User talk:Awicklund

Hello World:

This is our first post and intend to add to everyone's knowledge, acceptance and understanding of people with varying degrees of hearing loss and the use of service dogs.

Most people with hearing loss fall into two categories: Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Neither group likes the term "hearing impaired" but we use it because it is easier.

Deaf people have a culture all their own - they think differently and communicate using a variety of methods including but not limited to sign language, cochlear implants, video telephones and relay services, and closed captioning.

Hard of Hearing means a person can hear sounds but may not be able to distinguish what the words are, or where the sounds are coming from. Try walking around for a day with cotton in your ears. Frustrating and aggravating. Being hard of hearing is not just a problem for elderly people - there are MANY children who are hard of hearing. Some can be helped with hearing aids and some cannot. But one this is for certain: this is a condition that only gets worse.

The person with hearing loss - whether mild or severe - must daily find a way to cope and communicate with the hearing world.

Learn more at www.hearingimpaired.net

Anne Wicklund Anne Wicklund 04:17, 18 May 2009 (UTC)