League Buzz

Issue 5

You’re reading the League Buzz, Issue 5.
The League for the Hard of Hearing’s mission is to improve the quality of life for infants, children and adults with all degrees of hearing loss.

We accomplish our mission by providing hearing rehabilitation and human service programs for people who are hard of hearing or deaf, and their families, regardless of age, ability to pay, or mode of communication, and by striving to empower consumers to achieve their potential. We hope that you enjoy the League Buzz, our premier email newsletter!

Go ahead…spread the buzz.

BACK TO SCHOOL – “KIDS…WAAAAAKE UUUUUUP”
Assistive Devices Facilitate Freedom
Is your child ready for the new school year, or better yet, are you? Why not let an alarm clock made specifically for deaf and hard of hearing individuals wake up your child? A vibrating or extra loud or low frequency alarm can make mornings run just a bit smoother. Many of these alarm clocks have a special vibrating bed shaker. Just place the small disk that is attached to the alarm clock inside the pillowcase or under the mattress and your child can start to wake up independently. You say your child can sleep through anything? There are clocks that can use combinations of light, sound and vibration that will surely wake even the deepest sleeper!

For more information, please visit SoundBytes at the League’s office at 50 Broadway on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9-5pm. Feel free to call with any questions at 917-305-7924 and tell them the League Buzz sent you.

LEFT TO YOUR OWN DEVICES
Free Devices Demonstration
Learn about assistive listening devices, alerting devices and new technology
for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
You don’t have to be a League client to attend.
Offered Every Tuesday from 1pm to 2pm
Located at the League's office at 50 Broadway, New York City
Please call 917-305-7700 or email info@lhh.org for more information.

SOUNDING BOARD: FOUR THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT HEARING AIDS
According to Dr. Ellen Lafargue, Director of Audiology:

The average life expectancy of a hearing aid is five years. With all the changes in hearing aid technology, hearing aid users should have their hearing AND their hearing aids evaluated once a year to make sure they are still receiving optimal benefit from their aids.
Telephone switches (aka a T-coil) should be included in every hearing aid purchased whenever possible. Besides helping people hear on the telephone, they can also be used with assistive listening devices that have neck loops. (Ask us for more information, we’ll be happy to explain!)
Batteries can go stale just sitting around on a shelf. Be sure you are buying your batteries from a facility where a lot of batteries are sold (like the League)
Hearing aids are very susceptible to moisture from sweat, humidity and other sources. Consider buying a hearing aid dehumidifier to protect your hearing aids (and your investment).

For more information on any of these topics please email info@lhh.org

ACOUSTICS 101 - BACK TO SCHOOL: LIFE IN THE CLASSROOM
Poor Classroom Acoustics?
Poor classroom acoustics create a negative learning environment for many students, especially those with hearing loss or learning difficulties. Poor classroom acoustics are frustrating for both students and teachers, as indicated in teacher surveys. According to the Acoustical Society of America, in many classrooms in the United States, up to 25% of the information can be missed, even for those children with normal hearing, because of excessive noise and reverberation.

Solutions for a Quieter Classroom.
While children with hearing loss should use an FM System in the classroom, there are also things that can be done to actually make the classroom quieter. It is critical that teachers, parents and administrators understand the impact that a noisy classroom has on a student's learning and team up with noise control consultants and architects to create a quiet learning environment. There is no one way to quiet all rooms of a school. The school cafeteria, gymnasium and various classrooms each have different acoustical requirements. Even the teaching style (i.e., lecture, group discussion) has to be taken into account. The Acoustical Society of America recommends surveying classrooms and teachers to identify noisy environments. The use of acoustical tile ceilings, wall coverings, carpeting, and bookshelves to absorb sound can help. An acoustical consultant can also be helpful to quiet the HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning), control other noise sources and make recommendations to improve the overall listening and learning environment in the school. For information on noise-related resources, visit the League’s Noise Center at www.lhh.org/noise

NOTES FROM THE NEWS: Food for Thought

MP3 Players and Hearing
Many people love their MP3 Player, however, Dr. Brian Fligor of the Boston Children’s Hospital warns people not to love their MP3 Players too much. There is a definite connection between the new devices and hearing loss. Dr. Fligor says: “Normal conversation registers about 60 decibels, a barking dog up to 70…all in the safe zone. But the rock band at 120 decibels and your personal stereo system at up to 130 decibels could cause hearing loss if you listen too long.” With greater battery power and no need to change CDs or tapes, it is easy to get carried away with music listening. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8815826/ (Can your iPod cause you to go deaf?)

