Welcome to the All About Audiology Podcast- episode 16- another All About You episode because one of the main reasons I’m doing this show, is so you feel less alone, more educated, and empowered to be the very best advocate for yourself and your loved ones wherever you are on this hearing journey. I’m Dr. Lilach Saperstein, educational audiologist.

The last episode titled “All About Sign Language” in which I interviewed Kimberly Sanzo was well-received by so many of you. And I really appreciate the comments on Instagram and on allaboutaudiology.com where the post is, as well as full transcripts of each episode.

Next week’s episode, we are going to be talking “All About Cochlear Implants” and I’m going to explain how they work, a little bit about the process and I’m also going to include an interview with a mother who has two children who are implanted and hearing more about her journey. First I’m going to share with you some of the comments that came in about last week’s sign language episode. And for today, I also wanted to bridge the two episodes together, sign language and cochlear implants and really show that the either/or doesn’t have to be there.

So I invited my friend who really exemplifies this. Her name is Toby Coleman. She is an implant user and you’ll hear all about her story and she says that she has one foot in the hearing world and one foot in the deaf world. So I hope you’ll listen to last week’s episode if you missed it, all about sign language and that you’ll stick around again for next week’s episode, all about cochlear implants, and that we can really learn from Toby about how in her life she’s been able to integrate both of these parts into her identity and her life. And before we jump into that I will first share a couple of comments. Thank you to everyone who sent in comments and being part of the #AllAboutAudiology community.

Alicia commented on Instagram: “This episode was fantastic! It makes me so sad that NO ONE from our medical team mentioned the option of ASL. In fact, we were discouraged from using it for our son. Thankfully, we did our own research and decided that learning ASL was the right choice for our family. It was so refreshing to hear this point of view discussed on a medical podcast. Thank you for being open and judgement-free!”

Alicia, thank you so much for your comment. THIS is the reason I do the podcast. It’s because I saw so many parents in your position who wished they had been better informed just to have been given the options and then being allowed to do your own research and coming to your own conclusions to do what works for you and your family like you said. I always believe, Knowledge is power!

Ariella commented on the blog: “I think it’s crucial for Kimberly to think about how she uses shaming words like “tiger mom.” Not only is she furthering the divide between groups whose ultimate goal is a deaf child’s well-being, but it is also that same “tiger mom” dedication that gives a person strength to fight for her child to have access to sign language and to go against the COUNTLESS professionals who say not to.”

Thank you Ariella for sending in this comment. I really appreciate that you are able to voice your opinion here. Whatever it is that you would like to say, you will be heard around here. I think it’s always tricky when we are passionate...