September 2005 archive

Safer Cochlear Implant Surgery

Forbes.com reports that researchers have developed a safer and less invasive method for doing implant surgery. The procedure doesn’t call for a large scalp ear flap like the current approach does. Another advantage is that the implant is turned on sooner as there is less trauma from the surgery. I wish I knew what from …

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BBC2 thriller set to blast off

C21Media reports Soundproof, a TV special will air in 2006. In the movie, the main character is deaf and a suspect in a murder. The police bring in a sign language interpreter to help questioning the suspect and the suspect falls in love with her. Apparently, there is a series with the same name — …

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Inaccessible Travel

According to TravelBite, 25 percent of people with disabilities didn’t travel in 2004 due to the lack of accommodations. I recently wrote about a little kink in my recent trip, but accommodating me is less complicated than for those getting around in wheelchairs especially when it comes to airplane toilets. Heck, those toilets are difficult …

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Speech and Listening Therapy Update 1

My teeth are buzzing after working for an hour on the “Z” sound in the middle and end of words. I had no idea, after all these years, that the letter “S” sounds like a “Z” in a lot of instances. Has, is, eyes, bills, visitors, figures, and so on. I knew words like was, …

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Bluetooth for Hearing Aids

NYTimes reports on Bluetooth, a hearing aid add on that allows hearing aids to connect with the cell phone’s Bluetooth. It’s supposed to reduce feedback noise that often accompanies hearing devices when making phone calls. The device costs $300. It’s bad enough hearing devices cost over a thousand dollars and many people can’t afford that. …

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Evacuation Notice for Deaf from Gulf Coast area

Shelter notice for Deaf Service Accessibility Deaf Evacuees recommended to go to Austin for shelter in area. Exact Official Shelter Location is not yet decided, but assumed and hoped to be Delco Center Convention Center. Austin area is now organizing Deaf Services to be in shelter for Deaf/Hard of Hearing evacuees. Deaf/HOH Services are planned …

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Deaf Oscars

This week is Deaf Awareness Week. First I’ve heard about it, but that’s right. I helped with Deaf Awareness Week in Washington, DC when I worked for the government and it was this time of the year. As part of the week, the winners of the New Zealand Deaf Film Competition have been announced.

Speech and Listening Therapy

Frustrated with the lack of progress with my cochlear implant, I contacted the person who has been working with me on the MAPping for advice. She responded with two suggestions: 1. Come in for a re-MAPping session 2. Speech and listening therapy She said she can provide recommendations for therapists and I requested them. One …

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Habla español

I took my first Spanish class in 5th grade, I think. I remember the teacher’s face clearly and that the class was in a temporary building outside. Like a trailer with noisy ventilation. I don’t remember much of the experience. I took another class in 6th grade as it was a requirement of magnet students. …

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Hurricane Updates

Many stories have come to the forefront regarding people who are deaf and have been impacted by the hurricane. According to WHAM-TV, the Louisiana deaf community has 9,000 people and it was a frustrating and scary time for them. They couldn’t hear what was going on like the others could. Imagine being deaf AND blind …

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