Listen Up!

October, 2009

Inside this Issue

Director's Corner

Thank you to everyone who has phoned or stopped by to welcome me to the Association for the Hearing Impaired, Inc. Members truly are the "heart" of this organization. Like many not-for-profits, the AFTHI faces complex challenges. Securing the funds that allow for us to continue to offer programs and provide services remains at the top of that list.

I have learned, over my many years as a Community Services Advocate, to never underestimate the power of networking. Listening to and learning from you our customers, clergy and business leaders, elected officials and human service professionals, veteran's organizations, educators and school officials from K - College and Adult Learners and finding innovative ways to reach out to those that still are not aware of the AFTHI will surely keep Kate and I busy.

For anyone who is interested in helping us plan for this year's AFTHI Holiday Party as well as for the 2010 Be A Hear-O Dinner Dance fund-raiser, meetings for both events will be scheduled in the very near future. Your assistance will be greatly appreciated!

Sincerely,

Bennet F. "Ben" Driscoll, Jr.

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New York Relay Outreach and Education


For a free presentation on how to call a Deaf, Hard of Hearing or Speech Disabled person through the relay, please call: 1-585-243-4880 (Voice) or 1-800-927-0282
TTY OR contact us at www.nyrelay.com.

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Your Membership Is Important!

Your 2009 Membership Dues are Due! Benefits of paying the membership:

The Association for the Hearing Impaired truly appreciates the financial support of all of its members as well as from those who wish to honor the life of a loved one with a Memorial contribution. The AFTHI wishes to thank those individuals by recognizing you in the monthly edition of Listen Up! The list includes those that have either paid dues or sent a contribution since August 1, 2009. To those of you that have supported our agency in the past, the AFTHI thanks you, too!

Your Dollars Make A Difference!

The Association for the Hearing Impaired, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation under the Internal Revenue Code. Your contributions are fully deductible and appreciated. If you would like to make a gift in memory or in honor of a friend or loved one, we will notify the appropriate person of your thoughtful gift. You can also remember the Association in your will or life insurance policy.

Your generosity will make an important difference in the lives of deaf and hard of hearing children and adults. For more information about leaving the Association in your will, contact the office at 761-0554.

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Hearing from You!

The Association for the Hearing Impaired, Inc. would like to hear from you. Please forward hearing loss experience stories and/or items that you would like for us to consider including in future Listen Up! newsletters.

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Holiday Celebration (December) & Be A Hear-O (March/April) Events

Kate and Ben would like to hear from individuals  interested in helping with the planning and scheduling of this year's Holiday Celebration and/or AFTHIs  annual Be A Hear-O fundraiser. Please telephone, email or stop by the office if you are able to help; the more the merrier.

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Upcoming Classes

American Sign Language (ASL) Level I (Beginners and those seeking a refresher)

This ten week course is designed for adults eager to learn American Sign Language (ASL). It will introduce ASL syntax, structure and vocabulary. Practice production (expressive) and comprehension (receptive) skills of the language. Guest Instructors will be invited. During this course, students will use a book, A Basic Course in American Sign Language. When: Mondays: October 19 - December 21, 2009. Time: 6:30 - 8:00 PM. Instructor: Marsha Johnson.

Cost:

For a Registration Form or for additional information, please contact Ben or Kate at the AFTHI. Please make checks payable to: AFTHI and mail to:

Association for the Hearing Impaired, Inc.
71 Glenwood Avenue,
Queensbury, New York 12804.

Lip Reading Classes

We are currently gearing up to present a Lip Reading class in the near future. More information will follow. If interested please call Kate @ 761-0554 or E-Mail to: office@afthi.org

Fabulous Friends with Flying Fingers (FFFF)

The AFTHI has received numerous inquiries regarding the future of the FFFF. Connie Fuller has again offered her time to help coordinate the troupe and would welcome hearing from others interested in volunteering their time. A performance at the Zonta Club's conference at the Queensbury Hotel on Saturday evening October 17th has already been scheduled.

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Protect Your Hearing!

Wearing protection is up to you:

Ear plugs or earmuffs work by reducing the amount of sound entering your ears. Talk with your supervisor about the level of noise protection you need on the job. Once you’ve got the equipment, be sure to wear it. You can purchase ear protection for your personal use at your pharmacy, music or hardware store.

Noise Causes Hearing Loss

The damage caused by excessive noise, the most common cause of hearing loss, is often painless and gradual. The amount of hearing loss depends on how loud the noise is and how long it lasts.

Temporary loss may cause your ears to ring or your hearing to be muffled for several hours.

Permanent loss, due to repeated noise exposure, limits your ability to hear higher-pitched sounds such as children’s voices and some musical in-struments.

Care and Cleaning the Ear

The first rule in caring for your ears is to leave them alone. This unique body part pretty much cleans itself. Dirt that gets inside the ear canal is trapped by earwax and moved back out of the canal through chewing action.

