Volume 2 Issue 1

Winter 2005

Hearing Loss Network News

We're "Hear" For You!!!

On February 5,2005 , the day before Superbowl XXXIX was played in Jacksonville, Florida, Hearing Loss Network was making some big noise of its own right here in the San Diego area! As a part of what was billed as Super Health Saturday V held at Parkway Plaza in El Cajon, we along with over 60 other local health care organizations had the opportunity to share our programs, products and services with the community. Many of the shopping public were able to learn about what we have to offer. We think that was our favorite part, because, well, we’re here for you! We were also thrilled to be able to provide so much information to such a diverse group of people with hearing loss. Everyone from a grandson to his elderly grandmother visited our booth.

Larry Sivertson and Michael Gergley man the booth.

Since this is East County’s largest health fair and happens every year around the same time, we’ll keep you posted on the details for next year. We can’t wait to see and talk with even more of you next time. If you can’t wait that long, contact us and find out where we’ll be next. We do presentations all over the metropolitan area throughout the year, so we may be coming to a place near you soon. Remember, we’re “hear” for you. So if we’re missing you, speak up and be heard by us. You can also visit our website at www.hearinglossnetwork.org.

Loud and Clear!!!

We're happy to report some wonderful news about a Hearing Loss Network project that we mentioned in our last issue. On February 24, we learned that the FCC ruled on the complaint we filed regarding the failure of local TV stations to provide accessible emergency information during the October 2003 wildfires. As reported in a front-page article in the San Diego Union Tribune (www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20050224/news_1n24fcc.html), the FCC proposed fines totaling $65,000 for three local stations. While we hate to see stations fined, the regulation that requires the information to be accessible is nearly five years old, and the FCC has repeatedly reminded stations of their obligation to comply with the rule. As a result of these actions we believe that San Diegans with hearing loss will have access to appropriate emergency information in future situations!

For additional information on this the FCC decision, including a narrative history of our involvement in it, please point your browser to www.hearinglossnetwork.org/serv/advcy/fire/fire.htm

Links

www.hearinglossnetwork.org - Nonprofit service organization for hard of hearing and late-deafened San Diegans

www.alda.org - Support and social group for hard of hearing and late deafened persons - local chapters in San Diego and Los Angeles

www.hearinglossweb.com - Website devoted to providing information of interest to people with hearing loss; includes discussions of technology, issues, events, etc.

www.mcalisterinstitute.org - ‘Signs of Life’ program for drug/alcohol/health education for San Diegans with hearing loss

www.shhh.org - Support and social group for hard of hearing and late deafened persons - local chapter in Escondido

www.saywhatclub.com - Online support and social group for hard of hearing and late deafened persons

Sound Off

Here’s your chance to get an answer to your hearing questions. See the contact information at the back of this newsletter to ask a question. Also, the answer to last issue's question is on the back of this newsletter

Next Issue’s Question

I've heard that hair cell regeneration will cure deafness. Is that true?

Your donation is greatly appreciated!

Name____________________________________

Mail to:

Address__________________________________ Hearing Loss Network

5663 Balboa Ave #357

City, State, ZIP ____________________________ San Diego, CA 92111

Amount_____________

Events

ALDA Meeting - The San Diego chapter of the Association of Late Deafened Adults (ALDA) normally meets on the third Saturday of each month in Mira Mesa. For more info: http://www.deafvision.net/alda-sandiego/

CIAI Meeting - The San Diego chapter of the Cochlear Implant Association International (CIAI) normally meets every other month in Kearny Mesa. Please contact Jackie at CFHJCH1995@aol.com

SHHH Meeting - The Escondido chapter of Self Help for Hard of Hearing People (SHHH) normally meets on the second Saturday of the month. Please contact Dorothy at dorthi@worldnet.att.net

Coming Soon: Speechreading Workshop!

By far our most frequent unfulfilled request is for speechreading classes. As far as we can determine, there are none on a regular basis in the entire county! So we tried to locate an experienced speechreading teacher who might be willing to conduct classes again (with our help to set things up). No luck with that, either. L

So we moved on to Plan C. We're going to bring an experienced teacher to San Diego and "train the trainers." The plan is to have an intensive weekend workshop where people who want to teach speechreading can learn how to do that. Then these teachers can offer local classes as required.

We're considering the weekend of June 4 for the workshop. Anyone (everyone welcome, including hearing folks!) interested in learning how to teach speechreading, please contact us as soon as possible. Also let us know if you'd like to take a speechreading class. We'll add you to the list for our soon-to-be classes. J

Are there any cell phones that are hearing aid compatible?

There’s good news regarding hearing aid compatible cell phones. Recent FCC regulations require every cell phone manufacturer to provide two hearing aid compatible phones by the summer of 2005.and two telecoil compatible phones by the summer of 2006. The regulations also require that hearing aid and telecoil compatible cell phones be clearly labeled. Some of these phones are already on the market. So do check it out the next time you’re near a phone store!

Hearing Loss Network

5663 Balboa Ave #357

San Diego, CA 92111

858-278-9630

http://www.hearinglossnetwork.org

info@hearinglossnetwork.org