Week of 02.14.02 HearingExchange News http://www.HearingExchange.com = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Welcome to the latest edition of HearingExchange News! Feel free to forward this to anyone else you think would be interested. 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. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - IN THIS ISSUE: * Letter from the Editor * Sponsor Message * What's New * Paula's Pearls * News * Message Boards * Featured Book * Sponsor Message * Featured Site * Hearing Loss Journal * Poll Results * Chat Schedule * Accessible Programs * Get Involved ============================================================ " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " L E T T E R F R O M T H E E D I T O R " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " Hi everyone, Since I started HearingExchange I've discovered that many people are touched by hearing loss in some way. If not themselves, they often have a family member or friend who is affected. Yesterday I met a woman whose mother is suffering from Meniere's Disease. I told her about the HearingExchange site and invited her mother to join our community. I was filled with pride when I said, "thousands of people visit us each week and find support and information." Valentine's Day is a day when we share our feelings with others we care about. It is only right then that I share mine with all of you. Thank you, Members, for helping to make HearingExchange the wonderful community it is today. Happy Valentine's Day, Paula = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " S P O N S O R M E S S A G E " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " Logicom Ci - Miniature FM Receiver for Cochlear Implant Processors - Designed specifically for cochlear implant users and plugs directly into a cochlear implant processor. It is approximately 3/4" x 3/4" in size and replaces the need for larger FM receivers and sound field systems. Its direct electrical input provides superior sound quality as well as a greater signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio. Check it out on the Harris Communications website at http://www.harriscomm.com/?source=hearingexchange or call 1-800-825-6758 voice, 1-800-825-9187 tty, or mailto:mail@harriscomm.com. ============================================================ " " " " " " " " " " W H A T ' S N E W " " " " " " " " " " We are pleased to announce the grand opening of The HearingExchange Shop! In the coming weeks you will find an assortment of must-have books and magazines on hearing loss. Currently, we are offering several of Dr. Neil Bauman's books on tinnitus, coping with hearing loss, Meniere's, hearing aids and more. Dr. Neil is the Coping Skills, Tinnitus and Otoxic Drugs expert at HearingExchange. He is also an active participant in our evening chats. To check out his books, click here: http://www.hearingexchange.com/store/ Great news for people interested in cochlear implants! We have just booked Christine Writer of Cochlear Corporation as our Chatroom guest on Thursday, February 28th at 9:30pm Eastern. Plan to be there to hear the latest developments for the Nucleus device. Need hearing aid batteries? We've just made it easier to order fresh batteries online. Click on the following link to place your order with our partner, Drugstore.com. http://www.hearingexchange.com/store/batteries.htm It's official! Paula's Pearls is now a syndicated column appearing in "Newswaves," a monthly newspaper for deaf and hard of hearing people. To subscribe to Newswaves, go to http://www.newswavesonline.com. Do you know of a newspaper or magazine that could use a column on hearing loss? Send me an email with your suggestion(s) to mailto:editor@hearingexchange.com. Tired of being the last to know? HearingExchange updates its News section several times a week. Make us your homepage so you can check the latest news on hearing loss each day. Click here to find out how: http://www.hearingexchange.com/your_homepage.htm ============================================================ " " " " " " " " " " " " " " P A U L A ' S P E A R L S " " " " " " " " " " " " " " Purchasing Hearing Aids? Read This First by Paula Rosenthal, J.D. Are you thinking about getting hearing aids? Interested in upgrading the ones you have? While advances in technology have improved the performance and variety of hearing aids, they have also significantly increased their cost. Determining what type or brand of hearing aids to buy can be an overwhelming decision. Use the resources below to learn more about hearing aids before you buy them. Read the full article here: http://www.hearingexchange.com/articles/paulas-021302.htm ============================================================ " " " " N E W S " " " " Feb. 6 - Adapto", the first voice-activated hearing aid that gives priority to human voice over other sounds in the environment, was just cleared for marketing by the Food and Drug Administration. Click on this link for more: http://www.hearingexchange.com/articles/henews-020802.htm = = = = February 7 - Expanding on its current community outreach program for the deaf, Pontiac-GMC, Division of General Motors Corporation, has joined forces with the National Campaign for Hearing Health (NCHH) to establish a hearing health awareness program at eight major auto shows in 2002, beginning today in Chicago. Get the full story: http://www.hearingexchange.com/articles/henews-020702.htm = = = = January 25 - You hear your baby's first cry and breathe a sigh of relief. Your new bundle of joy is perfectly healthy, or is she? Each year more than 12,000 babies are born in the United States with a hearing impairment. Find out what Cochlear Corp. and the National Campaign for Hearing Health are