Eh? What? Huh?

How Do You Provide Unbiased Information in the Field of...
Eh? What? Huh? We are all biased, no doubt about that. I think it would be impossible to remain unbiased at all times. However, the only time I am not biased or try not to be biased is when I am giving information to parents as a deaf and hard of hearing itinerant teacher. I usually don't tell parents what to do; I give suggestions. I also give a truck load of information. I encour...
Mon, Feb 13 2012 · 8 hours ago

My Thoughts on HB 1367, Thus Far
Eh? What? Huh? Rather than build an entirely new center, why not keep the outreach center where it is and look at what exactly is going on there. If there are problems, fix them. Perhaps the staff needs more training or some staff members need to leave. Perhaps new rules need to be enforced to encourage staff members to provide unbiased information. If some of the staff members did ...
Fri, Feb 03 2012

A Parent's Experience With the ISD Outreach Center & Why...
Eh? What? Huh? I was told about a blog post, Why I support Indiana House Bill 1367, written by Untitled. She wrote about her experience taking her son to the Outreach Center at ISD to be assessed. It did not sound as if it went well. Below is an excerpt. You can read the entire article here. I was very hesitant on going there because Evan was an already an established auditory le...
Thu, Feb 02 2012

Great Post About HB 1367 & the Issues Surrounding Indiana...
Eh? What? Huh? I found this excellent post on the issues surrounding House Bill 1367, Indiana School for the Deaf, and its outreach center. The article is named, Consider What You're Fighting to Win-My Post on Hear Indiana's "Support HB 1367" Facebook Page, written by Christopher Jon Heuer. I think his take on the situation is one of the most reasonable and clear statements I have ...
Wed, Feb 01 2012

Buying a New Hearing Aid (Yay! and 'Yawn')
Eh? What? Huh? It has been at least six years since I bought a new hearing aid. I bought it based on a recommendation from an audiologist in New York City, while I was living there. I did not shop around or care to really learn more about the hearing aid I planned to buy, which was really expensive at the time. I did not even check to see if my insurance company would cover it. I wa...
Sun, Jan 29 2012

For and Against HB 1367
Eh? What? Huh? I have been reading various blogs about the House Bill 1367 which proposes to "remove the outreach center currently housed at the Indiana School for the Deaf, terminate all staff working in that center, and recreate a new outreach center separate from the school" (from NAD's Action Alert: Support Ind.School for the Deaf, Oppose HB 1367). Many people online oppose th...
Wed, Jan 25 2012

Questions For Deaf & HOH Teachers From a Reader
Eh? What? Huh? A reader left a comment with questions in response to an earlier post, Deaf Student Teacher With Hearing Students. Perhaps some of you can answer her questions and give her suggestions. Wow, this is a very inspiring article and I enjoy reading all your comments. I am currently a hearing impaired student teacher (hard of hearing) teaching hearing students. I've tau...
Tue, Jan 24 2012

What if there is a Cure For Deafness?
Eh? What? Huh? I am excited and fascinated by the news of stem cell research approved by FDA in relation to treating hearing loss. I can't wait to find out what they learn. In light of the news, I have been asked by more and more people, "What if deafness was cured tomorrow? What would you do? Would you be upset about not working in deaf education?" I usually laugh and tell them,...
Wed, Jan 18 2012

Crap People Say to Teachers of the Deaf & HOH
Eh? What? Huh? "Wow, how sweet of you!" "You teach deaf kids? How noble of you." "You work on their speech and stuff?"  "Oh, like a speech teacher."   "Must be nice having quiet students."  "Why do deaf people [insert question]?" "Aren't you concerned that sign language will keep the student from talking?"  "Since you work with him on speech, do you have any sugg...
Wed, Jan 18 2012

Crap Hearing People Say to Deaf & HOH People
Eh? What? Huh? A YouTube video that has gone viral inspired me to write about the ignorant and funny comments some people make to deaf and hard of hearing people. The video I am talking about is by comedian Franchesca Ramsey. She recently uploaded a YouTube video S**t White Girls Say to Black Girls. Apparently, she was inspired by another YouTube video S**t Girls Say. The video is c...
Tue, Jan 17 2012

