High Tech in the House
House Ear Institute (HEI) unveiled two new projects related to hearing health. The Hearing Aid Assessment Project matches an individual with the best option through a series of assessment tools and procedures in an effort to increase hearing aid use and decrease the number of hearing aids left unused in dresser drawers. The second project is a high-tech hearing loss solution still some time from completion. The NanoEAR is a prosthetic device that could eliminate hearing loss through a combination of tissue engineering and nanotechnology. NanoEAR would be distinct from cochlear implant technology in that it would perform the functions of the entire cochlea, rather than simulate the function of its sensory cells. NanoEAR would eliminate the need for batteries and visible external components. For more information about either of these projects, call 800.388.8612 or visit www.hei.org.
Hearing Aids on a Budget
Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) and Rexton, Inc., are offering two digital hearing aids for low-income people with hearing loss through Lions hearing programs and Lions Clubs. An audiologist tests the patient, makes ear molds, programs the hearing aids and provides follow-up visits. Local Lions Clubs make agreements with local audiologists regarding fees for service and either pay directly or find another source to finance them. Eligibility information and more about the hearing aids offered through the program can be found on the LCIF Web site, www.lcif.org. Click on “Grants and Programs.”
One Million Children Left Behind?
A new study called “Are One Million Dependents in America with Hearing Loss Being Left Behind?” conducted by the Better Hearing Institute revealed that an estimated 1.4 million youth in the United States have a hearing loss but only 12 percent wear hearing devices. This affects children’s social skills, grades and language development, as well as emotional health and self-esteem. The sample for the study included the parents of 225 youth from infancy to age 21 at a national level, all of whom were reported to have hearing loss by their parents. For more information or to download a copy of the study, visit www.betterhearing.org and search the title of the study.
Captioning News
The National Park Service has announced that all its audio-visual media must be open captioned and not limited to closed captioning.
Apple announced in January a new AppleTV that supports closed captioned playback. Current AppleTV owners can benefit from the service by downloading a software update. Also from Apple, many iTunes movies for rent and purchase now have closed captioning. For more, visit www.apple. com/accessibility.
