I don't think there really is a Hearing Impaired Network on CD. It seemed to show up at the same time that other forums got a random identical post (read the one thread posted there). But at this point it seems to do no harm.
I don't have any suggestions for coping with your hearing loss, but I can tell you that you can still be involved in FIRST!
I know that Dragons Robotics Team 1991 in Hartford, CT is a collaboration between two schools, the University High School of Science and Engineering (UHSSE), and the
American School for the Deaf (ASD). Here is the link to their website -
http://www.uhsserobotics.com
Team 1511 has one deaf student on our team. Jim is a senior this year and has been a member for several years. Fortunately for the team, we are aided by a district provided translator who has also been part of our team since Jim started. So Lee knows all the robot lingo and helps the team out on other things as well.
Our team gave some support to Team 1991 last year (their rookie year) and Jim had a chance to meet some of the students in Atlanta. It was a highlight for both Jim and Lee!