In the first week of April, the administration of the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) proposed suspending 13 programs, which included the court reporting and captioning program (see Edmonton’s Journal article by clicking here). Some members at this meeting felt they did not have enough information to make an informed decision, so the vote on this motion was postponed until Friday, April 16, 2010.

News of the possible closure of the only publicly funded court reporting/captioning school in Canada spread quickly. During the week of April 12-16, 2010, the Alberta Shorthand Reporters Association (ASRA) initiated a letter-writing campaign in support of the court reporting program. More than 400 letters were received in support of the program from lawyers, judges, CART and captioning consumers, members of the hard of hearing and Deaf communities, court reporters, NAIT program alumni, firm owners, staff from disability offices, other provincial professional court reporting associations, and representatives of the National Court Reporters Association, to name a few.

On Friday, April 16, a peaceful support rally was organized by ASRA (Alberta Shorthand Reporters Association) and CHHA (Canadian Hard of Hearing Association) outside the NAIT Governors Boardroom, where the vote at the NAIT Administration Meeting was taking place on whether NAIT would suspend the 13 programs. This vote was turned down at that time, and the group decided to evaluate each program to be cut over the next six months on its own merits.

The court reporting and captioning program will continue in September, and the current first-year students will continue into a second year. Currently, the program has a full quota and a waiting list of prospective students registered to begin their first year in the program starting in September.

As a result of NAIT?s restructuring, the program will have a new chair.

The NAIT Advisory Board Meeting originally scheduled for Friday, May 28, was postponed until the fall. As a result of this, ASRA scheduled a meeting of concerned program stakeholders for Friday, May 28, at an off-NAIT location. Members shared information, made recommendations, and planned further actions. ASRA is awaiting further information before deciding its next course of action. ASRA has offered to assist NAIT in any way to help in the restructuring transition, in program changes, and improvements for future success of the program.

HOW YOU CAN HELP – Write a letter to your local Member of Parliament asking them to keep the CART program of instruction in Canada (NAIT).

From an updated version for British Columbia, have a look on page 9 for available funding sources (which there is not much unfortunately!). Click this document in PDF Format!

Ottawa, July 29 -The Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (CHHA) wishes to acknowledge the ruling by the CRTC brought down on July 21, 2009.

The Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (CHHA) is the voice for Canadians who are hard of hearing. It is the only national not-for-profit consumer driven organization that advocates for the needs of the over 3 million Canadians experiencing hearing loss. More than ten per cent (10%) of Canada’s population is hard of hearing, and for senior citizens age 65 and above this figure increases to 40%. A hearing disability has a serious impact on the quality of life of the person experiencing it, and may result in low self esteem, social isolation and anxiety or depression. It also has a significant impact on everyone who comes into contact with a person who is coping with hearing loss, such as family members, friends, teachers, co-workers and employers.

CHHA was created in 1982 by a group of dedicated individuals, many of whom still remain active in the organization today. These individuals envisioned an organization that would be a leader in raising awareness, advocating and supporting Canadians living with hearing loss. CHHA has successfully built a network across Canada that includes nine provincial Chapters and 50 local and regional Branches serving close to 3000 members.

From the CHHA perspective we want to bring to the attention of the CRTC our appreciation for all the work and support the Commission undertakings have demonstrated to help the needs of the hard of hearing community. CHHA fully supports the following initiatives:

• All Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs) and Voice Over Internet (VoIP) Protocol providers will be required by July 21, 2010 to provide a relay service 24 hours a day; 7 days a week similar to the TTY relay service currently provided by telephone companies. CHHA acknowledges that this is a necessary advancement to meet the communications needs of hard of hearing Canadians. We look forward to its implementation.
• In the future all Broadcasters are required to provide closed captioning for all promos, advertising and overnight programs along with the 100% of the daytime programs currently in place. Therefore access has to be provided 24hours a day, 7 days a week! It has also been determined that the French Broadcasting networks must now provide captioning to the new standard imposed on the English Broadcasting networks as well. We are pleased to see that the Commission has stated that renewal of Broadcast licences will be subject to compliance. This is an excellent step forward!

However CHHA would like to comment on the following items in the new ruling that are of concern to our stakeholders.

