Subject: HearingExchange News Week of 5.01.01 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Welcome to the latest edition of HearingExchange News! You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to it at HearingExchange.com. Feel free to forward this to anyone else who might be interested in HearingExchange. Subscription and removal information are at the end of the newsletter. If the links don't work or you are an AOL user: please copy and paste the links into your browser. ----------------PLEASE VISIT OUR SPONSOR------------------- Harris Communication is the one-stop shop for deaf and hard of hearing people. Check out their large selection of assistive devices, books and novelties and sign up for a 10% discount coupon at: http://www.harriscomm.com. ----------------------------------------------------------- IN THIS ISSUE: * Letter from the Editor * What's New * News & Articles * Message Boards * Featured Site * Upcoming Events * Featured Book * Ask the Experts * Poll Results * Featured Product * Get Involved ============================================================ " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " L E T T E R F R O M T H E E D I T O R " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " Hi Everyone! As a parent of a hard of hearing child, I recently had my daughter's IEP meeting with her school. For those of you who may not know, an IEP is an Individualized Education Program that sets forth the the goals and objectives of a child's special education. Fortunately, my meeting went smoothly and I am comfortable that my child's needs are being met. How did your IEP meeting go? Are you happy with the goals the school district has set for your child? Are they providing appropriate accomodations? Post your comments on our message board at: http://www.hearingexchange.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/000014.html Don't forget: SHHH is sponsoring FREE hearing screenings in select communities on May 5th in the U.S. during Better Speech and Hearing Month. Find out more at: http://www.hearingexchange.com/hearing_screening.htm. Spread the word! Have a good week! - Paula ============================================================ " " " " " " " " " " W H A T ' S N E W " " " " " " " " " " Be sure to visit the newly updated "Our Staff" page at: http://www.hearingexchange.com/staff/ You'll see the dedicated people who have helped to make HearingExchange an informative and welcoming community online for people with hearing loss, parents and professionals. There are more coming soon! We now offer an archives section for our previously Featured Sites. If you missed any of these interesting sites, you can check them out at: http://www.hearingexchange.com/featured_site_archives.htm It seems that some versions of Netscape are not compatible with our new Chat program. We are working to install another program in the near future. We appreciate your patience. Please forward any comments on this to us at mailto:support@hearingexchange.com. Congratulations to our recent HearingExchange Web Site award winner, Focus on Hearing! Read more about this terrific site at: http://www.hearingexchange.com/dir/Award_Winners/ If you know of a website related to hearing loss that deserves an award, submit it to: http://www.hearingexchange.com/awards.htm ============================================================ " " " " " " " " " " " " " " N E W S & A R T I C L E S " " " " " " " " " " " " " " A warm welcome to Dorothy Dougherty, M.A. CCC-SLP, our newest contributor at HearingExchange. In her first article, Dorothy writes: May is Better Speech and Hearing Month. This is a great time to take a close look at your child's ability to communicate. Communication disorders affect approximately 46 million Americans. Eight percent to twelve percent of preschool children have some form of speech or language impairment. Research has shown that children with language problems are more at risk for developing reading problems, and many fall below their peers in academic achievement. Read the full article at: http://www.hearingexchange.com/articles/articles-0430a.htm = = = = = Margie Littell Ulrich, CCC-A, our contributing audiologist has written her second article at HearingExchange. Filled with coping strategies for hearing aid users, "The Hearing Aid's Best Helper: Stage Managing" begins: Hearing aids, marvelous, miniature technological marvels, often need help in this noisy world we live in. The microphones on hearing aids are limited as to how far they will pick up sound clearly. Even when they are ordered "directional" to help combat the commotion around us, the din of daily life can overwhelm these sensitive microphones. Digital hearing aids with noise suppression circuits or speech recognition technology can be besieged by a boisterous listening environment which people with normal hearing take for granted. Read more here: http://www.hearingexchange.com/articles/article-0430.htm = = = = = HiP Publishing Group, a San Francisco Bay Area-based publisher of materials for deaf and hard-of-hearing children, has created a booklet and safety kit currently being distributed at no cost to all California school-aged children with hearing losses. Copies have been printed for the estimated 10,000 deaf and hard-of-hearing children in the state. The program was made possible by a $260,000 grant from The California Endowment, the state's largest health foundation. The booklets are also available for free downloading at: http://www.hipworks.org/hiponhealth. Read the full article at: http://www.hearingexchange.com/articles/henews-0424c.htm = = = = = The National Business & Disability Council (NBDC) officially unveiled its improved web site this month, http//www.business-disability.com. The new site continues to provide services to assist member companies in hiring people with disabilities and help people with disabilities search for employment and market themselves to employers. Added features to the site will now allow the Council to obtain feedback on the use of its services and also track the Council's success rate in helping people with disabilities gain employment. Read more: http://www.hearingexchange.com/articles/henews-0425a.htm = = = = = ASL Access is a fully volunteer, 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization which places American Sign Language video collections in libraries. Our primary focus is donations of the ASL Access Video Collection to public libraries. This collection of over 200 videos includes many ASL lessons, translations of classic literature and children's stories, original ASL poetry, drama, stories and humor, biographies, history, interpreting demonstrations, and videos on health and parenting. Learn more about this unique organization at: http://www.hearingexchange.com/articles/henews-0501.htm = = = = = William E. Kennard, who served as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission from 1997 until January of this year, will be honored by Gallaudet University at its 132nd commencement exercises on Friday, May 11. Kennard will give the commencement address and will be awarded an honorary doctoral degree. For further information, go to: http://www.hearingexchange.com/articles/henews-0430.htm The full text of these and other news briefs and articles are all available on the main page of HearingExchange. Go to http://www.HearingExchange.com and review the News and Articles sections and their archives. =========================================================== " " " " " " " " " " " " " " M E S S A G E B O A R D S " " " " " " " " " " " " " " Have something to say? Say it on our Message Boards! You don't need to register to participate. You can easily post a new topic or reply to current threads. Are you having trouble with our boards? PLEASE let us know at mailto:moderator@hearingexchange.com Do you have any favorite sites that offer information on cochlear implants? Post a reply to Annie's thread in the Cochlear Implant forum at: http://www.hearingexchange.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000019.html A visitor to the Deaf/Hard of Hearing forum writes, "Sometimes I make a phone call and can't get the info I want because after three attempts to have the person repeat... I'm close to tears. I hang up and pretend I'm another person and hope to not get the same voice. How do you deal with people who are rude or with people who "Think" they are nice because they scream or talk like I'm a 10 year old? Respond here: http://www.hearingexchange.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/000058.html Do you remember when your deaf or hard of hearing child entered kindergarten? One mother is concerned about her child's adjustment from preschool to kindergarten. Answer her questions in the Parenting forum at: http://www.hearingexchange.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000042.html Do you have tips on learning to lip read? Please send them to Pete in our Late Deafened forum at: http://www.hearingexchange.com/ubb/Forum5/HTML/000019.html Are you a professional working with a child or children who are deaf and autistic? It seems that information on this topic is scarce. Offer your experience in the Professionals forum thread at: http://www.hearingexchange.com/ubb/Forum7/HTML/000011.html Interested in assisting a doctoral student in her research? Student forum member Pat writes, "I'm a doctoral student in Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology. I am also a Licensed Counselor...My special area of interest is in Late Deafness...I have counseled several women who are Late Deafened and I'm...planning to write my dissertation on how Late Deafness impacts identityand developmental issues in adulthood. If you would like to communicate with Pat on this topic, reply to her post at: http://www.hearingexchange.com/ubb/Forum8/HTML/000007.html