Customer Reviews (1)

Great Introduction!
This book uses real photographs that correspond with one page topics relating to deafness.It is a great book to use in a classroom if you are expecting a student who is deaf. ... Read more

Book Description
Baffled by your new inability to hear? Know someone who is? Then I’ve Lost My WHAT???: A Practical Guide to Life After Deafness is for you. It talks about assistive devices, the psychology of adult-onset deafness, communication, relationships, cochlear implants, hearing aids, the Americans with Disabilities Act, telephone use, and daily life for people who've gone deaf post-lingually.

“This book should be required reading for anyone who’s lost their hearing or works with late-deafened individuals. I’ve Lost My WHAT??? could very well be the late-deafened adult’s Bible.”—Michele Bornert, Late-deafened freelance writer

“A top-notch reference for those who become deaf.”—Mary Clark, former executive director, Hearing Loss Link

“Shawn learned all this stuff the hard way.Now he’s making sure you won’t have to do it too.”—Cheryl Heppner, Exec. Dir. Northern Virginia Resource, Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons

Book Description
What happened when life went silent? Threading the Snail: MyJourney Through Deafness is a true account of author Stephanie Halvorson'sworld, a world that was changed forever. Faced with a life-threateninginfection, she has described the spiritual and personal challenges sheencountered when the infection resulted in the loss of her hearing.Although technology has offered some opportunities, Stephanie has openedthe door to let us enter and understand life in the deaf culture. Her faithand personal strength have enabled her to overcome the obstacles she hasfaced as she has continued to succeed in her profession as a teacher and asa loving wife and mother. Threading the Snail will take you into a worldthat you've never heard before. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Simply the Best
This is not only Janis Ian's best album, it is the best album I have ever listened to. I am not really a fan of all her other work but this album breaks the mould for her. The recording is first class. If you listen to this CD, make sure you turn the volume up. It does not really get loud but it begins to give the tracks a "being there" feel. The guitaring (ian's I believe), percussion are superb, Lyrics meaningful, sometimes melancholy, sometimes dark.

This is a classic!

Her very best.
I have been a fan of Janis Ian since the beginning. This album breaks new ground both for her and her genre. Every song is a gem, filled with beautiful, heart-rending poetry & wonderful sounds. It puts everything else she's done to shame. It is also perhaps the best sounding CD (prior to the advent of SACD) that I have ever heard! If you have even the slightest inkling that you might like it, BUY IT!

one of the mostbeautiful album ever
"breaking silence" is without any doubt janis's best album...
so good from the first song to the last. "some people lives" will make u cry and "breaking silence" is probably one of the most well recorded songs i've ever heard (so if u have a good HI-FI system, it's a pure joy !!!). conclusion : get it !!!

one of the mostbeautiful album ever
"breaking silence" is without any doubt janis's best album...
so good from the first song to the last. "some people lives" will make u cry and "breaking silence" is probably one of the most well recorded songs i've ever heard (so if u have a good HI-FI system, it's a pure joy !!!). conclusion : get it !!!

A CLASSICAL CD
This is one of the best female songs made in the last 25 years , it is a real classic , all tracks are beautiful , AUDIOPHILES WILL APPRECIATED , others will compare it with TAPESTRY of CAROL KING OR TRACY CHAPMAN .If youlike music BUY IT now. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A bit to narcissistic
Davis writes extremely well and the images of his youth are quite powerful.He also does an excellent job conveying the difficulties of relating to his parents.

However, he can never seem to escape from a level of self pity.Though he ascribes this to his parent's deafness, often one wonders if his feelings are not rooted in his own deep classism.Much of what he describes as his youthful dificulties are not uncommon to find in the writtings of other children of working class immigrant jews.The embarassment he feels seems far more driven by this than his parents inability to hear.

I grew a bit tired of his deep self pity, perpetually describing himself as the victim of almost every circumstance.

In one poinient passage, he describes how his mother had once been courted by a wealthy english suitor whom she rejected.He wonders why she chose not marry this "catch."I myself wonder if davis would not have much prefered for this to be the case.It seems he would rather have been the child of the wealthy deaf than of the hearing poor.

