League Buzz
Issue 14
You’re reading the League Buzz, June, 2006. Issue 14.
Go ahead…Spread the Buzz. Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
SWIMMING, SWIMMING IN THE SWIMMING POOL
Are you planning a family weekend away to the beach this summer? Is your child going off to camp? Water resistant hearing aids are on the market! These hearing aids are sealed in such a way that there is a reduced chance of moisture getting into the hearing aid and they may often be used as a second set of hearing aids for sport or water activities. This option is not appropriate for everyone so be sure to discuss with your audiologist.
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.
IS ONE SIDE ENOUGH?
Karin Mango, a long time League client who received a cochlear implant (CI) five years ago and recently added a hearing aid to her other ear, says, “I would strongly recommend that people who have a CI and are not planning a second one and still have some basic hearing in the other ear, come to the League and try out a hearing aid. It may not make any difference. It may make some difference. And it could make a lot of difference.”
Mango adds, “it gives me a better sense of location and I find having sound on both sides gives me balance. Perhaps I even hear a bit better. The sound of a hearing aid is very different from that of a CI. However, I am now used to the way the two sounds blend and I am comfortable with both types of hearing on a daily basis.”
Dr. Ellen Lafargue, Director of Audiology at the League, facilitates a CI Support Group once a month. If you would like more information about this or other topics related to cochlear implants, see below for the next CI group meeting date and time! If you have any questions, please call (917) 305-7751 or email info@lhh.org.
TEE TIME
Tuesday, June 6, 2006 marks the 8th Annual Golf Tournament with Participating Celebrity Sports Legends at Sunningdale Country Club in Scarsdale, NY. All proceeds from this full day of Tournament golf, including brunch, VIP cocktail reception, full dinner and an awards presentation with grand raffle, go to the programs and services at the League. Added to this event for 2006 is the exciting opportunity to play golf with NY Sports Legends, including Mike Torrez, 1977 Yankees World Champion, Ed Kranepool, 1969 Miracle Mets, Ralph Branca, Brooklyn Dodgers, and many more. For more information please call (917)305-7804 or email events@lhh.org.
MAIL CALL
Dear Buzz,
I attended a business conference in Honolulu last week. After several long days, I boarded my redeye 9 hour flight to travel back home via Chicago. Imagine the look on my tired face as I found my seat on the completely-full flight and realized that there were infant travelers to my right, and in front of me and in back of me?! The other adult travelers around me all pouted as I put away my things under the seat. But I buckled my seat belt and inserted my custom ear plugs that I had made at the League. I never travel without them; my custom earplugs insure that I sleep soundly in any noise conditions. All I remember about the flight was that it was very smooth! Many thanks for another good night's sleep.
J. Cohen
TOP 25
In a landmark study, Partnership for Prevention ranked the health impact and cost effectiveness of 25 preventive services recommended by two nationally recognized sources: the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The study identified preventive services that are most valuable, highest-value preventive services that are most under-utilized, and preventive services that would provide the most gains in health were utilization rates increased. Hearing Screenings for individuals 65+ was among the top 25! Do you know someone who is over the age of 65? When was the last time that they had their hearing checked? See below for when and where to send them!
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.
LEAGUE IN THE NEWS
On May 22, NBC Channel 4 aired a story about Tinnitus. Dr. Max Gomez of NBC interviewed Dr. Ellen Lafargue, Director of Audiology at the League about the Tinnitus Center and Tinnitus Retraining Therapy that the League provides. For more information, visit: http://www.wnbc.com/drmaxgomez/9255730/detail.html
AROUND THE WORLD
Ilene Miner, Director of Mental Health and Career Development at the League, was called upon by the Nordic Center for Acquired Deafblindness to review their recent research publication on the lives of people with Usher Syndrome in four Nordic countries. The review was published in Danish in their newsletter. When asked about the project, Miner says, “It was an honor to be asked to review these publications. It was exciting to see my words in Danish! I am so happy to be able to participate in this worthwhile project.”
CURTAIN UP – date change
Playwrights Horizons presents a special Open Captioned performance of The Busy World is Hushed, a new play by Keith Bunin, featuring Jill Clayburgh, Hamish Linklater, and Luke MacFarlane, Directed by Mark Brokow. Sunday, July 9 at 2:30pm at Playwrights Horizons Mainstage Theater located at 416 West 42nd Street between 9th & 10th Avenues. Visit www.playwrightshorizons.org or call Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 (Noon-8pm daily) or TTY (800) 662-1220.
