Rocker Townshend cautions iPod users on hearing loss to turn down their MP3 players otherwise to avoid damaging their hearing. According to the article, Townhend’s hearing loss is from wearing earphones in the recording studio not from The Who’s loud concerts.
There’s a comment from someone who probably didn’t read the article closely as the comment focuses on loud concerts instead of earphones.
My daughter got an iPod and I’ve told her about the reported dangers of playing it too loud. I hope she listened this time…
The Who's Townshend on iPod and Hearing
Pets Find Homes
What a nice story to close the year especially since I’ve been reading a lot about abandoned pets lately. Inside Bay Area reports on the top ten chubby, deaf, and blind pets who found homes in 2005. Big thanks to those owners who took them in. I’d say this is a good way to end another year. Here’s to a happy and healthy new year to the dogs, their new families, and everyone.
Theaters Improving for People with Disabilities
Theaters improve for disabled people reports that New York approved agreements for 140 theaters to provide listening devices that work with hearing aids while 38 theaters will provide captioning.
The article has an excellent photo of the rear window set up, although I never could get mine to sit up that straight. The arm of the window is bendable and in some positions, it just flops and can’t hold.
Two Deaf Hounds Need Homes
From DeafNetwork: Oobi & Millie: http://www.houndrescue.com – under Available dogs in Austin.
Oobi was going to be gassed just because he was deaf. We rescued him from the kill shelter. He is currently in North Carolina and will be transported to Dallas soon.
Millie is currently staying in a foster care in Austin.
If interested, please email Julie at jlministries777@yahoo.com or Amy Smith at amy@houndrescue.com.
Good golly! Thank goodness there are kind people like these folks to save these dogs.
Narnia with Rear Window
Shared my experience with seeing a movie with Rear Window. I went back to the movies and saw Chronicles of Narnia with my older two kids. The experience was better this time, but it took about 10 minutes of adjusting to get it just right. At first, the captions were crooked. Then, eureka! Put the window just below the screen in the black area and I won’t have trouble reading the captions even when something light appears on the screen.
I got it just right where the captions were neither too far left nor too far right. A guy behind me started signing to me about the rear window. I couldn’t figure out the signs and usually I can get the gist of it. Then he asked his friend to talk to me. I told them to get the window viewer from the front desk.
Deaf Enjoy Music Concerts
Wireless FM devices a dream for the deaf as they have handheld device-sized receivers that enable them to hear the music and lyrics. The article explains why it works better.
What makes the Mikroport System 2015 unique is a special priority circuit that lowers the sensitivity of the hearing aid microphones when the audio signal is received, helping to optimize speech accuracy and sound clarity.
Deaf Dogs Needing Homes
From Deaf Network of Texas:
Other dogs
I’ve been working with Cathy who owns Deaf Paws Haven. She is looking for homes for a few deaf dogs that she rescued from shelters because some were going to be put to sleep just because they were deaf and she saved their lives to give them a chance to live a full live in a good home. You would not believe that “deaf” is a death sentence for the deaf dogs. Owners would dump them after finding out they are deaf.
If you are interested in adopting a dog, we will work on getting the dog to you. Please contact Cathy at deafpaws@yahoo.com, if you’re interested. Yes, she is deaf herself.
Another link: DeafDogs.org
Airport Installs Video Monitors
As a result of a lawsuit, SFO (San Francisco International Airport) to install video monitors for deaf, hearing impaired. It doesn’t say how the videos will work, but I assume that text will appear. 80 videos is a lot and is expensive especially for larger airports like DFW and Chicago’s O’Hare as they would need more than 80 to ensure coverage in all areas where passengers go.
When I travel, I check with the employee at the ticket desk for updates. I’ve never had a problem in all the times I’ve traveled alone.
I think the most challenging situation would be if I were transfering to another flight. But I usually check with the flight attendant. I think once I had trouble finding the baggage claim as the signs were lousy or the baggage area didn’t indicate which flight’s baggage was coming on which carousel.
International travel… now that’s another story.
Bible Thumpers Come Knocking
Just a couple of weeks ago, I had my second visit from bible thumpers. The first was last summer and they showed up three times. It started out by them asking where I go for help and support. The gist of the conversation sounds like deaf people are isolated. While that’s true, we’re not hermits — at least, not most of us. At the end of the conversation (thought it’d never end), they gave me a brochure and off they went.
I looked at the brochure. They were Jehovah’s Witnesses. It was hard to tell them that I wasn’t interested as they were kind. Then they came back again. I listened to their spiel and did what I could to hurry the conversation. It wasn’t any of their business that I’m already a religious person of another faith and don’t plan or want to convert. They came back AGAIN, but my husband answered this time. I don’t know what he said to them, but he finally got the message across that we’re not interested.
Static poses risk to deaf children
According to this Boston Globe article, children have two choices. Play on the slide without sound or join recess with sound, but no slides. I guess that’s one benefit of growing up with a hearing aid and box. As a child, I slid my heart as I was lousy on the monkey bars.
Thank goodness static touch from other people doesn’t mess with the implant. Been getting serious shocks lately as the weather turns colder.