While it is worth the read, other worthy texts by children of the deaf are far less self involved.

Reads like a novel...
This could become a classic.I really felt everything hewrote about.I felt badly for him - his childhood was rather bleak.However, his intelligence and good humor won the day and he has become a successful person, as a writer, inacademia and his personal, family life.To me this showsthat unique situations often produce unique people, and in this there is hopefulness for those of us who feel we grew up as "outsiders."Frankly, I think everyone fits into that category one way or another, so I recommend this book to...everyone.

Interesting but I wanted to know more...
It was very enlightening to learn of a hearing individual's experience being raised by deaf parents...the author's first awareness of his parents'deafness, his alertness and response to nighttime sounds, his role asinterpreter even as a small child, his excitement at attending schoolsurrounded by those who could hear, his need as a young adult to escape hislimiting home environment, etc.However, there were times during myreading when I felt the author strayed from what I perceived as the mainintent of the writing, that is, to understand or empathize with thedifficulties and problems of growing up in a somewhat restricted household(at least, in his mind). These were the parts of his story that were not asinteresting, and I wanted to hurry through them to get to the portionswhere I learned something about the deaf experience.Otherwise, it was avery good book and well done.I did notice that the author at times usedsentence structure reminiscent of his descriptions of "deafspeak".I wondered whether this was intentional or just a slip to hispast.

You'll love this book!
I have read several books of this gen-re, growing up with deaf parents. This one has its own, unique slant.I loved it, and I'm sure you will, too.It's fascinating when a person with parents of any particular group can look back at their childhood and explain things as they saw themthrough the eyes of their childhood.Mr. Davis describes his youngfeelings with insight and clarity and makes you understand exactly wherehe's coming from.It's a wonderful book, made even more special by therainbow of seldom-heard, but easy to read, descriptive vocabulary usedthroughout.

Perfect pitch
How to adequately praise an amazing memoir that is by turns comic, tragic, brave, immensely kind (never cloying) and seemingly photographically rendered?Davis presents the reader with how his young life looked,smelled, sounded - and most importantly, how it felt. It's a remarkablestory of growing up in the now-lost world of the working-class Bronx(Tremont Avenue) of the 1950's, the much younger of two sons of smart,devoted, hard-working Jewish British immigrant parents, who are also"stone deaf," in his father's words. His mother lost her hearingin childhood, and so can speak and be understood by the hearing world; hisfather lost his as a baby. The circumstances surrounding these events areexamined, too. Their shared disability both constricted and greatlyenlarged his life.

Young Davis was deeply loved by his parents, buthyper-responsible and desperate for contact and life in the outside world.Readers are given the terrific minutiae of his life as a child - the weeklydinner menu at home, the interior of his family's apartment, life atschool, the kindesses of teachers and his parents' friends in the deafcommunity, (lower case "d," , then) the neighbors, and thesights, sounds, smells of family life, including what he describes as anearly religious object (because of course his father couldn't hearbaseball on the radio): an Emerson Console TV. A very personal iconographyof Television -- he develops a superhero alterego he calls "TheZenth" -- is part of the immense charm and humor of Davis' story.(Years later, he finds the exact same Emerson Console in a junk shop inupstate New York, another great scene in this book.) In the chapter"Honeymoon with Mom," he goes to England to visit relatives. Thecozy domesticity and accepting, familial love - the music in every house,English candy - that he finds there is movingly described.

From theconfines and immense security of his family's one-bedroom apartment Davislearns difficulty and differentness of being the hypervigilant hearingchild - conscientious, smart, and emotionally desperate, sometimes - ofDeaf parents. There are two brothers in this family, and their interestingbut troubled relationship is examined with compassion and intelligence.

Davis is a careful writer with a wonderful and loving sense of theworld. Not a word has been wasted. By the way, "Zenth" becomes aProfessor of English. His generosity in revealing his life to us isimmeasurable. The full picture of the old neighborhood is in itself anexcellent historical narrative. You can smell the food - and hear thevoices. It's also very funny at times. One of the best autobiographies I'veever read. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Just an Amazing Read of Determination & Joy in Living
What should our attitude be towards the deaf?Kisor gives us good insight with his memoir which is beautifully, sensitively and humorouly written.Some would term him an outcast to both the deaf culture and the hearing culture, since he lipreads and doesn't sign.Can't possibly be happy because he can't fully participate in hearing world, he's missing so much.But Kisor disagrees.