• All IP services (Internet Providers) are required to make accessible 9-1-1- services, however there are no standards set to make available services to persons with hearing loss. The IP providers are required to file a report by Jan 21, 2010 on benefits uses and limitations on such services. CHHA hopes that IP providers will work with the hard of hearing community to achieve positive results so that our stakeholders can have access to emergency 9-1-1 services.
• All IP providers are required to improve accessibility of call centres to all Canadians however the course of action recommended is not specific enough and voluntary standards were not successful in the past, therefore more vigorous standards are needed. It is our view that these call centres need more specific direction and that a real-time text communication system would be the ideal solution.
• Broadcast providers will need to provide information on all products and services that are accessible to the hard of hearing via the telephone, web or television by July 2010. However it has not been stated clearly how the providers will comply.

CHHA wants the Service Providers to recognize the fact that our stakeholders are hard of hearing Canadians who can provide support in the area of testing of products or services when they become available. Due to our expertise and consumer access, CHHA is anticipating that service providers will consult with CHHA to help determine the appropriate formats and accessibility alternatives before making a decision. CHHA is encouraged by the 100% requirement for Broadcast captioning 24 hours a day and that this ruling will be monitored and enforced.

CHHA has in the past been part of a Working Group reviewing caption issues and we anticipate we will be given the opportunity to help determine the assessment of pop-ups versus rolls-ups for the delivering of captioning. CHHA believes that a National standard for closed, open and blocked captioning needs to be established so that all broadcasting networks can deliver uniformity and consistency in the services provided.

CHHA is both encouraged and delighted with the determination and devotion set out by the CRTC to find appropriate solutions to meet the accessibility needs of Canadians who are hard of hearing.

With increased usage of portable music devices, both adults and youth alike are becoming more susceptible to potential premature hearing loss. The following outlines possible risks and preventative measures that can be taken to help prevent permanent hearing loss.

While it is not a widespread epidemic, tinnitus is one of the possible side effects of exposure to the loud music heard from portable listening devices. Tinnitus is a ringing or buzzing heard in the ears or head on a regular basis, and is often the result of exposure to loud noises. At the same time, it is even possible to experience partial or full hearing loss, as a result of this exposure. This is not to say that people need to quit listening to the music they enjoy. There are a few simple steps that can significantly reduce the risk in listening to a portable music player.

1. Turn it down. Most people attempt to block out the surrounding noise by turning up the volume. A general rule of thumb is when you can’t hear that noise anymore, it’s too loud.

2. Reevaluate your headphones. Ear bud headphones are more damaging to your ears than an over-the-ear style headphone. The proximity of the noise to the inner ear canal with ear buds creates a higher intensity. Ear buds often require louder volumes to block out that ambient noise as well. Over-the-ear style headphones come in a variety of styles, and are also available in what is called isolation, or noise cancellation headphones. These headphones are designed to filter background noise, allowing the listener to enjoy his or her music at a safer level.

3. Limit exposure time. If you are going to listen to loud volumes, keep in mind that for every volume increase of 3 dB, listening time should be cut if half. If you just can’t turn it down, turn it off for awhile. Avoid exposure to other loud noises such as the lawnmower or hairdryer, and enjoy some peace and quiet.

4. Examine other options. For iPod listeners specifically, ‘limiter’ software can be downloaded from Apple’s website. The limiter on your device restricts the volume to a maximum of 115 dB at its peak. As Dr. Chasin of the Musicians’ Clinic of Canada indicates, this is a very good strategy and smart move in order to protect listeners.

It is important to understand that these steps do not eliminate the risk completely and that prolonged exposure to any loud volumes does carry the risk of potential hearing loss. Like any preventative measures, some work better for certain individuals than others, and as such it is important to find the method that works best for you.

The goal at CHHA is to raise awareness of the hard of hearing community and educate individuals about hearing loss. To learn more about the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association, and issues such as personal portable music devices, call Voice: 604 795-9238 Toll-Free: 1-866-888-2442 (In BC Only).

