by: Connie Briscoe
Oddly enough, I've come to think that losing my hearing was one of the best things to ever happened to me, as it led to the publication of my first novel.
I believe that no matter how tough things get, you can make them better. I have my parents to thank for that. They never allowed me to think that I couldn't accomplish something because of my hearing loss. One of my mother's favorite sayings when I expressed doubt that I could do something was, "Yes, you can."
I was born with a mild hearing loss but began to lose more of my hearing when I was a senior in college. One day while sitting in my college dormitory room reading, I noticed my roommate get up from her bed, go to the princess telephone in our room, pick it up and start talking.
None of that would have seemed strange, except for one thing: I never heard the telephone ring! I wondered why I couldn't hear a phone that I could hear just the day before. But I was too baffled--and embarrassed--to say anything to my roommate or anyone else.
Late-deafened people can always remember the moment when they first stopped being able to hear the important things in life like telephones and doorbells ringing, people talking in the next room, or the television. It's sort of like remembering where you were when you learned that President Kennedy had been shot or when you learned about the terror attack at the World Trade Center.
Unbeknown to me at the time, that was only the beginning of my downward spiral, as my hearing grew progressively worse But I was young and still vain enough not to want to buy a hearing aid. I struggled through college by sitting up front in the classroom, straining to read lips and asking people to speak up, sometimes again and again.
By the time I entered graduate school, I could no longer put off getting a hearing aid. By that time, even sitting in front of the classroom wasn't helping much. I was still vain enough to wait a few months while I let my hair grow out a bit before taking the plunge but I eventually bought my first hearing aid. It was a big, clunky thing, but I knew that would have to be able to hear if I ever wanted to graduate. Soon, my hair length didn't matter much, as the hearing aids got smaller and smaller. They also got better and better at picking up sound. The early aids did little more than make sounds louder evenly across the board. That doesn't work for those of us with nerve deafness, as we may have more hearing loss in the higher frequencies than in the lower frequencies. The newer digital and programmable hearing aids go a long way toward improving on that. They can be set to match different types of hearing loss, so you can, say, increase a particular higher frequency more than the lower ones.
Once I got my hearing aid and was able to hear again, I could focus on other things that were important to me--like my education, my career and writing that first novel!
I had long dreamed of writing a novel, but like others kept putting it off. As I began to lose more and more of my hearing, I thought that writing a novel would be the perfect hobby for me, as anyone can write regardless of whether they can hear. I was also determined to prove that my deafness would not hold me back.
My first novel was published in 1994 and my fifth in the summer of 2005. Writing turned out to be much more than a hobby, and I've been writing full-time for more than 10 years. I'm now hard at work on my first nonfiction work, a photo-essay book to be published by Bulfinch, a division of Time Warner Books, in 2007.
I honestly believe that I would never have sat down at the computer and banged out that first novel if I hadn't lost so much of my hearing. Instead, I'd probably still be an editor somewhere and still dreaming about someday becoming a novelist. That's why I sometimes think that losing my hearing was one of the best things that ever happened to me.
About The Author
Connie Briscoe is a New York Times best-selling author with five novels published. She is currently at work on a photo-essay book to be titled Jewels. She has coped with a hearing loss her entire life. For more information about hearing loss and hearing aids visit her site at www.hearingaidinformer.com.
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What is the Cost of College Tuition?
What is the Cost of College Tuition?
by: Michael Carter
What is the average cost of college tuition?
This is one question that most parents and future students ask themselves and need to know in order to plan for a college education.
The national average college tuition rate for public universities is $4,694 per year for in state residents.
This figure includes both tuition rates and fees for a full time student.
The average college tuition rate at private colleges and universities is around $20,000 per year in tuition and fees.
Many students take advantage of the low tuition rates of two-year public colleges and junior colleges.
The average tuition for a two year school is only $2,076 per year.
College Tuition Increase
While it is good to get an idea of the current cost of tuition, it is also important to understand the expected increase in tuition costs.
Parents and students...
Hearing aid > What is the Cost of College Tuition?
Advertising Made Easy, and Cost Effective
Advertising Made Easy, and Cost Effective
by: Lorae Le Roux
Advertising made easy, and your wallet will love it too!
