By Rick Garcia
What is it like being Deaf? I can’t really describe the experience to the full extent, but as a young child I experienced a temporary hearing impairment known as Tinnitus, when a neighbor repeatedly fired a gun at close proximity. There was some damage done as the continual inner ring drove me to the edge for several days. Living in a world of silence was like living in isolation. It was mentally frustrating and scary as I started to question my functionality and soon became withdrawn. Through treatment and time, I was lucky my hearing was restored 75%.
For those who have lived with a hearing impairment most of their lives – it is another world.
With 14% of Michigan’s Population having a hearing loss of some degree, it’s an important issue that is often dismissed with little regard for unexpected consequences of being left undiagnosed or untreated.
Understandably, as one gets older, the incidence is likely to increase. At 65 years of age, one-third of the population will have a hearing loss, at 75 years, it increases to half, and when we reach 85, it skyrockets to over 66%. According to MSU Department of Medicine and the State Department of Community Health, over 420,000 of the 1.4 Million Michiganders with a hearing loss can be directly attributed to workplace noise. Nearly half of high school seniors, (17 and 18 year olds) report one or more symptoms of hearing losses, and 65% of those with hearing losses are of working age, between 25 and 65 years, so this is condition is clearly not limited to the senior population.
Hearing loss is the most common disability, while it also remains one of the most difficult to understand or accommodate. Fortunately, there is help out there to adapt and adjust to hearing losses.
The Michigan Association for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MADHH), a lead partner agency of the Michigan Coalition for Deaf and Hard of Hearing which is comprised of more than
40 agencies and organizations are committed to advocating for and with people with hearing loss throughout Michigan. Successful collaborative efforts include:
· Developing and maintaining E-Michigan Deaf and Hard of Hearing People web site:
www.michdhh.org
· Newborn screening for hearing loss in all Michigan Hospitals with follow-up
· Amendment of Michigan’s Interpreter law
· Restoration of Medicaid funding for adult hearing aids during Michigan’s budget crisis
· Advocacy for improved access to substance abuse and mental health treatment for deaf and hard of hearing people
This time of year, the agencies help youth with hearing losses enjoy the opportunity to attend Summer Youth Programs such as Lions Camp and the Chris Williams and Lynam Leadership Institute, both administrated by MADHH. Camp Chris Williams 2014 is an exciting week-long summer camp experience for deaf and hard of hearing youth and their siblings. The camp, located at Camp Tuhsmeheta (Camp T) in Greenville, Michigan, provides safe and enjoyable opportunities to meet other Deaf and Hard of Hearing youth throughout Michigan.
Other concerns being addressed are: tax credits for hearing aid purchases for seniors and dependents; accessibility for assistive technology, and requiring hearing screenings before using verbal diagnostic tests for those with suspected Alzheimer’s diseases. One case involved a client’s mother, who lost her hearing due to me medications that pushed her cancer into remission, but left her with a significant hearing loss. Being hospitalized prevented her from seeing an audiologist and getting properly fitted with hearing aids. MADHH was able to send out a portable, personal, amplified listening device so that her family and caretakers would not have to shout and exhaust themselves to communicate. This allowed her to understand what was happening and be a part of decisions, instead of being left out of important medical conversations.
Additionally, MADHH have worked with the State Emergency Management and Michigan Broadcaster’s Association for text-based notification systems during Emergencies.
To learn more or to get help, contact the Michigan Coalition for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People at www.michdhh.org or call (800) 968-7327 (Michigan Only).
Rick Garcia, a nonprofit executive, a civil rights advocate, blogger and a contributing writer for The New Citizens Press can be reached at rrgarcianrg@gmail.com
This was printed in the July 14, 2013 – July 27, 2013 Edition
