Volume 20 Issue 11

HOH-LD-News
Vol. 20, Issue 11
September 11, 2004

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Table of Contents
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

- Article 1: Growing a Healthy "Hybrid" Relationship - Part 2
- Article 2: SHHH Exhibit Floor - Part 9
- Article 3: Telecommunications Primer for Folks with Hearing Loss
- Article 4: Webcast Discusses Services for Students with Hearing Loss
- Classifieds: Two Employment Opportunities
- Contact Information and Disclaimers

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Contact information and disclaimers are at the end of this newsletter.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
- Article 1: Growing a Healthy "Hybrid" Relationship - Part 2
By Laine Waggoner, M.A., M.S.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Editor: Char and I have known Laine and Rex Waggoner for several years now, and have even presented with them at a national conference! We are all very interested in promoting communication between people with hearing loss and the important folks in their lives. Here's Part two of a recent article that reveals some of their wisdom.

As appeared in Spring '04 issue of Hearing Health. Reprinted with permission. For more information on HH and to subscribe to online and print editions, call 202.887.5850 or visit www.hearinghealthmag.com.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Communication is Key

As in any long-term relationship, it is essential that hearing and HOH partners be flexible and accept differences in individual personality or communication style without criticism or blame. It is quite natural for two people to have very different impressions of the same conversation. This is due to differences in gender, culture, upbringing and other influences that shape the way we see our world and how we relate to others.

Hearing loss is an added complication. Effective education is essential for understanding its inherent problems. For example, hearing loss may fluctuate. And stress and fatigue caused by hearing loss may affect our bodies, brains, behavior, emotions (creating grief, denial, anger, paranoia, etc.) and inevitably our relationships.

It is essential that both partners maintain a positive outlook. Negative self-talk is a sure way to end up feeling helpless and hopeless and to withdraw from social interaction. Some negative thoughts are voiced as denials: "It's not me! Everyone else is mumbling;" "I am worthless, so I don't deserve cooperation or accommodation." We all have these feelings from time to time but it is important to nip this negative self-talk in the bud.

Aggression and negativity can be ploys to avoid intimacy and usually lead to people withdrawing from one another. For example, some HOH partners develop a self-righteous attitude: "I've told people I have a hearing problem so I shouldn't have to keep reminding them to speak up." Also, we HOH listeners hate that negative reply "Never mind" when we ask hearing people to repeat themselves. What those words really make us feel is unloved and unimportant. Rather than developing defenses and a negative attitude, however, we need to confidently assert ourselves and explain how we feel to our partner.

Rex says that hearing partners often forget that communication is a two-way street, telling themselves, "I shouldn't have to repeat myself. It's the other person's problem." As a rule, we dread when our HOH partner responds with "What?" or "Huh?" when they missed something we've said. But admittedly, that usually happens when we have neglected to get their full attention.

Rex conducts workshops for hearing partners because they have special needs too. We both feel that it is important to address their issues and to provide them with a safe haven to express their feelings. From his personal perspective, Rex explains that it's natural to grieve the loss of intimacy and spontaneity and even experience loneliness, guilt about being impatient and frustration and anger that can arise from living with a partner's hearing loss.

Laine Waggoner, M.A., M.S., director of HEAR - Hearing-loss Education And Resources in Palm Springs, California, lives creatively with a profound hearing loss and her hearing partner, Rex Waggoner, M.A. They provide coaching on communication, coping and relationship skills for people with hearing loss and their loved ones. Email them at LaineWaggoner@dc.rr.com or RexWaggoner@dc.rr.com.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
- Article 2: SHHH Exhibit Floor - Part 9
By Cheryl Heppner
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Editor: One of the best things about hearing loss conventions is the exhibit floor, where vendors of hearing loss products display their wares. Cheryl Heppner is a master at exploring the booths to discover all the new stuff. Here's the next installment of her report on this year's exhibits at the SHHH convention.