I Like How You Don't Talk To Me Like I'm Stupid
Eh? What? Huh? I was talking to a teenaged boy about the Pirates of the Caribbean movies and how I never really liked them or got into them. He was a huge fan and was telling me about which movies are his favorite and why they are the greatest movies of all time. I told him that while I disagree, I admit that the love story between Will and Elizabeth was actually pretty good. Toward...
Fri, Jan 13 2012

Any Suggestions For This Deaf/HH High School Student?
Eh? What? Huh? hello i am a freshmen in high school and the only person in my high school with a hearing loss. i would really like to get to know other people my age with similar issues that i face and someone that could relate to me. do you know of any good camps anywhere for people with hearing impairments. i have recently heard of a camp sponsored by the lions club. if there...
Thu, Jan 12 2012

Lipreading Mom/CCAC Internet Captions Campaign
Eh? What? Huh? Lipreading Mom collaborated with CCAC and started the Internet Captions Campaign; requesting television networks to provide captions for their online videos. Details are at [link] Several network websites have been contacted, and volunteer email letter-writers are needed to keep the initiative going. They encourage and welcome your
Tue, Jan 10 2012

Issues Some of My Deaf/HH Students Deal With
Eh? What? Huh? Here are some specific issues some of my deaf and hard of hearing students deal with: One of them, a junior in high school, is in complete denial that he has a significant hearing loss and that it is a progressive hearing loss; getting worse every year. "I hear much better now. I'm fine. No problem." Some of them refuse to accommodate for themselves, learn sign la...
Tue, Jan 10 2012

I Love Reading
Eh? What? Huh? Photo from sleepyneko @ flickr I wonder if the reason why I love to read and started reading voraciously at a young age is because it does not involve listening. Being hard of hearing, listening can be hard work and tiring for me. With a book, I see everything that is being said and I don't have to ask the book to repeat itself or rephrase itself. With a book, I ...
Tue, Dec 27 2011

Favorite 2011 Blog Posts From Other Bloggers
Eh? What? Huh? Here is a list of some 2011 blog posts I really enjoyed reading. I hope you enjoy them as well. Follow Your Bliss'  Teacher of the Deaf Hearing Spark's  The Variables of Hearing Deaf & HOH Teachers Sound Off!'s  Hilarious post Speak Up Librarian's  My New Hearing Aids in Different Sound Environments Xpressive Handz's  Normal Does Not = Right ...
Thu, Dec 22 2011

Future Deaf and HOH Advocate, Part 2 : )
Eh? What? Huh? Remember a young student of mine who told his parents that he wants to grow up to be an advocate for deaf and hard of hearing people? I saw him recently, before the holiday break, and as always he was talking about starting a support group or social group of some kind for people like himself (deaf and hard of hearing). He is particularly interested in meeting others c...
Tue, Dec 20 2011

New Blog: Closed Captions Watch
Eh? What? Huh? I started a new blog, Closed Captions Watch. Since I have been writing so much about closed captions, particularly about television shows that don't caption the spoken dialogue verbatim, I thought it made sense to start a new blog that focuses on various problematic issues surrounding captioned media. You can check it out here: [link] There is not much at
Sun, Dec 18 2011

Turning On the Subtitles for DVD Is Easy
Eh? What? Huh? After talking with and sending numerous emails about the importance of using closed-captions or subtitles to a counselor at a school, she still was not doing this for some hard of hearing students who attend her classes, according to an interpreter. They attend her class at least once a week. It seems as if she shows a lot of videos. These videos are usually cartoons ...
Fri, Dec 09 2011

A Writer's Take on How AMC Censors Captions
Eh? What? Huh? It is nice to know that I am not alone in noticing and hating the fact that AMC intentionally censors the closed captions for their hit television shows. Look at journalist and author Joe Clark's take on the issue below. I really enjoy reading his entire article, Response to FCC Public Notice on closed captioning rules (from Joe Clark Accessibility, Design, Writing,...
Mon, Dec 05 2011

