League Buzz
Issue 11
You’re reading the League Buzz, March, 2006. Issue 11.
To be added to the League Buzz mailing list, please email us at LeagueBuzz@lhh.org and write “add” in the subject of the email.
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DING DONG…HONEY GET THE DOOR!
Do you have trouble hearing the doorbell? The building intercom? A knock at the door? No problem! There are many devices that are currently on the market that can help. Extra loud doorbells can be installed outside the door of the house or apartment and the receiver (bell) is then plugged in to an electrical outlet located inside the home. Additional receivers can be added as required. Another unit that is available will cause a remote receiver to either make a sound somewhere else in the house or flash a strobe light/lamp when the doorbell is pushed. In addition, some units can be made to operate with the intercom system in an apartment building. When the intercom buzzer is pushed at the main door of an apartment building, the sensor inside the apartment will “hear” the sound and send a signal to receivers. Generally, these types of doorbells are part of a complete alerting system and are usually wireless, making installation easy. Another type of device is one that is attached to the inside of the door and will respond to someone knocking by flashing a light. This type of device is best used in a small apartment or hotel room.
For more information or to try out one of these devices, please visit Soundbytes located at the League’s offices in NYC and in Florida, visit www.soundbytes.com or come on down to the League’s FREE Device Demonstration…
NO NEED TO ASK TWICE, COME CHECK OUT AN ASSISTIVE DEVICE! Free Device Demonstration
Tuesdays 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.
LIKE A ROLLING STONE
For many viewers, the Super Bowl half-time show is as much a highlight as the touchdowns and the million dollar commercials! This year, the Rolling Stones seemed as young and vibrant as ever. When it comes to their health, however, WebMD took a closer look. According to WebMD, “Today's top musicians wear custom-made earplugs that dampen noise very effectively. But the Stones were playing long before such protection was available. As a result, they likely are suffering from mild to severe hearing loss”, says Gail Whitelaw, Ph.D., President of the American Academy of Audiology. “It's the kind of hearing loss that makes it hard to hear companions in a crowded bar.” Learn from Mick, Keith, Charlie and Ron before you rock out to “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” “Ruby Tuesday,” or “Wild Horses,” make sure to protect your ears. http://aolsvc.health.webmd.aol.com/content/Article/118/112946.htm?pagenumber=1
Remember: The League makes custom earbud-style headphones for music lovers who can’t bear to part from their MP3 Players, but are afraid of the harms of noise. With the custom earbud-style headphone, the environmental sound is lessened and you can therefore reduce the volume to a less lethal level. In addition, the listener will enjoy better overall sound. Personal Stereo/MP3 Player custom earbud-style headphones are now available at the League! To learn more about the League’s custom earbud-style headphones and how to get your hands on a pair of them, please call the League at (917) 305-7809 or email info@lhh.org.
SPOTLIGHT ON: ADVOCACY GROUPS
The League has an ongoing commitment to offer education, information and resources. Amy Boyle, the League’s Director of Public Education says, “The League receives daily inquiries, not only from New Yorkers, but from people nationwide, asking for assistance in connecting them to advocacy and support groups.” Well, League Buzzers, your wish is our command! Here is a spotlight on two great national resources, both have local chapters.
Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), formerly Self Help for Hard of Hearing People, Inc. (SHHH): Advocates for people with hearing loss and provides support, information and education. With other allied organizations, including the League, HLAA successfully advocated for the restoration of funding for the Newborn Infant Hearing Screening Program. Additionally, HLAA advocacy has resulted in cell phones being compatible with hearing aids. HLAA has also worked with members of Congress to introduce the Hearing Aid Tax Credit Bill and has worked to improve both TV and movie captioning. The League hosts a monthly meeting of the NYC Chapter of HLAA at the League’s offices at 50 Broadway. For more information, email info@lhh.org.
AGBELL, The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing: A lifelong resource, support network, and advocate for listening, learning, talking, and living independently with hearing loss. Through publications, outreach, training, scholarships, and financial aid, AG Bell promotes the use of spoken language and hearing technology. AGBell is headquartered in Washington, DC with chapters located in the United States and Canada.
Some other groups of note include a.b.c (Advocates for Better Communication), ALDA (Association of Late Deafened Adults), CODA (Children of Late Deafened Adults) & AMPHL (Association of Medical Professionals with Hearing Loss)
WINTER CARNIVAL – A BARREL OF FUN – RESCHEDULED
Due to the Blizzard of 2006, the Winter Carnival has been rescheduled to March 12, 2006 from 1pm-4pm at 52 Broadway, NYC. Children of all ages are invited to an afternoon of fun and games The League's Winter Carnival. The event includes live entertainment, carnival games and activities, super raffle, refreshments, goody bags and more! The Winter Carnival is also a great opportunity for parents to get together and chat while their kids play! Special thanks to Community Champion, Time Warner Cable. For ticket information, please contact Susan King, Director of Special Events, at sking@lhh.org or (917) 305-7804.
SOUND SOLUTION
Do you know someone who cranks up the volume on their television? Do they say “what” a few too many times? Do they become removed during large family dinners? They may benefit from the League’s FREE Hearing Screenings. When? Every Tuesday, noon-2pm and Every Thursday, 4pm-6pm. Location? 50 Broadway, 6th Floor. Call (917) 305-7766 or email appointments@lhh.org for a screening time.
