========================================================== HearingExchange News - Holiday Tips for Kids, Dogs for the Deaf, New Areas Added to HearingExchange, More - Please Forward this to Others December 15, 2003 ========================================================== Dear HearingExchange Members, ---------------------------------------------------------- Thank you for subscribing to HearingExchange News! We currently have 3,909 subscribers. Feel free to forward this newsletter to someone you know with hearing loss, their family and professionals in the field. Subscription and removal information are at the end of the newsletter. If the links don't work please copy and paste them into your browser. S P O N S O R M E S S A G E - Special Discount TODAY Only! ---------------------------------------------------------- TODAY ONLY! Many Ways to SAVE at Harris Communications! Save on your holiday shopping at Harris Communications. We have holiday specials on some of our most popular assistive products. Plus receive a 10% discount on every novelty, book, video, CD and DVD we have in the store! Order TODAY and receive FREE SHIPPING on all orders of $100 or more! (Offers expire December 15, 2003. Free shipping for domestic ground shipments only.) For more information contact us at mailto:mail@harriscomm.com. Click on the this link to view our complete product line...: http://www.harriscomm.com/?source=hearexch Letter from the Editor ---------------------------------------------------------- Thank you to everyone who wrote in with feedback about the re-designed main page of HearingExchange. We're so glad it is making it easier for you to find what you're looking for. If you haven't seen it yet, be sure to visit our front page. It will take you whereever you need to go! I'm due for a scheduled delivery of my third child on January 7th, just 3 weeks away! Times have certainly changed since my first two children were born 6 and 8 years ago. Now, the hospital routinely screens newborns for hearing loss, something they didn't do back then even if the mother was hard of hearing! Did you know that I'm a public speaker in addition to publisher of the HearingExchange web site? If you're interested in having me speak for your school or organization, please visit the "About Us" section of the site for more information. I'm currently accepting dates for next spring and summer. I hope you enjoy this issue of HearingExchange News! Be sure to send your comments my way. I read each and every one of them. Best regards, Paula Rosenthal, Publisher and Speaker To learn more about my background and topics I speak about, please visit this page...: http://www.hearingexchange.com/aboutus.htm PAULA'S PEARLS FEATURE ARTICLE: 5 Tips to Help Your Deaf or Hard of Hearing Child Enjoy the Holidays ---------------------------------------------------------- Holidays are often a difficult time for people with hearing loss, especially young children who have not yet learned or become proficient at coping skills. Large gatherings, music and the rapid pace of activities all contribute to isolating those who have difficulty hearing. This article offers some easy to implement tips to help your child (and adults) enjoy the holiday festivities despite the noisy conditions. Read the full article here...: http://www.hearingexchange.com/articles/featured_article_111303.htm FEATURED SITE: Dogs for the Deaf ---------------------------------------------------------- Dogs for the Deaf is the largest and oldest hearing dog center in the world. They place trained dogs to service deaf and hard of hearing people in the U.S. and Canada free of charge. To find out if a hearing dog is right for you, visit their site and go to the Hearing Dogs section under Our Dogs. View the site here...: http://www.dogsforthedeaf.org/ FEATURED BOOK: The Parents' Guide to Cochlear Implants ---------------------------------------------------------- The Parents' Guide to Cochlear Implants was written by HearingExchange cochlear implant expert, Dr. Pat Chute and her colleague, Mary Ellen Nevins, both internationally renowned professionals in the field of deaf education. Covers evaluations, device options, choosing an implant center, the surgery, activation and much more. Get the book here...: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1893005291/hearingexchange/102-9468793-8008158 Do Your Holiday Shopping at the HearingExchange Shop! ---------------------------------------------------------- Great new items available so consider one as a holiday gift for you, someone with hearing loss or a professional who has assisted you this year! To protect your personal information, we use secure, online ordering via PayPal. We now also accept orders and checks by mail for your convenience. * NEW! Dry & Store Global for Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implant Processors Now Available ---------------------------------------------------------- The Dry & Store Global is a terrific, portable device that both sanitizes and dehumidifies hearing aids and cochlear implant processors to cut down on repairs and maintain