doing to raise awareness here: http://www.hearingexchange.com/articles/henews-013102.htm = = = = Jamel Bradley, a deaf basketball player is profiled on ESPN. Read it here: http://espn.go.com/magazine/curry_20020204.html = = = = Conference season is coming! Visit the News section to read the latest on conventions you should attend. More are listed in our Event Calendar located here: http://www.hearingexchange.com/events/calendar.cgi These and other current 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 for more. ============================================================ " " " " " " " " " " " " " " M E S S A G E B O A R D S " " " " " " " " " " " " " " Have something to say? Join more than 1,055 members and say it on our Message Boards! Once registered, you can easily post a new topic or reply to current threads. Registration is free and email addresses are confidential. Click here to register: http://www.hearingexchange.com/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi >From our Sudden Hearing Loss forum: A new member asks, "Is there anyone out there who suspects their sudden hearing loss came from a drug?" Read and reply to her post here: http://www.hearingexchange.com/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=15&t=000006 - - - >From our Tinnitus forum: "Does somebody have experience wearing Siemens Sereniti TCI-combi?" Share your experience with this new type of hearing aid for tinnitus sufferers here: http://www.hearingexchange.com/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=20&t=000002 - - - >From our Parents with Kids with Hearing Aids forum: Some of our members are working toward health insurance coverage for hearing aids. Interested? Read this thread at: http://www.hearingexchange.com/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=37&t=000008 - - - >From our Special Education forum: Does your child have an IEP or IFSP? Do you dread the annual case conferences with your school district? Share your thoughts on this topic here: http://www.hearingexchange.com/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=4&t=000043 - - - These topics and hundreds of others 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 B O O K " " " " " " " " " " " " " "'Do You Hear Me?' : Laughs for the Hard of Hearing by the Hard of Hearing" is a gem of a book. Using clever anecdotes and cartoons, this book will elicit chuckles from people with hearing loss, family and friends. A terrific gift item! Buy a copy today! Click here to order: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0930599454/hearingexchange/103-2670836-9452610 ============================================================ " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " S P O N S O R M E S S A G E " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " HEAR-MORE - Products for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. HEARMORE.com is the ultimate site you can use to locate and purchase specialty products. FREE catalog, printed or on CD-ROM. Visit today at: http://www.hearmore.com/?source=hearingexchange ============================================================ " " " " " " " " " " " " " F E A T U R E D S I T E " " " " " " " " " " " " " Beginnings is a non-profit organization assisting parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing in North Carolina. This website is a terrific primer for parents of recently diagnosed children. Information on early intervention, communication options, legislations, school issues and more. Visit the Beginnings site today to learn what every parent should know. http://www.beginningssvcs.com/?source=hearingexchange ============================================================ " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " H E A R I N G L O S S J O U R N A L " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and my daughter is sitting at the table writing out cards to all of her schoolmates and teachers. I'm marveling at how patiently she is printing the more than 35 cards with nary a complaint. Thanks to her school program and her great interest in learning, she is reading, writing, spelling and doing first grade level math work during her kindergarten year. She has come a long way from the significantly speech and language delayed 2 year old she was. Click here to read the latest chapter in Paula's Journal: http://www.hearingexchange.com/journals/display.cgi?id=2&sort=date&storyview=toc&cat=5 To view other journals or to start your own, click here: http://www.hearingexchange.com/journals/stories.cgi?sort=date&cat=stories ============================================================ " " " " " " " " " " " " P O L L R E S U L T S " " " " " " " " " " " " Last week we asked: "Has Rush Limbaugh's cochlear implant surgery affected you?" Results: Yes, it made me curious. 45% No, I'm not interested. 25% No, I'm not a candidate. 11% Other. 7% Yes, I want a cochlear implant now. 5% Unsure. 5% Previously, we asked: Which of your healthcare professionals understands your hearing loss? Results: Neither my family doctor nor my ENT. 43% My otolaryngologist (ENT). 38% Both my family doctor and my ENT. 15% My family doctor. 