This report discusses:
- Dogs for the Deaf
- Sonovation
- National Technical Institute of the Deaf (NTID)
- Postsecondary Education Programs Network (PEP-Net)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dogs for the Deaf

Barb Velasquez, one of my favorite exhibitors, has been a mainstay of Dogs for the Deaf's outreach program. I was sad to hear that she is gone from DFD, but happy to know that she's still involved in hearing dog training with the Good Sam program in California.

I learned this from Kim Meinhardt, who took her place at the SHHH conference but -- how shocking! -- was sent without a dog. Galaxy was happy to give him some petting time. All Ken had was the dog pictures on the cute and clever Dogs for the Deaf tee shirts and other DFD materials.

Dogs for the Deaf has now been rescuing and placing dogs with qualifying applicants for 25 years.

Info: www.dogsforthedeaf.org

***************

Sonovation

Sonovation was advertising its line of ImpaCt hearing aids -- completely-in-canal, in-the-canal, in-the-ear, and behind-the-ear styles. Also featured was the Logicom XP behind-the-ear hearing aid with an integrated FM receiver.

I didn't get a chance to talk much with their staff because there was too much convention and too little time. The two I met were Ingrid Conn, an audiologist, and EllaVee Yuzon, the Western Regional rep.

Info: www.avrsono.com
800-462-8336

***************

National Technical Institute of the Deaf (NTID)

Frank Kruppenbacher was really enthusiastic about NTID's American Sign Language Video Dictionary and Inflection Guide. He demonstrated this $50 CD for me. It's got 2,700 ASL signs and their English equivalents grouped into 26 categories such as animals, careers, money, countries, and religions. Signs that look alike are grouped for easy comparison and all of the signs are performed in sentences by Deaf native signers. You can choose to see the ASL first and English second or the reverse. There are lots of bells and whistles. The program is both Mac and Windows compatible. To order or see a demo: http://www.rit.edu/ntid/dig or e-mail dig@rit.edu.

NTID also had quite a lot of information about C-Print, the computer-aided speech-to-text system it developed, and an online training NTID now makes available. For info write to cprint@rit.edu or see www.cprint.rid.edu.

I also found that NTID has a lot of materials on educational interpreting. There's a series of captioned videotapes and companion publications on the topic that are intended for deaf ahd hearing students, educational interpreters, parents, K-12 teachers, administrators and support personnel, and teachers of deaf students. These products include: Employing Educational Interpreters, Educational Interpreters: Advocacy Information, Working with Educational Interpreters, and more. For info: http://www.rit.edu/~477www/educationalinterpreting - click on Videotape Series.

Info: www.rit.edu/ntid

***************

Postsecondary Education Programs Network (PEP-Net)

Lots of goodies at this exhibit:
- A laminated 8 1/2 x 11" guide "Comparison of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act"

- Gates to Adventure transition training for students who are deaf or hard of hearing (on-the-job training, community-based rehabilitation training programs, technical & proprietary schools, two and four year colleges). Get information live on the PEPNet website at www.pepnet.org - click on "Online Training" button and then on "Gates to Adventure"

- Copy of the February 2003 NETAC Networks newsletter with a cover story on "Accommodating College Students with Cochlear Implants" by Catherine Clark.

- Booklet on State Outreach and Technical Assistance Centers in the Postsecondary Education Consortium. Virginia's is Joyce Perkins at New River Community College in Dublin, VA -- nrperkj@nr.edu.

- Publication "Believing...Achieving, Creer...Conseguir", about people who are Hispanic, Latino and Deaf. It's 50 pages and written in both English and Spanish. The Foreword is by Ramon Rodriguez and inside are personal stories about deaf and hard of hearing people who are Hispanic/Latino. They include Robert Davila, Jessica Sanchez, Samuel Garcia and Lizzette Arellano.

Info: www.pepnet.org

***************
(c)2004 by Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons (NVRC), www.nvrc.org. When sharing this information, please ensure credit is given to NVRC.