Types of Hearing Loss

28 Million Americans have a hearing loss: 80% of those affected have hearing damage that is irreversible and permanent.

17 Million Americans are affected by sen-sorineural hearing damage resulting from hered-ity, birth, trauma, disease, advanced age, or ex-posure to noise. A sensorineural hearing loss is damage to hearing nerve in the inner ear.

Protection for Infants

Birth through 3 years: Ear plugs can become a choking hazard if they fall out or are pulled out by the child. It is also difficult to insert plugs into the tiny ear canals without hurting the child, while still insur-ing that the airtight seal is achieved. Without an airtight seal the plugs will not provide the rated noise protection. For these reasons, we recommend the Junior Muffs for noise protection, and moldable silicone ear plugs worn under an Ear band-it head-band and for pressure and noise relief when flying. The Ear Band-it helps prevent removal of the ear plugs by the child.

Children over 3 years: can also wear Junior Muffs which will fit up to a small adult. They can also wear reusable swim plugs, which will save money in the long run.

Hearing Damage

Noise-induced hearing loss affects both the quantity and quality of sound. Understanding human speech becomes difficult because words become indistinct. Excessive sound exposure damages hearing by over-stimulating the tiny hair cells within the inner ear. When these hair cells are damaged, they no longer transmit sound to the brain. Sounds are muffled. Hearing damage through noise exposure is permanently lost. Hearing aids amplify the remainder of your hearing.

Levels of Noise In Decibels (dB)

PAINFUL AND DANGEROUS
Use hearing protection or avoid

140 dB

130 dB

UNCOMFORTABLE
Dangerous over 30 seconds

VERY LOUD
Dangerous over 30 minutes

110 dB

100 dB

90 dB

LOUD

80 Db

70 Db

MODERATE

60 Db

50 dB

SOFT

FAINT

Is Your Hearing at Risk?

Warning Signs: After exposure to loud music or noise you may experience one or more of the following:

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About Us: Association for the Hearing Impaired, Inc. (AFTHI)

AFTHI is a charitable not-for-profit corporation, founded in 1986 and is governed by a community Board of Directors. Our mission is to provide service and support to improve the quality of life for persons with hearing loss of all ages.

The agency primarily serves Warren, Washington & Saratoga Counties (commonly referred to as the Tri-County area), as well as residents of Albany, Columbia, Greene, Hamilton, Rensselaer, Schenectady and Schoharie Counties.

It is the agency's philosophy that needless loss of hearing must be avoided in persons of all ages, and that people who experience hearing loss be aware of available resources which will enable them to function as independently as possible.

Your Gifts Make A Difference!  The Association for the Hearing Impaired, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) not for profit corporation under the Internal Revenue Service Code. Your contributions are fully tax deductible and are most appreciated. If you would like to make a gift "in memory of" or "in honor of" a friend or loved one, we will notify the appropriate person of your thoughtful gift. You can also remember the Association in your will. Your generosity will make an important difference in the lives of deaf and hard of hearing children and adults.

Association for the Hearing Impaired, Inc. Board of Directors

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Hoffman's Car Wash Tickets and Bon-Ton Coupon Booklets on Sale at the AFTHI

Hoffman's Car Wash tickets (available 2-3 weeks after purchase at the AFTHI) that can be used at Hoffman's sites throughout the Greater Capital Region, including Queensbury and Wilton are on sale at the AFTHI's offices. Cash and checks are accepted. The AFTHI will receive 50% of $9.00 or $18.00 tickets sold.

Bon-Ton Community Day Coupon Booklets that can be used at Bon Ton's
throughout the Greater Capital Region are on sale for $5.00 at the AFTHI's
offices. Your receive valuable money saving coupons that can be used on Community
Day 2009 on Saturday November 14th. Stores open at 6:00 AM. The AFTHI
receives 100% of all booklet sales.

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AFTHI and Adirondack Phantoms Hockey Night at the Glens Falls Civic Center

The Adirondack Phantoms, a professional American Hockey League team is offering area not-for-profits the opportunity to raise money for their programs. In short, here is how it works. Game tickets are normally $15.00 but the Phantoms will make those game day tickets available to community organizations for $10.00. The organization then sets their price and signs up people who want to attend that game and support the organization. The AFTHI Night of Hockey will be held on Friday November 27th (day after Thanksgiving). The Phantoms game against the Hershey Bears (last
year’s Caldor Cup Champions) begins at 7:30 PM and AFTHI tickets will cost $13.00. Additionally, the AFTHI will participate in a Ceremonial Puck Drop, receive proceeds from a Phantoms raffle, be interviewed by the Radio Voice of the Phantoms, participate in a post game skate and much more. For additional information, please contact Ben or Kate.

