[nfb-db] Cochlear Implants was Re: nfb-db Digest, Vol 50, Issue 9What's An FM System?

Fri Mar 22 15:19:23 UTC 2013

Hi Cathy, 

You mentioned in your below message about you getting Cochlear Implants. I am curious. I know what they are, and its been suggested by my audi this last appointment that i look into them. Can you tell me more, please? How much of a hearing loss did you have before you got your CI's? how long have you had them? And what are you able to hear now with the CI's? I know this difference for everyone. 

Thank you, 

Marsha drenth  
Sent with my IPhone 
http://adventureswith2feet4paws.blogspot.com 

On Mar 22, 2013, at 9:56 AM, Catherine Miller <guillcat at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi, Sheila.
> An FM system sends a speaker's voice from a speaker directly into your hearing aids without traveling across the distance between the two of you where the sound becomes dispersed and harder to understand.  The speaker holds a device roughly the size of a cell phone and talks into it.  With your hearing aids switched to T-coil, you receive the signals from the transmitter.  There are variations on this configuration.  I used one before I received my cochlear implants, and it sounded like the speaker was right in both of my ears at once.  Wonderful enhancement to the quality of the speech I was able to hear.  
> 
> Cathy
> 
> Sent from my iPad
> 
> On Mar 22, 2013, at 7:39 AM, nfb-db-request at nfbnet.org wrote:
> 
>> Send nfb-db mailing list submissions to
>>   nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>> 
>> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>>   http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>>   nfb-db-request at nfbnet.org
>> 
>> You can reach the person managing the list at
>>   nfb-db-owner at nfbnet.org
>> 
>> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
>> than "Re: Contents of nfb-db digest..."
>> 
>> 
>> Today's Topics:
>> 
>>  1. Re: FCC to distribute assistive technology to people with
>>     combined hearing and vision loss (Sheila Leigland)
>>  2. Re: FCC to distribute assistive technology to people    with
>>     combined hearing and vision loss (Sheila Leigland)
>>  3. Re: FCC to distribute assistive technology to people with
>>     combined hearing and vision loss (Scott Davert)
>>  4. Re: phone plans (Scott Davert)
>>  5. Re: FCC to distribute assistive technology to people with
>>     combined hearing and vision loss (Janice Toothman)
>>  6. Re: FCC to distribute assistive technology to people with
>>     combined hearing and vision loss (Sheila Leigland)
>> 
>> 
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>> 
>> Message: 1
>> Date: Thu, 21 Mar 2013 16:08:41 -0600
>> From: Sheila Leigland <sleigland at bresnan.net>
>> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
>> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] FCC to distribute assistive technology to people
>>   with combined hearing and vision loss
>> Message-ID: <auto-000176465456 at fe-2.cluster1.bresnan.net>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>> 
>> Hi, what is an fm system? So far I just need hearing aides which I've needed for eight years now.so I don't know much about what is out there 
>> 
>> Sheila Leigland
>> -------------- next part --------------
>> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
>> URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfb-db_nfbnet.org/attachments/20130321/a5cc256a/attachment-0001.html>
>> 
>> ------------------------------
>> 
>> Message: 2
>> Date: Thu, 21 Mar 2013 16:14:23 -0600
>> From: Sheila Leigland <sleigland at bresnan.net>
>> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
>> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] FCC to distribute assistive technology to people
>>   with    combined hearing and vision loss
>> Message-ID: <auto-000204395762 at fe-3.cluster1.bresnan.net>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>> 
>> You've done nothing wrong. My loss is somewhere betreen fifty and sixty percent across the board. Without mmy aides speech is difficult to understand even from a few feet away. 
>> If I'm out with my dog hearing anyone more than a couple of feet ahead of me even with my aides is impossible and frustrating. 
>> Sheila LeiglandI can still hear traffic though. 
>> -------------- next part --------------
>> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
>> URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfb-db_nfbnet.org/attachments/20130321/8a96d83c/attachment-0001.html>
>> 
>> ------------------------------
>> 
>> Message: 3
>> Date: Thu, 21 Mar 2013 23:14:13 -0400
>> From: Scott Davert <scottdavert at gmail.com>
>> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
>> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] FCC to distribute assistive technology to people
>>   with combined hearing and vision loss
>> Message-ID:
>>   <CAOHXxEa2X3y-4r3YF_F_yiFqXdxhSpgpSCPaodfOfXdr7H2ShA at mail.gmail.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>> 
>> Hi Marsha.
