Volume 28 Issue 3

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:
Hear better on a cell phone using the T-LINK.
Second Premium Placement:
ClearSounds CLA7 UltraClear(tm) Neckloop at Harris Communications
Third Premium Placement:
IHHD Online Educational Opportunities
Fourth Premium Placement:
Switch to Sprint
Classified Section:
Two online stores, one poker tournament and two employment opportunities

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Contact information and disclaimers are at the end of this newsletter.
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- Article 1: High-tech gadgets help deaf hear well
By Linda Knapp
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Editor: Here's a great discussion in layman's terms of the "high tech gadgets" that help people with hearing loss. This article first appeared in the Seattle Times. Thanks to Linda Knapp for her kind permission for us to share it with you.

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A year ago, I wouldn't have written a column about technical devices that help hearing-disabled people. A year ago, I wasn't hearing-disabled, but now I am, and I understand how important some special devices are to those of us who need them. Plus, I'm also a better judge regarding how well they work.

The most essential device is a basic hearing system. Mine is a cochlear implant, which includes one part that's buried in my skull, and another that hangs over my right ear.

It helps me, a totally deaf person, hear as well (or better) than standard hearing aids help people with diminished hearing. (See May 20's column for more details about the cochlear system.)

In addition to the basic hearing device, lots of little extras can help people hear better in specific situations. These include cables that connect the hearing system to a music player, TV or lapel mic, for example, and special settings that enable a cable-free connection to a telephone, cellphone or other device.

These little helpers are sometimes essential, but not always. I've discovered I can watch TV and use a telephone or cellphone without connecting to the hearing device or changing settings. Let's look at a few possibilities.

Telephone: Being able to use a telephone is essential, so accomplishing that feat tops my list of to-dos.

First, I try connecting my hearing device to our home phone by plugging in a special cable and changing the device setting. I can barely hear the voice on the other end.

Then, I discover that pressing the speakerphone button enables me to hear the caller's voice quite well, without changing any settings or plugging in a cable. I can also hear reasonably well by simply holding the phone's receiver up to my processor. Both alternatives work if there isn't a lot of noise around me or the caller.

I've also discovered special phones that amplify sound, and some also have built-in speakerphones.

For example, two Clarity phones I've tried (the amplified telephone and amplified cordless telephone) have a handy button to push for extra voice amplification. They work OK for me, but not better than my standard home phone. For people who have trouble hearing but don't wear a device, these phones may be the right solution.

Cellphone: Finding a cellphone I can use successfully is the next step. Some have speakerphones that work pretty well. Some offer Bluetooth support, and some have telecoil settings, though both those options require me to change the setting on my device.

FCC regulations require cellphone manufacturers to offer handsets that work well with hearing aids using the telecoil setting. (A telecoil is supposed to block out extraneous noise and, for some, it helps.)

Alternatively, many cellphones have text-messaging capability that bypasses any need to hear the caller at all.

However, I'm looking for a cellphone with voice signal that's clear enough for me to hear without having to change any settings on my processor. After considerable exploration, I've discovered if I carefully pick one with clear voice sound, I can hold the handset over my processor and hear the caller without changing any settings. That's what I really want.

Finding that perfect cellphone is a challenge, because it means going to a cellphone store and trying multiple handsets to find the one that works best. Some providers offer a liberal return policy, so that if you discover the particular phone you bought doesn't work so well after all, you can return it.

I've tried close to a dozen different cellphones to find the one or two that work best for me. It turns out that voices are clearest when using Sprint's Samsung A920, and the Sanyo MM 7500 is a close second.

Both enable me to hear callers reasonably well, if there isn't a lot of noise around them.

The best choice for you may not be either of these, so I encourage you to try several at your local cellphone store.

Even if you don't wear a hearing device, but find it hard to hear callers on your cellphone, consider trying alternative models to find one that works best with your hearing capacity.

Other devices: OK, here's another challenge. Most of us (deaf people) remove our hearing systems before going to bed. It's great for sleeping. But we can't hear an alarm clock, so, how do we wake up on time?

Lucky for us, there happens to be a little disk with a cable that plugs into a bedside alarm clock. Set the alarm, slide the disk under your pillow, and when the time comes, the pillow starts to vibrate like crazy. No one could sleep through it.

I haven't bought one yet, but I think that's the wake-up system for me. (It's the Sonic Alert Shaker, or Shaker with Clock.)

Besides alarm clocks, there are baby-monitoring systems that flash lights or vibrate when the baby cries; a variety of telephones; special systems for hearing in large rooms; headsets for more challenging environments; and other adaptive devices.

If you're interested in seeing and trying a variety of devices designed for the deaf and hard-of-hearing, contact the Hearing, Speech & Deafness Center in Seattle at 206-323-5770 or www.hsdc.org and be sure to talk with Steve Hillson. Though he hears quite well, he's an expert on adaptive devices for those of us who need them.