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Office For The Aging—Warren, Washington and Saratoga Counties

Each year, the Association for the Hearing Impaired enters into contractual agreements with Office's For the Aging (OFA) in Warren, Washington & Saratoga
Counties.

It is the intent of the AFTHI to visit, distribute information and collaborate with each County throughout the year to help ensure that seniors are aware of AFTHI's programs and services. We look forward to presenting information about the Association for the Hearing Impaired at Senior Citizen Centers and Meal Sites, at municipal facilities, other area not-for-profits and houses of worship.

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AFTHI on the Go

The Association for the Hearing Impaired, Inc. believes that community outreach is an integral part of service to the community. Beginning with this, the October edition of Listen Up! we will list and describe opportunities that the AFTHI has had to present to community organizations, participate in special events such as Health Fairs, and/or discuss and share information about our programs and services with large groups of people. We will list outreaches that have taken place during the past month/four weeks, as well as activities/events in the immediate future that we have already confirmed our attendance at.

They are:

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Lions Hearing Conservation Society (LHCS)


We Serve Ordinary People Doing Amazing Things! The mission of the Lions Hearing Conservation Society is to provide programs and assistance for people who have a hearing loss.

LHCS of 20-Y2 was created in 1975 with the community interest in mind. Our goal is to prevent deafness by early detection of hearing problems, correction of existing hearing losses & to educate the public on what causes hearing loss & how/when to protect yourself from damaging noise.

The Lions Hearing Aid Bank recycles old/used hearing aids. All Styles & Models wanted, no matter the condition of the Hearing Aid. You may drop off your old hearing aids in any Lions Eyeglass Collection Box, Loan Out Center or contact any Lions Club or Lions Member.

The Lions Hearing Conservation Society has 8 Loan Out Centers, listed below, where you can borrow a variety of amplification & alerting devices for the deaf and hard of hearing. This enables you to try devices and find the one that best accommodates your hearing loss, free of charge. Also, if you need financial assistance in purchasing devices, your local Lions Club may help you. To find a Lions Club near you go to the website: www.lionsclub.org. Thank You for Recycling!

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Entrance and Access Passes to New York State Parks for People With Disabilities

An access pass permits a resident of New York State with a permanent disability, including (has hearing loss in excess of 80db (ISO) in the better ear) free use of parks, historic sites and recreational facilities operated by the NYS (OPRHP) Office of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation and the Department of Environmental Conservation. The passholder may have free use of facilities operated by these offices for which there is normally a charge, for example: parking, camping, greens fees and swimming. The pass is not valid at any facility within a park operated by
a private concern under contract to the State.

To obtain an application visit the OPRHP website. For additional information, call (518) 474-2324 or write: Access Pass, NYS OPRHP, Empire State Plaza, Agency Building 1, Albany, New York 12238.

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National Technical Institute for the Deaf - Holiday Comes to Henrietta

A Los Angeles-based film crew is in Roch-ester New York to make a movie based on Matt Hamill, the RIT/NTID champion wrestler who has since gained fame in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. "Hamill", was written and will be produced by Eben Kostbar and Joseph McKelheer who will film the movie entirely in the Rochester area, including scenes in classrooms at Rochester School for the Deaf and several places on the RIT/NTID campus in Henrietta.

Hamill, who graduated in 1999 with a degree in electromechanical technology, won three NCAA Division III national wrestling championships. He was a three-time All-American, New York State Champion and RIT Invitational Champion. He achieved a career record of 89-3 and was undefeated in his senior year. He also holds the all-time RIT record for the most tournaments wins (71), and was inducted into the RIT Athletic Hall of Fame.

Kostbar says he was inspired by Hamill's story as a deaf wrestling champion and accomplished UFC fighter. He contacted Hamill four years ago and arranged for an interview. "I thought this guy's got an abso-lutely amazing story as an underdog who became a champion," Kostbar says.

Once the script was written, fundraising needed to be done. They had a setback in
their casting, when members of the deaf community protested the lead actor originally intended to play Hamill was hearing.

"We are thankful for this protest because hiring a deaf actor for the lead is
the right decision and gives the film more integrity," McKelheer says. Now, the role
will be played by Russell Harvard, a deaf actor from Texas. RIT/NTID graduate Michael Spady, who graduated in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in applied science and technology, also has a leading role as Hamill's friend and roommate.

"Most people don't have exposure to the deaf community at all," McKelheer says. Kostbar has even taken several sign language courses. Both Kostbar and McKelheer say that they continually ask for advice from the deaf community. But they say that the movie won't be about whether a mainstreamed or residential school is better, or whether it is better to use sign language or be oral.

"What the story is really about, is that Matt Hamill doesn't have any boundries, whether it is wrestling or being hearing or deaf," McKelheer says. "He never wanted to be defined by a culture. It's about overcoming obstacles. His deafness wasn't a disability.