>> Braille displays come in a wide variety of flavors and sizes. What you
>> may want may differ from what someone else on the list may want,
>> depending on several factors. One is what you plan to use the display
>> for, another to consider is how well your braille reading skills are,
>> and also what type of keyboard you're most comfortable with. This is
>> why I don't recommend 1 or 2 displays across the board, because there
>> are so many options. Certainly, if you're looking for portability and
>> don't mind having a small display, the Focus 14 could be a good
>> choice. Especially if you're a JAWS user, since it is very tightly
>> integrated with that screen reader. You can use the display on your pc
>> as well as with the phone. If you want something with a lot of
>> internal functions though like the ability to take notes without
>> connecting to an external device such as an iPhone or computer, the
>> Focus 14 is not a good choice, nor would the Brailliant line be a good
>> option. Like Janice said, the Braille Sense u2 is also an option, and
>> this also has a lot of other features which you can use independently
>> of the phone. I could write a book on this, so I'll stop before I do
>> just that. (smiles).
>> As for ip-relay, it's essentially a service where you type your
>> message on your computer or phone, it is read by an operator to the
>> person on the other end of the phone who then talks through the
>> operator. The operator would then type whatever that person said back
>> to you, and you would read it on your braille display. IP-Relay, just
>> like braille displays, comes in different formats, all with unique
>> benifits to different parts of the population. Again, this is
>> something I could write a book about, but don't have the time to do
>> so. However, I hope this helps answer some of your questions in
>> general?
>> 
>> Scott
>> 
>> On 3/21/13, Sheila Leigland <sleigland at bresnan.net> wrote:
>>> You've done nothing wrong. My loss is somewhere betreen fifty and sixty
>>> percent across the board. Without mmy aides speech is difficult to
>>> understand even from a few feet away.
>>> If I'm out with my dog hearing anyone more than a couple of feet ahead of me
>>> even with my aides is impossible and frustrating.
>>> Sheila LeiglandI can still hear traffic though.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> ------------------------------
>> 
>> Message: 4
>> Date: Thu, 21 Mar 2013 23:16:37 -0400
>> From: Scott Davert <scottdavert at gmail.com>
>> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
>> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] phone plans
>> Message-ID:
>>   <CAOHXxEbVeLpjfYgMcvrrn4YXBRa_WpL=Pp0KDFzAWj=6ynRQ-A at mail.gmail.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252
>> 
>> Sprint is the only company still offering unlimited data as far as I
>> know. But I also know that, at least where I'm located on western Long
>> Island, they don't offer very much coverage. However, depending on
>> where you live, this could certainly be another option.
>> 
>> Scott
>> 
>> On 3/21/13, Maurice Mines <maurice.mines at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Unfortunately I don't think this is completely correct, I am with sprint and
>>> no I do not work for Sprint. Sprint does offer unlimited data and as far as
>>> I can tell him my bill anyway, unlimited texting. I don't have any problems.
>>> Hope this helps somebody out?
>>> On Mar 21, 2013, at 10:18 AM, Scott Davert <scottdavert at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>>> Yes, Verizon offers a similar plan, and I believe, the price is
>>>> exactly the same. You won't get unlimited data anymore though, no one
>>>> can with new plans, but I think that will give you 2 GB of data, which
>>>> is more than enough to read email, browse the web, and do Skype or
>>>> Face Time calls from time  to time. The unlimited texting plans are
>>>> still available.
>>>> 
>>>> Scott
>>>> 
>>>> On 3/21/13, The Pawpower Pack <pawpower4me at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>> I want to mention here that some companies? At&t is one of these, have
>>>>> special plans for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.  AT&T's plan
>>>>> is
>>>>> called the TAP plan.  You must provide proof of hearing loss, signed by
>>>>> an
>>>>> audiologist.
>>>>> This plan usually allows for unlimited texting and different levels of
>>>>> data
>>>>> usage? anything from 200 mb to 2 gb a month.  There is no voice calling
>>>>> with
>>>>> these plans.  I have the old style plan, which is no longer offered.  It
>>>>> is
>>>>> unlimited data and texting for 51 dollars every month. I use IP relay
>>>>> through aim to make phone calls.  This is a great plan, and I have had
>>>>> it
>>>>> for almost 4 years now.
>>>>> Verizon has the same kind of plan as well, I believe.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Rox and the Kitchen Bitches
>>>>> Bristol, Mill'E-Max, Laveau!