In today's market, anyone in business knows that advertising is the backbone to the success, and without it, you are "dead in the water".
Even with the greatest product on the planet, a product that you know everyone needs and wants. Without advertising, it's just an idea, going nowhere.
Whether you advertise online or offline, it can become a grueling and expensive experience, with no guarantees.
I'm sure that there is not a business out there that has ever done any kind of advertising, that hasn't lost a bunch of money, advertising their hearts out.
Advertising is elusive.
Excitement builds because you spend large amounts of money place your ads, guaranteeing you lots of exposure, and sales through the roof.
You think that you can't miss, that this...
Hearing aid > Advertising Made Easy, and Cost Effective
13 Things Every First Aid Kit Should Have
13 Things Every First Aid Kit Should Have
by: John Mclain
Everyone should have a home first aid kit ready to go in case an emergency should arise. If you have small children, being prepared with an up-to-date first aid kit becomes even more important. Keeping a first aid kit within easy reach will provide you with considerable peace of mind. Here?s a handy checklist of the items that your first aid kit should, at a minimum, contain:
1. An Antiseptic (such as Bactine): Cleaning scrapes or wounds is important for preventing infection. If soap and water are not on hand, using an antiseptic will help flush out debris and provide a mild pain relief. Antiseptics may come in cream or spray form. Many, such as bactine, also provide pain relief.
2. Bandaids and gauze pads. Bandaids help treat injuries of all sizes. Your best bet is to buy a large package that comes with a variety of sizes.
For gauze pads, buying larger sizes works best...
13 Things Every First Aid Kit Should Have
Hearing aid > 13 Things Every First Aid Kit Should Have
How To Get Started In Forex Trading
How To Get Started In Forex Trading
by: Hana Lee
You may have been hearing about the foreign exchange market (FOREX) and the investment advantages it offers. You would like to try it out, but don't know where to start. This short guide will give you the basics in FOREX and tell you what you need to participate in this fast growing field.
Foreign exchange used to be limited to large players such as national banks and multi-national corporations. In the 1980's the rules were revised to allow smaller investors to participate using margin accounts. Margin accounts are the reason why FOREX trading has become so popular. With a 100:1 margin account, you can control $100,000 with a $1,000 investment.
FOREX is not simple, however, and education is needed to make wise investment decisions. Although it is relatively easy to start trading on the FOREX, there are risks involved, so finding out as much as possible about the market is a good move for...
How To Get Started In Forex Trading
Hearing aid > How To Get Started In Forex Trading
Please Tell Me NO - A Sales Training Success Tip from Ike Krieger
Please Tell Me NO - A Sales Training Success Tip from Ike Krieger
by: Ike Krieger
I said, "No."
What is it about ?no? that you don?t understand?
Generations of salespeople have been told that when a prospect tells you ?no?? it?s really a request for more information.
You may have heard that the ?sale? doesn?t really begin until your prospect tells you ?no.?
I say, ?Baloney.?
Sometimes a ?no? means ?no.?
Try this on. When your prospects tell you ?no?, it?s a good thing? especially when you control the ?no.?
You've heard of "Getting to Yes."
I believe in getting to "No."
Let me make an educated guess.
You don't like hearing the word "no."
Ever since you were very young you've done your best to avoid being told "No." The word "no" seems so negative.
A "no" in the world of selling is looked upon as a negative.
If your sales process results in a "no", it's usually viewed as a...
Please Tell Me NO - A Sales Training Success Tip from Ike Krieger
Hearing aid > Please Tell Me NO - A Sales Training Success Tip from Ike Krieger
Community College Tuition is Affordable
Community College Tuition is Affordable
by: Michael Carter
Community colleges are local colleges that offer two year degrees and certifications.
Students can take classes at community college and earn credits toward a two year or four year degree program.
Community college tuition rates can be quite affordable for anyone wishing to persue a college degree.
On average community college tuition is lower than four year universities.
The national average college tuition cost for public universities is $4,694 per year for in state residents. This figure includes both tuition rates and fees for a full time student. The average college tuition cost at private colleges and universities is around $20,000 per year in tuition and fees.
Now compare this to the average community college tuition rate.
The average cost of community college tuition is only $2,076 per year.
This is less than half than a traditional...
Hearing aid > Community College Tuition is Affordable
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