League Buzz

Issue 3

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SUMMER IN THE CITY
Whether attending a summer concert in the park or a local fire works display, Amy Boyle, the League's Public Education Director reminds us to pay attention to potentially dangerous decibel levels. Just as we protect ourselves from the dangers of the sun, we need to protect our hearing from dangerous levels of noise. Remember that noise can cause hearing loss and it is cumulative over time; it is permanent but 100% preventable. Be aware of the sound level around you; if it sounds too loud it probably is, so turn down the volume or wear hearing protection so the sounds of summer do not become a thing of the past.

NOISE LEVELS IN OUR ENVIRONMENT
(Interesting information to share at summer barbeques and by the office water cooler)

Measure Up and Turn it down. The following are decibel levels of common noise sources around us. These are typical levels, however, actual noise levels may vary depending on the particular item. Remember noise levels above 85 dBA will harm hearing over time. Noise levels above 140dBA can cause damage to hearing after just one exposure.
• 30 soft whispers
• 60 normal conversation
• 50 - 60 electric toothbrush
• 50 - 80 electric shaver
• 60 - 85 vacuum cleaner
• 60 - 95 hair dryer
• 70 TV audio
• 80 ringing telephone
• 110 baby crying
• 110 busy video arcade
• 117 football game (stadium)
• 135 noisy squeeze toys
• 157 balloon pop

The League provides FREE Hearing Screenings…come on in, it takes 5 minutes
Every Tuesday, noon-2pm
Every Thursday, 4pm-6pm
Location: 50 Broadway, 6th Floor
Call 917.305.7766 or email appointments@lhh.org to reserve a screening time. (Tell them that the League Buzz sent you!)

BEST KEPT SECRET? Not anymore.
WE MAY BE THE ONLY ONES IN AMERICA

To what?? To have a program specially designed for hard of hearing and deaf immigrants who want to learn English. Yes, there are English as a Second Language (ESL) programs-- both public and private ones-- around New York City that provide instruction, but most are conducted in groups. Linda Kessler, Assistant Director of the Communications Department says that generally, people who have hearing loss need one-on-one instruction in order to learn English. Additionally, special methodology is often needed for this population.

Immigrants from a large number of different countries around the world have attended these sessions at the League, with native languages including Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, French, Spanish, Italian, Tagalog, Russian, German, Portuguese, and many others. Some of them come to America well-educated and fluent in their own language. But others come from countries where individuals with hearing loss do not receive an education, and they may not be literate even in their native language. Linda says that working with this population has been, and continues to be, extremely rewarding. It is exhilarating to see the progress these students make, and the gratitude shown by them is overwhelming.

THE FEAST WITH FAMOUS FACES – mark your calendar
The 13th Annual Feast With Famous Faces hosted by JPMorganChase will be held on Monday, September 26 at 270 Park Avenue, NYC from 6:30-9:30pm. Originated in 1992, Feast with Famous Faces is a top-tier culinary event featuring leading New York chefs who prepare and serve signature dishes assisted by celebrity sous-chefs and sommeliers. Expect to sizzle, simmer and spice with some of New York's top Chefs, mingle among a glittery array of Celebrity personalities, enter for a chance to win fabulous prizes, and go home with a great gift bag…plus a few surprises!!! For more information about the Feast with Famous Faces, contact Susan King at sking@lhh.org.

DON’T MISS A WORD
What’s your favorite TV program? American Idol? Sponge Bob? The Apprentice? West Wing? Lizzie McGuire?

Don’t miss a single word! Check out some of these assistive listening devices that can use with your TV:

Infrared: A transmitter is attached to the television and sends a direct infrared signal to a wireless receiver. The hearing impaired individual wears the receiver alone or in conjunction with a hearing aid that has a “Telephone “switch.
Closed Captioning: All newly manufactured televisions have closed captioning as a built in feature. Once you activate the feature, television programs that use this technology will have the spoken words displayed in print along the bottom of the screen.
FM: An FM transmitter is placed near the television speaker or attached directly to television; the hard of hearing individual uses his or her receiver to pick up the sound.

TRIVIA QUESTIONS

One day on June, the final Jeopardy answer was (more or less) "The disability that Ray Charles thought was so important that he helped raise money for it". What is the correct question?
Do insects have ears?
What is the length of the auditory nerve?

DID YOU HEAR THAT? Save the Date!
Cochlear Implant Support Group
Next Meeting: July 28, 2005, 50 Broadway, 2nd Floor, (Classrooms E/F), 5:30 to 7pm. Light refreshments will be served. Please bring your questions, comments and personal experiences! For more information, call or email the Audiology Department at 917.305.7751

The League has an NF2 Support Group
Individuals with Neurofibromatosis Type 2 and their families continue to meet every two or three months. Next meeting: August 11th at 50 Broadway, 6pm, room TBA. Meetings are captioned, light refreshments are served, and all are welcome! Please join us. For more information, call or email Ilene Miner at Voice/TTY 917-305-7730 or iminer@LHH.org.

CALLING ALL POETS & WRITERS
If you have a poem or story about your personal experiences with hearing loss (and you’re under the age of 18), and you would like to share it, please submit to Leaguebuzz@lhh.org. We hope to publish as many poems and stories as possible. (Thanks to those who have already submitted)

THANK YOU FOR READING THE LEAGUE BUZZ
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For more information on the League for the Hard of Hearing, visit www.lhh.org.

DID YOU GET THEM RIGHT? TRIVIA ANSWERS:

All 3 contestants said blindness, but the answer was deafness.
Many insects can hear sounds. Cicadas have their hearing organs in their stomachs. Crickets have their hearing organs in their knees. Male mosquitoes hear with thousands of tiny hairs growing on their antennae.
Length of auditory nerve = 2.5 cm