He achieved more than most hearing, having accumulated great English language skills.He demonstrates with the rare book written about deafness from a deaf author.His title is fascinating, since it is from story regarding his five-year old son and the nuances lipreading has trouble discerning.

Yes, improvements have happened and will continue with behavioral psychology and deafness, but here the spirit of the human inside is spoken of, something that no program can really guarantee success, but determination, help and support will aid.

This marvelous memoir contributes much to this cause.It is a most wonderful read for all interested in what a deaf person in a hearing world might be going through, especially the emotional strains deafness brings with it.Much to be gleaned here.

A belated discovery
I have only just caught up with this book 14 years after it was published. Kisor is very good on how he managed a life as a deaf person who operates orally in a hearing world, and manages to be quite tactful in dealing with the subject of the Deaf -- people who use sign language. He is perhaps more tactful than he really should be in discussing the ignorance of a lot of educators of the severely hearing-impaired and the rather patronizing "poor-you" attitude they often take.

I can say this because I have only a little more hearing than Kisor -- and for the same reason, meningitis at the age of 3. I am ten years older than he but remember well some of the stages he describes so accurately and honestly. Like him, I was lucky in my early teachers and in being kept away from schools for the deaf.

It does need to be said that cognitive psychologists and students of child language have learned a great deal about child language development since Kisor and I were children and even since his book was published in 1991. Their progress dates from Noam Chomsky's destruction of behaviorist notions of language almost 50 years ago. I hope very much that things have changed significantly in the education of the deaf and severely hearing-impaired.

With luck, students will recognize that Kisor is describing a bygone era. But it is an era that was and is still well worth describing.

What's That Pig Outdoors
I read this book for an ASL class in college and wow.This book is great.An amazing autobiography written by a deaf man, Henry Kisor who has managed to exist in a hearing world as a deaf man strictly by lip reading.He has been a journalist and this is amazing to me.A wonderful story written in the point of view of a deaf man and his lifelong journey to success and living in the hearing world.Reading this book has made me take a look at my life and made me feel as if I could do anything.

About being Deaf by someone who is Deaf.
I read this book back in 93 when I had just lost my hearing.I was 14 and dealing with suddenly becoming deaf.Most books about Deafness are written by physicians, or parents of the deaf, or children of the deaf, and not by the deaf themselves.Kisor's stories about lipreading and growing up and just being Deaf were wonderful for me to read.It gave me hope... if he is totallyDeaf and can accomplish that much, then I, with a little bit of hearing left, certainly should be able to.I would certainly recommend this book to anyone deaf who is oral, anyone late deaffened, or anyone just interested in reading about the trials and joys of a hearing loss.

About being Deaf by someone who is Deaf.
I read this book back in 93 when I had just lost my hearing.I was 14 and dealing with suddenly becoming deaf.Most books about Deafness are written by physicians, or parents of the deaf, or children of the deaf, and not by the deaf themselves.Kisor's stories about lipreading and growing up and just being Deaf were wonderful for me to read.It gave me hope... if he is totallyDeaf and can accomplish that much, then I, with a little bit of hearing left, certainly should be able to.I would certainly recommend this book to anyone deaf who is oral, anyone late deaffened, or anyone just interested in reading about the trials and joys of a hearing loss. ... Read more

Book Description

The field of generic hearing impairment is one where rapid advances are taking place, and it can often be difficult for Audiologists to keep track of the broader picture. In this important new text the authors take a synoptic approach and summarize the causes and basis of hearing impairments, the impact on the individual and the therapies available, and the benefits and potential benefits of current developments.

Book Description
Deafness in Mind presents the varying theoretical approaches to the psychology of deafness: systemic, Cognitive behavioural, psychodynamic, wellness and cognitive neuropsychological models. Uniquely, clinical theory and practice are linked to provide a comprehensive understanding of the deaf mental health field. For the first time, the controversial subject of cochlear implants is discussed in the same book as the mental health of culturally Deaf people. Similarly, prevention is considered alongside prevalence, and the book appraises the various political views where other books have taken a single political view.