This Press Release is from CHHA National Office, Ottawa, Ontario. All rights reserved

With increased playing time, easy portability, higher peak decibel levels, and rapid growth in popularity, the portable personal music player has become a ticking time bomb for potential premature hearing loss. While precautions can be taken to handle the risk of damage, those unaware of how damaging their listening habits are may be less likely to change their behavior.

Experts argue that we are not stumbling on some new phenomena that is going to create pandemonium. What we are seeing is a resurfacing of the concerns raised in the 1980’s when Sony put out the “Walkman”. The ‘90’s brought us the “Discman” and now, the millennium has graced us with the “iPod” and many other MP3 players available on the consumer market. The changes in technology have allowed consumers to listen to their devices anywhere, for longer amounts of time, at increased volumes.

Even though information as surfaced regarding the potential harm of personal devices, studies have shown that both adults and youth are not likely to change their listening habits. According to one study conducted by Zogby International for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), half of all youth and adults polled said they are not concerned with potential hearing loss, and approximately the same amount indicated they had no intention of taking preventative measures.

Dr. Marshall Chasin, AuD., M.Sc., Reg. CASLPO, Aud(C ), an Audiologist and Director of Auditory Research at the Musicians’ Clinics of Canada, indicates that the peak decibel (dB) level of these portable devices is approximately 136dB. However, depending on the style of headphones used in conjunction with the device, maximum output can reach anywhere from 50-140dB. To put that in perspective, 140dB is equivalent to a gunshot or firecracker. Listening to 80-85 dB (equivalent to an alarm clock, or telephone dial tone) for approximately 40 hours per week is safe without the worry of inflicting damage. However, for every 3 dB increase in the volume, the safe exposure time is cut in half. That’s a lot of damage potential in a very short period of time.

While research to suggest that age does not affect an individual’s susceptibility is limited, children nowadays are more likely to be exposed to personal music devices early on. As a result, the exposure is increased substantially from what it was for their predecessors. Children are more likely to get into the habit of relying on the portable players than their parents. Still, anyone is just as likely to suffer from the risks of loud noise. Remember, it’s not important who you are and what you listen to, but how you listen to it, when you listen to it, and at what volume.

The goal at CHHA is to raise awareness of the hard of hearing community and educate individuals about hearing loss. To learn more about the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association, and issues such as personal portable music devices, call Voice: 604 795-9238 Toll-Free: 1-866-888-2442 (In BC Only).

This Press Release is from CHHA National Office, Ottawa, Ontario. All rights reserved

There is a new service being provided by Telus (and perhaps other carriers). It is called Visual Voice Mail.

Telus describes it as:

“Don’t worry about missing important messages when you are unable to answer your phone. With TELUS Visual Voice Mail, there’s no need to dial in to pick up your messages, you just read them on screen.

Read it instead of listening to it

Visual Voice Mail converts your voice mail messages to text and delivers them straight to you as SMS or email within minutes. The converted message will include the phone number of the caller embedded in the text.

Keep record of your voice mail.

You can view all of your messages in one convenient inbox and have a visual record of who called and what they said. ”

Telus provides this service for a monthly fee of $7.50. However it is currently being offered for a free 30 day trial.

This is the link to the information.

or you can call: 1 800 316 0979 or Visit your nearest store

Comments from WIDHH staff using this service already:

“It works well except if a person does not speak clearly when they leave a msg, a word will either be skipped or spelled phonetically. Also, if the voice message is long, it will cut out some of the mssage and leave a request for you to call and listen to the rest of the message.”

If you are using this system – we would like to hear how it is working for you. If there are tips on using the system effectively – we’d like to hear about that as well.

Reprinted from WIDHH’s Blog – http://widhh.blogspot.com/2008/10/visual-voice-mail-voice-to-text.html

There are so many cellphones on the market these days, it can be overwhelming when it comes to finding a phone appropriate for you. Following are some tips on what to look for in a cellphone so that it will be hearing aid compatible.

Look for a Cellphone with a rating of AT LEAST M3/T3

In the US all cellphones are tested for hearing aid compatibility. The M# represents how well the cellphone will work with a hearing aid in microphone mode. M1 is the lowest rating and is an indication of high interference. M4 is the highest rating and indicates low interference.