their quality. I personally use the Dry & Store for both mine and my daughter's hearing aids and cochlear implant processors. This device is a lifesaver especially if you or your child are very active and/or live in a humid climate. Find out more here...: http://www.hearingexchange.com/store/17.html * HOT SELLER - "My Baby and Me: A Book About Teaching Your Child to Talk" ---------------------------------------------------------- Teaching your child (or a group of children) to talk? Betsy Moog Brook's book, "My Baby and Me" is an incredible resource for parents and teachers of babies and children of who are learning to talk. Clear, organized and full of great information! View the table of contents and more here...: http://www.hearingexchange.com/store/1.html NEW! "Unheard Voices" - An Eye-Opening Film ---------------------------------------------------------- Hearing impaired Canadian actress, Gael Hannan, plays several types of people with hearing loss and artfully explains how each person's life is impacted in a different manner. This is an eye-opening, short film and is perfect for introducing others to the rials of coping with hearing loss. I have given it a two thumbs up! Order your copy here...: http://www.hearingexchange.com/store/15.html "Bridge to Sound with a 'Bionic' Ear" - Cochlear Implant Stories ---------------------------------------------------------- A book of personal stories about people with cochlear implants. Learn how cochlear implants are changing the lives of people with severe and profound hearing loss around the world. Insightful and touching! Read more about it here...: http://www.hearingexchange.com/store/16.html Need a Gift for Your Child's Therapist or Teacher? Highly Recommended! ---------------------------------------------------------- "Teaching Activities for Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing - A Practical Guide for Teachers" by the Moog Center for Deaf Education. This book explains how the staff at the Moog Center successfully teaches deaf and hard of hearing children oral language as well as academics. This book is so popular it is already in its second printing. View the Table of Contents and more info here...: http://www.hearingexchange.com/store/14.html More Products and Shop Safe with Us ---------------------------------------------------------- We have several other products in the HE Shop so be sure to check them all out. Orders are processed and shipped promptly. We use a secure system handled by PayPal and we accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover or American Express. To see ALL the products we offer, click here... : http://www.hearingexchange.com/store/ Paula's Hearing Loss Journal Updated ---------------------------------------------------------- I've just added two new chapters to my hearing loss journal, "My Aha! Moments with a Cochlear Implant" and the results of my recent hearing tests in "One Year Post-Activation Evaluation." If you're interested in a cochlear implant for yourself or your child, be sure to read my journal online here...: http://www.hearingexchange.com/journals/display.cgi?id=15&sort=date&cat=2 Start a Journal to Chronicle Your Experiences ---------------------------------------------------------- We have separate journal areas for those with hearing aids, those with cochlear implants, people who are parenting children with hearing loss and several others. See how easy it is to start your own journal today. You'll be glad you did! Click here...: http://www.hearingexchange.com/journals/stories.cgi?sort=date&cat=stories Participate in the HearingExchange Message Boards ---------------------------------------------------------- We now have over 3,990 registered members on the HearingExchange Message Boards. Sharing your experience is a very important part of our vital community. Visit our message boards to read the organized threads, post your questions and make new connections. Click here to login or register for our boards...: http://www.hearingexchange.com/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi NEWS: Hearing Health Advisory Board Formed ---------------------------------------------------------- Industry, Unions And Institutions Unite To Address Impact Of Hearing Loss On Society - The board of directors of the Deafness Research Foundation (DRF) announced the formation of a Hearing Health Advisory Board. Learn more here...: http://www.hearingexchange.com/articles/henews-110303.htm NEWS: Boys Town National Research Hospital Scientist Identifies Key Protein Needed for Hearing ---------------------------------------------------------- In a study published September 19th, the scientist has linked the motor protein named prestin with the functioning of the outer hair cells of the cochlea. These cells play a critical role in the amplification of sound. Get the full story here...: http://www.hearingexchange.com/articles/henews-120303a.shtml First Woman Elected President of American Academy of Otolaryngology ---------------------------------------------------------- Jennifer Derebery, M.D. of House Ear Clinic becomes first woman