TV Stations Fined, Failed To Inform Hearing-Impaired
According to Tim Engstrom, writer for the South Florida News-Press, “Two Southwest Florida television stations failed to keep hearing-impaired viewers adequately informed as Hurricane Charley approached last year and each should pay a $24,000 fine, federal regulators announced Tuesday. The Federal Communications Commission proposed the fines against NBC2 and ABC7 for ‘failing in a timely manner to make accessible to persons with hearing disabilities emergency information that they provided aurally.’ Both stations are operated by Waterman Broadcasting. Steve Pontius, general manager for Waterman, said the company is reviewing the FCC's conclusions. ‘We still have an appeals process to go through and we are considering our options,’ Pontius said.”

THE FEAST WITH FAMOUS FACES – Almost here!
On Monday, September 26 at 6:30pm, over 35 of New York’s most celebrated chefs, newscasters and daytime television stars will join forces at the 13th Annual Feast With Famous Faces, Manhattan’s most exciting and glamorous culinary gala. The Feast, hosted by JP Morgan Chase (270 Park Ave, between 47 & 48 Streets), which benefits the League for the Hard of Hearing, is a gastronomical star-studded, not-to-be-missed evening! All attendees have the opportunity to participate in a grand raffle and everyone walks away with a gift bag!

For more information about purchasing tickets to the Feast with Famous Faces, contact Susan King, Director of Special Events, at sking@lhh.org. For information about sponsorships or prize donations to the Feast Grand Raffle, please contact Reisha Goldman, Marketing Manager, at rgoldman@lhh.org.

SOUNDS…REASONABLE
The League provides FREE Hearing Screenings
Every Tuesday, noon-2pm
Every Thursday, 4pm-6pm
Location: 50 Broadway, 6th Floor
When was the last time that you had your hearing screened? Not since elementary school? Chances are, your hearing has changed.
Call 917.305.7766 or email appointments@lhh.org to reserve a screening time. (Tell them that the League Buzz sent you!)

WHY DID THE CHICKEN CROSS 42nd STREET?

TO GET TO “COMEDY NIGHT” AT B.B. KING
Save the date!
19th Annual Evening of Comedy at B.B. King Blues and Grill.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005. Doors open at 6:30pm. Event includes Sign Language Interpreters, Real-Time Captioning, Infrared Listening System, Full Menu Available, Door Prizes.
For more information, please contact Susan King, Director of Special Events at 917.305.7804 or sking@lhh.org.

DID YOU HEAR THAT?
Cochlear Implant Support Group
Next Meeting: September 22, 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’s NF2 Support Group
Next meeting: September 28, 2005 at 50 Broadway, 6pm, room TBA. Individuals with Neurofibromatosis Type 2 and their families continue to meet every two or three months. 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.

TRIVIA

Cornell University researchers have learned how a common fish found along the West Coast can hum and hear outside sounds at the same time. hat is the significance of this study?
Does the Hollywood Walk of Fame include anybody who is deaf or hard of hearing?

AROUND TOWN
The Rhinelander Center runs a recreational program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children on Saturdays. Opening day for the 2005-2006 school year will be on September 17, 2005. The program is open to all Deaf and Hard of Hearing children and teens between the ages of 5 and 19. For more information,visit the website (www.rhinelandercenter.org) or send an email to DeafSatProgram@aol.com

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 or call 917-305-7700.

DID YOU GET THEM RIGHT? TRIVIA ANSWERS:

The study marks the first time that scientists have found a direct line of communication between the part of a vertebrate's brain that controls the vocal muscle system and the part of the ear that hears sound. The researchers believe that understanding the auditory system of the plainfin midshipman fish (Porichthys notatus) — a 6- to 10-inch fish found along the coastline from Alaska to California — will offer insights into the hearing abilities of other vertebrates, including humans.
Yes, Thomas A. Edison, who became deaf as a child, has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Of course Edison is not an actor…he is credited with inventing the motion picture!