League Buzz

Issue 17

You’re reading the League Buzz, September, 2006. Issue 17.

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BACK TO SCHOOL
Now that autumn has arrived and parents are happily sending their children back to school there are several things to remember along with those new backpacks and clothes.

Earmolds - The Perfect Fit
Children often have growth spurts during the summer months so be sure earmolds are fit properly and that the tubing is soft, flexible, with no cracks. Earmolds that fit well will be more comfortable and help children hear better.

Use the Magic Wand
Be sure that hearing aids and cochlear implants are working properly. Hearing aids can be easily checked by parents, caregivers, teachers or therapists using a "listening tube. Implants can also be checked using a "wand provided by the manufacturer.

Give me an F! Give me an M!
Do not forget the importance of using an FM system in school. This simple wireless system, consisting of a teacher worn transmitter and student worn receiver, will allow a child to hear in noisy classrooms. The FM will reduce or eliminate factors such as poor room acoustics, distance from teacher to student, and background noise.

Use the Tools
If your child is too old to be awakened by a parent, the use of a vibrating alarm clock is a great tool to foster independence. If your child watches television (of course after home work is done!) then the use of an infra- red listening system, FM or closed captioned system will make that time more enjoyable. The use of closed captioning is also a great tool to encourage reading skills.

BACK TO SCHOOL TIPS
The Buzz asked several parents of League clients for tips to keep in mind before sending a child with a hearing loss off to school. Here's what they said:

"Read them books with a schooltheme such as Curious George Goes to School or Froggy Goes to School. These were good for our son at age 3. I'm sure there are others for older kids."

"We took pictures of the kids in his class after school began. That way he could learn their names easily."

"We provided the teacher with a helpful 'tip-sheet' that covered everything from changing the battery in a hearing aid to tips on setting up good classroom acoustics."

"Put tennis balls or felt tips on the bottom of classroom chairs. This cuts down on background noise that can disrupt the concentration of your child."

CAPTIONED MEDIA PROGRAM
Back to School: Teacher Edition

Teachers, here is your chance to develop your teaching skills for the school year! Captioned Media Program has launched an eight-part "Back to School" series that presents recent additions and popular titles from the open-captioned media collection. Many of these titles are available for you to view immediately through the Internet and are accompanied by lesson guides. Click here for more information: http://www.captionedmedia.org/ezine/121.asp

WHO SAID THAT?
"The highest result of education is tolerance.

(Answer can be found at end of League Buzz)

CALLING ALL 5th-8th GRADERS!
The League’s Adolescent Workshop – Navigating the World!
The Adolescent Workshop, for kids in mainstream classes, grades 5-8, will take place on Sunday, November 12, 2006 from 9:30am-3pm. Students and parents are invited to join us for a day of sharing, learning and making new connections. The guest speaker at the workshop will be Josh Swiller, born with a profound hearing loss, who went on to graduate from Yale University. Josh's experiences include: spending a year in Northern California as a forest ranger, living and working in a remote village in Zambia, Africa as a member of the Peace Corps, and while completing his MSW from NYU, working as intern for the League! Josh is currently completing his Memoirs, slated for publication by Henry Holt Publishers next summer. For more information or to put you name on the mailing list, please contact Dorene Watkins at 917-305-7881 or dwatkins@lhh.org.

NEW YORK TIMES LETTER
When The New York Times ran a story in their Sept. 21 edition about a new miniature train from Lionel that will replicate the sounds of the New York City subway system, the League responded with the following letter that was published on Sunday, Sept. 24:

To the Editor:
Re: "Finding Real New York Noise for a Miniature Subway Line" (front page, Sept. 21): While some find value in the "racket" of a subway car, many New York commuters do not. Over time, just 15 minutes of daily exposure to these noises can cause permanent hearing loss.

So while the subway can take New Yorkers to wonderful destinations, like the opera or a Broadway show, we also need to educate the public on what that "screeching" is doing to their ability to enjoy these venues.

Sadly, most people with a hearing loss wait an average of seven years before seeking help even though the technology and assistance are available to help them.

Laurie Hanin
Executive Director, League for the Hard of Hearing
New York, Sept. 21, 2006

BRING YOUR APPETITES
Mix one portion of excitement with a dash of style, add over 40 culinary experts and an array of celebrities, blend in a large helping of your generous support, and it all adds up to a recipe for success at the League's 14th Annual Feast with Famous Faces on Monday, October 23, 2006.

We have some exciting changes taking place this year, including a terrific new venue at Pier Sixty in Chelsea Piers on Manhattan's west side. In addition, Anthony Bourdain, host of the popular Travel Channel television series Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations and author of several bestselling books, will be joining us for a special VIP Preview Tasting.

The Feast, hosted in cooperation with Wine Spectator, is a culinary extravaganza that draws a glittery array of famous faces. Feast Co-Chairs Kassie and Jim DePaiva will be joined by other cast members of One Life to Live, as well as fellow actors from All My Children, As the World Turns, and The Guiding Light. The Broadcast Chair is television news anchor Jim Ryan, who brings broadcasters to the event from all of the major television networks, including NY1, WCBS, WNBC, WNYW, WABC, WWOR and WPIX.

For more information about purchasing Feast tickets, please contact Susan King, Director of Special Events, at sking@lhh.org or 917.305.7804 or visit our Feast website page at: http://www.lhh.org/feast/index.htm

20 YEARS OF LAUGHTER
If you're a fan of comedy, this event is for you! Join us on Monday, November 13th and/or Tuesday, November 14th for the League's 20th Annual Comedy Night at Gotham Comedy Club at 208 West 23rd Street in Chelsea. Previous comedians have included Joy Behar, Kathy Buckley, Richard Belzar, and Colin Quinn. The event is fully accessible with sign language interpreters, real-time captioning, and an infrared listening system

For more information about purchasing Comedy Night tickets, please contact Susan King, Director of Special Events, at sking@lhh.org or 917.305.7804 or download our Comedy invitation at: http://www.lhh.org/fundraising/comedy.htm

ADVOCACY ALERT
Let Them Hear Foundation
Few things are more frustrating than being told by your medical provider that you require a particular service, surgery, or piece of equipment, and then being told by your insurer they won't pay for it. If your insurance provider has denied a request from your medical provider for certain hearing-related services, the Let Them Hear Foundation has a nationwide Insurance Advocacy Program to assist you in appealing the denial, free of charge.

The specific services they provide appeal support with are: cochlear implants (single or bilateral), Bone-Anchored Hearing Aid implantation, conventional hearing aids, atresia repair, microtia reconstruction, balance disorders, and other hearing related surgery.

The Let Them Hear Foundation Insurance Advocacy Program is open to everyone. Although the program is headquartered in Palo Alto, they have staff around the country working with clients all over the United States.

For more information, visit their website: http://advocacy.letthemhear.org/

TELL A FRIEND
Have you noticed a friend who has lost interest in social activities? Or seems disinterested in doing things that they normally used to enjoy? Perhaps a hearing loss is contributing to the problem. If so, let them know the League is here for them:

FREE Hearing Screenings
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.

Free screenings are also available at the Florida office on Thursdays 9:00 to 12:00 and 1:00 to 3:00.

WHO SAID THAT ANSWER
"The highest result of education is tolerance."
Helen Keller (1880-1968)

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.