My Email to Amazon Requesting Captioned Videos
Eh? What? Huh? I was so impressed with Shanna's, aka Lipreading Mom's email to ESPN, that I decided to use it as template when I emailed Amazon. Here is her email to ESPN: Dear ESPN, ABC Sports, and ESPN.com, As a sports fan with hearing loss, I am writing to express my concern about the lack of captions with your video streaming of live sports events. On several occasions,...
Mon, Dec 05 2011

AMC Continues to Censor Closed Captions
Eh? What? Huh? I am watching AMC shows Walking Dead and Hell On Wheels. They are both excellent shows, although I am liking Hell On Wheels more than Walking Dead at the moment. They are also both very violent and bloody, not suitable for young children. In addition, the language used is not always appropriate. They don't censor the offensive language in the audio portion. If you hav...
Sun, Dec 04 2011

In Addition to Complaining, Writing "Thank You" Letters Can...
Eh? What? Huh? I am currently working on writing "thank you" letters or notes to corporations and organizations taking the time to provide closed captions or subtitles for videos they provide. I am doing this one at a time, every time I notice someone putting in the time and effort to provide captioning. Of course, if I feel anything should change or if something needs improvement, ...
Sat, Dec 03 2011

A Potential Deaf Teacher in the Making
Eh? What? Huh? Hi, I'm profoundly deaf and a cochlear implant recipient.  I'm very interested in pursuing a Masters in Education to become a teacher, but however, I want to find out first if schools would hire me as a math or science teacher for the regular classroom of hearing students?  Most schools could see me as burden because if they hire me, they would have to provide...
Fri, Dec 02 2011

How Accurate Are Audiograms?
Eh? What? Huh? I have been told by some audiologists, that when looking at an audiogram, look at it as more of a prediction or educated guess of how one will hear. It is not an 100% accurate portrayal of how one hears in all situations in the real world. How we hear in the audiological testing booth is vastly different from how we hear at a party, a room with a noisy air conditioner...
Tue, Nov 29 2011

How Audiograms Help Me as an Itinerant Teacher of Deaf/HH...
Eh? What? Huh? When I was in graduate school, I remember studying audiograms (hearing assessment results, plotted on a graph) and thinking, "Why in the world do I need to know how to read an audiogram?" "I am here to teach, not be an audiologist, what does it matter?" Well, I am thankful that I can quickly glance at a student's audiogram and get a general idea of what type of hear...
Mon, Nov 28 2011

Deaf Teachers of Typically Hearing Students
Eh? What? Huh? My post, Deaf Student Teacher With Hearing Students, has some unanswered questions left by commenters. Perhaps these questions can be answered by the previous commenters or other readers may like to get involved with the discussion. I would love to hear more from other individuals who went through or are going through similar experiences. Comment left by Dee:  It...
Sat, Nov 26 2011

MTV's Quiet Campus
Eh? What? Huh? If you have not already, be sure to check out mtvu's Quiet Campus. Quiet Campus includes videos from a documentary about four students at Galluadet University. All of the episodes are super short, but very interesting and educational. I hope we will see more! I wish they would change the title, Quiet Campus. Deaf people can be far from quiet. Below is the latest epi...
Fri, Nov 25 2011

Gift Ideas for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, 2011
Eh? What? Huh? Here is a list of items I think would make great and interesting gifts for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Of course, whether or not some of these items would be good gifts, depends on the person's preferences, degree of hearing loss and communication mode.  Let me know what you would add to list or if you have any suggestions. Click on images for more infor...
Fri, Nov 25 2011

Hearing Aids Creatively Concealed in the 20th Century
Eh? What? Huh? Don Grushkin shared with us a great webpage, Deafness in Disguise, that provides examples of how hearing aid devices were "concealed" in certain fashions during the 20th century. With some of the designs, it seems as if they went through a great deal to creatively conceal the bulky and strange looking hearing devices of that time. The best ones, in my opinion, are...
Tue, Nov 15 2011