The T# rating represents how well the cellphone will work with a heairng aid in T-Coil mode. Again T1 is the lowest rating and T4 is the highest..

The whereabouts of this information differs with all cellphone manufacturers. Commonly it can be found on the display card next to the device, on the product packaging, or in the phone manual. Some websites such as PhoneScoop maintain a database of this information. (note: when you go to the website, type in the name of the phone in the Jump to a phone box – top right of main screen. When the phone information comes up scroll down to features and click on ‘show missing features’. You will find the M/T rating under Accessibility, Hearing Aid Compatible)

Choose a Provider that Uses CDMA rather than GSM.

In Canada, both Telus and Bell operate on the CDMA network. Rogers, Fido and all other carriers operate on the GSM network. Phones connected to the CDMA network will interfere less with your hearing aid.

Choose a “Flip” Style Phone

A cellphone’s antenna is a significant source of interference. Generally speaking, the antenna on a flip phone will be positioned farther from the speaker than on a candy bar phone. Be wary of phones with no visible antenna.

Find a Phone with a Smaller LCD Screen

The screen is also a significant source of interference. Often phones with very large or multiple LCD screens (such as iPhones etc)will have low M# ratings. Look for a phone with one small screen.

Be Mindful of the Cellphone’s Outer Casing

There is a growing trend towards manufacturing metallic phones. The idea being that a metal phone is stronger when dropped than a plastic phone. While this is all well and good, metal phones will not work as well with your hearing aid.

Try Before You Buy

In the US it is mandatory that all phone retailers have a ‘live’ phone in store for you to try. Unfortunately, this is not the case in Canada. Still, many retailers will have working phones to demo.

Test that the volume is adequate, and that you can hear clearly on microphone and T-Coil modes.

Know the Return Policy

In store testing is no substitute for the real world. Be sure to try the phone in a variety of listening situations: at home; in the car; at a noisy restaurant etc.

Usually the return policy is based on both days and usage. Ensure that you have adequate time to do your own testing, and can exchange the phone if it is unsuitable for your needs.

Look for a Headset Jack and Bluetooth Connectivity

There are several accessories designed to assist you in hearing on a cellphone. Almost all of these rely on either a 2.5mm headset jack or Bluetooth connection. If your phones has these useful features, you will have a lot more options to assist you.

Two of the most common accessories that you can plug into the 2.5mm jack are:
1. Silhouette cord – a small thin piece of plastic is worn behind your ear, beside your behind-the-ear hearing aid. It emits a magnetic field and transmits the signal from the phone to your hearing aid when the hearing aid is on the t-coil setting. The silhouette cord has a microphone for handsfree operation.
2. Neckloop – a ‘necklace’ style cord you wear around your neck. The neckloop emits a magnetic field and transmits the signal from the phone to your hearing aid while the hearing aid is on the t-coil mode. The neckloop as a microphone for handsfree operation. Note custom hearing aids with t-coils are not always stong enough to use with a neckloop – you may have better success with a silhouette cord in these cases.

Reprinted from WIDHH’s Blog – http://widhh.blogspot.com/2008/09/how-to-buy-hearing-aid-compatible.html

Due to the prevalence of noise in today’s society, the number of people with hearing loss is expected to grow faster than the rate of increase of the senior population itself.

A Canadian Hearing Society Awareness survey indicated five years ago that 25 per cent of people with hearing loss are under 40, and 70 per cent are under 60.

The average age of those experiencing hearing loss was 51. And 16 per cent of 6 to 19 year olds have early signs of hearing loss at the range most affected by loud sounds. And it’s only going to get worse. Victoria McLeod, an audiology manager with ReSound Canada in Toronto, said she is seeing a definite change in the numbers. “Ten years ago most people coming in were in their 70s. Now it’s people in their 50s and 60s – some are even in their 30s.”

She added that studies have indicated that untreated hearing loss can also lead to a number of long-term side-effects, including depression and accelerated dementia.

The fact is, listening to any sound at 85 decibels or higher for a prolonged period of time can cause permanent damage to hearing. The maximum safe exposure time to 120 decibels is eight seconds. The problem is there is a raft of activities in our everyday lives that exceed those noise levels.

