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HLA of Delaware (HALDE)
Monthly Newsletter - January 2007
Volume 5, Issue 1
"We give help and hope to people with hearing loss"
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HLADE - Hearing Loss Association of Delaware
2400 West 4th Street
Wilmington, DE 19805
(302) 292-3066 (Voice/Relay)
hlade@comcast.net
HLA of Delaware (HLADE) is affiliated with the Hearing Loss Association of America, the largest organization in the world for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or late-deafened.
HLADE is an information, education, support and self-help non-profit 501 (3)( c) organization.
Note: EDITOR'S DEADLINE DATE FOR NEWSLETTER IS THE LAST DAY OF PREVIOUS MONTH FOR FOLLOWING MONTH'S NEWSLETTER.
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Linda's Sound-Off:
" I Believe We Have A New Year of New Choices"
New Year is a time to reflect, but more important it is a time to make choices that can affect your life positively in the year and years to come. Here is a reflection on "What I believe" about "choosing to serve HLADE or in any way.
Here are some personal thoughts on the impact that hearing loss (or any disability) can have on your life or that you choose it to have!
In thinking about "choosing to serve", I believe we all have a choice. No matter what we are doing, we all have a choice. No matter what is happening to me in relationships, with family or at work or acting out my faith, we always have a choice.
I was born with a hearing loss and have spent my life straining to hear basic communication every day. Every day, I have difficulty hearing TV, radio, telephone, music, conversations in meetings, restaurants and listening to lectures or online video lectures.
Someday, it is a possibility that I may not hear at all. I am often dependent upon colleagues, my brother, friends and family to be my "ears." I know it is sometimes a burden for them. So every day, I review my choices.
I could give up listening, I could give up going to theatre, concerts, lectures, church and social events because I often do not understand. My hearing is changing as I age but with each change, I still have a choice.
I choose to keep learning about hearing loss and how to get the most out of every communication experience regardless of what it is. This takes real work.
That's one reason why I write more now and love email because it is easier. People do not know if you are deaf or hard of hearing when you email them.
Every day, I choose how I will live with this disability and so do millions of others. Living, you see is my ultimate expression of who I truly am and this is where my belief in choice truly finds its power.
I can choose to have hearing loss be a death sentence or suppress my enjoying life or I can choose it to see it as an opportunity to learn who I truly am and to help others.
A fundamental aspect of me-hearing loss, will never change. What are these aspects for me? So far, I have discovered many unique things, but one stands out above the rest. I have discovered in myself an ability to recognize, give and receive caring in a way far deeper than anything else I can imagine in life.
I have always been fiercely independent person. But now, as my hearing gradually decreases, I have allowed a wide circle of family and friends into the intimate parts of my life. They now know I have more problems hearing than they ever knew.
Years ago, this prospect would have brought me fear. I used to be inward, live in a quiet world, in isolation and hardship. Instead, as the years go by, I now believe that I always have a choice.
I have opened myself to other possibilities. Now, the very thing that seemed so scary, daunting and made me feel so incompetent, has graced my life with an unaccustomed sense of understanding and comfort in who I am.
It is a kind of sweetness and a blessed, God -given assurance.
I see my hearing loss as a gift. That feeling of comfort and sweetness was always there. Only now, I have chosen to see it.
May you and your family choose to live in such a way that you will honor and serve others who are deaf or hard of hearing and by loving and accepting ALL people. When we all do this, we will have gifts of true inner peace and peace in the world. Then, the love and light that we so often experience during the holidays, will shine in us throughout the New Year and always.
I wish you a Happy, Healthy New Year!
Yours in advocacy,
LINDA
Linda S. Heller, M.A.C.C.C.A.
State Coordinator
SAVE THE DATE!
Regional Hearing Loss Association of America Conference
October 5 - 7, 2007
Hilton Harrisburg & Towers
One North Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101 717-237-6427
Conference description: This will be the first Hearing Loss Association regional conference of Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, the 4 states which comprise Region II of the Hearing Loss Association of America governing board.
The conference is designed to give participants the opportunity to explore new hearing technologies and to learn more about coping with hearing loss. The conference will attract attendees from several nearby states, as well as from the four sponsoring states.
Linda Heller is a conference co-chair.
NEW HLADE HEARING LOSS ACADEMY CLASSES
FORMING IN DOVER!
So if you're interested, please email hlade@comcast.net or call (302) 292-3066. HLADE will teach classes at any location across the state if there are 10 or more people who want to know more about hearing loss, sign language or any other subject with hearing loss!