4% This week, our Genetics Poll asks: "Does hearing loss run in your family?" Be sure to enter your vote in this poll at the main page of HearingExchange. http://www.HearingExchange.com ============================================================ " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " A C C E S S I B L E P R O G R A M S " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " Each week we update our site with movies and theaters around the U.S. that offer captioned movies for the deaf and hard of hearing and movies that have audio descriptions for the visually impaired. We also post accessible programs in this section. Stay tuned to this page: http://www.hearingexchange.com/tv_programs.htm If you know of an event that will be accessible to people with hearing loss, submit it to our Event Calendar for everyone to see. It's easy, just click on the following link and scroll to the bottom of the page to enter the information. Click here: http://www.hearingexchange.com/events/calendar.cgi ============================================================ " " " " " " " " " " " " " C H A T S C H E D U L E " " " " " " " " " " " " " * Mondays 9pm ET - General Chat - Curly * Tuesdays 9pm ET - Adults with Hearing Aids - Kay * Wednesdays 9:30pm ET - Late Deafened Adults - Shari * Thursdays 9:30pm ET - Chat with Paula - Paula * Fridays 9pm ET - Auditory Neuropathy - Elaine Coming Soon - Chat for Parents of Deaf and HOH Children Chatroom is open 24/7. Click here to chat now: http://www.hearingexchange.com/chat/chat2.htm Chat hosts wanted, see below for further details. ============================================================ " " " " " " " " " " " " G E T I N V O L V E D " " " " " " " " " " " " The HearingExchange community thrives with your participation. Below are free resources available to you as well as ways to become active in our community. Join us! * Paula's Pearls - FREE Syndicated Content My articles in the Paula's Pearls section on the main page of HearingExchange are available for FREE syndication. I've received many reprint requests from magazines, newspapers, hospitals, teachers, therapists, childcare providers, parents, website publishers and others. For more information, send a blank email to mailto:syndicatedcontent@sendfree.com. To be notified when new articles are available click here and check off the Syndicated Content list on the subscription page: http://lb.bcentral.com/ex/manage/subscriberprefs?customerid=6181 (If you are already a subscriber to any of our lists, click on the "unsubscribe" link at the end of this email and check off any new lists you are interested in. Then be sure to click on "submit." Be careful not to unsubscribe!) * Become a Chat Host Do you like to chat online? Have a favorite topic related to hearing loss? Apply to become a chat host at HearingExchange. Just one hour a week and it's so much fun! Visit this page for more information on available chat topics and to apply: http://www.hearingexchange.com/chat_host.htm * Start a Hearing Loss Journal Journaling is a terrific way to reflect on your experiences and to help others learn about living with hearing loss or parenting a child with one. To get started on your journal register here: http://www.hearingexchange.com/journals/register.cgi?action=register&sort=date&cat=stories To read other people's journals visit this page: http://www.hearingexchange.com/journals/stories.cgi?sort=date&cat=stories * Send a FREE Color Postcard Please help spread the news about our supportive and informative HearingExchange community. Do you know a doctor, teacher, therapist, audiologist or friend whom you would like to share HearingExchange with? We will send them a color postcard by U.S. Mail FREE for the asking. Click here to send one today: http://www.hearingexchange.com/postcards/index.htm * Refer a Friend to HearingExchange We also offer an online "refer a friend" service at http://www.hearingexchange.com/recommend/index.html. Just fill out the form and we'll send them a note about HearingExchange. * Link to Us We have terrific graphics and banners for those of you with web sites. Grab one of our links today and let us know when you do. We will be happy to offer a reciprocal link to qualified websites. Go to: http://www.hearingexchange.com/link_to_us.htm * Visit our Jobs and Resumes Board 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 or review current entries. All posts must be related to hearing loss fields. To view all listings, leave the search box blank. 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. Submissions should be 500 to 800 words maximum. Visit this page to learn about our Writers Guidelines: http://www.hearingexchange.com/article_submissions.htm * View and Post on the Event Calendar 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 world. 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:experts@hearingexchange.com. All experts must have experience with hearing impaired adults and/or children. * Doing Research? Need Resources? Our Resource Directory is growing! We now have 286 hand-picked links related to hearing loss for you to review. When 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. **Note: We do not accept commercial sites for the free directory listing. Businesses offering products or services, please contact us at mailto:advertising@hearingexchange.com. ============================================================ Your input is always welcome at HearingExchange. Send us your comments, suggestions and any news related to hearing loss to mailto:feedback@hearingexchange.com. Until next time, Paula Rosenthal, Publisher HearingExchange - http://www.HearingExchange.com Ideas & Information on Hearing Loss To subscribe to this newsletter or any of our other free, informative ezines or chat reminders, click here: http://lb.bcentral.com/ex/manage/subscriberprefs?customerid=6181. To modify your subscriptions, click on the unsubscribe link below, make your changes and click on "submit." All addresses are kept strictly confidential. To view past issues of HearingExchange News, click here: http://www.hearingexchange.com/newsletter_archives.htm © Copyright 2002 HearingExchange, a division of Taylor Rose, Inc. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to reprint and redistribute this newsletter as long as it reprinted in its entirety, is unedited and includes this copyright.