Hearing Aid Museum
Eh? What? Huh? I recently came across this online hearing aid museum. It is a very interesting and informative site. I think it is fascinating to see how hearing devices evolved over the years. Did you know that the first electrical hearing aids appeared during the 20th century, thanks to the invention of the carbon microphone? My favorite section is the Quack Hearing Devices file...
Mon, Nov 14 2011

YES! 'Switched At Birth' in January!!
Eh? What? Huh? Photo from ABC Family YES!!! Just found out from blogger/vlogger Red Deafia on DeafRead that ABC's Switched at Birth will be back January 3rd, 2012!!!  Watch Red Deafia's vlog if you want a visual representation of how excited I am that they will be showing Switched at Birth again so soon. Glad to see someone share the same enthusiasm I have!! If you have not see...
Sun, Nov 13 2011

My First IEP Meeting, Yikes
Eh? What? Huh? Constantly hearing in the news about Rick Perry's brain freeze moment during a debate where he could not remember the name of an agency, reminds me of when I sort of screwed up at my first IEP meeting. My blunder was embarrassing, but at least it was not televised and plastered all over the news. I am not a shy person and I usually have no problems with public speak...
Fri, Nov 11 2011

IEP Meetings: Tips for Teens
Eh? What? Huh? Here is a link to a guide for teenagers who will attend IEP meetings. I hope you find it helpful.  From PACER CENTER Action Information Sheets (PDF file): Tips for Teens: Use Your IEP Meetings to Learn How to Advocate for Yourself   [link] (e
Thu, Nov 10 2011

IEP Meetings, I Actually Like Attending Them
Eh? What? Huh? I attend at least 20 IEP meetings a year. I am trying my best to schedule and plan for 10 at the moment. For those who don't know, IEP stands for Individualized Education Plan. It is basically a legal document that is updated at least once a year that includes a plan with how the student with special needs will be educated in a general public school environment. It ca...
Wed, Nov 09 2011

DEAF EYE on EMERGENCY! by Stephanie Jo Kent
Eh? What? Huh? From Xpressive Handz: This video link is what my researcher friend, Stephanie Jo Kent and I have been doing these past few days. When you watch the video Press the arrow key after each presentation to view the next series of information.   It is the first test of its kind and it is history in the making for communication with this technology. We are VERY excited...
Tue, Nov 08 2011

'Deaf Jam' Film by Judy Leiff
Eh? What? Huh? If you have not heard already, an interesting documentary about deaf poets and poetry slam in ASL has recently premiered on television. It is called, Deaf Jam, a film by Judy Lieff. Looks great, I can't wait to see it. Visit their website for local screenings and listings.  From their website: In Deaf Jam, Aneta Brodski seizes the day. She is a deaf teen introdu...
Fri, Nov 04 2011

Why Language is Vital
Eh? What? Huh? I have written about many times before on this blog that language acquisition is super important. I focus on making sure students acquire an understanding of language and a means to express this language. It should not matter how they learn or use language, as long as it works well for them. It is important to ask, "Do they get what others are saying?" "Can they com...
Wed, Nov 02 2011

ROAR!! This is How You Sign 'Lion'
Eh? What? Huh? I have a very young student with a moderate hearing loss. We'll call him John. He can understand spoken language for the most part, but has problems expressing himself verbally (for different reasons, not because of hearing loss). He knows how to sign and he utilizes an interpreter in his general education class. His typically hearing classmates have the habit of comi...
Tue, Nov 01 2011

Repost: Death By Hearing Aid (Not For Kids)
Eh? What? Huh? The spirit of Halloween prompted me to re-post Gruesome Death Involving a Hearing Aid from 2009. *    *    *    * I remember this scene from Freddy's Dead - The Final Nightmare (1991). It scared me as a kid. Now looking at it, it's hilarious. But it still makes me cringe. It shows a guy, Carlos, being tormented by Freddy Kruger. Freddy uses Carlos' hearing ...
Mon, Oct 31 2011

