Volume 26 Issue 7

HOH-LD-News
Vol. 26, Issue 7
February 11, 2006

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Table of Contents
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- Article 1: Emergency Preparedness and Emergency Communication Access - Part 1

- Article 2: CI with Positioner Poses Continuing Meningitis Threat

- Article 3: DHHCAN Caption 2006 Information and Action Guide - Part 1

- Article 4: Short Takes

Our advertisers make it possible for us to provide HOH-LD-News as a free service. Please let them know you appreciate their support, and please mention that you saw their message in HOH-LD-News.

- Advertisers in this Issue
First Premium Placement:
Sound Clarity Valentine Day Specials
Second Premium Placement:
Amplified Emergency Connect Phone at Harris Communications
Third Premium Placement:
IHHD Online Educational Opportunities
Fourth Premium Placement:
"In The News" - HLW Provides Ongoing Hearing Loss News Coverage
Classified Section:
One Smoke Alarm
One Online Store
Three Employment Opportunities

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Hearing Aid Batteries always shipped FREE anywhere in the U.S.
For more information go to http://www.soundclarity.com/hohnews
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Contact information and disclaimers are at the end of this newsletter.
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- Article 1: Emergency Preparedness and Emergency Communication Access - Part 1
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Editor: Emergency preparedness for people with disabilities is in the news, and rightfully so! Here's a report on Cheryl Heppner's presentation at the 2005 TDI Conference. Cheryl is the Executive Director of the Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons. If you'd like to share this report, please credit NVRC. (See credit at the end of the article.) This is part one of three parts.

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A national report, "Emergency Preparedness and Emergency Communication Access: Lessons Learned Since 9/11 and Recommendations," was released in December 2004. The report was the work of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumer Advocacy Network coalition and the Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons. To download the full report, in text or PDF: http://www.nvrc.org/content.aspx?page=5138&ion=5

Top Priority: Emergency Communication System

The report gave current emergency communication system for deaf and hard of hearing persons a failing grade, and listed the development of an effective and reliable emergency communication system as the top priority. Without it, we will not know when there is an emergency, how to protect ourselves, and how to access resources during recovery.

Right now, there are few effective options for communication in emergencies, and the options available to us have often proved to be unreliable.

Building an effective communication system will help everyone. In emergencies, many people with no hearing loss have difficulty hearing. The combination of stress and noise, such as high winds, explosions, shouting, and the roar of a fire, can make it impossible to hear well.

The report includes an extensive list of recommendations designed to:
- Increase the number and variety of communication options
- Ensure their reliability
- Build in redundancy

To achieve these recommendations, it is crucial to have widespread collaboration by consumers, government agencies, legislators, broadcasters, manufacturers, program and service providers, product developers, telecommunications and Internet providers, public safety officials, and others.

Second Priority: Involvement and Integration

We must be actively involved in community, regional, state, and federal emergency planning, such as:
- Equipment evaluation and testing
- Disaster exercises
- Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) trainings/Citizen Corps activities
- Training of public safety & security personnel

Building a National Network

Additional recommendations in the report aim to build a national network that will encourage the participation and collaboration to accomplish the top priorities and provide the tools to help ensure its success. The network will offer technical assistance, research, education, training, planning, advice and consultation, and the development of model programs and services. It will also create a knowledge bank of the nation's best expertise to tackle a wide range of needs.

A Key Statement From the Report

Emergency planners are setting up systems across the U.S. that do not take our unique needs into account. History has repeatedly shown that redesigning and adapting equipment, programs and services because these needs were not take in account from the beginning is almost always more expensive and rarely as effective.

Emergency Preparedness Drives Advocacy

Since 9/11, emergency preparedness has repeatedly helped to drive our advocacy efforts to get the technology-related programs and services we need. NVRC has worked with organizations such as TDI, NAD, SHHH, ALDA, and AADB to educate the legislators, government officials and policymakers at the national level on the importance of getting our recommendations addressed.

Many agencies have recently been very helpful, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and Federal Emergency Mgmt Agency (FEMA), which is now under DHS.