----------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------- NADezine ---------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------
Have the news delivered directly to your email-box!
The NADezine is short, 2x a month, and contains broad
information about the work of the National Association
of the Deaf -- advocacy/lawsuits, NAD Conference
information, job market and more. Membership in the
NAD is not required.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NADezine/join
----------------------------------------------------------------

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
- Article 3: Telecommunications Primer for Folks with Hearing Loss
By Marjie Page
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Editor: This article was actually a reply to a question someone asked on one of the hearing loss lists, and I thought that information this good has to be shared! So I asked Marjie's permission, and she graciously agreed. Those who can attend an ALDA Suncoast meeting can visit with Marjie in person!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Broadband internet enables you to use Video IP Relay (you sign to the operator and they sign back). Several different companies provide these services, you don't even need a tty. If you want VCO (IP or Video IP), I don't see why you couldn't use the cell phone for that, you give the relay operator the number you want them to call for the voice portion, as long as you have 3-way calling, it should work (you, the operator and the other party). You can voice and the operator types back or you can voice and the operator signs back.

For voice to voice calls, you could get a loop to work with t-coils on almost any cell phone, some use adapters, some plug directly into a 2.5mm port on your phone, they all have a microphone inline. Nokia makes one compatible only with their phones, they also make one that is compatible with any phone having a 2.5mm plug. Motorola makes one. Test before you buy. You could get a HATIS, it's like a silhouette that works with your t-switch, works great but expensive and not very durable, you will be replacing it fairly often if you use it a lot. You could upgrade your FM system to the new Phonak that uses Bluetooth and get any Bluetooth enabled phone to use with it. I haven't the resources to test to see if the wireless connection provides clear sound, but Phonak has a great reputation for quality products. There is a long list of hearing aid compatible cell phones too. (Sorry, I don't have that list). Ask to use the phones at your provider's store before you buy and see which works best for you.

I use a SideKick (available only from T-Mobile and another company in California). It has the ability to use relay from Sprint and MCI with the terminal program, to use MCI relay from the AOL Instant Messenger program or use Lormar Relay from IM (to voice is free, to tty for a fee and people can call in where the other relay services are only outgoing). This is really a better phone for data and web, not for voice. I can use voice on it for an emergency call or familiar voices (my husband who doesn't mind repeating often) if I max out the volume and remove my hearing aid (the current model is not hearing aid compatible, they say the next model will be more accessible). The ear I use for the phone has a severe loss.

I prefer VCO, but no phone can provide that alone yet and I don't want to carry around an additional device.

Any device (phone, pager, pda) that has AOL Instant Messenger can use the IM Relay services.

You could use a Pocket Speak and Read VCO with almost any phone (hit and miss). Use it with the direct connect feature with a TTY compatible cell phone. This would work for both outgoing and incoming calls (through relay of course).

If you want to use a TTY, the cell phones below are all supposed to be TTY compatible, some may no longer be available. You would need a TTY that says it is digital phone compatible, like a Compact-C, Pocket TTY or Q90. According to the FCC, all cellphone models manufactured starting in the year 2003 are required to be TTY-compatible, but test before you buy.

The Nokias all require an adapter (at additional cost < $10). The Yiso isn't a phone, more like a modem, but it can make calls when connected to another device (like a TTY or laptop). Some of these phones have J2ME, Java 2 Micro Edition, I have not heard if this makes them compatible with IP-relay though. Ask the online Relay providers for information, they are adding and improving services almost every day.

I suggest you search the web for the brand and model to see features, who the carriers are and which carriers offer the service required for using the tty feature (all carriers do not support all tty enabled phones, just because they have it, doesn't mean it works for ttys on their network). I provided phone numbers for customer service of the manufacturers when available.

Sony Ericsson
T61D
T61Z
T62u

Nokia
6800 with HDA-9 TTY adapter
6590 with HDA-9 TTY adapter
6590i with HDA-9 TTY adapter
6360 with HDA-8 TTY adapter
6340 with HDA-8 TTY adapter
3660 with HDA-9 TTY adapter
3650 with HDA-9 TTY adapter
3620 with HDA-9 TTY adapter
3600 with HDA-9 TTY adapter
3595 with HDA-9 TTY adapter
3590 with HDA-9 TTY adapter
3560 with HDA-9 TTY adapter
3520 with HDA-9 TTY adapter
3361 with HDA-9 TTY adapter
3360 with HDA-9 TTY adapter
3300 with HDA-9 TTY adapter
3200 with HDA-9 TTY adapter
3100 with HDA-9 TTY adapter
2260 with HDA-9 TTY adapter
1261 with HDA-9 TTY adapter
1260 with HDA-9 TTY adapter
1221 with HDA-9 TTY adapter
1100 with HAD-9 TTY adapter

