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Even if you don’t have a hearing loss: |
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You probably care about someone who does |
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Your odds of having a hearing loss in the future
are pretty good. |
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How We
Hear |
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Understanding Hearing Loss |
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Getting
Help |
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Getting
Good |
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Technical Solutions |
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Hearing
Loss Association of America |
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Whisper to Jet Plane (1 : 1,000,000) |
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Rumble to a Sizzle (20 to 20,000 Hz) |
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Localization |
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Know Where Sound is Coming From |
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Automatically Suppress Unwanted Sound |
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Lose some sounds (usually consonants) |
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Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) |
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Can’t Hear in Noise |
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Loss of Localization |
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Don’t Know Where Sound is Coming From |
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Can’t Suppress Unwanted Sounds |
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Can Affect Your Life |
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Can Affect Those Around You |
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U.S. population 270+ million |
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2 million Deaf |
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26 million Hard of Hearing |
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1 of every 10 people has a hearing loss |
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Over age 65, 1 in every 3 persons has some
degree of hearing loss |
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80% of hard of hearing people are in denial |
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Sadness and depression |
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Worry and anxiety |
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Paranoia |
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Less social activity |
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Emotional turmoil and insecurity |
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Source: National Council on the Aging, May 1999 |
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Better relationships with their families |
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Better feelings about themselves |
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Improved mental health |
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Greater independence and security |
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Source: National Council on the Aging, May 1999 |
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Common Audiogram Curves |
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High Frequency Loss (Ski Slope) |
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Low Frequency Loss (Reverse Ski Slope) |
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Mid-range Loss (Cookie Bite) |
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Flat Loss |
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Sensorineural, Conductive, Mixed |
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Timing Gradual/Sudden/Fluctuating |
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Acoustic Trauma (Noise) |
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Age related |
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Genetic |
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Ototoxic Drugs |
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Illness (examples) |
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Autoimmune Disease |
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Meniere’s Syndrome |
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Acoustic Neuromas |
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Audiologist |
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CCCA |
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AuD |
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Ear Doctor |
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ENT |
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Otologist |
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Otolaryngologist |
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Otorhynolaryngologist |
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HLAA (www.hearingloss.org) |
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Internet (handout) |
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Web Pages |
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Listserves/Groups/Bulletin Boards/Chat Sessions |
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DSDHH (most states have programs for Deaf and
Hard of Hearing) |
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Regional Resource Centers |
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Equipment Distribution |
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Assistive Technology Program (all states have) |
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Equipment Demonstration |
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Free Consultations |
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You have a hearing loss: Get Over It! |
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Polish Your Coping Skills |
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Help Your Friends and Family |
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Buy and Learn How to Use Hearing Aids |
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Take Advantage of Assistive Technology |
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Pass on What You Learn |
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Advocate |
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Don’t Bluff |
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Explain, Don’t Just Say “Huh” |
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Choose Your Situation (noise/position/lighting) |
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Plan Ahead |
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Confirm Understanding |
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Keep Your Sense of Humor |
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(See Detailed Tips on Handout) |
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Microphone/Amplifier/Speaker |
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Selectively Make Things Louder |
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Can Make a Huge Difference |
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Won’t Completely Correct Your Hearing |
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You’ll Likely Still Have Trouble |
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In Noise |
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At a Distance |
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Audiologists/Hearing Aid Dealers |
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Facilities |
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Joint with Dr’s Office vs. Private Practices |
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“House Brands” vs. Multi-Brand |
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Big Box Stores |
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Web |
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Fitting is an art … not like glasses |
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At least 30 day trial period |
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Your #1 PRIORITY is Better Hearing |
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Basic Styles |
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BTE |
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ITE |
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ITC |
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CIC |
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Middle Ear Implantable |
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Bone Conduction/BAHA |
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CROS/BiCROS |
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Disposable |
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Volume Control |
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Telecoil |
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Multiple Microphones (Noise Control) |
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Programmable |
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Feedback Control |
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Compression/Clipping |
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Digital vs. Analog |
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Direct Audio Input |
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Remote Controls |
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FM |
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Surgically Placed Electrode |
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Directly Stimulates Cochlea |
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External Processor with Microphone |
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Only for VERY Serious Losses |
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Amazing Successes |
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Some Moderate Successes |
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Very Few Complete Failures |
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Most Likely Destroys Residual Hearing |
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Transmission |
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Hard Wired |
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Magnetic (loop) |
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FM |
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IR |
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User Interface |
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Headphones |
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NeckLoop and Silhouette |
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Direct Audio Input (DAI) |
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Hearing Aid Compatible (HAC) |
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CallerID |
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Volume Control |
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Ringer Volume Control |
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High Frequency Boost |
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Flashing Lights |
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Jack (for ALDs) |
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FM and Bluetooth |
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Flashers for Doorbell and Phone |
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Baby Criers |
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Vibrating Alerters and Bed Shakers |
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Alarm Clocks (Loud, Vibrating, Light Flashing) |
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Fire Alarms with Strobe Lights |
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Captions |
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Closed |
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Open |
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Subtitles |
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Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA),
formerly Self Help for Hard of Hearing People (SHHH) |
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A new organization (started 1979). |
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A new name (starting in 2006) |
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Mission: to open the world of communication to
hard of hearing people by providing education, information, support, and
advocacy. |
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Grassroots network of over 250 chapters/groups
across U.S. |
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HLAA (the National Organization) |
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Education and Advocacy |
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$25 Membership (Join at www.hearingloss.org) |
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Great Magazine and National Convention |
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Discounts |
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HLA-xx (where xx = State Abbreviation) |
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State-Level Associations of HLAA |
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Coordination and Advocacy at the State Level |
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Established in many states, now |
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Local Chapters |
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In many cities across the country |
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Real “End-User” Support through volunteers |
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Hearing loss in general |
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Latest developments in hearing aids, Cochlear
Implants and assistive technologies |
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Latest advances in medical research |
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Relevant legislative issues |
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Getting your life back |
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Helping yourself … and others |
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Formed in early 80’s |
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Averages about 40 members |
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All volunteer |
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No dues; everyone welcome |
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Funded by Donations (including SAS) |
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Meets monthly |
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Third Thursday every month |
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Cary Senior Center |
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Never Been a Better Time to be HoH! |
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There’s plenty of help; you’re not alone. |
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Only you can accept that help |
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It can improve your life |
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It can put you back in control |
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Isn’t it time? |
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Questions and
Answers |
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