League Buzz
Issue 6
You’re reading the League Buzz, October, 2005. Issue 6.
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.
PLAYING IT LOUD ISN’T PLAYING IT SMART
Did You Know that noise is one of the leading causes of hearing loss?
Did You Know that exposure to a noisy subway for just 15 minutes a day can damage your hearing over time?
Did You Know that listening to your MP3 Player at high volumes can cause permanent damage to your hearing?
How Loud is Too Loud?
To know if a sound is loud enough to cause damage to your ears, it is important to know both the level of intensity (measured in decibels, dBA) and the length of exposure to the sound. In general, the louder the sound, the less time required before hearing will be affected. Experts agree that continued exposure to noise above 85 dBA will eventually harm your hearing. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends that hearing protection be worn in the workplace when loudness levels and exposure time exceed the allowable standards. For example, 15 minutes of exposure at 115 dBA is considered dangerous to hearing and even an exposure of less than 2 minutes at 130 dBA may be hazardous to hearing. While regulations exist to protect a person's hearing in the workplace, similar regulations do not exist to protect the public's hearing in recreational activities.
Examples:
- Noise levels at video arcades can be as high as 110 dBA.
- Firecrackers create sound levels from 125 - 155 dBA at an average distance of 10 feet.
- Sound levels at live music concerts can be measured at 120 dBA and beyond.
- Noise levels at movie theaters have been measured up to 118 dBA.
- Sound levels in health clubs and gyms can be as high as 120 dBA.
- Sound levels at a sporting event can be measured up to 127 dBA.
- Motorcycles have been measured at levels ranging from 95 - 120 dBA.
- Noise levels of snowmobiles are as high as 99 dBA.
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.
NOTES FROM THE NEWS
MP3 Players and Hearing Loss (HOT topic!)
In the Health Section of the September 6th New York Times, Anahad O’Connor writes an article entitled “The Claim: MP3 Players Can Cause Hearing loss.&rdquo The article cites a study by the National Acoustic Laboratory in Sydney, Australia. The participants were Australian iPod users between the ages of 18 and 54. According to O’Connor, “The study found a quarter of the people surveyed kept their iPods at volumes that could cause long-term hearing damage.” The bottom line, says O’Connor, is “MP3 Players may increase risk of hearing loss for some people.”
CBS Channel 2 showcased the League’s Children’s Programs and Services on Monday, September 26th at 6:50am as part of their Health Watch morning news segment. Dr. Sapna Parikh reported. To view the two-minute segment on children and hearing loss, please visit: http://wcbstv.com/health/local_story_269082340.html
Read This
Erin Geld, a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell University, a League Client, and a League intern this past summer (in the Development Department), recently published an article in the Cornell Daily Sun, entitled “Deaf at the Dragon” about her new job and life on campus. Please check out her meaningful, important and inspirational article: http://www.cornellsun.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/09/27/4338a360f18e8
SOME INFO TO RELAY
In a recent issue of the Buzz, we discussed assistive devices that can be used with Relay telephone service. Well, do you know how to use Relay? The New York Relay Ambassador Program can help you understand how to use all the different services offered through Relay including Voice Carry-Over, Hearing Carry-Over, Speech-to-Speech, and TTY to Voice. If you want more information or if you know of a business that would benefit from learning how to communicate more effectively with a Relay user, contact Mary Kay Adams or Joshua Finkle, at 718-433-1092 or via email at MK.Adams@dhisnyc.com or Joshua.Finkle@dhisnyc.com.
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!)
MOVIE MADNESS
According to Joe Gordon, SHHH (Self Help for the Hard of Hearing) New York State Chapter Coordinator, The following movie theaters have (or will have in the coming weeks) rear window captioned movies. Please call theater for schedule.
Clearview New City Cinema 6
Auditorium 6
202 South Main Street
New City, NY
845 634-4439 (voice)
Clearview Chelsea Cinemas
Auditorium 4
260 West 23rd Street
New York, NY
212 691-5519
KNOCK KNOCK
WHO’S THERE?
YOU!
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.
CALLING ALL 5th THROUGH 8th GRADERS
Are you Street Smart Savvy? Find out at The League's Adolescent Workshop on Sunday November 6, 2005 from 9:30am-3:30pm. Mainstreamed 5th-8th graders with hearing loss and their parents are invited. We have an exciting day planned including a panel of high school students and a pizza lunch! The Adolescent Workshop provides a great opportunity to meet new friends and renew bonds with old friends. Registration materials will be mailed in the coming weeks. HOLD THE DATE! For information or to be added to the mailing list, please call Dorene Watkins at 917-305-7881 or Josephine Massab at 917-305-7840.
DID YOU HEAR THAT?
Cochlear Implant Support Group for individuals who have a cochlear implant, those who are contemplating a cochlear implant or those who desire information about cochlear implants. All are invited to share, listen, learn, teach…and support. This group has no affiliation with any particular implant center. Next Meeting: October 27, 2005, 50 Broadway, 2nd Floor from 5:30pm to 7pm. Light refreshments will be served. Please bring your questions, comments and personal experiences. A New York State Licensed Audiologist with expertise in cochlear implants will serve as the facilitator. For more information, call or email the Audiology Department at 917.305.7751.
The League’s NF2 Support Group
Next meeting: December 7, 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.
AROUND TOWN
Paper Mill Playhouse will present an Open-Captioned performance of the family favorite PINOCCHIO on Friday, December 9th at 7pm. Enchantment Theatre Company, one of the country's most revered organizations for cross-generational theatre, brings the touching adventures of a puppet to the stage with superb design work and eye-popping special effects, making this popular tale of a puppet-turned-young boy truly unique. Tickets are available by contacting the box office at (973) 376-4343 (voice) or (973) 376-2181 (TTY). Please mention Open-Captioning when purchasing. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the box office or by mail. Paper Mill Playhouse is located on Brookside Drive in Millburn, NJ. www.papermill.org
TRIVIA
- What famous actor (who starred in over 15 movies) is hard of hearing?
- How were parrots involved in World War One?
- What animal’s hearing rates as one of the top in the animal kingdom?
THANK YOU FOR READING THE LEAGUE BUZZ
If you like what you've read, please pass along the buzz to friends and family...
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Tell us what kinds of tips and thoughts you'd like to see in the next League Buzz. Email us at LeagueBuzz@lhh.org and write “tips” in the subject line.
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:
- Lou Ferrigno, star the "Incredible Hulk" television show. At a young age Ferrigno suffered an 85 percent loss of hearing due to an ear infection. In addition to Ferrigno starring in over 15 movies, Ferrigno played professional football for the Toronto Argonauts. As if that wasn’t enough accomplishment - Ferrigno won several bodybuilding titles, including Mr. America and Mr. International. At age 21, Ferrigno was the youngest athlete to ever win the Mr. Universe title.
- In World War One, parrots were brought up to the Eiffel Tower in Paris because of their incredible sense of hearing. When the parrots heard the enemy aircraft coming they would warn everyone of the approaching danger long before any human ear would hear it.
- The cat. Cats can hear sounds as high-pitched as 65 kHz (a human's hearing stops at just 20 kHz).