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- Article 2: HLAA Convention Opening Session - Part 2
By Cheryl Heppner
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Editor: It's convention time again! I didn't get to the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) Convention in Orlando, but super reporter par excellence Cheryl Heppner did, and is furiously writing up what she saw and did. Here's the first of her great reports about what went on at the HLAA convention! This is Part Two of Two Parts on the Opening Session.

You are welcome to share this article; please see the note at the end of the article for information on how to attribute it.

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Cochlear's Goal

The most stunning moment of the opening ceremony came when Donna Sorkin introduced her boss, President of Cochlear Americas Chris Smith. As Donna left the podium and Chris took her place, we saw just how far apart they are in height. Chris towered over the microphone that Donna had been using. But there's more to this stunning business. Chris announced that Cochlear will participate in the 2007 Walk4Hearing, and challenged HLAA to go from 6 walks to 250.

The Incredible Lou Ferrigno

Lou Ferrigno lost his hearing as a child from meningitis. The HLAA convention program book says that at the age of 20, he was the youngest bodybuilder ever to hold the Mr. Universe title and the only one to win it two consecutive times. Bodybuilding became a way of life for Lou to compensate for his hearing loss. Lou was chosen to play the Hulk over other bodybuilders because no one could match his 6'5", 275+ pound physique.

Today Lou still looks very powerful. He continues to act in theater, and he recently became a deputy sheriff in L.A.

Lou told us that he had tough times during his childhood. He wore a hearing aid strapped to his chest, and other children called him "Deaf Louie". His father rejected him. Lou went to school and to the New York League for the Hard of Hearing, but he found lipreading very frustrating and did not have many friends.

One of the few things Lou enjoyed was watching action movies. He was always searching for a way to find something that would make him feel good about himself. He liked that superheroes had power. Then one day he discovered a body building magazine called Muscle Power. This led him to learn how to get himself built up, and he began to lose his anger.

As Lou tells it, "Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering." He explained that he had a broken little kid inside him, and had to take care of the kid to survive.

Lou was at his most engaging when responding to questions from the audience. He said that he still wears a hearing aid and hasn't yet seriously considered getting a cochlear implant. At one time he tried to convince people he had a speech problem instead of a hearing problem. This backfired on him; people thought he was ignorant, on drugs, etc.

One of the audience asked why he doesn't wear his hearing aids when he works out. Lou said that is concerned about perspiration damaging his small in the ear hearing aids and that he also likes to stay very focused when he is working out.

Lou once trained a woman who weighed over 200 pounds. The woman told him that she watched what she ate and never lost weight. One day Lou came upon her inside her car, and she had a box of Dunkin Donuts. When the car door opened, some of the donuts went rolling down the street. Lou asked her about the donuts. The woman said she ate four meals a day, and between meals she had a donut. Then Lou saw another box of cinnamon buns and asked her about that. The woman said she had those while watching TV. Altogether she was eating four donuts and two cinnamon buns a day. Lou talked to her about it, and the woman confessed that she was afraid to lose weight.

Another favorite story was about how Lou met his wife. She was a manager who kicked him out of the place. He didn't have his ID -- although all the friends accompanying him had theirs -- and she didn't know who he was. When he came back another time, she was drawn to him. He says his need to lipread was an asset; she thought he was really interested in her because he watched her face so intently.

Lou believes that everyone on the planet has some kind of disability. He likes to compete with himself every day. He looks in the mirror and feels that he is still 20 years old.

***************

(c)2006 by Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons (NVRC), 3951 Pender Drive, Suite 130, Fairfax, VA 22030; www.nvrc.org Items in this newsletter are provided for information purposes only; NVRC does not endorse products or services. You do not need permission to share this information, but please be sure to credit NVRC.

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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: Wireless Devices to Get Emergency Alerts
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Editor: The last several years have brought some expansion of emergency alerting systems at the local level; Reverse 911 systems are being developed, and they are capable of communicating with a variety of devices. Now the Federal government is getting into the act, with a new Emergency Alert system that can notify any device that is capable of receiving a text message. Thanks to bhNEWS for this story.

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We interrupt your cell phone call with this important announcement: The government will soon be sending warnings of national emergencies on wireless phones, Web sites and hand-held computers. The new digital system will update the emergency alerts planned -- but never used -- during the Cold War in the event of a nuclear strike. More likely, these 21st-century technologies will carry warnings of natural disasters and terrorist attacks.

The Homeland Security Department, through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, expects to have the system working by the end of next year. Though still in its pilot stages, the system is being demonstrated Wednesday at a public television station in suburban Virginia.