What Are You Dressing Up as on Halloween? Any Deaf or Hard...
Eh? What? Huh? If you celebrate Halloween, and love dressing up for it, what do you think you will dress up as for Halloween? Will some of your costumes be deaf or hard of hearing related? Like the last three years, I will most likely wait until the last minute and will be too lazy to dress up or wear a costume. I think if I were to do a deaf or hard of hearing related costume, I w...
Fri, Oct 28 2011

Halloween Related Posts from Last Year
Eh? What? Huh? Here are some spooky and Halloween related posts from last year: Cute Bat Stickers + Hearing Aid = Happy Halloween Creepy Jack-O-Lantern Picture Cell Phone Use in 1928? More Likely a Hearing Aid My Hearing Loss Sometimes Scares the Crap Out of Me! I Feel Like a Creepy Stalker Sometimes (e
Thu, Oct 27 2011

Free Educational Resources from American Academy of...
Eh? What? Huh? I found some great educational materials on the American Academy of Audiology's website to use with my students who are learning more about hearing related things. There are links to all of their worksheets and posters on their site, Turn it to the Left!, where they are campaigning to raise awareness about the dangers of exposure to loud sounds and to raise funds for ...
Tue, Oct 25 2011

Medical Alert System for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People?
Eh? What? Huh? A reader would like to know if there is a medical alert system for deaf or hard of hearing people to use at home. Because of his medical condition, in case he gets injured, he is afraid that he will be unable to call for help through traditional means if he is alone at home. He does not use or know sign language. He would like to use a system that would help him ...
Tue, Oct 25 2011

Re-Post: Pros and Cons of Being 'Hard of Hearing'
Eh? What? Huh? Today I had a conversation with someone about what it is like for me to have this hearing loss. I told her about the frustrations that can come with being hard of hearing, but I also spoke about the positive aspects. While it is good to talk about the realities of things (usually negative) I think it is important to look at the bright side as well. This discuss...
Mon, Oct 24 2011

MTV's Quiet Campus Premieres Today
Eh? What? Huh? MTV's Quiet Campus, a look at Gallaudet University as cameras follow four different deaf and hard of hearing students, will premiere today, October 24th at 12:00 p.m. ET on mtvU. For a sneak peek, click on this link: [link] Should be interesting.  (e
Mon, Oct 24 2011

Deaf and Hard of Hearing People in Movies and Television...
Eh? What? Huh? Lately, there seems to be a lot of deaf and hard of hearing people being showcased on American television shows. It is refreshing to see deaf and hard of hearing people, especially signing deaf individuals, being portrayed as everyday people who happen to be deaf rather than as special and sweet, mute, naive, objects of pity, desperate to fit in and hear, sex m...
Fri, Oct 21 2011

A Student Explains to His Class How He Hears
Eh? What? Huh? According to his classroom teacher, one of my students, a fifth grader, openly talks to his teachers and peers about his hearing loss. His teacher thought it was interesting when he explained why he was unable to hear some sounds, such as a bird chirping outside, while he can hear other sounds. She said that he used terms such as "high frequency" "pitches" and "degree...
Wed, Oct 19 2011

Playing the Deaf Card, Eh?
Eh? What? Huh? I was reading Oodles of Charm's post occupy occupy occupy and came across something interesting that I think is worthy of discussing. The post is about the Occupy Wall Street rally from the perspective of the writer, a deaf or hard of hearing young lady. By the way, I am not going to really discuss here how I feel about the Occupy rallies and protests. The only thing...
Tue, Oct 18 2011

Unprofessional & Unqualified Interpreters, Better Than No...
Eh? What? Huh? I cam across this article about a high student who filed a complaint with the Iowa Department of Education because she felt she was provided poorly trained interpreters with inadequate skills. Here is part of the article: “It’s interesting to me that there’s never a question if a teacher has to be highly qualified,” Prickett said. “And yet the person con...
Fri, Oct 14 2011