Deafness in Mind has drawn contributing authors from those with the authority of years of clinical experience as well as those with new ideas. Current services and new directions in the field are brought together to provide a definitative text in the psychology of mental health and deafness. ... Read more

Book Description
Raymond Luczak, poet, playwright, and filmmaker, hands us Silence is a Four-Letter Word, as his call to arms for deaf artists everywhere. He uses a cross-platform approach - a short story, a series of rapid-fire mini-essays, a short play, and a self-interview - to illuminate his points. His meditations on what makes art "art" and deafness "deaf" asks artists everywhere to rethink observations on their work and live differently. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Portrayal of Art & Deafness
Luczak's book includes a short story, a play, a self-interview, and a record of lessons he has learned so far on being an artist. It is an introduction to Deaf culture for anyone new to the world of deafness and enriching for those already familiar with it. He shares many ideas of what art should be--some of them surprising--all of them inspiring. It's a book you will want to read with a pencil in your hand so that you can mark the parts that touch you. ... Read more

Book Description
The development of literacy (readingand writing skills) is important for success in school and mainstream society.Some might argue, however, that literacy skills are not necessary for thedevelopment of literate thought (the ability to think critically andreflectively). This book provides some insights into the relationship betweenliteracy and literate thought.In the first few chapters,readers are introduced to major perspectives on literacy, the role of teaching,deafness, research on both hearing and deaf students and the development ofwriting on these students. It continueswith an overview of the major tenetsof the literary critical perspective, an overview of the theory and researchand teaching literacy to ESL students. The book winds down with reformassessment and the argument that educators need to consider alternativemeasures of achievement.All educators, but especially those withhearing-impaired students, deaf interpreters, and speech pathologists. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Excellent meta-analysis
This book is a compilation of the current research regarding deafness and literacy. This book is geared toward researchers and educators. It is very extensive in nature and contains information necessary to properly educate Deaf children for improved literacy outcomes. Previous reviews of this book have been harsh, I do not know what the purpose of this information was for other reviewers, but all educators of the Deaf should read and know this information. We have (as educators) have been using outdated "user-friendly" and "easy to understand" information regarding deaf-education. It's time to start challenging ourselves and our students.
I would recommend this book for all educators and interpreters of Deaf children.

not for a general audience
This book is packed full of research reviews, and some may want to take the time to read through these along with other current research and then formulate their own ideas regarding literacy and Deafness.

However, forthe person seeking straight-forward information and easy-to-understandpractical suggestions, this is NOT the book!

A key researcher in hisfield, one does not doubt the author's expertise. Perhaps future versionswill prove more user-friendly.

Literacy and deafness
This book uses very difficult language.It is noteasy reading.I found that the author use of language was hard to understand. ... Read more

Book Description
What is the impact of an infant's diminished hearing on the infant and its parents? How does communication develop in cases of diminished hearing? How does diminished hearing affect social and cognitive development? What types of early interventions can improve communication and development in infants with diminished hearing? The World of Deaf Infants presents the results of a 15-year research study that addresses these questions. Through their research, perhaps the largest, long-term comparison of deaf and hearing infants, Meadow-Orlans's team provides a comprehensive and intimate look into the world of deaf infants. For a core group of 80 families that includs all four combinations of parent-infant hearing status, data was collected longitudinally at 9, 12, 15, and 18 months, and mother-infant interactions were recorded and observed in both structured and unstructured settings. Mothers' facial, vocal, and tactile behaviors during interactions were related to infants' temperament and stress; mothers' linguistic and communication behaviors, as well as their overall responsiveness, were related to children's language; and the effects of support provided to mothers were evaluated and explored. The results were dramatic, particularly those on infant attachment behaviors and the importance of visual attention to the overall development of deaf infants. This comprehensive work provides a foundation on which researchers, teachers, students, and parents can build to improve communication, cognitive and social development, and to enhance the world of deaf infants. ... Read more