The Association of Public Television Stations is partnering with FEMA to transmit the alerts to receiving networks ranging from wireless devices, cable TV channels and satellite radio to traditional broadcast outlets. "Anything that can receive a text message will receive the alert," Homeland Security Department spokesman Aaron Walker said Tuesday. "We find that the new digital system is more secure, it's faster, and it enables us to reach a wide array of citizens and alert them to pending disasters."

In 1951, President Harry Truman created the nation's first alert system, which required radio stations to broadcast only on certain frequencies during emergencies. That evolved into the test on TV and radio stations that solemnly intoned: "This is a test of the emergency broadcast system. This is only a test."

Only the president can order a national emergency alert. The system was initially designed to warn Americans of a nuclear attack. But President Bush last month ordered Homeland Security to extend the alert "for situations of war, terrorist attack, natural disaster or other hazards to public safety and well-being."

Alerts to head to Gulf Coast states first

The public TV stations have so far raised $1.1 billion -- a third of it from the federal government -- to convert antiquated technology at its 176 stations to digital systems that can transmit the alerts, APTS President John Lawson said.

Overall, the new warning system is expected to cost $5.5 million to test and deploy nationally and $1 million annually to maintain, Walker said. The government has been testing the system in the Washington area since October 2004, Lawson said, and earlier this year expanded its pilot program to 23 public television stations nationwide. It will be rolled out to the public and emergency responders in stages, beginning in Gulf Coast states that were heavily damaged by hurricanes last year and later in major cities. Peter P. Swire, chief privacy counselor during the Clinton administration and law professor at Ohio State University, questioned whether the alerts might "be like spam or a telemarketing call" to people who don't want them. "Before the broadcast happens, people should likely have a choice whether to receive it," Swire said.

Walker said consumers will have a chance to opt out of the alerts. Some glitches remain as telephone companies and other networks grapple with potentially trying to alert all of their customers at the same time without jamming their systems, Lawson said. But the alerts could be transmitted by text messages, audio recordings, video or graphics, he said, opening the possibility of sending out additional detailed information to specific sectors, like hospitals or emergency responders.

For alerting regular Americans, "we're hoping that your cell phone will go off saying something bad is happening, and you need to get to a TV or radio to find out what's going on," Lawson said.

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- Article 4: Short Takes
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Editor: Here are our picks of some additional stories that you may find interesting. For more, please point your browser to:
http://www.hearinglossweb.com/news/curr.htm

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How to Get a Human

We ran this information a while ago, but it's such a wonderful tip for people with hearing loss that we decided to run it again. It concerns a website that gives, for a large number of companies, toll free numbers and instructions on how to bypass the automated phone menu system and get directly to a human! It includes information for businesses in the following categories: Automotive, Credit, Finance, Government, Hardware Store, Insurance, Internet, Mobile, Pharmacy, products, shipping, software, stores, telephone, travel, TV/satellite and utility companies.

http://gethuman.com/us/

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Slime-Like Substance Blamed for Chronic Ear Infections

If your young child has an ear infection that won't go away, he may be struggling with a slime-like substance in the middle ear that experts call bacterial "biofilm." This biofilm makes it harder for antibiotics to do their jobs, leading to long-lasting ailments. Bacteria appear to be hiding in this usually protective slimy film in kids with chronic middle ear infections, a new study found. The discovery isn't going to lead to any new treatments right away, but they may eventually help doctors get a better handle on one of the plagues of childhood. Ear infections, in fact, are the most common illnesses that bring children to doctors.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_35926.html

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Hear from the Start, Talk for a Lifetime

Hear from the Start, Talk for a Lifetime is a comprehensive, multi-year campaign that will help families of infants and toddlers diagnosed with deafness and the professionals who serve them get the facts about hearing loss and spoken language.

http://tinyurl.com/hdy9y

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- Classifieds
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Two online stores, one poker tournament and two employment opportunities appear in this issue. (Ads appear after this brief table of contents.)

WCI. Providing Solutions for People with Hearing Loss.
SPECIAL DEALS ON ALARM CLOCKS AT WCI!
http://www.weitbrecht.com

Potomac Technology - Everything You Need Under One Roof!
WIN A SIMPLICITY SIGNALER FREE!
http://www.potomactech.com

Las Vegas World Deaf Poker Tournament
October 11, 2006
WWW.DEAFLASVEGAS.COM/POKER

Employment Opportunity 1
Various Opportunities
GLAD
Various Southern California Locations

Employment Opportunity 2
Various Positions
The Learning Center for Deaf Children
Framingham, MA

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WCI. Providing Solutions for People with Hearing Loss.
SPECIAL DEALS ON ALARM CLOCKS AT WCI!
http://www.weitbrecht.com
-------------------

SPECIAL DEALS ON ALARM CLOCKS AT WCI!