Motorola (TTY phone number 888-390-6456)
V60i
V60t
V66
T720
T720i
C331
C332
120t
120x
120e
V200

Panasonic
Versio EB-TX320
Allure EB-TX310

Hitachi
SH-P300

Kyocera (TTY phone number 858-882-3858, is now saying all their phones have standard feature of tty compatibility)
1135
2345

LG
LG1010
LG4NE1
LG5350

Samsung (Hidden Menus to Enable/Disable TTY capability, not easily figured out)
SPHi330
SPHA400
SPHA460
SPHA500
SPHi500
SPHN240
SCHi700
SCHA530
SCHA310

Sanyo
SCP4900

Danger
Sidekick

Yiso
PCS Connection Card

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
- Article 4: Webcast Discusses Services for Students with Hearing Loss
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Editor: Here's a notice about a webcast that should be of interest to lots of readers. While you're there, poke around their site and check out some of the previous webcasts. Note that the live webcast is captioned, but the captioning is provided as a separate file if you access the video after its initial webcast.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On Sept. 15, The Disability Law Resource Project and Beth Case will present a Web-cast entitled, "Determining Appropriate Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students." During the program, Case will look at a variety of accommodations - including interpreters, speech-to-text transcription, assistive listening devices and others - and how to determine which is most appropriate for a given student in a given classroom. To link to the Web-cast and download accompanying materials, visit: http://www.ilru.org/online/calendar.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
- Classifieds
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Two Employment Opportunities appear in this issue. (Ads appear after this brief table of contents.)

Employment Opportunity 1
Interpreter
Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind
Gooding, Idaho

Employment Opportunity 2
Parent-Infant Specialists
The Hearing, Speech & Deafness Center
Seattle, Washington

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Employment Opportunity 1
Interpreter
Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind
Gooding, Idaho
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

STARTING DATE:
August 10, 2004

SALARY RANGE:
Commensurate with education and experience

BENEFITS:
Comprehensive fringe benefit package included.
Employees and spouses receive reduced tuition at state universities ($5 per credit hour).

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
* A.A. or B.A degree with interpreting as a major emphasis or experience and formal training in interpreting.
* Certified as an interpreter or willing to obtain certification within 24 months. (Certification can be obtained from Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf).
* Fluent in American Sign Language, English, and Conceptually Accurate Signed English.
* Strong sign to voice skills (adult and children).
* Demonstrate knowledge of Deaf culture and communication styles.
* Familiarity with role and ethics of the interpreter.
* Experience in teaching Conceptually Accurate Signed English is preferred.

DUTIES:
* Interpret in-service programs, meeting, mainstream classes, student activities and provide interpreting services for deaf staff members.
* Provide instruction or planning in sign language instruction for staff and students as needed.
* Act as resource person regarding manual communication related issues (etiquette, turn taking, vocabulary, aspects of visual-gestural languages and interpreting issues).
* Interpreters will be required to maintain a plan of professional development as follows:
1. Certified interpreters will participate in the certificate maintenance program as required by Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. 2. Non-certified interpreters will complete the application and evaluation process of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf within 2 years.
* Other duties as assigned.

LOCATION:
ISDB is located in Gooding, Idaho (pop. 3,500), a small farming community at the foothills of the Sawtooth Mountain Range. The city of Gooding is a quiet, family oriented community. Abundant recreational and professional growth opportunities are available within a short driving distance. For more info about ISDB check our website at: www.isdb.state.id.us

APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Submit:
1. Letter of application
2. Copies of certification
3. Three letters of recommendation
4. Official transcripts
5. Resume

SUBMIT TO:
Human Resources Department
ISDB, 1450 Main Street, Gooding, Idaho 83330

DEADLINE:
Open until filled.

