PIP CAMP!

I wanted to talk about what I learn at PIP Camp.

So at PIP camp we had two keynotes the first one was Justin Osmund.(Yes He is family member of the Famous Osmund Family). Justin is hard of hearing. He is the only one in the second generations of the Osmund Family who has a hearing loss. The First generation has 7 members of his family has a hearing loss. Justin talks very well and plays the violin. Justin works for Starkey hearing aids and is very successful at his career. Next Keynote is a Deaf Dr at Primary Children. She has Bilateral implants. I thought it was interesting because she said she couldn't talk on the phone. Which is interesting because the adults I've spoke with (8 adults) I know can talk on any phone. House phone, cell phone any phone. But this adults had the Cochlear Nucleus Freedom. So I wondering if the reason she can't on the phone is because the device can't do that, or if she isn't mapped quite right. Also She couldn't hear really well. When the adults I know can hear amazing distances and dont even sign. Because they never had to. Maybe it isn't the device

cause Advanced Bionics is pretty comparable to the Cochlear Nuclues Freedom. But the implant teaches the brain to listen ,so maybe it is because she hasn't worked on learning to talk on the phone. It probably is that reason right there not the decive. The other adults they use their phone all the time. I don't for sure because I'm not deaf. But the other Adults I've talked 4 of the 8 on the phone. I talk to this 4 of these adults on a regular basis. So it is definitely interesting for me.

Another thing I thought about is this. Hearing aids and Implants. I have met parents that are saying that the DR are saying a implant. But I do understand what these parents are going through I went through the same thing. Three hour Brain surgery! Cutting your child's head open. I understand why they feel this way. I dont regret my decision getting the implant for Gavin. Not one Bit! I can tell you the difference between hearing aids and implants are huge! ( Look above for the differences I've seen with Gavin) Not every child with a hearing loss can get a implant nor to they need the implant. If your child has a mild or moderate hearing loss. Hearing aids are going to work awesome for them. If you child is deaf like Gavin (severe to profound hearing loss) Hearing aids are not going to give them what they need to speak really well and hear at a distance. Children have to be able to over hear conversations. You can't teach them 46 millions words directly. A deaf child that wears aids can hear up to 3 ft most of language. But they cannot hear sss! or shh! or higher frequencies. The moment you move 4 ft away they can't hear you that well anymore. They start missing pieces of the words and the further you are away the more they miss. And if it is noisy at all they can't even hear you at 4 ft away. I have spoke to a deaf adult who wears hearing aids. She told me how she hears. I spoke with audiologist about this as well. I'm learning fast and talk to anyone I can. About it! Don't just take my word for it. Go find out yourselfs. What is best for your child and family. I'll I can tell you is this is working for Gavin and my family! What I've found out. Through all of my many hours of study this out. From A-Z. I've read tons of books, I've sat in many Conferences. I've gone to many events. I'm still learning I dont know it all by any means. But I've got a pretty good idea on being able to help my own son. Learn to listen and to Speak! That's what I want for my son! And it is working and I see success with this everyday!

I'll tell you what my audiologist said to me about Gavin's hearing loss. He told me you want to know how deaf Gavin is right. He said if a big dog was to bark directly into Gavin's ear. It would be the noise levels as a clock ticking to me. He would detect the dog but just barely.

Last year I got the opportunity to meet 5 teenagers on a panel who were deaf. Not hard of hearing. Deaf (severe to profound hearing) 4 out of the 5 had implants either one implant, or one implant and a hearing aid , or two implants. Then this teenager with the hearing aids. I heard her talk for about 15 min. I could understand her about 80% of her speech, 5% I had to guess what she was saying, and the another 15% I had to look at the cart services to see what she said cause I couldn't understand what she was saying. She sounded deaf when she spoke. But like I said I still understood 80% of the time.

PIP camp was fun! I enjoyed being there and meeting other Families! I look forward to getting to know them more and developing friendships with them. Cause we are in the same boat! We should be friends!