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(c)2005 by Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons (NVRC), www.nvrc.org. When sharing this information, please ensure credit is given to NVRC

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Amplified Emergency Connect Phone at Harris Communications
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The new Amplified Emergency Connect (AEC) phone has amplification up to 52dB! Other features include a speakerphone, super-loud ringer, and Caller ID display. A bonus feature is its remote-dialing capabilities. The AEC comes with a wireless wristband (or pendant) remote that can be used to dial up to six preprogrammed phone numbers during an emergency. This phone is regularly $249.95, now only $199.95!

For more information, go to http://www.harriscomm.com/link/?www.harriscomm.com?sr=hlw or contact us at mailto:info@harriscomm.com

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- Article 2: CI with Positioner Poses Continuing Meningitis Threat
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Editor: The FDA has just issued a notice warning that children who received a cochlear implant with a positioner continue to be at increased meningitis risk beyond 24 months after implantation. Here's a portion of the information; the complete notice is posted at http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/safety/020606-cochlear.html

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FDA Public Health Notification: Continued Risk of Bacterial Meningitis in Children with Cochlear Implants with a Positioner Beyond Twenty-Four Months Post-Implantation

February 6, 2006

Dear Healthcare Provider:

This is to call your attention to updated information on the risk of bacterial meningitis in children with cochlear implants, and to provide recommendations for decreasing the risk. A new CDC/FDA study has shown that children with cochlear implants with a positioner remain at increased risk of bacterial meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae beyond 24 months post-implantation. Cochlear implants with a positioner were manufactured only by Advanced Bionics Corporation. None have been implanted since July, 2002.

The new study, published in Pediatrics, (February 2006, Vol. 117, Issue 2, http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/) followed the same cohort of children identified in an earlier CDC/FDA study for an additional 2 years. After 24 months post-implantation, children with cochlear implants with a positioner continue to be at greater risk of developing bacterial meningitis than children with cochlear implants with no positioner or children in the general population. Six children developed meningitis after 24 months post-implantation. All of those children had cochlear implants with a positioner.

These findings underscore the importance of continued monitoring and prompt treatment of bacterial infections in children with cochlear implants beyond two years post-implantation, particularly among children whose implants have a positioner.

It is still unknown whether the risk of meningitis in patients whose implants have a positioner might be reduced if the implant were removed or replaced by a model that does not have the positioner. Any potential benefits of explantation surgery must be weighed against the risks for operative complications, including perioperative meningitis. The present study concludes that there is currently insufficient information to support a recommendation for elective surgery to explant devices with a positioner.

Recommendations to decrease the risk of meningitis in cochlear implant recipients

These recommendations have not changed from the 2003 recommendations.

[snip]

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You're Career Oriented... Career Driven...and Hard of Hearing or Deaf
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The Institute for Persons Who Are Hard of Hearing or Deaf (IHHD) is a nonprofit Congressionally-funded agency dedicated to facilitating workplace and career advancement for aspiring professionals like you.

IHHD provides important online educational opportunities to share experiences, access top professional leaders, and develop crucial communication and business skills. Choose from a number of programs that cover all aspects of career growth - from starting a business to leadership and advocacy development.

These month-long courses are delivered online using National University's acclaimed state-of-the-art interactive learning system to provide optimal accessibility. Visit: http://cha.nu.edu/ec/formihhd-careerdev.html?ypd002
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- Article 3: DHHCAN Caption 2006 Information and Action Guide - Part 1
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Editor: Here it is - the definitive guide on the 2006 captioning requirements - brought to you by the folks at DHHCAN. What is DHHCAN, you ask? See the description at the end of this article.

This press release discusses the following topics:
- 100% Captioning of TV Programs? Not Exactly.
- Special Requirements for News Programs
- Sending a Complaint
- Visual Presentation of Emergency Information

This is part one of two parts.

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The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumer Advocacy Network has prepared this Guide to give you information about what must be captioned on January 1, 2006, when the requirements for captioning of many television programs increase. We've also included information about how you can send a complaint about programs that are not captioned as required, or have problems with the captioning.

100% Captioning of TV Programs? Not Exactly.

