Toolkit Idea Topic 16-Lipreading/Speechreading

Hi & Happy New Year. This is the 16th of 27 Idea
Topics I listed on three sheets of paper called:
"A Toolkit of Ideas for People with A Hearing Loss"
Sheet 1 Introduction Ideas 4 topics
Sheet 2 Toolkit Ideas 18 topics
Shhet 3 Closing Ideas 5 topics
Note :This is the first topic this year. Prior
topics 1-15 can be seen at google website:
hlt1-27.blogspot.com

16 LIPREADING/SPEECHREADING:will define both
terms but understand that today they are used
interchangably.

1 Introduction:Many people with a hearing loss use
their eyes to make up for what they cannot hear
since they usually have difficulty hearing speech
as it normally sounds. In addition to straining
to hear, you are also using your eyes to get what
your ears missed and that you hear better when
you see people's faces.

2 Definitions:
a LIPREADING:is a skill most people use to understand
speech by visually interpreting the movements of
the lips,face and tongue with information provided
by the context,language and any residual hearing.
People with normal vision,hearing and social skills
unconsciously use information from the lips and face
to aid aural comprehension in everyday conversation.
b SPEECHREADING:uses lipreading skills plus additional
clues such as facial expressions, gestures and body
language. Knowing the topic and context helps to
figure out what a person is saying.

3 Some facts:
a Lipreading takes a lot of focus & can be very tiring.
b Lipreading may be difficult because only 30 to 40
percent of speech is visible on the lips.
c Many sounds are made in the back of the throat, such
as k and hard g.
d Many words have the same mouth movement and look the
same on the lips but sound different, such as pat,
bat and mat.
e Speechreading can be like taking a fill-in-the-blanks
test, so paying attention to context is critical to
good speechreading.
f Speechreading is a skill that must be learned and
practised regularly. Some people are natural lip
readers but most of us have to struggle to learn it.

4 Useful Information:
a Speechreading like any new skill may require training,
regular practise and natural ability.
b Speechreading videotapes and guidebooks are available
and some community colleges offer classes to help
people improve their skills.
c Visit the website and type "lipreading" and/or
"speechreading" to obtain more information.

Let's share our experiences with lipreading/speechreading
so others can profit by our experiences.
Some interesting questions about lipreading are:
1 Why does it come so easily to some people but others
like me, have to struggle to learn it?
2 Are classes really worth the time, frustration and money
involved?

Best regards Paul in New Jersey

Toolkit Idea Topic 15-Psychological Effects

Hi Everyone. This is the 15th of 27 Idea Topics
I listed on three sheets of paper called:
"A Toolkit of Ideas for people With A Hearing Loss"
Sheet 1 Introduction Ideas 4 topics
Sheet 2 Toolkit Ideas 18 topics
Sheet 3 Closing Ideas 5 topics

NOTE:This will be the last topic this year.
Nest topic 16 Lipreading/Speechreading will be
Monday Jan 7, 2008 because of the holidays.

15 PSYCHOSOCIAL EFFECTS OF HEARING LOSS:
Need to understand stages of grief & stress.
1 GRIEF:Applies to more than death including
hearing loss. Grief stages are:
a SHOCK:Condition of sudden drop in blood flow
through the body.
b DENIAL:"I can't be losing my hearing, not me"
c ANGER:"Why me! Emotional state from mild
irritation to intense rage"
d BARGAINING:"If I do so and so, can I put off
my hearing loss for a while"
e DEPRESSION;Sets in when bargaining does not work.
f ACCEPTANCE:I accept my loss of hearing and am
ready to live with it & help myself.

Note:Stages may not appear in this order. Person
may go back and forth among some or all of these
and other emotions.

2 Stress;is any physical, chemical or emotional
factor that causes bodily or mental unrest. Mild
stress is beneficial to do a good job, focus
better and work energetically. Elimination of
stress is unrealistic since stress is a part of
normal life. Symptoms include headache, sleep
disruption, anxiety, anger & depression.

3 Stress Test:How stressed are you?
Looks at 42 life events that you have experienced in
the last year or two. Then total the numbers beside
the events that you checked. Use the key below to
determine if you are mildly,moderately or severely
under stress. Also note the negative effects of high
stress on your body.
Key: 0-149 = mild life stress 30% chance of illness
150-299 = moderate life stress 50% chance of illness
300+ = Major life stress 80% chance of illness
Note:Go to website and type "life stress test", then
click on life stress test and print copy of the test.

4 Stress Management Ideas:
a Physical exercise like walking
b Relaxation & Meditation Techniques
c Imagery & Muscle Relaxation
d Time Management & Organizational Skills
e Support Systems:Loved ones, friends, Neighbors,
Pets, and self-help groups like HLAA, ALDA
& Say What Club.