>>>>> pawpower4me at gmail.com
>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>> 
>>>>> On Mar 21, 2013, at 9:37 AM, Scott Davert <scottdavert at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>>> Good morning Marsha.
>>>>>> Yes, the program will cover braille displays that will work with the
>>>>>> iPhone. If possible, I'd recomend meeting with them and request demos
>>>>>> of
>>>>>> the various displays. That way, you can get something you like.
>>>>>> Have you tried something like ip-relay for fhone calls? It seems like
>>>>>> you
>>>>>> may benifit from this as well after getting your display.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Just a thought,
>>>>>> Scott
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> On Mar 21, 2013, at 10:13 AM, Marsha Drenth <marsha.drenth at gmail.com>
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Pennsylvania isn't even starting until May. I have already contacted
>>>>>>> them.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> I have an Iphone already, can't use the phone to make calls on
>>>>>>> anymore.
>>>>>>> So I text or email. Will this program purchase braille displays for
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> Iphone? I have the data plan already.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Marsha drenth
>>>>>>> Sent with my IPhone
>>>>>>> http://adventureswith2feet4paws.blogspot.com
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> On Mar 21, 2013, at 9:56 AM, Scott Davert <scottdavert at gmail.com>
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Hi Janice.
>>>>>>>> Depending on what exactly you are trying to do, an iPod may be a
>>>>>>>> better
>>>>>>>> bet for you. No data charges come with it, but you also do not get
>>>>>>>> cell
>>>>>>>> service with it. But if you're always connected to Wifi, that doesn't
>>>>>>>> really matter. The other draw-back to an iPod is that it doesn't
>>>>>>>> vibrate. So it really depends on what you want out of the device as
>>>>>>>> far
>>>>>>>> as what you'll pay.
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Hope this helps,
>>>>>>>> Scott
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> On Mar 21, 2013, at 9:35 AM, Janice Toothman
>>>>>>>> <janice.toothman at verizon.net> wrote:
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> I just had my assessment and found out that they do not pay for the
>>>>>>>>> data plan that is required for the Iphone often needed for many
>>>>>>>>> deaf-blind communication devices. I am in the process of finding out
>>>>>>>>> how expensive that would be to add it to my existing phone account,
>>>>>>>>> since I think that having it and the Braille Sense U-2 from Hims
>>>>>>>>> would
>>>>>>>>> be of great benefit to me.
>>>>>>>>> Janice
>>>>>>>>> On 3/21/2013 12:17 AM, Scott Davert wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> It would appear National doesn't monitor this mailing list. I sent
>>>>>>>>>> out
>>>>>>>>>> info when this program was first authorized last summer. Anyway, I
>>>>>>>>>> would encourage anyone who meets the criteria below to get in
>>>>>>>>>> contact
>>>>>>>>>> utilizing the website or by calling the phone number provided.
>>>>>>>>>> After
>>>>>>>>>> next year, we do not know whether there will be an extension to the
>>>>>>>>>> pogram's funding, so you may want to get in on this now.
>>>>>>>>>> One thing that many people have asked about NDBEDP is whether or
>>>>>>>>>> not
>>>>>>>>>> internet service or data plans are also covered. In NY and a few
>>>>>>>>>> other
>>>>>>>>>> states that I know of, the individual is responsible for covering
>>>>>>>>>> this
>>>>>>>>>> cost. They will, however purchase things like computers, braille
>>>>>>>>>> displays, screen magnification software, iDevices, etc. I'm not
>>>>>>>>>> officially associated with the program itself other than that I
>>>>>>>>>> train
>>>>>>>>>> professionals in the field, but I do refer people quite often in my
>>>>>>>>>> current job.
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> Scott
>>>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> On Mar 20, 2013, at 10:01 PM, David Andrews <dandrews at visi.com>
>>>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> Jernigan Institute
>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) would like to pass
>>>>>>>>>>> along
>>>>>>>>>>> the following information to its members who are deaf-blind. We
>>>>>>>>>>> encourage all NFB members to share this information about the
>>>>>>>>>>> National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP),
>>>>>>>>>>> promoted
>>>>>>>>>>> by iCanConnect, a program established by the Federal
>>>>>>>>>>> Communications
>>>>>>>>>>> Commission (FCC) to distribute assistive technology to people with
>>>>>>>>>>> combined hearing and vision loss who require special equipment to
>>>>>>>>>>> make a phone call, send an e-mail or access the Internet.
