The chapter newsletter for November 2004:

Cochlear Implant Series:

Derbytown SHHH is hosting a series of meetings on cochlear implants. In October, Dr. Mark Severtson talked to us about the medical aspects of cochlear implants. The remaining two sessions are detailed below. The meetings will be held at the Louisville Free Public Library, Mezzanine Level, with real-time captioning provided and starting at 6:30 PM. Everyone is welcome!

Nov. 9th We will hear from a panel of recent cochlear implantees from the Derbytown Chapter. Six panelists will discuss their own expectations and fears about the implant ... and their results as they learned to adapt to the new way of hearing and listening. A question and answer period will follow. The panelists will be Louise Wisdom, Reva Kruer, David Bayersdorfer, Mary Lee Nelson, Theresa Kidwell, and Judy Rogers.

Dec. 16 Thanks to Karen Lichtefeld, one of our newer members, our annual holiday party will be held on Thursday, Dec. 16, at River Road Country Club (just west of Zorn Ave, off of I-71). The room is beautiful and spacious enough for our silent auction. It is easily accessible for our Indiana people as well the Louisville crowd. More details will be in the December newsletter.

Winter 2005 (date TBA) Dr. Barbara Eisenmenger, who specializes in working with adult implant recipients, will describe the audiological aspects of various programming (mapping) strategies and how we adapt to them and learn to hear with the new CI.

Other dates to remember:

Nov. 6 Stage One will present "Trials: The Life of Joan of Arc"

Nov. 9 A sign interpreted performance of "The Glass Menagerie" will be presented at Actors Theater of Louisville at 7:30 p.m. Buy tickets at the box office, 316 W. Main St., or call 584-1205 or 584-1321 TDD or FAX 561-3337. Tickets can be purchased online at Actors Theater

Nov. 16 A sign interpreted performance of "A Tuna Christmas" will be presented at Actors Theater of Louisville at 7:30 p.m. Buy tickets at the box office, 316 W. Main St., or call 584-1205 or 584-1321 TDD or FAX 561-3337. Tickets can be purchased online at www.actorstheatre.org.

Nov. 27 Derbytowners will meet at Piccadilly Cafeteria, 133 S. Hurstbourne Pkwy. (near the intersection of Hurstbourne and Shelbyville Rd.), at 2 p.m. for our monthly informal dinner. Please let Ed Schickel know in advance if you want a table looped to facilitate conversation via your T-switch

Nov. 27 Stage One will present "Beauty and the Beast" with captions at 2 p.m. in Clark-Todd Hall at the Kentucky Center for the Arts, 501 W. Main St. To purchase tickets, call the Access Hotline at 562-0111 or 562-0140 TTY. (See information below about Kentucky Center Access Services.)

Nov. 27 Stage One will present "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" with captions at 2 p.m. in the Bomhard Theater at the Kentucky Center for the Arts, 501 W. Main St. To purchase tickets, call the Access Hotline at 562-0111 or 562-0140 TTY. (See information below about Kentucky Center Access Services.)

Dec. 4 PNC Bank Broadway will present "Chicago" with captions at 8 p.m. in Whitney Hall at the Kentucky Center for the Arts, 501 W. Main St. To purchase tickets, call the Access Hotline at 562-0111 or 562-0140 TTY. (See information below about Kentucky Center Access Services.)

Dec. 14 A sign interpreted performance of "A Christmas Carol" will be presented at Actors Theater of Louisville at 7:30 p.m. Buy tickets at the box office, 316 W. Main St., or call 584-1205 or 584-1321 TDD or FAX 561-3337. Tickets can be purchased online at Actors Theater

Dec. 18 The 8 p.m. performance of "On the Record" at the Louisville Palace will be captioned. For tickets, call 583-4555 or purchase in person at the box office, 625 S. 4th St. Tickets can also be purchased at any Ticketmaster outlet (including most Kroger stores) or online at Ticketmaster

Reminder: For all theater performances, be sure to mention that you need captioning or sign interpretation when you order your tickets. Would someone like to organize a group outing to any of the theater performances?

Kentucky Center Access Services:

Last season the Kentucky Center Access Services offered Derbytown SHHH the opportunity to participate in a new and exciting probationary program, a discount ticket program called the Access KCard. This year the card will be offered on an individual basis for $5 per performance. Please contact Stacy Ridgway, Director of Access Services at the Kentucky Center at 502-562-0111 or 502-562-0140 TTY; or Ed Schickel, 502-349-6792, . This offer is to introduce non-arts patrons (with disabilities) to accessible art offerings. You can buy a maximum number of 2 tickets per showing on a first come first served basis. Access needs must be conveyed at the time of ticket purchase.

Captioned Movies: No captioned movies are currently scheduled.

Hearing Assistive Technology: On Oct. 25, Ed Schickel presented issues experienced by hard of hearing people and the hearing assistive technology (HAT) that helps them to American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Chapter Leaders, and he will do so again on Nov. 3. On Nov. 15, he will present HAT to the Frankfort chapter of AARP.

