League Buzz
Issue 19
You’re Reading the League Buzz
January 2, 2007
Go ahead…Spread the Buzz...
HAPPY NEW EAR!
It's 2007 and time to put those New Year's Resolutions into action:
Checking Your Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Are your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors fully accessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing? Remember - many detectors emit a warning sound that can be inaudible to those with hearing loss, especially in the middle of the night when their hearing aids have been turned off.
Solutions:
- One solution is a sound monitoring device that can be mounted close to the detector. When the smoke or carbon monoxide detector goes off, the monitor "hears" the sound and responds by turning on flashing lights and/or a bed-shaker.
- The other solution is to replace the existing system with one that transmits an alarm signal that will turn on a bright light or bed-shaker.
Getting in Shape
Continued exposure to noise above 85 decibels (dBA), about the level of city traffic, over time, will eventually harm hearing. In general, the louder the sound, the less time required before hearing damage will occur. A study by Raymond H. Hull, Ph.D. (1991) found that 80% of the health clubs and spas consistently played music which exceeded 105 dBA over one hour periods and the intensity of the instructor's voice using an FM head-mounted transmitter averaged 5 dBA above this level. 60% of the health clubs and spas studied used music and FM-transmitted voice which exceeded 110 dBA. Sound levels in a few health clubs exceeded 120 dBA for 30-minute classes. These levels pose a serious risk to hearing.
Solutions:
- Pay attention to the volume in your exercise classes - if it sounds too loud, it probably is and don't be afraid to ask the instructor to turn down the volume.
- Request the Opinion Statement on Recommendations for Music Volume in Fitness Classes from the International Association of Fitness Professionals at 800-999-4332 and bring the League Buzz and the Opinion Statement to the manager of your health club.
- When possible, move away from speakers.
- If using a personal stereo system with headphones, play the music at safe listening levels. Rule of thumb: If you cannot hear other people talking when you are wearing the headphones or if other people have to shout to you to be heard at three feet away while the headphones are on, it is too loud.
- Wear adequate hearing protection, such as foam ear plugs or a variety of other types of ear plugs.
- Pay attention to the warning signs of a noise-induced hearing loss (a ringing or buzzing in the ears, a slight muffling of sounds or difficulty understanding speech immediately after exposure to noise) and have your hearing tested by a licensed audiologist.
A Request from Advocates for Better Communication
Have you visited a National Park or National Historic Site recently? The League's advocacy committee, Advocates for Better Communication (a.b.c.) would like to hear about your experiences there - good or bad. Were the orientation movies or videos captioned? Were assistive listening devices offered? Your input is important to improve communication access at these popular sites. Send your comments to us at abc@lhh.org. Thanks!
Just a Spritz.
Would you like to see the Broadway show Hairspray but need captioning to understand the dialogue and lyrics? The New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, New Jersey runs a wonderful series of touring Broadway productions, and they're presenting an open captioned performance of Hairspray on Wednesday, January 31st at 7:30 pm. To order tickets, call 1-888-GO-NJPAC and request seating in view of the captions. Directions are on the website at www.njpac.org.
Extra! Extra!
Save up to 70% off the newsstand price on more than 750 popular magazines and the League for the Hard of Hearing receives 40% profit from your purchases and renewals. With at least 70% off the newsstand price, you won't have to spend one extra penny beyond what you would normally spend for magazine subscriptions. And 40%, nearly half of the overall magazine revenue generated is retained as profit by our organization. Please send an email to all your friends and relatives containing the www.milesaheadnetwork.com weblink and ask that they also support the League for the Hard of Hearing by purchasing magazines.
Out with the old.
Did you get a new car in your stocking? Donate your old car, truck, van, RV or boat to the League for the Hard of Hearing and help raise money for the League's programs and services. Your donation is tax-deductible to the full extent permitted. Vehicles nationwide are accepted for donation and are towed promptly at no cost. For more information about donations please call 1-800-868-6004 or visit www.milesaheadnetwork.com to donate online.
Escaping the Cold?
Did you know that the League for the Hard of Hearing has an office in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida? For all of you snowbirds (or any of your relatives or friends), the League for the Hard of Hearing- Florida provides hearing testing, hearing aid dispensing and mental health services. For more info, please call (954) 731-7200 (voice or TTY).
OnStar by GM Introduces In-Vehicle TTY
OnStar by General Motors has announced that a new TTY-compatible in-vehicle device will be available in a wide range of 2007 GM vehicles. The dealer- installed option is offered at little or no extra cost to eligible subscribers through GM's Mobility Reimbursement Program. Said to be an industry first, the system links subscribers to trained TTY advisors who provide emergency services and roadside assistance 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The system, which includes an interface module, dial pad and TTY device, works only when the vehicle is stationary to prevent users from being distracted while driving. For more information visit www.onstar.com.
Winter Carnival - January 28, 2007
Join us at our Sixth Annual Winter Carnival for an afternoon of family fun to benefit the League. Children will have the time of their lives with strolling magicians, clowns and costumed characters. An assortment of carnival games will test everyone's skills, while arts and crafts tables and face painting will provide a diversion for children seeking quiet activities. For ticket and event information please call:917-305-7804. To download the invitation, visit our homepage at http://www.lhh.org.
League Events at the Museum of Modern Art
Adolescent Studio Workshop, Sunday, January 14, 2007:
The Art Studio Workshop is a two-hour workshop that combines art-looking and art-making exercises to strengthen participants' observational, analytic and language skills. The art studio workshop combines an hour in the galleries looking at and discussing art works in MoMA's permanent collection galleries, and a one-hour art-making workshop in a classroom.
FM assistive listening devices (headsets and neck loops) will be made available to any participants who may benefit from these services. A staff member of The League for the Hard of Hearing will be present to advise on this equipment.
Parents and Alumni Evening, January 11, 2007:
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) invites parents and alumni members from The League for the Hard of Hearing to celebrate the opening of the new Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Education and Research Building at MoMA, on January 11th, 2006 from 5:30 - 7:00 P.M.
The evening will begin with a wine and cheese reception in the Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Education and Research Building, and an introduction to future collaborative programs between MoMA and The League for the Hard of Hearing. An audiologist from The League will be on hand to discuss assistive listening devices that are available at MoMA.
The reception will be followed by an hour-long guided tour in the galleries. During the tour a MoMA educator will present ways in which families can integrate art into everyday life and their childrenšs education.
To RSVP for either event, please call (917) 305-7820.
Cochlear Implant Support Group - January 25, 2007
The cochlear implant support group is for individuals who have a cochlear implant, those who are contemplating a cochlear implant or those who desire information. All are invited to share, listen, learn, teach.and support. Light refreshments will be served. Please bring your questions, comments and personal experiences. For more information, call the Audiology Department at (917) 305-7751.
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.