On January 1, 2006, 100% of NEW programs, both analog and digital, must be closed captioned. But that doesn't mean that you will be able to change from channel to channel and see everything on your television with captions.

These programs do not require 100% closed captioning:
1. English or Spanish language programs first shown before January 1, 1998, or for digital captions, before July 1, 2002: only 30% must be captioned.
2. New Spanish language programs: only 50% must be captioned.

These programs are not required to be closed captioned at all:
1. Most programs shown from 2 am to 6 am local time.
2. Locally-produced and distributed non-news programs with no repeat value, such as parades and school sports events.
3. Commercials of five minutes or less.
4. Instructional programs produced locally by public TV stations for use in grades K-12 or postsecondary schools
5. Programs in languages other than Spanish and English
6. Programs shown on new networks for the first four years of the network's operations
7. Public service announcements and promotional ads of less than 10 minutes [Ed.: except for federally funded public service announcements, which must be captioned as mandated under the ADA]
8. Programs by providers with an annual gross revenue under $3 million (but these programmers must still "pass through" the captions of any programs that already have them)

Special Requirements for News Programs

TV news programs also must provide 100% closed captioning as of January 1, 2006.

ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and their affiliates must realtime caption their news in the "top 25" television markets. Realtime captioning should give you captions for everything that is being spoken.

The country's top 25 markets are:
AZ: Phoenix
CA: Los Angeles, San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose, Sacramento/Stockton/Modesto, San Diego
CO: Denver
DC: Washington, DC
FL: Tampa/St.Petersburg/Sarasota, Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando/Daytona Beach/Melbourne
GA: Atlanta
IL Chicago
MD: Baltimore
MA: Boston
MI: Detroit
MO: St. Louis
MN: Minneapolis/St. Paul
NY: New York City
OH: Cleveland
OR: Portland
PA: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia
TX: Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston
WA: Seattle

Non-broadcast networks (such as cable) which serve at least 50% of households subscribing to video program services must also realtime caption their news.

All other news programs are allowed to caption with electronic newsroom technique (ENT). This captioning is pre-scripted, which causes gaps when the program has live news updates, breaking news, ad libs, live interviews, sports and weather updates, and field reports.

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"In The News" - HLW Provides Ongoing Hearing Loss News Coverage
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Hearing Loss Web (Publisher of HOH-LD-News) is thrilled to announce a new chapter on our website. Called "In the News", this section will keep you current with what's happening in the hearing loss world between weekly issues of HOH-LD-News.

We're using the same editorial discretion about what stories to include on "In the News" as we do for stories to include in HOH-LD-News. So what you'll see are the hearing loss stories that we think are important!

If you like the HOH-LD-News story selection, you'll like the "In the News" story selection.

Don't forget to bookmark:
http://www.hearinglossweb.com/news/curr.htm
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- Article 4: Short Takes
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Editor: As hearing loss becomes more of a mainstream topic we're seeing an increasing amount of press coverage of related issues. We don't have room to run all these stories, but we can pick a few interesting ones, and provide an excerpt and a link to the complete story.

Oh, and if you like this format, you might want to check out the new section of our website that provides stories in this format on an ongoing basis. See
http://www.hearinglossweb.com/news/curr.htm

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Good news for people with hearing loss: Information Access with Loop Technology

I recently sat surrounded by several hundred others in London's Gatwick Airport departure lounge, straining to hear announcements about my delayed flight. Alas, the loudspeaker sound was too distant and foggy for my hard-of-hearing ears. But hold it. This was the United Kingdom, a country whose cathedrals, churches, and auditoriums now broadcast sound wirelessly to hearing aids. . . . Knowing all this, at the airport I turned my hearing aids to their T setting. Voilà! Suddenly I was hearing announcements broadcast from inside my ears.

http://www.satevepost.org/issues/2005/1112/7370834.shtml

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Only One in Four Owns Hearing Aid

Sergei Kochkin, an American hearing expert, has carried out various studies of hearing-impaired Americans and their use of hearing aids (the MarkeTrak Surveys). In his 2005 survey (MarkeTrak VII) he found that more than 31 million Americans were hearing-impaired - corresponding to more than 10.5 per cent of the American population. More than 24 million of them did not have a hearing aid and only about 23.5 percent of hearing-impaired Americans actually use hearing aids.