FIRE SAFETY
The League was called upon by NBC to contribute to a piece on Fire Safety, which aired on Sunday, January 29. Dr. Ellen Lafargue, Director of Audiology, was interviewed by NBC’s Dr. Max Gomez about Fire Safety for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Dr. Lafargue talked about the different Assistive Alerting Devices. NBC wrote up a short summary for their website, with a League mention:
http://www.wnbc.com/drmaxgomez/6507160/detail.html
PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES
For up to the minute information about accessible transportation:
http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/digov-public/public/DisplayPage.do?parentFolderId=129
FLORIDA SUNSHINE
For all of you snowbirds (or any relatives or friends), the League for the Hard of Hearing- Florida provides hearing testing, hearing aid dispensing and mental health services. Join the Florida League for a Health Lecture on Medication Safety on March 6th from 1:30-3pm at the Florida League, located at 2800 W. Oakland Park Blvd, Suite 304, in Oakland Park, Florida. For more info, please call (954) 731-7200 (voice or TTY).
SPRING CLEANING
Reminder to those who wear hearing aids: tubing and earmolds need to be replaced every six months. When was the last time that you replaced yours? With springtime just around the corner, check to make sure that you are receiving the right benefits from your hearing aids. Come to the League’s dispensary (drop-ins welcome, no appointment necessary) located at 50 Broadway, NYC from Monday to Friday between 9am and 4pm for some spring cleaning!
TAKE ME OUT…TO THE MOVIES
The Film Society of Lincoln Center presents two open-captioned films:
King Kong on Saturday, March 4th at 1:30 PM
The Chronicles of Narnia on Wednesday, March 22nd at 1:30, 4:15, & 7:00 PM
Location: The Walter Reade Theater is at LincolnCenter: 165 West 65th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenues. Admission: $7.00 public, $6 members, $5seniors (for weekday shows beginning before 6pm). Box office opens 1:30 pm daily. Questions: Box office: (212) 875-5601.
HEAR MY STORY
By George Oberlander, Jr.
My relationship with the League for the Hard of Hearing began about 37 years ago when my hearing loss was discovered just before I entered Kindergarten by Mr. Irwin Rickler, who was the speech therapist for the Harrison Central School District in Harrison, NY. Mr. Rickler recommended to my parents that I seek the experts at the League. Throughout my elementary and high school, the League was a constant source of information and support for my parents.
I graduated from Hofstra University with a Bachelor of Engineering Science Degree and once again sought the help of the League for job placement services, run at the time by Nancy Nadler. It was then that my relationship with the League changed from that of only being a client to also being a volunteer. I can vividly recall Nancy asking me to speak at the IRS offices on the Topic of Hearing Disability in the workplace. After doing this presentation, I realized that it was time to start giving back to the League. Through the years, I've given more presentations to other groups and have also given my time to many programs at the League including Comedy Night, the Mentoring Program and the Parents group, which is coordinated by the League's Parent Coordinator, Dorene Watkins.
As a League Volunteer for the past 21 years, I have spoken to many parents who have young children with hearing loss and have personally witnessed the positive impact of children getting an early start in treating their hearing loss. This was especially meaningful to me since my hearing loss was not diagnosed until I was five and as a result I struggled with the delays this caused in school and still struggle today. It amazes me how much more support there is now for children born with this non-visible disability than when I was born and it also amazes me how well they perform.
The current generation of hearing challenged youngsters seems to me to be much better prepared to meet the challenges of life than those of my generation. While I think that some of this is due to just being diagnosed earlier, the help the League gives them is what ensures that they reach their potential. That is why I think it is critical that the League for the Hard of Hearing continues its work and receives your support. Their dedication to each individual, and especially the approach used with children, makes the League second to none. As a life-long League volunteer and supporter, I ask that each of you consider supporting the League. The time when the hearing challenged no longer feel isolated in the hearing world is within our reach. We must remain ever diligent in our mission.
SAVE THESE DATES
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: March 23, 2006, 50 Broadway, 2nd Floor from 5:30pm to 7pm. Light refreshments will be served. Debbi Schaser-Graff of Canine Hearing Companions, Inc. will present to the group about service dogs dedicated to people with hearing loss. Please come and learn about how specially trained dogs can alert people with hearing loss to sounds in the environment and provide good company as well! For more information, call or email the Audiology Department at (917)305-7751.
The League’s NF2 Support Group
Next meeting: Monday, March 6, 2006 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:
- What is New York’s state bird? New Jersey’s state bird?
- What do you call a group of:
- Ants?
- Dogs?
- Gorillas?
THANK YOU FOR READING THE LEAGUE BUZZ
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!
If you like what you've read, please pass along the buzz to friends and family...
To be added to or removed from the League Buzz mailing list, please email us at LeagueBuzz@lhh.org. In the subject of the email, please write “add” or “remove.”
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:
- New York - The Bluebird; New Jersey - Eastern Goldfinch
- a. A colony or an army of ants, b. A pack of dogs, c. A band of gorillas