president of American Academy of Otolaryngology. Dereberry has several specialties in the area of hearing loss. Find out more here...: http://www.hearingexchange.com/articles/henews-120303b.shtml Cochlear Americas Announces First Ever Cochlear Implant Consumer Advisory Board ---------------------------------------------------------- DENVER – December 2003 - Cochlear Americas recently announced the launch of the Cochlear Consumer Advisory Board, the industry’s first consumer advisory board for cochlear implant recipients. Members of the Cochlear Consumer Advisory Board will facilitate Cochlear in meeting the needs of its recipient base. Read more here...: http://www.hearingexchange.com/articles/henews-120303.shtml More News Articles Available ---------------------------------------------------------- Our site is continually updated with the latest news on hearing loss and related issues so be sure to check the "Current News" section of our site regularly. Click here for more news...: http://www.hearingexchange.com/news/ SPECIAL GUEST Betsy Moog Brooks in HearingExchange Chat, Thursday, December 18th ---------------------------------------------------------- Mark your calendar and join us as our special chat guest, Betsy Moog Brooks, Director of the Family School at the Moog Center for Deaf Education discusses topics of interest to parents, family members and professionals working with young children. Topics will focus on teaching children to talk, deaf education, parenting, cochlear implants and more. Betsy dispenses valuable advice and ideas based on her many years as a deaf educator and lecturer. Stay tuned to this page to find out about special chat guests...: http://www.hearingexchange.com/special_chats.html Holidays and Hearing Loss Poll ---------------------------------------------------------- Does your hearing loss (or your child's) interfere with holiday enjoyment? Vote in the Poll Here...: http://hearingexchange.freepolls.com/cgi-bin/polls/019/poll_center.htm Past Polls Archived ---------------------------------------------------------- Now you can see the results of our past polls online. To view the results of past polls, click here... : http://www.hearingexchange.com/past_poll_results.html Looking for Parent and Professional Workshops and Seminars on Hearing Loss? ---------------------------------------------------------- We've just added information on several great workshops around the U.S. on our web site. Don't miss out on these wonderful opportunities to learn. Visit the Workshops and Seminars page here for more information...: http://www.hearingexchange.com/workshops.htm Live, Weekly Chats at HearingExchange - Join Us! ---------------------------------------------------------- Thanks to our terrific volunteer hosts, HearingExchange has weekly chats open to all of our members. If you haven't joined one yet, don't delay. Our chats are lively, supportive and informative. Folks who initially met online at HearingExchange have met up at national conventions and other venues. New members are always welcome. Here's the weekly line-up: Note: All times are Eastern Standard Time * Monday 9pm Chat for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Adults - hosted by Snoopy/Lisa * Tuesday 9pm Chat for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Adults - hosted by Torch * Wednesday 9pm Cochlear Implant Chat - hosted by Alice, SillyJulie and Foxxy/Sharon * Thursday 9pm Chat with HearingExchange founder, Paula on Hearing Loss, Parenting and More in Paula's Place Chat rooms are available 24/7 so come anytime! To enter our chat rooms, click here...: http://www.hearingexchange.com/chat.html NEW SECTION: Member Tips ---------------------------------------------------------- Do you have great ideas about coping with hearing loss, tricks for keeping your child's hearing aids on or anything having to do with hearing loss? We've created an interactive Member Tips area. Just register, select the topic and enter your tip and it will appear on our site for all to see. This is a great way to participate in the HearingExchange community. See the Member Tips area here...: http://www.hearingexchange.com/tips/index.php NEW SECTION: Hear Our Parents ---------------------------------------------------------- Are you a parent who could use some inspiration when it comes to raising your deaf or hearing impaired child? Have something you'd like to brag about? Hear Our Parents is a new section where parents write in and tell our community members about their children. Read and contribute here...: http://www.hearingexchange.com/hear_our_parents.htm NEW SECTION: Parent Resources ---------------------------------------------------------- Parenting children with hearing loss requires a lot of research and knowledge to help them in educational and social arenas. Check out the new Parent Resources area for helpful information including the recently added "Benchmarks for Deaf or Hard of Hearing Children with Early Amplification." Access Parent Resources here...: http://www.hearingexchange.com/parents-resources/index.html "Hear Our Kids" - A Place for Children