http://tinyurl.com/a5s84

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Troubleshooting Your Hearing Aid

Hearing loss guru Mark Ross, Ph.D., provides wonderful insight into the things that cause hearing aids to break, how to diagnose a problem, and what to do about it once you've figured out the cause. Major topics include:
* Protection and Storage
* Hearing Aid Batteries
* Earmolds and Tubing
* In-The-Ear Hearing Aid Care
* Hearing Aid Problems / Troubleshooting

http://tinyurl.com/du5u9

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Horrible ringing in ears

Q: I know someone who has developed a horrible ringing in her ears. Is this a side effect of medication? Is it reversible? - B.R., Town and Countr
A: Tinnitus can be a side effect of some medications, including over-the-counter medicines containing acetylsalicylic acid, such as aspirin. If your friend suspects the tinnitus is linked to a specific medication, he or she should consult her doctor. In most cases, drug-induced tinnitus goes away with a change in medication. But there are many other causes of tinnitus, some rather benign and others more serious, says McLay. She suggests a medical evaluation to determine the underlying cause.

http://tinyurl.com/9lpyv

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- Classifieds
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One Smoke Alarm, one Online Store, and three Employment Opportunities appear in this issue. (Ads appear after this brief table of contents.)

Smoke Alarm for Hearing Impaired
Low Frequency Alarm Tone
www.loudenlow.com

WCI - Your Single Source for Assistive Technology
Pocketalker on Sale During February
http://www.weitbrecht.com

Employment Opportunity 1
Various Opportunities
GLAD
Various Southern California Locations

Employment Opportunity 2
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Deaf Counseling, Advocacy and Referral Agency (DCARA)
San Leandro, CA

Employment Opportunity 3
Public Relations & Resource Development Officer
TDI
Silver Spring, MD

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Smoke Alarm for Hearing Impaired
Low Frequency Alarm Tone
www.loudenlow.com
-------------------

Many hearing impaired people are not awakened by the high frequency of typical smoke alarms. The Loudenlow(tm) smoke alarm can be heard by people with moderate hearing loss. It emits a powerful, LOW FREQUENCY alarm tone and "packs a bigger punch". Uses big speaker and built-in amplifier. Built with pride in the U.S.A.

- Battery powered
- Easy wall mount, no wiring
- Free shipping
- Purchase at www.loudenlow.com and receive $5.00 discount or find us with Google by typing "low frequency smoke alarms"
- 30 day return policy and 3 year limited warranty

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WCI - Your Single Source for Assistive Technology
Pocketalker on Sale During February
http://www.weitbrecht.com
-------------------

Pocketalker just $99.00!

Have you been missing out on hearing parts of your favorite television shows or conversations with your family and friends? We can help! With the Pocket Talker personal amplifier you can hear practically everywhere. And during February it's just $99.00! Whether you are at that noisy Super Bowl party or a quite romantic restaurant with your Valentine, you won't miss a thing.

Call us now at 1-800-233-9130 (V/TTY) or visit us online at http://www.weitbrecht.com (use code WCI206H when ordering).

To get a copy of our NEW catalog by emailing your request to: sales@weitbrecht.com.

WCI. Your Single Source for Assistive Technology

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Employment Opportunity 1
Various Opportunities
GLAD
Various Southern California Locations
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GLAD is an Affirmative Action Employer with equal opportunity for men, women and people with disabilities. For more information on the following positions, please go to: www.gladinc.org. The status of all positions is: Regular, Full-time, Non-Exempt, Full Fringe Benefits unless otherwise noted. All positions are open until filled.