HLADE REPORTS!
HLADE members celebrated the holidays with its Annual Holiday social event at Longwood Gardens for a beautiful, awe-inspiring and cool night in December for dinner and a walk through the gardens!
HLADE also began the holidays with a "Girls Day Out" shopping on December 8th at King of Prussia Mall and a wonderful lunch at Nordstrom's and of course, great shopping! The decorations and energy at the Mall really got us in the mood for the holiday and spending money!
The Dover Support Group had a wonderful evening at Sorrentino's restaurant and gifts of appreciation for Dover leaders were given to Betty Martin and Rosemary Cooper by Linda Heller. Betty presented Linda Heller with a gift too, but Linda wondered whether she was REALLY a good girl in 2006!!!!! Thanks to Betty and Rosemary for doing a great job all year!
WANTED: A Volunteer to help people with Hearing Loss!
Please Note: We're looking for a new Group Leader for our Sussex County Support Group. Do you know of anyone in Sussex County that wears hearing aids? Or is the parent of a hearing impaired child? Have them contact HLADE!
Speaker's Bureau-HLADE has a Speaker's Bureau if you want to know a group that is looking for a speaker! Contact Us!
HLADE advocates for deaf and hard of hearing children and adults, so if you know of someone who needs help with an issue, hearing aid or problem with the health care or social service delivery system, let us know!
Teen Support Network-HLADE is forming a teen support network for kids with hearing loss so if please let any teens with a hearing loss know they can sign up by emailing hlade@comcast.net.
NEWS YOU CAN USE!
MP3 players increase risk of hearing loss
A new survey, carried out to mark the launch of a partnership between Specsavers Hearcare, Guernsey, United Kingdom, and Deafness Research UK, London, found that 14% of people spend up to 28 hours a week listening to their personal music player. See website link below!
Editor's Note: Keep in mind that people who already have a hearing loss are at higher risk for losing more hearing!
www.hearingreview.com/news/2006-07-28_01.asp
Key News Events of the Year from the deaf community-2006
Source-Deaf Digest, December, 2006.
 July - lawsuit filed against Starbucks Canada for discriminating against deaf employees
August - Australia denies a deaf pharmacist a license to practice pharmacy, only to recant two weeks later
October - Gallaudet presidential protests heat up
November - Gallaudet Board of Trustees revokes its Presidential-Designate
December - Robert Davila appointed as interim Gallaudet president
Advocacy News of the Month - Telcoils
These comments were by Steve Barber, member of the Hearing Loss Association of America and chapter leader, from the HLA chapter leader's website about telcoils. Telcoils in most hearing aids are not only desirable but needed to access many assistive listening devices. Sadly, many hearing aids are not fitted with telcoils.
Here are Steve's wise comments about telcoils! Ask your hearing aid dispenser about telcoils!
"If it's a majority of aids in the US sold with telecoils, then it's not by
much. Almost none of the CIC aids and only some of the ITE aids being sold
have telecoils. Even the popular new small BTEs (like the Delta) don't have
telecoils (apparently vanity still rules).
"Maybe the term "by reputable dealers" would change that, but I doubt it
would change by much ... "reputable dealers" are still influenced by
consumer demand. Right now, consumers (at least those not seriously
enlightened in hearing loss) tend to prefer "discrete or invisible" and
wouldn't know to even ask for a telecoil ... may not be even be impressed if
advised of their benefits, either.
"One way to impress consumers of how valuable telecoils are is might be to
put pressure on the dispensers to have a better way to demonstrate the
benefits and to assure appropriate setting in their office.
"I'm amazed at how many otherwise "reputable" ENTs/Audiologists do not have a looped waiting room or a Looped TV
in their fitting room or even a pocket talker to demonstrate how good telecoils can be."Hearing Loss Web
"Hearing Loss Web
(quoting David Myers, a strong telecoil advocate,)says that a Jan 2005 study
shows about 48% have telecoils. The article calls this good news, and it
is, considering prior estimates were in the 30% range.
"You're right, that more available loops will help improve that percentage
above the 48% range. But "majority" is probably a little optimistic for
now.
"Estimates for UK are in the 90% range, but there, hearing aids are provided
(and chosen by) the National Health. Our free market gives consumers more
power to choose (and pay for) what they want (even if they don't know what
they want or choose based on vanity)."
Steve Barber
Advocacy Action and Website of the Month
HLADE and other chapters around the country received a congratulatory note from Brenda Battat, Deputy Director of HLAA that all the emails and communications to the Federal Communications Access Board in Washington resulted in the FCC willingness to put access concerns for people with hearing loss on the Agenda for their next meeting early in the year!
