By ELEANOR DICKINSON
Researchers at Cambridge University’s engineering department are developing a device which could rid hearing aid wearers of annoying background noise.
Led by Dr Richard Turner, the research could forever remove sounds such as wind, traffic and talking, which affect people’s aids. Dr Turner said: “The poor performance of current hearing devices in noise is a major reason why six million people in the UK who would benefit from a hearing aid do not use them.” Continue reading
We may be getting close to the tipping point where people start to understand the importance of captioning. I’ve said for some time that 50 years ago, nobody thought about wheelchair ramps, it just didn’t happen. Now, nobody thinks about wheelchair ramps, it happens automatically. We are at the stage where people are thinking about captioning. Now we have to get to the point where nobody thinks about it anymore, but just does it. ~John Waldo, Advocacy Director and Counsel Washington State Communication Access Project
Southwest Airlines will be among the first carriers in the United States to introduce closed captioning to its wireless video entertainment product when the low-cost giant rolls out CC in early 2014. Continue reading
by Arthur Boothroyd
It’s easy enough to restore 20/20 eyesight with glasses or contacts. But even state-of-the-art digital hearing aids can’t perfectly restore hearing for people whose inner ears have been damaged by noise exposure, medications or just the wear and tear of aging. Part of the problem is that this kind of sensorineural hearing loss — the result of permanent damage to the sensory cells of the inner ear — does more than just make sounds quieter. It can jumble the sounds, too, in ways that garble speech. Continue reading
People with hearing loss have to deal with adapting to life with hearing aids, and it can be even more difficult when negative stereotypes and stigmas get in the way. People wait an average of seven years before getting hearing aids after noticing their hearing loss. Being hard of hearing poses many challenges for those who experience it, and it can greatly affect their everyday lives. Perceptions of hearing loss is also associated with old age, but people of all ages, even children, have to deal with the loss of hearing.
Where did the stigma come from?
Hearing loss has been seen as an ailment, and some even thought it was a disability because children who had hearing loss had trouble learning. The Journal of Medical Professionals with Hearing Losses, states that people viewed the deaf and hard of hearing “with a mixture of fear, scorn, distaste, misunderstanding and pity.” Continue reading
With warmer winter patterns across the country and heavy spring rains, plants have more potential to produce pollen into the air to trigger allergy symptoms. Some allergy sufferers will experience runny noses and itchy eyes, but others may feel pressure in the ear, a ringing sensation in the ears or vertigo during this season.
Allergies and hearing loss
When the immune system reacts to an allergen, it produces antibodies that release histamine. This is what is responsible for your sneezing, itchy nose and congestion. The histamine causes an increased amount of mucus production as well, which can create problems in your ears. In particular, the Eustachian tube, which is a drainage passage for the middle ear, can become clogged. Continue reading
Saturday, Sept. 21st, 2013, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Workshops for helping people with hearing loss navigate “life” through self-advocacy and technology.
SPEAKERS
Juliette Sterkens, AuD., – “Getting on the Oregon Trail to Looping”
Cheryl Davis, PhD, – Empowerment through Self Advocacy
Kimberly Poage, MS –“Elephant in the Room”
Laurie Brooks of Access Technologies Inc. – Hands on experience of assistive technology used by people with hearing loss.
Registration is necessary as seating is limited. The $15 workshop fee includes beverages and lunch.
Registration ~ 8:30-9:15 AM
Workshop starts at 9:15 AM
Salem Hospital, Community Health Education Center
939 Oak Street SE, Salem, OR 97301
Download the flyer and registration form. Then print it out. Make your check out to HLA-LCO. The completed form and check can be mailed to: PO Box 22501 Eugene, OR 97402.
There were so many classes and events available. I enjoyed, just as much the classes, the networking and sharing of info that went on in the informal venues of the convention… in the hallways, before and after classes and workshops, and in connection with other social events. There was a very diverse range of vendors and information available. Specifically, I felt further educated as an individual. I heard information about the option and benefits of having a second cochlear implant. So, for me, attendance at the convention, and the new information I heard, had personal meaning to me as well being beneficial due to my position on the Board of HLA-LCo, OR. Continue reading
The Eugene Police Department has presented an award in recognition of exceptional and outstanding contributions made to provide the highest level of service to individuals with disabilities in Lane County.
The partnership award went to the communications Supervisor Marie Longworth, Communications Specialist Marcia Pendleton and the Community Committee Members: Karin Smith, Andrea Cabral and Bonne Bandolas for their work on the Central Lane Telecommunications Devices for the Hearing Challenged Team. Continue reading
The Oregon Communication Access Project (OR-CAP) invites you to join the organization’s board of directors. The OR-CAP board is composed of activist members who are committed to achieving ADA compliance for those who have a handicapping hearing loss, largely through the institution of captioning systems. Our work benefits the Hard of Hearing and Deaf communities but also many people without a hearing loss benefit as well, particularly in noisy environments like sports stadiums and auditoriums. Continue reading
The Hearing Loss Association of America, Oregon State Association was selected to receive the HLAA Community Outreach Award for 2013, for producing the “Facing the Challenge: A Survivor’s Manual for Hard of Hearing People.” Continue reading