* JOB DEVELOPER/INTERPRETER - Anaheim, Crenshaw, Norwalk

* HARD OF HEARING SPECIALIST - Riverside

* HIV HEALTH EDUCATOR (MSM) - Los Angeles

* GLAD BUILDING/MAINTENANCE MANAGER - Los Angeles

If interested for any of these positions then please submit resume and application to:

Jeff Fetterman
Human Resources Specialist
Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness, Inc.
2222 Laverna Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90041
V/TDD: (323) 550-4207
Fax #: (323)550-4204
E-mail: jfetterman@gladinc.org

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Employment Opportunity 2
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Deaf Counseling, Advocacy and Referral Agency (DCARA)
San Leandro, CA
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DCARA is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to build on over 40 years of continuous growth and evolution of the non-profit, community-based social service agency. DCARA serves the Deaf Community in the San Francisco Bay Area and 14 counties in Northern California. The CEO will be responsible for all aspects of the agency's operations, programs, finances, and personnel. To see the full job announcement including information about DCARA, minimum qualifications and application process, visit http://www.dcara.org.

CLOSING DATE: March 31, 2006

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Employment Opportunity 3
Public Relations & Resource Development Officer
TDI
Silver Spring, MD
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General Description: The Public Relations & Resource Development Officer is responsible for the activities with TDI's public relations and resource development programs.

Salary: Negotiable, commensurate with experience & education
Organization: TDI
Type of Appointment: Full-time
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Posting Date: 1/20/2006
Closing Date: (Open until filled)

Duties & Responsibilities:
- Develop and disseminate informational and publicity materials on TDI programs, services, resources, and activities to members, subscribers, and the general public. Respond to inquiries from individuals and groups.
- Provide public relations support and resources for general TDI operations, including the biennial TDI Conference. Generate and maintain relations with the general media as well as specialized media markets within TDI's constituency groups.
- Write articles for GA-SK, Blue Book, TDI-Online, TDI-L eNotes, and other publications by TDI. Serve as Managing Editor for the GA-SK and the Blue Book Resource Guide.
- Develop and manage content for TDI's website: TDI-Online. Update resources and archives on a regular basis. Solicit for advertisements and related packages from clients for the Blue Book, the GA-SK Newsmagazine, and TDI-Online website.
- Plan, develop, implement, and maintain other resource development activities including but not limited to: membership and subscription recruitment, grants and contracts, special projects, and interactive web group activities.
- Represent TDI at various events hosted by consumer groups, industry and/or government.
- Work with designers/webmasters to publish content in print or online.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director, TDI

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Required - Ability to create written material for postings on the Internet, publications, information and referral program, and outreach/training activities.
- Required - Ability to oversee production of video clips and other interactive features for TDI websites.
- Required - Substantial knowledge of techniques, tools, and other resources in public relations, development and advertising.
- Required - Excellent personal interaction skills with TDI's constituency groups composed of diverse individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened, deaf-blind or hearing.
- Required: Self-starting ability, and planning and organizing skills in nonprofit management environment.
- Required: Excellent writing and research skills. Technology and journalism backgrounds preferred.
- Required: Excellent computer skills including familiarity with Word, Excel, Publisher, and Power Point.
- Preferred: Knowledge of accessibility regulations, policies and procedures in telecommunications, media, and information technology for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened, or deaf-blind and their families
- Preferred: General knowledge of resources in hearing loss at local, state, and national levels in relation to telecommunications, media, and information technology
- Preferred: General knowledge of resources and contacts with government and foundations that provide grants and contracts. Some experience in grant proposal development, as well as project management.

Training and Experience Requirements: Preferably a Master's degree in public relations, communications, journalism, marketing, or related curriculum and one year of experience; or a bachelor's degree in one of the above fields and three years of experience. Experience working with the deaf and hard of hearing is preferred.

How to Apply: All applicants must submit a letter of interest and a resume to TDI. Applications must be received at the TDI office by 5:00 pm on or before the closing date. Email submissions are welcome. No phone calls please.

TDI selects applicants for employment based on job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or political affiliation.

Contact Person: Claude L. Stout, Executive Director
Contact Agency: TDI
Contact Address: 8630 Fenton Street, Suite 604, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910-3803
Contact Numbers: TTY: (301) 589-3006; Voice: (301) 589-3786; Fax: (301) 589-3797
WWW & Email: http://www.tdi-online.org mailto:tdiexdir@aol.com

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- Contact Information and Disclaimers
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