These topics and more can be found on our message boards. Click here to see a list of all the forums available: http://www.hearingexchange.com/ubb/Ultimate.cgi ============================================================ " " " " " " " " " " " " " F E A T U R E D S I T E " " " " " " " " " " " " " This issue's Featured Site is Advanced Bionics' Clarion site. Advanced Bionics offers extensive information on the exciting new CII Bionic Ear™ on their website. It also includes information on comparing implants, breaking news regarding hearing related issues, and user stories. While visiting, checkout and signup for their email newsletter called TEAM CLARION to receive the latest news, website updates, and more. ============================================================ " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " U P C O M I N G E V E N T S " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " The Hearing Rehabilitation Foundation (HRF) takes great pleasure in confirming that it will be hosting the First Biennial International Conference on Adult Aural Rehabilitation in Portland, Maine, from May 7 - 9, 2001. The aim of this exciting conference is to promote Aural Rehabilitation by bringing together people working in this complex area to present research findings, and to discuss approaches to best assist adults with hearing loss. For further information, go to: http://www.hearingexchange.com/articles/henews-0424b.htm = = = = On May 5, 2001 the Family Hearing Loss Support Network is hosting its annual seminar at the Eastern Instructional Support Center in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Dale V. Atkins will be speaking on “Growing Up With Hearing Loss: What Do All Kids Need? What Do Our Kids Need?” For more information, please contact: Cheryle Shaffer at 610/ 565-4813 or Nancy Rhodes-Lefkoe at 610/ 649-2471 Email: mailto:nrhodes-lefkoe@msn.com = = = = May 11, 2001, "Maximizing Auditory Potential for Children with Hearing Impairments" will be presented in New York. Noted speakers will be Warren Estabrooks, MEd., Jane Madell, PhD, AVT, and Ronald Hoffman, MD. At Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY. For more information call (212) 844-8792. = = = = May 11, 2001, "Ensuring Accessibility for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late-Deafened in Medical Settings" will be presented in Atlanta, GA. Contact mailto:TawandaBraswell@aol.com or visit: Georgia Council for the Hearing Impaired's web site at http://www.GaCHI.org for more information and registration forms. = = = = May 19, 2001 - The Kentucky Chapter’s Spring Conference "Keys to Auditory Success " with Dr. Carol Flexer at Lexington Hearing and Speech Center, Lexington, KY. This program will contain vital information for the successful use of hearing aids, FM systems and cochlear implants for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. For more information, call 502-348-9164 or email mailto:jjbreed@bardstown.com ============================================================ " " " " " " " " " " " " " F E A T U R E D B O O K " " " " " " " " " " " " " This issue's featured book is "Games for Reading: Playful Ways to Help Your Child Read." It is a book that will spark a love of reading. With over 70 games developed and used by the author in public and private schools in New York City, parents, teachers and children will enjoy the fun. Educators of deaf and hard of hearing children highly recommend teaching young children to read to increase their language skills. Check it out. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0394721497/hearingexchange Our Bookstore is growing! Find great books for people with hearing loss, parents and professionals. Visit the HearingExchange Bookstore today to learn more: http://www.hearingexchange.com/bookstore/index.htm ============================================================ " " " " " " " " " " " " " " A S K T H E E X P E R T S " " " " " " " " " " " " " " Question for our Cochlear Implant Expert, Dr. Pat Chute: Q. My 5 1/2 year old daughter was implanted with a Clarion in December 1997. Eleven days ago the internal device failed due to unknown reasons (no falls or blows to the head). One audiologist told me that there were a few "batches" of implants that came from Advanced Bionics with manufacturer's defects, causing the failure rate to be higher than normal. Do you know what she is talking about? How do I find out if my daughter's implant was in one of those groups? Read Dr. Chutes's response and previous questions and answers at: http://www.hearingexchange.com/experts/cochlear_implant.htm Question for our Parent Support Expert, Lisa Simmons: Q. My son is 8 and in 2nd grade. He has a mild to moderate sensorineural hearing loss due to Alport Syndrome. We have been trying to get him an FM system to no avail. Our insurance company says it's the school's responsibility. The school has tested him and