I am profoundly deaf, can anyone tell me what deaf services like in Oz? tty etc subtitles?
I will try an learn auslan is it very different to BSL?

Kim

Hello Kim

I am not deaf but my sister is so I did enquire about this in case she ever visited me. I do have some links somewhere for auslan and there is someone on this site who's related to an interpreter so they may be able to give you some more info.

I'm trying to think who it is, when I remember I'll post it in here for you

I hear that Auslan is different to BSL but no doubt they'll understand you pretty much and it probably won't take you long to pick it up.


Kath x

hi there try these links kim

http://www.auslan.org.au/

http://www.cse.unsw.edu.au/~waleed/thesis/node18.html

http://www.auslan.net.au/eng/showpage.php3?id=1886


my aunt and uncle are both deaf and i get by with finger spelling ( i only started learning a couple of weeks prior to meeting them and we got by )
their children, my cousins both work for the australian society for deaf and
blind ( one full time and one part time )
is there anything specific you need to know ??
if so i`ll contact one of them and ask

regards steve

thanks Kath and Steve I can lip read and have good speech so things should be ok

Kim

What happens about hearing aids? I have NHS ones and get free batteries can you tell me what the score is in Oz?

Kim

I really know diddly squat about deafness but am amazed and also very impressed by the number of people I have seen with hearing aids and how well they work. It almost seems like a status symbol - generally of the elderly to be honest but I don't remember anyone actually wearing them in the UK and I knew quite a few that definitely needed them. I do volunteer work with a few elderly guys - marine rescue - not the most relaxed and easiest of occupations! and most of them use them and well, I'm impressed

I don't think I'm quite that old!

I am a nurse, hearing aids are ok but a bit of a pain. Can you ask your old guys what they do about hearing aids? buy privately or what? where do they get their batteries? etc etc Thanks

Kim

He he, maybe I could get my grandad to post you his batteries - I asked him (loudly!) how often he had to replace them, he said they last for ages as he rarely uses his hearing aid - causing my mother's eyes to roll right to the back of her head! (Grandad is really quite deaf, but reluctant to acknowledge the fact!)

ok thanks, make sure they are for digital aids tho

Oh no, I asked him about that he said he had to wait ages to get this one and nobody he knows has been given a digital one!!

well if he doesn't use the one he's got I guess he wont want a digital!!
Sigh can't send me his batteries then damn there goes another cunning plan

where you going to in NSW? I'm going to Sydney, Rushcutter bay.

kim

Hunter Valley, couple of hours north from Sydney. Not sure precisely where yet!
Somewhere nice and green with lots of wine?!

Wine sounds good! have you been over there yet? my OH is there now I am doing the packing up and hope to join him end of may first week of June.
Rushcutter bay is temporary till August then gotta find somewhere permanent hopefully with lots of wine too, have been trying out Australian wines in readiness and must say they are very nice
Can you get your Grandad to steal batteries and send em to me there. Tell him to make like the artful dodger!!