FOR MORE INFO CONTACT:
Ms. Sherry Hann, Human Resources Director at 208-934-4457 (V/TTY)
or send email to: shann@isdb.state.id.us

Successful candidate will be required to furnish a background check within three months of employment per Idaho Code 33-130.

In addition to sending a letter of application and resume, applicants should send a regular VCR tape, "C", or a "mini" DVCassette and include the following:

1) A five minute segment of voice to sign interpreting (ASL)
2) A five minute segment of sign to voice interpreting (ASL)
3) A five minute segment of voice to sign transliterating (Conceptually Accurate Signed English)
4) A five minute segment of sign to voice transliterating (Conceptually Accurate Signed English)
5) Voice to sign portions must be accompanied by a typed script of the selection that was signed.
6) If possible, these segments need to be "live" segment.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Employment Opportunity 2
Parent-Infant Specialists
The Hearing, Speech & Deafness Center
Seattle, Washington
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Two positions available September 1, 2004: 1 FTE and .5 FTE
(Reports To The Director Of The Parent-Infant Program)

DEFINITION:
The Hearing, Speech & Deafness Center's Parent-Infant Program has a national reputation and a 50 year history of serving families in King and Snohomish counties. Parent-Infant Specialists are responsible for the educational programs of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing children, ages: birth to three, and their families within their caseload. This includes planning, teaching, record keeping, interagency collaboration, and service coordination for each child and his/her family. Specialists participate in weekly infant/toddler play groups at PIP and one home visit session per week for each child/family assigned to their caseload. Our services to families include weekly communication play groups, home visits, parent groups, sign language classes, audiological services, individual and family counseling, lending library, resource coordination, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.

REPRESENTATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Maintain weekly records on each child in caseload.
Conduct quarterly assessments of communication/language skills and annual developmental assessments for each child.
Write quarterly objectives for parents and children in the areas of presymbolic communication, receptive/expressive language, auditory learning, speech, general development (e.g. cognition, self-help, social-emotional) and family outcomes.
Develop an Individualized Family Service Plan with each family.
Coordinate services with other agencies & assist families with accessing funding resources.
Coordinate transitions to preschool.
Assist with audiological assessments of children at HSDC.

PREFERRED/REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Master's Degree in Deaf Education from an accredited program within a university recognized by CAID; OR Master's Degree in related field. Teaching certification, preferably as a birth to three educator. Three years experience working with Deaf and hard-of-hearing children, at least two of which are with infants/toddlers and their families. Knowledge of early childhood development. Experience working with children with multiple disabilities. Fluency in American Sign Language and knowledge of Deaf Culture and Community.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Essential job functions include the ability to: travel efficiently throughout King & Snohomish Counties; move freely in varied work environments, including stairs; use the telephone, computers, typewriters and general office equipment; read and use written English effectively; communicate in sign language; lift up to 15 pounds; and pass necessary state and federal background checks.

HSDC is an equal opportunity employer with policies and practices designed to create a diverse workforce.

Contact Deborah Ennis, Director of Parent-Infant Program at Dennis@hsdc.org with "PIP Specialist Position" in the subject line.
Serious inquiries only and mail cover letter and resume to:
The Hearing, Speech & Deafness Center
Attn. Human Resources
1625 19th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98122

Application deadline: Position open until filled
Please no phone calls. No faxed documents

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
- Contact Information and Disclaimers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We are very interested in your comments concerning the content and format of this newsletter. We want this publication to be useful to you. Please send your comments and suggestions to: hearinglossweb@hearinglossweb.com

Visit our Website at: http://www.hearinglossweb.com

To subscribe to this newsletter. Email
HOH-LD-News-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Yahoogroups will respond with a subscription email.

To unsubscribe to this newsletter, email
HOH-LD-News-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com. Yahoogroups will respond with an unsubscription email.

Archives for this newsletter are on our website at:
http://www.hearinglossweb.com.
Click on "HOH-LD-News" in the header.

Advertising information for HOH-LD-News and Hearing Loss Web is available at http://www.hearinglossweb.com/Misc/adv/adv.htm.

Publication of articles or advertisements does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services offered, nor of the companies that offer them.