Week of 03.13.02 HearingExchange News http://www.HearingExchange.com Currently 1,966 subscribers = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = 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 * Feature Article * News * Message Boards * Paula's Journal * Featured Book * Sponsor Message * Featured Site * Ask the Expert * Poll Results * Chat Schedule * Featured Product * 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, I wanted to thank all of you who responded to my post on the message boards about my cochlear implant evaluation in June. You are all so encouraging, I truly appreciate your support. In the coming months I'm sure I will have many questions and am so grateful that I have such a warm community to turn to. Our first guest chat with Christine Writer from Cochlear Corporation was a big success! We learned so much about the Nucleus ESPrit 3G Behind the Ear Processor that is expected to come out in April. Christine also shared exciting news about the Little Speech Processor (LSP) which will debut in 2003. If you missed the chat or just want to review what was said, click here to read the transcript: http://www.hearingexchange.com/articles/transcript.htm I know that many of you had questions you were not able to ask that evening due to time constraints. If you have questions that you would like to ask Christine, email them to me at mailto:editor@hearingexchange.com and I will make sure she gets them. Other guest chats are in the works including representatives from Advanced Bionics, a cochlear implant manufacturer and Symphonix, manufacturer of the Vibrant Soundbridge, an implantable middle ear hearing device. Who or what would you like to hear about in our chatroom? Send your ideas and put "Chat Guest Suggestion" in the subject heading of your email to mailto:editor@hearingexchange.com. Have a good week, Paula = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " S P O N S O R M E S S A G E " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " FREE SHIPPING on ALL Online Purchases! During the month of March, Harris Communications is offering FREE SHIPPING on all purchases from their online store at http://www.harriscomm.com. Choose from a wide assortment of products?-TTYs, Notification Systems, Wake-up Alarm Systems, Books, Videotapes, CDs, novelty items and much more! Offer is for ONLINE orders only and shipping must be within the Continental United States. Hurry?-this offer expires March 31, 2002! Contact us at mailto:mail@harriscomm.com if you need more information. ============================================================ " " " " " " " " " " W H A T ' S N E W " " " " " " " " " " Attention Parents of Deaf or Hard of Hearing Children! Check out our new section, "Hear Our Kids" at http://www.hearingexchange.com/hear_our_kids.htm It's our very own children's corner where you or your child can submit their writing and have it published at HearingExchange! They'll be so proud (and so will you) to see their work online. To protect their privacy, we will only print the child's first name and age. Send in submissions here: http://www.hearingexchange.com/kids/kids_submission.htm We are pleased to announce the grand opening of The HearingExchange Shop! We are offering HearingExchange Expert Dr. Neil Bauman's easy-to-read, practical books filled with information and coping tips. Dr. Neil's upbeat style, large print and concise writing make these books a joy to read. Titles include: * Grieving for Your Hearing Loss - The Rocky Road from Denial to Acceptance * Talking with Hard of Hearing People - Here's How to Do it Right! * When Your Ears Ring! Cope with Your Tinnitus - Here's How * Hear! Here! You and Your Hearing Loss, You and Your Hearing Aids To check out these and his other low cost, high value books, click here: http://www.hearingexchange.com/store/ Payment is accepted via PayPal on our secure ordering page. Have you gotten your FREE calendar from Advanced Bionics yet? This colorful, kid-drawn calendar runs from March 2002 to March 2003. Each month is filled with artful pictures of how the children hear with their cochlear implants. Get yours while they last! http://www.bionicear.com ============================================================ " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " F E A T U R E A R T I C L E " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " 6 Considerations for Adopting Deaf or Hard of Hearing Child by Gena Jorgensen Recently, my husband and I discussed adopting a child. Since I have a hearing loss, we are considering adopting a deaf or hard of hearing child. There are many web sites to assist families with deaf adoptions. Support groups and encouraging stories of people who have had successful adoptions are also available. Below are several things to consider before beginning the adoption process. Click here to read the full article: http://www.hearingexchange.com/articles/featured_article_031202.htm ============================================================ " " " " N E W S " " " " Youth who developed glove that translates American Sign Language into text receives Intel science award. Read the story here: http://www.cnn.com/2002/TECH/science/03/12/science.competition.ap/index.html = = = = Planning to attend the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing's convention in St. Louis in June? They have just released the Preliminary 2002 Convention Program. Click here to see the great seminars they have planned: http://www.agbell.org/convention/convpack.pdf = = = = HearingExchange member and guest writer, Angie King was on Good Morning America with her husband and two daughters. Both children have cochlear implants. Angie is a powerful advocate for insurance reimbursement of implants and hearing aids as well as universal newborn hearing screening. Read about their interview with Diane Sawyer here: http://abcnews.go.com/sections/GMA/GoodMorningAmerica/GMA020308King_family_cochlear.html = = = = Sonic Innovations, Inc. Launches Most Advanced Instant-Fit Digital Hearing Aid - Find out more: http://www.hearingexchange.com/articles/henews-030702a.htm = = = = Symphonix and Siemens receive largest Vibrant Soundbridge order to date - Get the scoop here: http://www.hearingexchange.com/articles/henews-030802a.htm = = = = 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 1,235 members and say it on our Message Boards! Registration is free and email addresses are kept confidential. Once registered, you can easily post a new topic or reply to current threads. Click ere to register: http://www.hearingexchange.com/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi >From our Parent to Parent