I lost all of my hearing in 2008 and am learning to hear with a cochlear implant. Fortunately, I am able to still perform the duties of my job because we almost exclusively communicate with email, but I cannot communicate effectively with a regular telephone.
This wouldn't be a problem if I wasn't trying desperately to relocate from CT to IN. I can't move unless I secure employment, but I'm very limited in the jobs I can apply for because most of the jobs I am qualified for require moderate to heavy phone contact. So I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place.
There are many services available in Indiana to persons with disabilities, such as employment assistance and vocational rehabilitation, but I cannot access these resources because I'm not a resident. I can't be a resident unless I get a job there...it's a bit of a circular dilemma.
Any advice or links to resources will be very helpful.
Thanks, Kris
I also lost my hearing later in life, and use a cochlear implant to communicate. While it helps immensly, it is certainly not a cure, nor does is measure up to what my hearing once was. However, it has been eight years since I received my implant, and it does get easier with time, although it will never be perfect in my opinion. Like many things in life, I just learned to "roll with it", and make the best out of my situation. It does get easier, though. Do you have the Freedom processor? I have the Nucleus 3G, and I have been meaning to upgrade it, but it cost like $7,000, and my insurance will not pay for it, which is crime in my opinion, but whatever. I could go on forever about insurance companies. LOL.
I currently work full-time, so I understand your concerns with telephone usage. While it has gotten better with practice, I still do not trust what I hear over the telephone, which is why I use the Captel telephone at work and at home. In case you do not know, the Captel telephone allows hard-of-hearing individuals or CI users to hear and read what the person on the other line is saying, which takes away a lot of the anxiety I have about using the phone. When someone calls you they will not need to call a relay service first, as they would have to do if you were to use a traditional voice-carry-over phone. As such, the person would not know that you have a hearing disability and use a relay service for telephone usage. They would only know about your hearing loss if you chose to disclose it. However, incoming calls are not captioned unless you get a second line. I provided you with the link so that you may learn more about the Captel telephone. While it is not a perfect accommodation (no accommodation is perfect in my opinion), it helps me to perform the essential functions of my job, which require me to use the telephone often. Here is the link:http://captionedtelephone.com/.
As far as assistive listening devices, I don't really use them, as for some reason I don't seem to benefit from them. I tried using FM Systems several times, and I did not find them beneficial. However, I keep on trying different things with the hope that I will find something that works for me.
Anyway, I am sorry about your recent loss, as I know how difficult it can be. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to post your questions, and I will do my best to answer them.
Take Care
Thanks for the input. I have a Harmony (Advanced Bionics) Cochlear Implant. I do have a CapTel phone at home, and I can't even imagine trying to use one at work because the accuracy of the captions is pretty bad sometimes, and the delay between the speaker and the captions is pretty noticeable.
In a conversation with a friend, she said "living in Michigan" which came up as "up in the chicken" on the captions. We laugh about it, but how can I be comfortable taking customer/client phone calls when stuff like that happens? Am I supposed to say, "I'm sorry ma'am, but the captions I'm reading couldn't possible be what you actually said. Will you repeat all of that very slowly a few more times?"
Yeah, I agree that sometimes the captions are really off, but it really helps me with using the phone at work. I hear better using the Captel phone, as well.
Hello to the two of you. I am new at this "gettinghired" website and you both are my first postings that I'm reading and I'm glad I found you... I was born deaf but I use a hearing aid in my left ear that makes me Hard of Hearing. I wanted to get a cochlear implant but oddly, I'm over-qualified to recieve for my left ear and under-qualified for my right ear. In other words; too "hearing" with my hearing aid in left.... and too "deaf" in my right ear.
Anyways, I'm also legally blind. I get around pretty well but it's far beyond difficult to even find a job.... I mean, how many people are going to hire a person with both limited hearing AND vision? Let alone the unabilities to use a captel phone... But lucky for me, I use a video-phone with voice-carry-over...I'm fluent in sign language and with very well speech. I have alot of good abilities but jobs will only look at what I have...not what I can do....right? Words of encouragement would be appreciated! Smiles.
Hi Luv4Rain,
Have you registered with the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services (BBVS) in your area? They specialize in blindess and employment. Also, google the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) to look into accommodations that may work for you in the work place. You may also cantact a representative at JAN to get some advice about work and accommodations. They may be able to direct you, and give you valuable advice.
I wish there was an easy answer to your dilemma. Have your looked into jobs that don't require much communication over the telephone. Although you said you are legally blind, I assume you can see fairly well in order to use a video phone.
What types of jobs have you held in the past? Do you have any training? What types of jobs have you thought about? Do you have any connections with others who are blind & deaf?
Hi Kris, It's great that you can continue to perform the essential tasks of your job while you're learning to process information with the coclear implant.
While you are looking for work, can you take advantage of CT.'s or another state's Telephone Relay Service, which connects people who can't hear with people who can, via a toll-free telephone number an operator, and a teletype for people who are deaf. Here's a description I copied from http://www.whptv.com/guides/health/story/Telephone-relay-systems/tuKwD9oShU2abDjIY8QgMg.cspx: Telephone Relay Systems make it possible for the hearing impaired, and the speech impaired, to converse by telephone. State governments establish and fund the services, which are provided via Relay Centers and managed by telecommunications companies on a contractual basis. System users must have a keyboard equipped with a Teletypewriter, called TTY (T-T-Y), or a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, known as TDD (T-D-D).
The user first dials an 800-number at the Relay Center, where a calling assistant calls the person with whom the system user wishes to communicate. Then the user types a message onto the keyboard, which the calling assistant receives and voices to the called party. In turn, the calling assistant types the called party's voice response back to the caller. People who can hear also may use the system by dialing the 800-number and telling the CA (C-A) the area code, telephone number and name of the person they want to reach. As the conversation is being relayed, the non-system user talks as though speaking directly to the system user. Those calls may be dialed directly without the assistance of the Relay Center.
The Telephone Relay System in each state is available 24 hours a day and is free. It's your right to use the system as a reasonable accommodation. Its use is authorized under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Once you are working, you and your employer may want to take a look at Accessaphone from Tenacity, Inc. It's one of the most accessible telephone systems out there, and it interfaces well with other internal office telecommunications systems. It's such a unique product because it is accessible to people who are deaf as well as people who are blind. Your employer should be able to provide the assistive technology to you because you are a person with a disability. Here's a link:
http://www.tenacitycorp.com/
Good luck with your job search. I hope you've completed your profile at Gettinghired.com, since that's the first step toward finding good matches with the great jobs our employer subscribers need to fill. Let us know how things go and especially when you get that job that will allow you to move ahead.
Sincerely,
BusyBee
Also, if you go to captel's web page (http://captionedtelephone.com), they have WebCaptel now, as well. You can use whatever phone you feel most comfortable using, but can read captions over the internet. I tried it, and it works pretty good.
Give it a try with a friend or relative, if you have not already done so.
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