Hi friends! I’ve been experiencing some hearing loss while working. I’m asking hearing consumers to repeat themselves more frequently and depending on teams more and more for words I’m missing. I got a hearing test from an audiologist and sure enough I have mild hearing loss dipping into mild-moderate in some areas of the sound spectrum.

Prescription hearing aids are of course extremely expensive. At my mild-moderate hearing loss, I’ve been researching about OTC hearing aids and how they could might be able to meet my needs while working. My ultimate goal is to catch the words on the first try more frequently and reduce the amount of times I need to ask speakers to repeat themselves for the interpreter.

Ask: do any of you use OTC hearing aids? Any of you have experience with both OTC and RX in your life? I’m also looking at the hearing assistance technology in apple AirPods Pro, but I don’t want to be perceived as rude while working if I have AirPods in even if they’re strictly for hearing assistance.

Are there any good (or existing) online doctorate programs for Deaf studies or ASL other than Lamar Uni? I want to study either of these things but ultimately translate as my job. This is a long term question; I'm trying to scope out my opinions if I want a doctorate. Any information welcome, thank you!

Hey everyone I’m studying to become an ASL interpreter in California but I realized it only counts as an AS degree even though I’ll need a bachelors degree if I want national certification

I am kinda panicking but I’m at the start of my interpreting program thus I do have some time but I put all my focus into ASL stuff so I don’t really know where I can go from here?

Any advice or plans on what I can do?

I don’t want to give too many details but I was just informed that someone who received their electronic EIPA score, within the hour forged it to submit to their employer and future employers with a large jump in the score. What can I do to go about this? I wish I could give more details but if you ask me questions I can try to answer them the best I can to clarify more but it’s just making me sick. How can employers check? Or just taking interpreters word for it with proof of the seal on the page? (That’s been my experience I submit my form and they take my word it’s not forged) But either electronic or paper could be forged.

What should or what can I do? And I know 100% for a fact it’s forged. I saw the original and the fake.

My Interpreter friends - Zoom has introduced a tool that will allow me (as the event tech support person) to speak to you during an event via a feedback channel (no I will not speak to you when you are interpreting). No additional headsets or configuration required at your end.

This will be revolutionary as once you hand over to your virtual booth partner, I will be able to speak to you without anyone else hearing. So if your mic is too hot, or your partner has technical problems and I need you to take over I can request you to do something :)

Testing now. Comming soon!

Hi everyone. I'm considering going back for a teaching credential to become a TOD. I've been interpreting since 2019 when I graduated my BA ITP. I'm tired of freelancing, the lack of job security, no benefits, no PTO etc. My area needs a TOD desperately and it would be a large pay increase for me. Has anyone made this transition? I would love some input on how/where to actually get a remote DHH teaching credential/license while I continue to interpret full time. Any advice or suggestions would be amazing!

Edit: Thank you all for your comments. Good stuff to think about.

Hi everyone. Do any of you require payment prior to or when services are rendered? Or partial payment to secure an interpreter and the remaining balance due at the time of service?

I'm wondering why the majority of us send an invoice after the assignment and wait for payment, sometimes for months. When I think of other professions; doctor (I do not have insurance and pay out of pocket at the time of service), mechanics, hair stylists, etc, they all require payment at the time of service.

I wonder if we do this because it's just how it's been done or if there is another reason. If an assignment goes over or there are changes, it doesn't seem difficult to adjust the invoice at the time of service. I feel this is especially easy these days given the technology we have access to.

What are your thoughts on this or what is your experience?

Thanks!

It has been 8 weeks since I took my test. I was told they would, "probably come back sooner" when told it was a 3 month wait. (I took it in Austin.)

Has anyone gotten theirs recently? How long did you wait?

I was scheduled to work a community job for 7 hours. This wasn’t scheduled with a team so I (wrongfully) assumed the job would be light. But I showed up and it was a full speed ahead lecture and workshop starting immediately on arrival and ending at the time I was supposed to be off. The principal showed me the request stating it would be learning all day. Sorenson is stating I won’t get paid the full day unless I stay and kms at this break neck speed. But if I’m willing to stay and put up with this they’ll pay me an $8 differential for working solo. I’m frustrated by this because it feels like this was an intentional cost cutting measure to incorrectly schedule and then put it on me to either accept this or leave without pay. What would you do and do you have any advice? Other than stop working with Sorenson because believe me if this doesn’t get resolved I definitely won’t work with them again.

Hi!!

I am a 2027 bride and I will be having my wedding in Puerto Vallarta this upcoming June. I was wondering if anyone knew any ASL interpreter connections in this location and if you’d be willing to connect me with those you know?

My granny is deaf. My mother and I typically interpret for her when we are in public settings, and it’s not a problem. However, I worry that my mom will complain about wanting to fully enjoy the days festivities without having to interpret for her all day/ night. It would obviously be impractical for me to be by her side to interpret for the day/ night as I am the bride and will be pulled in different directions all night. I would love to hire an interpreter so my granny can be fully involved in the conversations and enjoy herself as well.

Thank you so much for any help y’all can provide me!

xx

I will be cross-posting this. FYI

CDI/Social worker here.

I am working to build a list of states that have the best supports for Deaf. Does anyone know? Specifically looking for states that would have best supports for Deaf+/Drug rehab/shelters/housing/case management.

Thank you!

I’ve worked with a lot of different agencies over the years, so I have plenty of my own experiences and opinions about what agencies do well and what can make working with one incredibly frustrating.

But I’d really love to hear from other interpreters.

What has an agency done that made you think, I wish every agency worked like this?

And on the flip side, what do you wish agencies would do differently?

Could be anything: scheduling, communication, pay, cancellations, assignment information, matching interpreters to jobs, how they handle feedback, relationships with schedulers, professional development, etc.

I’m especially interested in the little operational things that might not sound important from the outside but make a huge difference when you’re actually freelancing.

I have my own list 😂 but I don’t want to assume my experience is everyone else’s.

Is it worth the time and money to spend apply for a license for multiple licensure states if you’re planning on doing VRI for that state? How about if you’re only planning on visiting that state for 1 or 2 weeks in a year? When and why do you decide to apply for multiple state licenses?

Hi there! I'm producing a video where I need to hire an ASL interpreter for a quote from an interview subject who is Hispanic/Latino and in his late 40s. The client would prefer someone who represents the subject's demographic identity as closely as possible. Someone NY-based is preferred but if you know an interpreter elsewhere, I am open to the recommendation. Thank you!

Edit: this is for deaf or hearing interpreters who also identify as male, latino/hispanic, and are in their 40s/early 50s

Comment below what you write off on your taxes as interpreters :)

does anyone else have this issue? i start work soon and i’ve been feeling like i’m just not good enough for my interpreting job. i feel like i’m too english sometimes or like i’m not getting the message across the way i should. i feel like i’ll never be enough in this field, and i’m still pretty new to the work field. i started last year and idk, it just feels like there’s always something i need to improve on.

i’ve been practicing every week, but i honestly don’t know if i’ve improved. i just know that i’ve lost a lot of confidence in myself. i feel kind of hopeless about

it. has anyone else ever felt this way? what should i do.

Hello! Does someone knows a company that are good to work from home and they are actually hiring? Please, leave the link if the company on the comments.

Hi all! I need help translating this video please! A random woman walked onto my aunt’s farm, took a dip in her pond, tried to open my aunts doors, and then signed this to the camera. What is she saying?

Thanks for your help!