forum: New member MichelleMichaels is struggling to get a diagnosis for her son. She is in need of a support network and what better place than HearingExchange? Please view her post and reply to her here: http://www.hearingexchange.com/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=000119 - - - >From our Cochlear Implant forum: Has anyone tried the new Adapto hearing aid by Oticon? Also, what are your comments on wearing a hearing aid and a cochlear implant? Visit this topic and help member Ernie as he looks for solutions to his worsening hearing. http://www.hearingexchange.com/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=000115 - - - >From our Clarion forum: "Can any of you Clarion users tell me why you chose Clarion ver other models?" What were the deciding factors for you? http://www.hearingexchange.com/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=17&t=000002 - - - >From our Deaf and Hard of Hearing forum: Are you struggling to come to terms with your hearing loss? member Unix Guy has written an eloquent account of how he came to terms with his and his first days wearing hearing aids. Read it here: http://www.hearingexchange.com/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=2&t=000253 - - - >From our Hair Cell Research forum: Interested in hair cell regeneration or related issues? Check out this forum moderated by Daniel Morris, also known as HHIssues. Dan has spearheaded one of the most active forums of its kind online right here at HearingExchange! Click here: http://www.hearingexchange.com/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum&f=12 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 ============================================================ " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " P A U L A ' S J O U R N A L " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " There are different schools of thought when it comes to lip-reading. At my daughter's former auditory school, we were discouraged from teaching her to lip-read. "Children pick it up naturally," they said. I wasn't convinced and even if it were true, why not let her have opportunities to practice? To find out why lip-reading has been valuable to my family read my online journal here: http://www.hearingexchange.com/journals/display.cgi?id=2&sort=date&storyview=toc&chapter=1&cat=5 Click on "Table of Contents" to view each chapter. It has been five months since I started my Hearing Loss journal. I really love writing in it and from the emails I have received, many of you are enjoying reading it. We have several journal categories: * Cochlear Implant Users * Hearing Aid Users * Living with Hearing Loss * Multiple Disabilities * Parenting a Deaf or Hard of Hearing Child Share your thoughts with us and start your journal today. Click here to register: http://www.hearingexchange.com/journals/register.cgi?action=register&sort=date&cat=stories ============================================================= " " " " " " " " " " " " " F E A T U R E D B O O K " " " " " " " " " " " " " "Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy - The Special Education Survivial Guide" is a recent release from special education experts Pete and Pam Wright. This book was written to equip parents of children with special needs with the necessary tools to navigate the maze of special education. As your child's best advocate, you need to know how to negotiate for appropriate services, have productive team meetings, write effective letters and so much more. This excellent resource includes worksheets, forms and sample letters for your use. Every parent of a child with hearing loss should have a copy! Click here to get yours: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1892320088/hearingexchange (Please copy and paste the link into your browser if necessary.) ============================================================ " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " 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 " " " " " " " " " " " " " Looking for information on hearing loss, cochlear implants, hearing conservation and many other issues? Visit the House Ear Institute's web site. Located in California, House Ear Institute and House Ear Clinic are leading institutions in hearing health research and education. Click here: http://www.hei.org/?source=hearingexchange ============================================================ " " " " " " " " " " " " " A S K T H E E X P E R T " " " " " " " " " " " " " Question for Ira Springer, AuD. FAAA - Audiology Expert "My physician and audiologist have diagnosed me with a condition I don't understand: presbycusis. They said it means I can't understand words. I wear two hearing aids to assist with the loss of hearing frequencies, but they tell me the aids will not help the other condition. Is there anything that could help?" To read his Dr. Springer's answer, click here: http://www.hearingexchange.com/experts/audiologist.htm To submit a question to one of our experts, visit this link: http://www.hearingexchange.com/experts/ Please submit your question to just one expert. We will re-direct it if necessary. =========================================================== " " " " " " " " " " " " P O L L R E S U L T S " " " " " " " " " " " " Last week we asked: "When people ask me about my hearing loss I..." Results: patiently answer their questions. 94% answer them with exasperation. 4% do something else. 2% This week, our "Age of Onset" poll asks "How old were you or your child when hearing loss was discovered?" Be sure to register your vote in this poll at the main page of HearingExchange. http://www.HearingExchange.com ============================================================ " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " F E A T U R E D P R O D U C T " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " 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. ============================================================ " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " 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. Check this page often: 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 " " " " " " " " " " " " " * Monday 9pm ET - General Chat - Curly * Tuesday 9pm ET - Adults with Hearing Aids - Kay * Wednesday 9:30pm ET - Late Deafened Adults - Shari * Thursday 9:30pm ET - Chat with 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. Interested in FREE content for your school, organization or publication? 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 297 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 (c) 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.