For example, an average conversation takes place at around 60 decibels. Standing on a downtown street corner in rush hour, you’re probably exposed to about 85 to 90 decibels. While using an electric hair dryer or pushing a gas lawnmower, you’re well into the danger zone at 90-plus decibels. At peak levels, iPods can hit volumes of 120 decibels, which is louder than a chainsaw or jackhammer. Music in dance clubs can peak as high as 150 decibels. Ian Murray, a hearing instrument specialist at the Robillard hearing Aid Centres in Ottawa, said that even 30 seconds at a venue at 100 decibels – well below the level created by a single leaf blower, let alone a stack of high-powered speakers – can cause permanent hearing loss.

Since avoiding noise is not always an option in this day and age, what can people do to stop the spiraling trend to high frequency hearing loss? It’s all pretty easy, said Murray. Plug your ears. If you’re working with a skill saw, lawn mower or leaf blower, just go to your local hardware store first and buy a $15 pair of cheap sound-blocking ear protectors, said Murray. “You might just be doing a few cuts, but with hearin g loss, the damage is cumulative. Each half hour of extreme noise adds up.”

As Ferguson notes that when it comes to earplugs, there’s a disconnect between what we know, and what we are willing to do. “Musicians on stage will be wearing specially designed earplugs, but the fans aren’t. A parent will wear hearing protection in an occupational setting and then use a leaf blower or go to a concert and not wear a thing.” When you’re using an iPod or other personal music player, keep the volume levels reasonable. The informal rule of thumb is the 60/60 rule: volume should be at no more than 60 per cent for more than 60 minutes at a time.

Make sure children are appropriately protected from nearby sounds, too. The effects are cumulative for them, too. Also, don’t be afraid to get your hearing checked regularly. There are now retail outlets and kiosks that provide hearing testing services. If you find an infection is affecting your hearing, get to a doctor right away. In some cases, a steroid treatment can fix the problem before hearing loss sets in.

And if you are diagnosed with hearing loss, don’t wait years to get hearing aids. Murray said it can take people years after diagnosis to take the plunge. But given the slick, new high-tech hearing devices that are now available – including Bluetooth-enabled headsets that allow you to use cell phones and music players – there are no more excuses for not hearing the world around you properly.

You can visit the Medindia website at: www.medindia.com.

Reprinted from: MedIndia, May 30, 2007. All rights reserved

To begin with, hearing takes place in the brain. The ear itself is a mechanical-electrical device not unlike a microphone. It receives the sound vibrations from around us and converts them via a multi-stage process into electrical signals that are conveyed to the brain via the auditory nerve. It is a complex system that works synergistically with all of our other senses and provides us with the ability to interpret the world around us.

This complex process, even in the most difficult listening situations give us remarkable abilities to suppress noise, focus on sounds of interest, recognize voices of people we know, and identify an humongous catalogue of sounds that have been filed away in our brains beginning from the time we were born and perhaps even before. It does all of this in fractions of a second.

Unfortunately, hearing loss impairs some of these abilities and affects individuals differently depending upon many factors. Hearing loss can happen at any age and from a wide variety of causes. Congenital hearing loss in children can delay the development of speech and can result in social and educational difficulties. Hereditary hearing loss can show up at any age as can other causes, such as, excessive noise exposure, head trauma and inner ear damage from infections or taking ototoxic medications.

When hearing loss occurs relationships can begin to suffer. There is frequently a misunderstanding about hearing loss, not only by most hearing persons, but by those who suffer from the disability. It is often interpreted as being rude, unfriendly, or even a sign of mental confusion or dementia. It can be called an “invisible disability” and, as such, family, friends and co-workers do not understand the impact it has on the life of the hearing impaired individual. Consequently, they do not know what is needed to make communication easier. To complicate the matter further, many in the early stages of hearing loss fail to recognize what is happening. They are said to be in denial. Can you deny something you don’t know you have? Just asking! The problem generally becomes noticeable at work or when a family member or friend complains about the difficulty in communicating.