because he did so well on his tests (above grade level) he does not qualify for this. He also has ADHD and has behavioral problems. We, as well as our audiologist and otolaryngologist believe that this system is needed for our son. Where do we go from here when the school system says no? We reside in North Carolina. Read Lisa's response and previous questions and answers at: http://www.hearingexchange.com/experts/parent_support.htm ============================================================= " " " " " " " " " " " " P O L L R E S U L T S " " " " " " " " " " " " Our last poll asked: What kind of email pager do you use? Results: Wyndtell 28% Motorola Talkabout 14% Neither 57% This week, our Patience Poll asks: "Are people more patient with you after they learn you have a hearing loss?" Be sure place your vote at the poll on the main page of the web site! http://www.HearingExchange.com ============================================================= " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " F E A T U R E D P R O D U C T " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " The newest way for people who are deaf or hard of hearing to reach anyone, anytime, from almost anywhere using 2-way wireless messaging. WyndTell service on the Motorola T900 is now available and comes in four fabulous colors! Order now from Harris Communications and receive an $80 rebate from Wyndtell.com at: http://www.harriscomm.com/acb/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Product_ID=16477&CATID=8 ============================================================= " " " " " " " " " " " " G E T I N V O L V E D " " " " " " " " " " " " Would you like to host a forum at HearingExchange? We're in need of board moderators. This position does not take much time and can be very rewarding. If you're interested, send me an email at mailto:editor@hearingexchange.com and let me know what your topic of interest is. Link to Us! We now have terrific graphics and banners for those of you with websites. Grab one of our links today and let us know when you do. We'd be happy to offer your website a reciprocal link. Go to: http://www.hearingexchange.com/link_to_us.htm Refer a Friend! We've made it easy for you to tell your friends and colleagues about HearingExchange. Simply click on this link and fill out the form, we'll take care of the rest! http://www.hearingexchange.com/recommend/index.html Do you work with deaf or hard of hearing children or adults? Do you want to? Visit our free Employment Board! Post your resume or list an open position at your organization today. Go to http://www.hearingexchange.com/jobs/ Like to write? HearingExchange is currently accepting article submissions. We encourage you to participate by submitting your original articles, tips or ideas for articles. Articles should be 500 to 800 words maximum. Visit this page to read more about submitting your work: http://www.hearingexchange.com/article_submissions.htm Hosting an event of interest to the adults, parents or professionals who deal with hearing loss? Looking for workshops or seminars on this issue? Visit our Event Calendar and browse around, there are many great seminars around the U.S. Be sure to click on the actual date of an event to read more about it. Post your events by clicking here: http://www.hearingexchange.com/events/calendar.cgi Are You an Expert? We Need You! We're currently seeking qualified experts. If you're an expert or know someone who is, please send us their email address or have them contact us at mailto:info@hearingexchange.com. We especially need experts in the fields of Speech Language Pathology and Otolaryngology. All experts must have experience with hearing impaired adults and/or children. Our Resource Directory is growing! We now have 210 links related to hearing loss for you to review. When you're looking for organizations, assistive devices, hearing aid manufacturers, listservs and much more, visit: http://www.hearingexchange.com/resources/ Use our Add a Site feature at: http://www.hearingexchange.com/resources/add.cgi to refer great links you have found. We will review and post them promptly. HearingExchange now offers awards to websites that offer valuable information for people with hearing loss, parents of deaf and hard of hearing children or the professionals who work with them. Do you know of a website or organization that deserves an award? Go to: http://www.hearingexchange.com/awards.htm and submit them to us for consideration. ============================================================ Your input is always welcome at HearingExchange. Send us your comments, suggestions and any news related to hearing loss. Looking forward to "hearing" from you, Paula Rosenthal, Founder & Publisher HearingExchange - Exchanging Ideas & Information on Hearing Loss http://www.HearingExchange.com To subscribe to this newsletter simply click here mailto:HearingExchangeNews-subscribe@listbot.com