[Dave57210]

Just a note in passing - A few years ago I was a Scoutmaster (while my kid was in Scouts)

One of the kids in the troop I was working with was profoundly deaf - had been born without some of the gizmos in his inner ears. Hearing aids were of no use. We used a flashing strobe to catch his attention and then he would read lips.

ANYWAY - back the hotrodding part - one day I took my troop to the drags - and made every one of them wear good ear protectors - except him, of course.

Anyway - we were not too far from the line when a couple of AA Fuelers went off, and this boy had the most blissful look I have ever seen - those cars made the very first sound he had ever heard in his entire life!

I will never forget that look. Its why we all do some of the things we do.

Just a thot for those of you who hang out at the strip - see if some of the students from the local school for the deaf want to come along. It will be worth it - both for them and for you!

[malc]

"had been born without some of the gizmos in his inner ears"

If true I am very happy for the lad but I have to ask how if parts of the inner ear are missing ?
Maybe the so loud sound "jumped" the gap.

[Bryan59EC]

Malc
Probably felt the vibrations more than actually heard them.

Not just anyplace you can feel something like that -- not only in your head, but everywhere.

(okay---git your minds out of the gutter )

[302 Z28]

Bryan nailed it IMHO, it was the vibrations, you can feel them all over your body.

One thing I remember very well was when I went to my first Reno Air race in 1971. Back then the FAA and air show people were not as concerned as they are today about crowd control. I went with a group of about six USAF buddies and we all had pit passes. We situated ourselves under one of the pylons. As the unlimited's came rounding the pylon I was laying on my back. The sound and vibrations were absolutely awesome.

Vince

[Houston54]

I just want to extend my appreciation for your being a Scouter.

I was in to my neck from Tiger Cub through Eagle and would repeat it all over if I could. Not only being able to spend time with your son(s) but with other young men is but one of the benefits. All too often though there were adults who thought BSA meant Baby Sitters of America and did not participate.

Those are the ones that missed out.

Thumbs up to you. Hope others make the effort with their kids.

[MARTINSR]

I was a Den leader for 5 years and watching those same boys all those years starting out at 6 years old was one of the greatest things I have done in my life. What a joy watching those boys learn and grow.

On the drags, I have to say I would laugh at the people with ear protection on calling them wimps. Back a while ago I took along some good ear protection for my son and myself (to set an example) and I couldn't believe how much more enjoyable it was! Right at the light, oh my God what a difference FEELING that power without having my attention on my ears hurting, how dumb I was.

Brian

[Fast Eddie D]

First, very nice doing your civic duty.

Second, the boy isn't 100% deaf. Beethoven was deaf, but he could hear himself play the piano if he held a wooden stick in his teeth and pressed it against the piano. So from the sound of your story, he actually did hear for the first time.

[T-bucket23]

Originally Posted by malc

"had been born without some of the gizmos in his inner ears"

If true I am very happy for the lad but I have to ask how if parts of the inner ear are missing ?
Maybe the so loud sound "jumped" the gap.

My grandson is deaf (cochlear doesnt work) he can how ever hear certain sounds. He is 2 and if the phone rings he goes right to it. I think ciertain ranges still produce some sort of sensation. He is getting an implant soon we hope it will give him some hearing back

[Dave57210]

I guess I always assumed that the sound vibrations that travel right through your entire body also vibrated his skull, jawbones etc, and the sheer magnitude of the sound vibrations were transmitted and received as something he could actually hear - the first sound he had ever heard. By the way, I later heard that he made his parents take him back to the strip again and again.

If you have ever spent any time near the line when a pair of 8,000 HP top fuel (or AA F/C) cars launch, you know what I mean. Just stand there, wearing the best hearing protection in the world, but let your mouth hang open a bit - believe me - you WILL feel every single particle of your body receive and transmit that sound.

Hmmmm.... Now that I think about it, I wonder if the profoundly deaf might be the best tuners and mechs for those beasts, as well as the best start-line crews for NHRA and for the teams themselves?

[flipfloppop]

Anyway - we were not too far from the line when a couple of AA Fuelers went off, and this boy had the most blissful look I have ever seen - those cars made the very first sound he had ever heard in his entire life!


Dave57210,I have two grandsons that where born profoundly deaf. If the kid
was born deaf he will never hear.He did not hear the cars he only felt
the vibrations.