While in Rochester, the crew plans to use RIT students as volunteer extras in the movie, especially for crowded scenes scheduled for October 14th, and 15th. Visit: www.Hamill TheMovie.com and click "Get Involved" for more information.

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Camp Mark Seven seeks Director

Camp Mark Seven located in Old Forge, NY is seeking a Camp Director for 2010.
General Responsibility: To plan, direct, and supervise all camp programs and staff.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelors degree in camp ad-ministration or related degree, at least one season of camp administrative experience (i.e., unit leader, head coun-selor) ability to supervise staff and campers.

Essential functions: The camp director must be physically available to be at the Camp during all summer and weekend retreats in the fall. It is preferred that the camp director is deaf and uses American Sign Language as a primary language and understands Deaf culture. Back-ground in previous experience working at camp and knowledge of recreational programs are preferred.

For more information about the Camp Director position, please contact Kim Brown Kurtz at mark7deaffoundation@gmail.com or visit the website: www.campmark7.org

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Adirondack Community College Accessibility Services Office

Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disability Act, a post-secondary student with a disability who is in need of academic accommodations or auxiliary aids is required to notify the College of the nature of the disability and to provide appropriate documentation which supports the request for reasonable accommodations or auxiliary aids. Individuals who would like to self-identify with a disability (and have not already) or think that they might have a disability and want to request accommodations should contact: Sara J. McKay, Director of Accessibility Services at ACC located in Warren Hall, Adirondack Community College, 640 Bay Road, Queensbury, New York 12804. Telephone: 518-743-2282, TTY/VP: 518-743-2323, Fax: 518-743-2241 or E-Mail: McKays@sunyacc.edu.

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American Sign Language Silent Coffee Clutch

Sara McKay shares with Listen Up! that each month on the 3rd Friday (from September - May) there is an "ASL Silent Coffee Clutch" at the Barnes and Noble bookstore on Route 50 in Wilton. Anyone can come, but the one rule is no voices! This is good practice for people trying to improve their ASL skills and a great way to
meet DEAF friends.

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Home Schoolers Learning to Sign

Families of Home Schooled children and youth are invited to participate in a 10-week class to be taught by Connie Wilder on Wednesday's from 1 PM - 2 PM beginning on October 7th at 71 Glenwood Avenue in Queensbury. The cost of the ten-week program is $20 per student and the cost of Signing for Kids by Mickey Flodin, the book that will be used is $12.95. To register for the class or for additional information
please visit or contact the AFTHI's office at 761-0554 or office@afthi.org.

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Bluetooth Connectivity for the Hard of Hearing

Meredith DeGennaro, Aud. Will present a program on how to use Bluetooth technology to stay connected to your cell phone, blackberry, telephone, TV, IPOD and other electronic devices we use every day. Presentations will be held on Monday, October 5th at the Saratoga Springs Public Library's Glasby Room beginning at 7:00 PM and on Tuesday, October 6th at the Woodlawn Com-mons in Saratoga Springs beginning at 10:30 AM. This program is relevant both for young professionals, with hearing loss, as well as those just wanting to hear the tele-phone or television clearly.
The Saratoga Springs Lions Club and the Association for the Hearing Impaired are sponsoring this program. For additional information please contact the Saratoga Springs Lions Club at 587-3675, www.sratogalions.com or AFTHI at 761-0554, www.afthi.org .

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Deaf Friendly Cities

(From the DEAF411 Newsletter)

An Online Report is now available. After fifteen months of work, Deaf411 recently released an online report, "Deaf-Friendly Cities in the U.S." listing 20 U.S. cities that are considered "Deaf-Friendly". This report includes grids listing 7 cities in each of the 4 regions with checklists, a report on one selected city from each region, and other helpful information.

There is a new video retailing this report on Deaf411Online with a link to view the free Online Report. Deaf411 has started a new series of internet video reports covering creative solutions to daily living for deaf and hard of hearing people. "Living in an Audio World," released in June, highlights solutions to alert someone visually to the telephone or door-bell through the use of visual alerting devices.

For additional information please visit: www.deaf411online.com.

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Theater News

Coming Soon to the Wood Theater

New York State Theatre Institute, Albany, New York
Productions to be Interpreted:

The New York State Theatre Institute's Telephone: (518) 274-3200

Proctors Theatre
The following performances will be signed:

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October Calendar

Contact Us

We welcome your calls and emails.
Ben's email is director@afthi.org
Kate's email is office@afthi.org

Listen Up! is the newsletter of the Association for the Hearing Impaired, Inc., Bennet F. Driscoll, Jr., Executive Director. Listen Up! is published monthly and made available in print and on-line editions. If you wish to change your subscription, please visit the links provided below, or call the Association's office at 518-761-0554.