5 Ways of Helping Yourself:
a Physical Activities
b Share your stress
c Know your limits
d Make time for fun
e Be Active
f Check off your tasks
g It's OK to cry (especially us guys)
h Avoid self medication
i Check with your doctor
j Consider counseling
k Spend time with your loved ones
l Take a course in relaxation or meditation

Let's share our experiences with stages of
grief and stress as it pertains to hearing loss
so others can benefit from our experiences

My best wishes to all of you for a Very Merry
Christmas & A Happy New Year.

Paul from NJ

Toolkit Idea Topic 14-Ototoxic Drugs

Hello everyone. This is the 14th of 27 Idea Topics
I listed on three sheets of paper called:
"A Toolkit Of Ideas for People With A Hearing Loss"
Sheet 1 Introduction Ideas 4 topics
Sheet 2 Toolkit Ideas 18 topics
Sheet 3 Closing Ideas 5 topics
Prior topics can be seen at google website:
hlt1-27.blogspot.com

14 OTOTOXIC DRUGS:Medications that may cause
damage to the inner ears resulting in temporary
or permanent hearing loss and tinnitus.

1 Common Symptoms:Some common symptoms are:
a Noise in the ears((tinnitus).
b Pressure in your ears.
c An awareness of & fluctuation or increase in
the degree of your hearing loss.
d Dizziness.
e Word discrimination problems.

2 Risk Factors:
a Taking drugs for a long time.
b Taking ototoxic drugs in large doses.
c Prior ear damage.
d Drugs not administered properly.
e Very young or older people.

3 Reducing Risk:
a Tell your doctor you are hard of hearing.
b Tell your doctor about ringing in your ears.
c Ask about side effects of drugs.
d Ask pharmacist aabout potential ototoxic
effects.
e Read labels for ototoxic side effects.

4 Common Ototoxic Medications:
a Salicylates:Aspirin & aspirin containing
products.
b Non Steriodal anti-inflammatory drugs.
c Antibiotics.
d Loop Diuretics.
e Chemotheraputic agents.
f Quinine.

5 More Information:There are many web sites
that provide information on this subject.
One good one is by Neil Bauman at
hearinglosshelp.com/articles.htm#ototoxic drugs

Let's share our experiences with ototoxic drugs
so others can benefit from our experiences.
Paul in NJ

Toolkit Idea Topic 13-Cochlear Implant

Hi Everyone. This is the 13th of 27 Idea Topics
I listed on three sheets of paper called:
"A Toolkit of Ideas For People With A Hearing Loss"
Sheet 1 Introduction Ideas 4 topics
Sheet 2 Toolkit Ideas 18 topics
Sheet 3 Closing Ideas 5 topics

13 COCHLEAR IMPLANT:Is a device that is partially
implanted into the bone behind the ear to stimulate
remaining nerve fibers within the inner ear. It is
not a cure nor does it restore hearing to normal.
It is advanced technology that taps the retained
potential of the hearing pathway by enabling it to
respond to sound by bypassing damaged hair cells
to directly activate the auditory nerve fibers.
Many say they function as well as people who have
been effectively fitted with hearing aids.

1Surgery:Performed under general anesthesia is
relatively pain free, takes 2-3 hours and
complications are rare. The surgeon makes an
incision behind the ear, raises the skin flap
to expose part of the mastoid bone.
Drills a small depression in the bone to hold
the receiver/coil in place. the cochlear implant
is placed under the skin with stimulating arrays
consisting od electrical contacts inserted into
the cochlea through a small opening near the
round window. The skin flat is sutured and healing
takes about four weeks.

2 Costs:Cochlear implants cost fron $20,000-30,000.
This includes evaluation, surgery, hospital costs,
fitting the device and communications training.
Many health insurance carriers, including Medicare
in some states, provide full or partial coverage
for cochlear implant devices. If you think you are
a candidate talk to an ENT doctor who may refer you
to a specialist in this field.

3 Internal & External Parts:
a Internal Parts:Internal coil and electrodes are
inserted into the cochlea during surgery.
b External Parts:Microphone, speech processor and
external antenna are hooked together and linked
via magnet to the internal parts, after the incision
is healed. At this time the audiologist assesses
patients ability to listen to sounds and adjusts
controls in the speech processor. The processor is
the size of a small calculator or large BTE(behind
the ear) hearing aid and drives the implant.
The assessment takes several visits. With expeience
many implant people notice enhanced sound quality.

4 Strategies For Wearing An Implant:
a Be patient
b Use ALD's
c Shop Carefully
d Clean carefully
e Be aware of climate control
f Carry an identification card

A discussion of cochlear implants by users and those
of us who may be future candidates, would allow us to
benefit by your experiences.
Best Regards Paul in NJ