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One in Seven Middle-Aged Adults Has Hearing Loss
03-21-2011Researchers in Madison, Wisconsin have discovered that 14% of middle-aged Americans have some sort of hearing loss. For those aged 48 to 59, that percentage jumps to around 20%, and for those 80 years old and older, the percentage skyrockets to 90%. The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health research study included 3,285 subjects from 21 to 84 years of age.
Siemens Motion 501
04-13-2010I've had three different hearing aids in my life, and the Motion 501 ITE is the best and most comfortable out of all of them. It isn't very hidden on my ear, but it is quite stylish. My hearing loss isn't severe, so I wasn't in need of something too strong. If you have severe hearing loss this many not be the one for you. I have it on the second to highest setting and it is perfect for me. If you are looking for an everyday hearing aid I would recommend this one.
National Deaf History Month
03-16-2011
Sunday, March 13 marked the beginning of National Deaf History Month, which runs through April 15 and is celebrated at libraries around the United States. The event was the brainchild of Alice L. Hagemayer and Ida Mapes, two deaf women who worked for Washington DC’s Martin Luther King Library. (1)
The pair had been teaching sign-language to fellow library employees when they became inspired to spearhead a campaign to alert the hearing impaired to services available to them at the MLK Library and to simultaneously increase public awareness regarding the issues facing the deaf community and social effect of hearing loss. The pair could not have imagined that their efforts would culminate in a nationally-recognized day of honor that would ultimately grow into a month-long campaign on behalf of the deaf community.
The event began in December of 1974, but March 13 was later selected as the day of honor to commemorate the anniversary of Gallaudet University’s appointment of its first deaf President, Dr. I. King Jordan. (2) Gallaudet University’s curriculum is focused on liberal education and career development for deaf and hard of hearing students and is widely recognized for programs and research focusing on the history, language, culture, and other topics related to deaf people. (3) The vast majority of the Gallaudet student body is deaf; however, about 5% of new enrollees each year are hearing individuals.
The selection of the month of April is also significant because on April 8, 1864, President signed a charter allowing students with hearing loss to earn degrees.
Today libraries across the nation celebrate National Deaf Awareness Month by offering a multitude of programs, projects and events based upon a National Association of the Deaf committee-designed "National Deaf History Month Kit.” The committee’s goal was "to celebrate with programs and activities to highlight and honor the many contributions of the deaf community to American society." The kit is available online at http://www.folda.net/lib/Library_Deaf-Legacy.pdf, or you may wish to visit your local library for events in your area.
References:
(1) “National Deaf History Month,” by Jennifer Becker Landsberger, Feb 13, 2011 National Deaf History Month- March 13 through April 15, 2011
(2) Celebrate National Deaf History Month, Press Release by Hearing-Aid.com
Hearing Loss and Dementia
03-30-2011Researchers are calling for “critically needed” “rehabilitative strategies” for confronting a newly discovered association between hearing loss and the progression of dementia.
How to be a smart hearing aid buyer
03-18-2011
Many people have a misconceptions about hearing aids and believe there is no solution to their hearing problem. Consumerrespots.org conducted a national survey of 1,100 people who bought hearing aids in the past three years, and lab-tested the features of 44 hearing aids to learn more about the following challenges.
What are the differences between ophthalmologist, optometrist, and an optician?
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