were..:( Now of course, they no longer have outside observation decks..

 

I've never been ashamed of my hearing loss & do mention it to many people..Even with my Special hearing phone, I must ask people to speak slowly...We've been cruising with Dear Friends & usually request a table for 8 at late seating...My Dearest Friend always helps me when I can't hear & understand parts of conversations...

 

Unfortunately they will not be with us on our Alaska Cruise in Aug..Haven't approached DH yet, but I'm seriously considering requesting a table for two or four at anytime dining because of my hearing problems...

 

In the meantime, will inform our Tour Operator of my hearing loss & request CC for our stateroom TV..

 

Thank you starting this thread & everyone for your input...It's been a tremendous help to me..

 

Cheers..:) Betty

[Sundagger]

:) OMG...I was doing a search for Travel Insurance & this thread came up..I've only read a few pages but am thrilled to learn that we can request Closed Captioning on HAL's T.V's..Even though it's not perfect, it helps me to understand what is going on..

 

<snip>

 

In the meantime, will inform our Tour Operator of my hearing loss & request CC for our stateroom TV..

 

Thank you starting this thread & everyone for your input...It's been a tremendous help to me..

 

Cheers..:) Betty

 

Welcome to the HAL HOH board!! There isn't much on the CruiseCritic Disabled Cruise Travel board regarding the hearing handicapped, but the HAL board has a good number of people who have been active in this thread.

 

Among the good news - you don't have to request the closed captioning, it is available on all of the TV sets (but not all of the channels). What might be necessary is to have someone on the staff demonstrate how to use it.

 

To have an alert system (loud buzzer, flashing light, and bed vibrator) and loud telephone installed, just contact:

 

If you require additional information on the ship's facilities or ability to accommodate your needs, please feel free to contact the Access & Compliance Department at 800-547-8493; TTY 800-254-8669; locally at 206-281-3535 ext. 4514 or email us at HALW_Access@hollandamerica.com .

 

They will arrange for it to be in your cabin when you embark.

 

I noticed in the latest Hearing Loss magazine that there was a group from a Florida chapter that took a "group" cruise on RCCL. About 20-25 people. It certainly would be nice to get a group together to go on HAL and give each other a hand.

 

And other news - we were discussing the CapTel telephone. You now don't even need an expensive, special telephone to achieve the same results. There are probably other providers (maybe Sorenson), but there are large ads by Sprint announcing the new service. Go to http://www.sprintrelay.com/webcaptel.htm for a description of the service. I KNOW some of the people in this thread can really benefit by the WebCapTel service. And its FREE to use (well, paid for by fees on everyone's telephone bill).

[serendipity1499]

Welcome to the HAL HOH board!! There isn't much on the CruiseCritic Disabled Cruise Travel board regarding the hearing handicapped, but the HAL board has a good number of people who have been active in this thread.

 

Among the good news - you don't have to request the closed captioning, it is available on all of the TV sets (but not all of the channels). What might be necessary is to have someone on the staff demonstrate how to use it.

 

To have an alert system (loud buzzer, flashing light, and bed vibrator) and loud telephone installed, just contact:

 

If you require additional information on the ship's facilities or ability to accommodate your needs, please feel free to contact the Access & Compliance Department at 800-547-8493; TTY 800-254-8669; locally at 206-281-3535 ext. 4514 or email us at HALW_Access@hollandamerica.com .

 

They will arrange for it to be in your cabin when you embark.

 

I noticed in the latest Hearing Loss magazine that there was a group from a Florida chapter that took a "group" cruise on RCCL. About 20-25 people. It certainly would be nice to get a group together to go on HAL and give each other a hand.

 

And other news - we were discussing the CapTel telephone. You now don't even need an expensive, special telephone to achieve the same results. There are probably other providers (maybe Sorenson), but there are large ads by Sprint announcing the new service. Go to http://www.sprintrelay.com/webcaptel.htm for a description of the service. I KNOW some of the people in this thread can really benefit by the WebCapTel service. And its FREE to use (well, paid for by fees on everyone's telephone bill).

 

Thanks for the info. Sundagger..Can't believe I never knew they had CC on HAL'S T.V's....If necessary will ask someone to help me program the remote if DH can't do it..

 

Right now, I'm OK with HAL's regular stateroom phone & don't need extra loud buzzers, flashing lights or TTY service just yet..Still using ITE Aids.. In SW Fla Sprint is not our local carrier..It's now Embarq, but have a "Clarity Cordless" phone which the Deaf Service of SW Fla gave me..It's working pretty good for me..

 

This thread also reminded me that my Hearing Aid Insurance is due this week... Almost forgot, will call the Audiologist tomorrow..

 

Thanks again..:) Betty

[Golfette]

Welcome Betty. I have been HOH all my life. Started wearing a single aid when I was about 20. Finally broke down about 10 years ago & started wearing two digitals. BIG improvement, but I am still profoundly HOH.

 

We had a table for 8 when we cruised because we like to meet new people. Frankly, I would not do it again. It was much too difficult for me to try to understand what people said. I would try for a table of 4, or perhaps 6 at the maximum. It's hard to hear in a dining room of that size no matter what size table you have.

 

Best of luck to you.