DID YOU KNOW?
According to a new survey by Better Hearing Institute of more than 1500 consumers, more than 9 out of 10 consumers say hearing aids improve quality of life. An overwhelming majority (93%) of consumers with hearing devices say the devices have improved their quality of life, and eighty five percent (85%) say they are satisfied with the benefits they get from hearing instruments. Ninety percent (90%) of the respondents said their hearing instruments improved communication in one-on-one situations and more than eight out of ten were satisfied by the instruments’ performance in small groups and while watching television.
ADVOCACY BREAKTHROUGH
League Board Member and advocate Arlene Romoff has been instrumental in enacting a policy to provide Assistive Listening Devices (ALD's) at all New Jersey legislative budget hearings. Anthony Reznik, Chief of Staff for State Senator Barbara Buono of New Jersey, has recently informed Romoff that NJ will now provide ALDs at these hearings, whether one requests them or not. This allows people with hearing loss who benefit from ALDs to attend these sessions without prior notification. Romoff is now talking to State officials about legislation to require ALDs at all public meetings.
HEAR MY STORY
By Eric Mayer
My first recollection of a hearing problem was at my pre induction physical in 1962.
The person performing the hearing test said that my results showed some loss of hearing but not enough to get me out of the service. A few months later, a hand grenade “missed” but the noise was so great I couldn’t hear for maybe 3 days. At the time they said there was no permanent damage and I continued my tour.
Later in my youth I listened to music that was probably played too loud—remember Woodstock. I had no idea that these events would have a profound effect in my later life.
By the 80’s I was using an amplified phone receiver, but one-on-one conversations were still possible. My hearing continued to get worse. It became nearly impossible for me to have a conversation in a noisy place like a restaurant. In the mid 80’ I was introduced to the League for the Heard of Hearing through an acquaintance of my wife. My first professional hearing evaluation showed I had a moderate hearing loss in both ears, and binaural hearing aids were recommended.
Sometime later my hearing took a nose dive. The League suggested that I set up an appointment with a doctor familiar with my type of hearing loss. I was diagnosed with cochlear hydrops. I had an operation on my right ear to help slow the progress of my loss. I believe that the operation helped to forestall the inevitable; my right ear remained the ear of choice for phone conversations.
I continued to be followed by the League and in the early 90’s, I was fitted with the first experimental digital body aid (it ate batteries), and this helped so much that I was able to maintain my job and enjoyed going out with friends again. A few years later the League recommended a state of the art digital BTE [behind the ear] high powered aid. I got these aids the day before Thanksgiving. We were to visit our daughter at collage, out of state, and celebrate the holiday by going out for dinner. Keep in mind that I had been using analog aids or a simple digital aid up to this point.
We picked up our daughter at her dorm and I couldn’t believe my ears, my daughter was speaking to me and I heard her for the first time with a natural ADULT voice. This was the best Thanksgiving of my whole life. I’ll never forget.
Today I have profound/severe loss in both ears. The League is now recommending a cochlear implant. After nearly 20 years of taking the advice of the League, I’ll probably be doing this in the near future. I’d like to thank the League and its professional and knowledgeable staff for their dedication to people with hearing loss and I’d like to especially thank Dr. Ellen Lafargue who has been my audiologist and adviser for nearly 20 years.
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: June 22, 2006 at 50 Broadway, 2nd Floor from 5:30pm to 7pm. Rescheduled from May: William Shapiro, Director of Audiology at the NYU cochlear implant center will be speaking about bilateral cochlear implants. 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 Adolescent Workshop
The Adolescent Workshop, for kids in mainstream classes, grades 5-8, will take place on Sunday, November 12, 2006 from 10am-3pm. Students and parents are invited to join us for a day of sharing, learning and making new connections. For more information or to put you name on the mailing list, please contact Dorene Watkins at 917-305-7881 or dwatkins@lhh.org
TRIVIA
- How did the month of June receive its name?
- Which composer was deaf when he composed the 9th Symphony?
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!
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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:
- June was named after the Roman goddess Juno. Julius Caesar named this month in 46 B.C.
- Ludwig Van Beethoven was deaf when he composed the 9th Symphony.
