League Buzz

Issue 21

You’re Reading the League Buzz
March 9, 2007

Go ahead…Spread the Buzz...

What’s the Level?
You’re walking down the street when a noisy ambulance roars by. You’re at the gym and the music is so loud you can’t hear your friend on the treadmill next to you. How do you know what’s harmful and what is safe? Remember that noise can cause hearing loss and the damage is cumulative over time. Hearing loss is permanent but also 100% preventable. Be aware of the sound level around you; if it sounds too loud it probably is, so turn down the volume or wear hearing protection.

The following are decibel levels of common noise sources around us. These are typical levels, however, actual noise levels may vary depending on the particular item. Remember noise levels above 85 dBA will harm hearing over time. Noise levels above 140dBA can cause damage to hearing after just one exposure:

30 soft whispers
60 normal conversation
50 - 60 electric toothbrush
50 - 80 electric shaver
60 - 85 vacuum cleaner
60 - 95 hair dryer
70 TV audio
80 ringing telephone
110 baby crying
110 busy video arcade
117 football game (stadium)
135 noisy squeeze toys
157 balloon pop

The Tax Man Cometh
It’s that time of year when you try to figure out your 1040 from your 401K. If you have any problems or questions, the Internal Revenue Service operates a Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-829-4059. For more information, visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov.

Flying the Friendly Skies
The League's Advocacy Committee, Advocates for Better Communication (a.b.c.) would like to make you aware of the following Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recommendations for air travelers with hearing loss:

If you need help from one of our Security Officers, tell him or her that you have a hearing disability and explain the best way to communicate with you. If the screening process is unclear to you, ask our Security Officer to write the information down.

If you can read lips or are hard of hearing, ask our Security Officer to look directly at you and repeat the information slowly. It is best if you wear your hearing device (hearing aid, cochlear implant or middle ear implant) while going through the metal detector. Otolaryngologist and Otolaryngology surgeons say that none of our screening processes affect these devices.

If you are concerned or uncomfortable with going through the walk-through metal detector, or are uneasy with having your external component of your cochlear implant x-rayed, you can ask for a full body pat-down and a visual and physical inspection of the exterior component while you wear it.

If you use a hearing dog, you and the dog will remain together while you go through the security checkpoint.

More information from the TSA is available at their website, www.tsa.gov.

Hearing Loss Diagnosis Critical To Child Development
Carol Anne Riddell of WNBC Channel 4 in New York produced a report on how hearing loss can affect a child academically and socially and why early diagnosis is crucial to child development. The day of screening in the report was made possible by the Tow Foundation.

The report aired Thursday, March 8th. You can watch the report by clicking on the video link. Note: The news video is not captioned. We encourage you to let WNBC know that their online news videos should have that capability. Phone: (212) 664-4444 or Email: nynews@ibsys.com.

http://video.wnbc.com/player/?id=80294 .

Just A Reminder
Congress moved up daylight savings time by three weeks and this is the weekend. On Sunday at 1AM, move all your clocks ahead to 2AM. This is also a good time to check the batteries in your smoke detectors, carbon monoxide monitors, and of course hearing aids!

Fare for All at the Mount Vernon Hotel
With music and lyrics by Tony Award winner Mark Hollmann, this interactive musical is based on life at the Mount Vernon Hotel in 1830. Thanks to a grant from the Theatre Access Project of the Theatre Development Fund, two ASL interpreters will be provided so that adults and children who are deaf or hard of hearing can enjoy this popular program. For more information, call (212) 838-6878 or visit www.mvhm.org.

Cochlear Implant Support Group – March 22, 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.

21st Annual Comedy Night
Monday April 16 and Tuesday April 17, 2007
Gotham Comedy Club
New York, NY
The League’s Comedy Night has moved to the spring! Hard of hearing and deaf fans of comedy, as well as friends and family, attend this fully accessible evening of hilarity. Nuances of language and laughter are captured through the use of real-time captioning, infrared listening systems, and sign language interpreters.

For ticket and event information call: 917-305-7804 or email: sking@lhh.org. sking@lhh.org. For sponsorship opportunities call: 917-305-7842 or email: mcampbell@lhh.org.

9th Annual Golf Tournament
June 12th, 2007
The 9th annual golf tournament to benefit the League’s Programs and Services will be held at Sunningdale, one of the premiere country clubs in the greater metropolitan area. Adding to the excitement will be the opportunity to play with a celebrity sports legend.

The registration fee is $650.00 per golfer which includes greens fees, caddies, carts, brunch, snacks and awards dinner. A limited number of foursomes are available.

For ticket and event information on the 2007 event, please call 917-305-7804. You can download the Save the Date card from the League’s website.

Thank You!
The League for the Hard of Hearing would like to graciously thank the Hearing Loss Association of America for their recent contributions to the League:

Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) Manhattan Chapter - for its support of speechreading classes.

Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) Westchester Chapter - for its support of the Neurofibromatosis 2 Support Group.

For more information on donating to the League, contact our Development Department at (917) 305-7820.

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...

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For more information on the League for the Hard of Hearing, visit www.lhh.org or call 917-305-7700.