>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> Working in conjunction with the FCC, Perkins School for the Blind,
>>>>>>>>>>> the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults
>>>>>>>>>>> (HKNC), iCanConnect will connect people who are deaf-blind with
>>>>>>>>>>>  the proper equipment and training on how to utilize it.
>>>>>>>>>>> iCanConnect was mandated by           the 21st Century
>>>>>>>>>>> Communications
>>>>>>>>>>> and Video Accessibility Act and provides a wide range of hardware,
>>>>>>>>>>> software and applications to suit the varying communications
>>>>>>>>>>> technology needs of people who have hearing loss plus visual
>>>>>>>>>>> impairment.
>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> Who can benefit from iCanConnect ? Here are just a few examples.
>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> ? A recent college graduate who is deaf-blind and wants to use
>>>>>>>>>>> Monster.com to search for a job
>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> ? A young girl with combined hearing and vision loss who wants to
>>>>>>>>>>> use
>>>>>>>>>>> Skype to connect via sign language with her grandmother
>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> ? A man who has lost sight and hearing as a result of aging and
>>>>>>>>>>> wants
>>>>>>>>>>> to use e-mail and Facebook to reconnect with friends and family
>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> Who is eligible?
>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> Any individual who meets the definition of deaf-blindness in the
>>>>>>>>>>> HKNC
>>>>>>>>>>> Act and has an income that does not exceed 400 percent of the
>>>>>>>>>>> federal
>>>>>>>>>>> poverty level can qualify to receive telephone, advanced
>>>>>>>>>>> communications, and information services equipment.
>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> Communication is essential for staying healthy, holding a job,
>>>>>>>>>>> managing a household, and participating in the community. If you
>>>>>>>>>>> know
>>>>>>>>>>> someone who might benefit from the iCanConnect program, please
>>>>>>>>>>> call
>>>>>>>>>>> 1-800-825-4595 or visit the new Web site, www.iCanConnect.org.
>>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>>>>>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>>>>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>>>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>>> 
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>>> 
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> ------------------------------
>> 
>> Message: 5
>> Date: Fri, 22 Mar 2013 06:44:32 -0400
>> From: Janice Toothman <janice.toothman at verizon.net>
>> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
>> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] FCC to distribute assistive technology to people
>>   with combined hearing and vision loss
>> Message-ID: <514C3610.30600 at verizon.net>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"; Format="flowed"
>> 
>> Hi Sheila,
>> An FM system is associated with hearing aids and uses a "directional 
>> microphone" that another person can wear while speaking or placed in the 
>> center of a conference table. It amplifies the sounds and sends them 
>> directly into your hearing aids via a receiver. I find it very helpful 
>> when walking with someone they can wear it and give me directions and I 
>> can hear them whether they are beside me or behind me because the FM 
>> system has a range of about 100 feet. I have sometimes even left me 
>> classroom to go to the bathroom and the teacher is wearing the 
>> microphone and depending on the proximity of the restroom to the 
>> classroom. I can still hear the class discussion in the restroom, even 
>> if I can not comment!
>> Best,
>> Janice
>> On 3/21/2013 6:08 PM, Sheila Leigland wrote:
>>> Hi, what is an fm system? So far I just need hearing aides which I've 
>>> needed for eight years now.so I don't know much about what is out there
>>> 
>>> Sheila Leigland
>>> 
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nfb-db mailing list
>>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>> 
>> -------------- next part --------------
>> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
>> URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfb-db_nfbnet.org/attachments/20130322/1519aeb2/attachment-0001.html>
>> 
>> ------------------------------
>> 
>> Message: 6
>> Date: Fri, 22 Mar 2013 06:39:21 -0600
>> From: Sheila Leigland <sleigland at bresnan.net>
>> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
>> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] FCC to distribute assistive technology to people
>>   with combined hearing and vision loss
>> Message-ID: <auto-000217375074 at fe-4.cluster1.bresnan.net>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>> 
>> Hi, how expensive is that kind of equiptment sounds great and would be helpful to me.
>> 
>> Sheila Leigland
>> -------------- next part --------------
>> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
>> URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfb-db_nfbnet.org/attachments/20130322/f0a97e35/attachment.html>
>> 
>> ------------------------------
>> 
>> Subject: Digest Footer
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> nfb-db mailing list
>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>> 
>> 
>> ------------------------------
>> 
>> End of nfb-db Digest, Vol 50, Issue 9
>> *************************************
> 
> _______________________________________________
> nfb-db mailing list
> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org