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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Greetings Fellow Deaf-blind Division Members,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I hope you all are doing well.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I am wondering if I can get some pointers from those of you who enjoy swimming. I absolutely loved to swim in my younger days, when my hearing was much better. I have always had a hearing impairment, likely due to the radiation therapy I had to undergo as a child, but the deficit has progressed over the years. Without my hearing aids, at least for communication purposes, I am almost deaf. I can hear the sound of voices, but can not comprehend the speech unless someone comes and speaks directly into my ear. I am also a person who is totally blind.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>That said, I am wondering how those of you who may be in a similar situation handle swimming—especially in a public pool. Would really love to begin swimming again, and would appreciate any tips or pointers for how you navigate such situations. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I just learned today of a head band called the “ear band it,” designed specifically for holding ear plugs in place. Do any of you have any experience with this product, and does it work to protect hearing aids?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thanks,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Diane Graves <o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>