to Talk ---------------------------------------------------------- My daughter was the inspiration for the Hear Our Kids area. She told me she wanted to be a writer on the computer like I am when she grows up. The result? A place for children with hearing loss to discuss their feelings and frustrations. See what children of all ages have written about themselves, their hearing loss, school and more. Read it with your kids and have them submit their own thoughts and ideas. Check out Hear Our Kids here...: http://www.hearingexchange.com/hear_our_kids.htm Hearing Loss Related Events Calendar ---------------------------------------------------------- Find out what seminars and meetings are happening near your area or around the country. If you know of conventions, seminars and conferences on hearing loss related issues, be sure to submit them to the calendar. Please remember to include the state in the title so it appears on main page of the calendar. View and Submit to the Calendar here...: http://www.hearingexchange.com/events/calendar.cgi HearingExchange Resource Directory - A Great Place to Start Research ---------------------------------------------------------- I've created an organized directory of over 370 hand-picked links to other terrific resources available to you online. Make our Resource Directory your first stop when researching anything related to deafness. If you have or know of a worthwhile site, please submit it using the "Add a Site" link at the top of the directory. Please add a reciprocal link to HearingExchange at your site. We appreciate it. Visit the Resource Directory here...: http://www.hearingexchange.com/resources/ HearingExchange Employment and Resume Boards ---------------------------------------------------------- Looking for a job? Need to fill a position? Check out our job boards. (Leave the keyword area blank when conducting a search for best viewing.) Click here...: http://www.hearingexchange.com/jobs/ Help Spread the Word and Recommend HearingExchange to Others ---------------------------------------------------------- Like this newsletter and/or the HearingExchange site? Please help us in our endeavors to assist people with hearing loss by passing our information on to others. Your local audiologist, speech therapist, ENT, pediatrician, cochlear implant center, teacher, family members and others are all key people who should know about HearingExchange. Simply use the link below, fill it out and we'll do the rest. Your assistance is greatly appreciated. Click here to recommend us via email...: http://www.hearingexchange.com/recommend/index.html Full Color Postcard Brochures Available ---------------------------------------------------------- We also offer color postcard brochures that describe what HearingExchange offers. These can be mailed out individually or we'll send you a bunch to distribute at your next convention, support group meeting, school, etc. Our brochures are already in doctor's offices, cochlear implant centers, audiology offices and other places. You can help others to enjoy the benefits of HearingExchange by distributing our brochures in your area. If you would like several brochures, please email me at publisher@hearingexchange.com with your request. To send one postcard, click here...: http://www.hearingexchange.com/postcards/index.htm ***ATTENTION AOL USERS*** ---------------------------------------------------------- Due to AOL's software upgrades, you must add HearingExchange@lb.bcentral.com to your buddy and/or email address book in order to ensure that you will continue to receive our newsletter. Please do it today so you won't miss an issue of HE News. Until Next Time... ---------------------------------------------------------- I hope you've enjoyed this issue of HearingExchange News. As always, your feedback is important so please email me with your comments, suggestions, news, etc. Warmest regards, Paula Rosenthal, Publisher HearingExchange "The Leading Online Community for People with Hearing Loss, Families and Professionals" To modify your subscriptions, click on the "unsubscribe" link below, make your changes and click on "submit." All email addresses are kept strictly confidential. (c)Copyright 2003 HearingExchange, a division of Taylor Rose, Inc. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to reprint and distribute this newsletter as long as it is reprinted in its entirety, is unedited and includes this copyright. To view past issues of HearingExchange News click here...: http://www.hearingexchange.com/newsletter_archives.htm If This Newsletter Was Forwarded To You... ---------------------------------------------------------- Sign up to receive this newsletter and/or chat reminders and other special mailings at no cost. Click here to see all we offer...: http://lb.bcentral.com/ex/manage/subscriberprefs?customerid=6181 ========================================================== HearingExchange a division of Taylor Rose, Inc. PO Box 689 Jericho, New York 11753 Web Site: http://www.HearingExchange.com E-mail: publisher@hearingexchange.com Phone: 516.938.5475 Fax: 516.935.2065