Brenda Battat mentioned that some areas of concern that have been identified by members of the public at previous Access Board meetings:
A need to better safeguard life safety for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, particularly ensuring that alerting devices in sleeping areas are effective
A need to develop alternatives to audible emergency instructions delivered over public address systems
A need to ensure communications accessibility to point of sales machines and drive-thru machines, such as those used in quick service restaurants
A need to incorporate minimum standards to ensure appropriate acoustical environments for learning environments, particularly in educational facilities to support children with hearing loss, learning disabilities and developmental delays in speech and language acquisition
So a BIG, THANK YOU to all who sent comments to Brenda Battat who then conveyed your comments to the Federal Access Board and HLADE will keep you posted on new developments! Advocacy works!
Connecting the Dots, compiled by Ann Phillips at UD's Delaware's Center for Disabilities Studies, is the perfect disability resource guide for a parent with a newly diagnosed child with a disability or a quick, efficient reference for consumers/ families with a disability to find out what help might be available.
To obtain a copy, contact the UD/Center for Disabilities Studies, 461 Wyoming Rd, Newark, DE 19716 or call (302) 831-6974, (302) 831-4689 (TTY) or www.udel.edu/cds
BOOK OF THE MONTH
This is an interesting book for cochlear implant (CI) users who want to learn more about CI's and music! Music to Electric Ears: Pitch and Timbre Perception by Cochlear Implant Patients
More details:www.annalsnyas.org
PARENTS CORNER
Know a child that could use an FM listening system in school? Please contact HLADE about our new program-Brian's Sound Foundation Program which helps provide hearing assistive listening devices for kids in any public or private school.
Please remember that HLADE also accepts donations of used hearing aids, telephones, tv listening and other hearing assistive technology that can be re-fitted or repaired and given to low income children and adults who would not otherwise be able to afford it. We give the donor a charitable tax donation too!
WEBSITE OF THE MONTH!
A great website and dynamic, active resource for Delaware care givers and their families funded by the Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities.
Delaware is only the 2nd state in the nation to have this innovative website complete with "Ask the Expert" and training videos and much more! Go to
www.viebridgeconnections.net to learn more and sign up professionals and care givers of older adults and adults with disabilities!
TECHNOLOGY CORNER
Mobile videophone with a clamshell lid that can flip up and rotate 90 degrees, this 3G phone has a high-resolution, 2.6-inch wide screen display perfect for watching digital TV broadcasts aimed at Japanese cell phone users. For more information see website: money.cnn.com/popups/2006/fortune/future_nextyears/4.html
PERSONAL NEWS
HLADE received a thank you note from a lady that was given a set of "TV Ears" and for the first time in many years she could hear TV clearly and easily! She was no longer driving her grandchildren that live with her crazy with the TV blasting!
HLADE received a note from a school teacher that was helped tremendously by learning more about hearing assistive technology from attending an HLADE meeting and going on their website!
HLADE received a call from a man who had trouble with tinnitus (noises, ringing in the head) and was delighted to be able to get help from all the information that was provided!
HLADE recently received a donation of a new computer from Don Hobson, of Kinfolk, Inc of Hockessin. Don is a well- known advocate and developer of a program to donate used computers to sick children and other people and organizations that can use them! Don was recently featured for his work on Comcast Newsmakers. Thanks Don!
Linda Heller recently received the "Employee of the Quarter Award" from her employer, the Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities and Linda's name will be submitted by the Division Director for nomination as Delaware's Health and Social Services Employee of the Year.
Know a person with a hearing loss in Delaware who has made the news or accomplished something special, then tell us!! We will feature them in the newsletter! hlade@comcast.net or call (302) 292-3066.
Quote of the Month
"Surviving a loss and letting go is only half of the story. The other half is the secret belief that we will find, in one form or another, what we have lost. And it is that potential, shimmery as a star on a clear night, that helps us survive." -- Veronica Chambers
Calling for Volunteers! HLADE is growing! Would you like to help HLADE as a member, or a board member, office help or as a technical assistant or newsletter editor or help spread the word about HLADE?
We can use all kinds of skills! Help HLADE grow and become involved with a project-it is the best way to meet new people and make a difference! Contact Linda Heller or email hlade@comcast.net or call (302) 292-3066.
Don't complain -make a change- get involved to make a difference!
If you want to share some Breaking News, email hlade@comcast.net
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!
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