Common misconceptions are that hearing aids restore normal hearing or that louder is better. In cases of mild hearing loss this may be partially true, however, in the moderate to severe cases of sensorineural hearing loss, cochlear damage has taken place and making them louder does not restore the missing sounds. Clarity is the issue and appropriately fitted hearing aids along with the right attitude, learned coping strategies and use of other assistive listening devices can help to manage the hearing loss and improve the quality of life for the hearing impaired person and those around them.

How a person feels about their hearing loss and how well they manage their needs are the keys to being successful. The first step is acceptance that there is a problem. This needs to be recognized by all concerned. Communication is a two way process. Patience and understanding are necessary. Certain accommodations are also necessary. Don’t try to communicate from different rooms. Get the attention of the hearing impaired person before beginning to speak. Ensure that you are facing each other. When necessary, make sure that the environment is conducive to good communication by getting away from noise and ensuring adequate lighting. Courtesy, patience and understanding on both sides will lead to less stress and a more enjoyable life.

Reprinted from North Shore Newsletter, June 2007 Edition. All rights reserved

Young adults dealing with hearing loss have had many challenges as they come to an age of maturity. As “[h]earing or not hearing is not a superficial difference” (ww.alldeaf.com), many people may not realize the trauma associated with living with a hearing family, going to school, and looking for a job. A hearing loss is considered to be a challenge throughout one’s life.

It’s always good to accomplish a healthy relationship with your family. However being part of a family, who are all hearing, is difficult for a hard of hearing (HOH) persons. In brief, HOH persons always become dependent on family members though they would rather be independent. By asking for all this extra support, they can offend other family members. For example, their hearing siblings may become jealous of them, because they need the extra help and guidance. Most hearing siblings tend to stick together, while an HOH person is left out most of the time. When they get older, they connect better with the family and become more independent. If they are lucky enough to be a part of a loving family, their parents and siblings are proud of them and their many accomplishments.

Education is a necessity in a HOH person’s life. Their education starts with elementary and continues through to post-secondary. In elementary school, an HOH person is a very shy and quiet. Yet when they make friends they feel safe and come out of their shell. When junior and senior high school begins that’s when their self-esteem can hit rock bottom. When a non HOH teen looks at someone who is different from them they tend to tease and bully that person. When this happens the HOH person feels non-special and powerless. An example of this is when they have school projects they have to work in a group. A HOH person prefers to work by themselves as a hearing person doesn’t like working with a HOH person. This behaviour may continue to the end of the high school years which makes it very difficult for a HOH person to contribute to and be a part of group projects. After graduation post-secondary starts and unless they remain committed and have not become jaded by their years of education they enter a new phase in their learning. Many HOH persons may take a year off as they are feeling anxious about entering a learning environment. What the HOH person doesn’t realize is that in post-secondary a non HOH person is generally more considerate and understanding to a HOH person, as they have matured and are more accepting of others. Another benefit for the HOH person in post-secondary education is the amount of services provided on campus.

In order to obtain a good education to further their careers the HOH person must be financially secure. The HOH person experiences discrimination in their efforts to find gainful employment. To find a job an HOH person must go through certain stages. The first stage is talking to an employment counsellor or for special help a disability counsellor. This counsellor will help them to decide what kind of occupation they are looking for and will offer excellent advice. Stage two is checking out the resources available (ex…newspapers, phone books) this also includes networking. Networking is one of the best resources. The third stage is looking for a job. This requires a lot of preparation and patience. The HOH person experiences discrimination by an employer because they are hearing impaired. Discrimination means “unfavourable treatment based on racial, sexual, or prejudice” (The Oxford Dictionary). As soon a HOH person tells people that they have a hearing loss immediately they are looked upon as being stupid and are no longer paid attention to. No matter how much they are discriminated upon they shouldn’t give up finding a job. There are really cruel and nasty employers, but there are also caring and kind employers. The main factor in looking for a job is to keep trying and never give up no matter how difficult it is.

In conclusion, there is really no difference between a non HOH and HOH person. They are all smart, gifted and talented in different ways. They have to accept themselves for who they are. There were many different topics chosen for this article including family, education and employment. In each of these areas, there is a challenge for each and every one of us who are hearing impaired. It’s a challenge being HOH, but we are strong and brave, therefore we never quit.