Choose from two different alarm clocks on sale during July. The Sonic Alert Travel & Bedside Clock features a large easy to read display and powerful 12-volt shaker. Regularly $34.95, this month it's only $27.95! The SBP-100 Sonic Shaker portable clock includes travel case, pillow clasp and one-year warranty. Retail price is $29.95 but it's only $24.95 this month! Call 1-800-233-9130 (V/TTY) or visit us online at http://www.weitbrecht.com.

To receive a copy of our catalog, email sales@weitbrecht.com

WCI. Providing Solutions for People with Hearing Loss.

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Potomac Technology - Everything You Need Under One Roof!
WIN A SIMPLICITY SIGNALER FREE!
http://www.potomactech.com
-------------------

WIN A SIMPLICITY SIGNALER FREE!

Summer is heating up and so are the savings at Potomac Technology starting with 15% off all Clarity phones. Then add FREE SHIPPING to any purchase over $50.00. And if that weren't enough, your name will be entered for a chance to win a free Simplicity LTW Phone and Doorbell combination signaler. Call us toll free at 1-800-433-2838 (V/TTY) or visit us online at http://www.potomactech.com for details (use code PTEC706H for free shipping).

And to request our catalog just email us at info@potomactech.com

Potomac Technology. Everything You Need Under One Roof!

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Las Vegas World Deaf Poker Tournament
October 11, 2006
WWW.DEAFLASVEGAS.COM/POKER
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Deaf Poker Craze

No Limit Texas Hold'Em is the most popular of all poker games. This game is so exciting is that any player can bet ALL of his money at any time [or go ALL IN]. This will occur in Las Vegas, reputed for fast, risky and sinful behaviors.

With deaf poker tournaments gaining so much popularity and attention, it has become a large impact on the deaf society. It is a venue whereby players can participate and enjoy playing the game. For sure, without doubt, interest for deaf poker is spreading and has taken over Las Vegas and other parts of the country.

With this interest the deaf community here in Las Vegas hosted a highly successful tournament in October of last year at the famous Palms Casino Resort. The committee have received many positive responses from the players and they showed great interest in attending the next tournament which is scheduled for October 11, 2006; again at the Palms Casino Resort. The past experience by the players were unequal to anywhere in the world except here in Las Vegas, the poker capital of the world.

The Las Vegas host welcome all of you to the 2nd annual Las Vegas World Deaf Poker Tournament, October 11, 2006 at the Palms Casino Resort. All net proceeds will be donated to charities for the deaf communities.

For all information about this tournament, go to the web site- WWW.DEAFLASVEGAS.COM/POKER.

Join us for this fantastic experience and a chance to go home as a winner.

See you all in Vegas,
Committee

Co-sponsored by Southern Nevada Silver Knights and Southern Nevada Coalition of Organizations of and for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. This tournament is in association with the DeafNation, Inc. poker tour.

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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.

* LIFESIGNS Director - Los Angeles
* Network I.T. Administrator - 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
Various Positions
The Learning Center for Deaf Children
Framingham, MA
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Teacher of the Deaf

Requirements: Massachusetts teacher certification or ability to become certified. Multiple positions available from preschool through high school for the 2006-2007 academic school year. ASL fluency essential.

Learning Disabilities/Reading Specialist

Ensure that students with learning disabilities effectively access the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and effectively participate in state-wide level assessment. The Learning Disabilities/Reading Specialist will work collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team of department supervisors, teachers, speech/language pathologists, and therapists in creating and facilitating instructional supports and activities.

Requirements: Massachusetts DOE license or demonstrate the ability to be licensed by the Massachusetts DOE. Teacher of the Deaf with evidence of further training in learning disabilities or a Teacher of Learning Disabilities with additional training in Deaf Education.

Director of Vocational Services
Licensed Vocational Teacher

This program is designed to prepare deaf and hard of hearing adolescents, some with developmental and/or other learning challenges, for successful employment as young adults. Both individuals should possess degrees and experience that will enable them to work with a team in the development and implementation of services. ASL fluency essential.

Curriculum Specialist

Plan and organize MCAS testing and curricula alignment including alternative testing. This qualified candidate will work collaboratively with department supervisors and teachers related to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks alignment and MCAS state-wide alternative testing. He/she will plan and organize curricula alignment and MCAS portfolio testing.

Requirements: Minimum of 5 years as a Teacher of the Deaf or related field. MA degree in Deaf Education, Curriculum or related field. American Sign Language fluency. Excellent written communication skills. Must have the ability to work with teachers in collaborative efforts in accessing the general curriculum for all students.

Please send resumes and references to:
The Learning Center for Deaf Children
Attn: Lynn Marshall
848 Central Street
Framingham, MA 01701
Fax: 508-875-9203
Phone: 508-879-5110 v/tty
www.tlcdeaf.org

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- Contact Information and Disclaimers
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