Sign Language Practice Group: Do you want to learn sign language as a back-up to your hearing aids? Please tell Paula Esterle or 502-339-8037 V.) if you are interested in our sign practice group. We will not meet again until a sufficient number signs up. When meetings resume, we will meet on the first, third, and fourth Mondays of the month. (No meeting on the Monday before our Tuesday Speaker's Meeting.) Please note: This is not an ASL class. This is members helping members to informally learn basic sign and to practice skills. There is no text and no formal instructor. We meet at Harvey Browne Presbyterian Church, 311 Browns Lane (near Shelbyville Rd.) at 7 p.m. in Room 216 (on the northeast corner of the second floor).

Treasurer's Report: No activity this month.

Derbytown Board: This past month the Derbytown Board met online. Board members agreed to explore activities with AARP. In a narrow vote, they agreed to continue working with the Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (KCDHH) on a state fair booth for next year. Please talk with Board members (Ed Schickel, Judy Rogers, Linda Freiberger, Bob Stuckey, Paula Esterle, Mary Lee Nelson, Hazel Tucker, and Melanie Magruder) about these issues and any concerns that you may have.

Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing: Mary Lee and Paula Esterle attended the recent KCDHH meeting on behalf of SHHH.

This is Mary Lee's report:

There was a lot said about education of deaf/HOH in Kentucky. Bobbie Beth Scoggins is involved in planning for expansion of the Kentucky School for the Deaf (KSD) in terms of updating its facilities for such things as technology. Both Diane Hayes - who replaces Mona McCubbin on KCDHH - and Wilton McMillan (outreach for the state but based at KSD) spoke on extending services to all mainstreamed students across the state.

I asked about CapTel when it came up in the financial report. Bobbie Beth said she was hoping it would approved and ready for distribution by Dec. 1. I asked if people could bypass the program and just buy one independently. She was vague about this but said YES if you go through Hamilton and the PSC. I asked if there was enough money allocated to cover all the CapTels requested. She said yes and no. They do everything in the Distribution Program on a first come, first served basis. So all phones are in the mix. It isn't just about CapTel. If they were to run out of money before all CapTels are sent out, then no. She restated what we have already been told about the company, Weitbrecht, being the sole provider for the CapTel and how this was a stumbling block for the state because they want to pick the lowest bidder. But supposedly this is approved and will work out. KCDHH is currently accepting applications for CapTel in Kentucky. Call 1-800-372-2907 V/TTY to find out how to apply. Indiana is also distributing CapTel phones. (Reva Kreur or 812-923-5378 TDD/V) or (Bob Stuckey or 502-899-3218 TDD) can give you more information on Indiana CapTel. (See below for information about free CapTel phones for veterans, Federal employees, and U.S. Tribal members.)

There was a Deafestival report and another on the new license plate design with an "I Love You" hand sign incorporated into it. This plate may not be out for 2005 as hoped.

I mentioned the Cap Mic demonstration that Paula was offered to see in Louisville - to see if any of the commissioners were interested. They are. Dana and Bobbie Beth suggested we have a special demo at KCDHH the day of the Study Group meeting that Paula and I will be at. So Paula will try to set that up.

I was asked to make a report of sorts about the Study Group because the leader, Pat Huddleston, was not present. So I said a few things about the efforts at the state fair and that while we had originally thought to have our own fair booth rather than work with any group, we wanted to work in cooperation with the KCDHH and we would continue to do so next year.

Free CapTel for Veterans, Federal Employees, and U.S. Tribal Members: CapTel service by Federal Relay is available in all fifty states and the District of Columbia for qualifying active and retired Federal employees (civilian and DOD), veterans, and U.S. Tribal members. Sprint is distributing a limited number of free Federal CapTel phones each month (subject to change at any time). To obtain a free Federal CapTel phone, go to CapTel phones to download and complete the appropriate application form.

SHHH National Convention (June 30-July 3, 2005): Register online (Hearing Loss.org) for the 2005 convention in Washington D.C. For all you early birds, now is the time to get a place in line at the SHHH national convention. Can't wait to eat burgers and potato salad surrounded by a menagerie of pandas and primates? Sign up now for the barbeque at the National Zoo, just a short walk from the historic Omni Shoreham hotel. A super saver registration form is available online now. SHHH members who sign up by December 15 will receive a discounted registration of $185. Those who do not have an internet connection can call the Bethesda office at (301) 657-2248 to request one by mail. Thanks, and see you in Washington!

University of Louisville Research: The University of Louisville Program in Audiology is conducting research on audiologic rehabilitation in adults with hearing loss who wear hearing aids. Audiologic rehabilitation involves training in speechreading (lipreading, auditory listening, and communication strategies. Most people with hearing loss do not use all of the strategies available to them to improve their listening. As part of a research program, FREE group audiologic rehabilitation classes will be offered. The following characteristics are necessary for research subjects:

Jen Leddy

Hamilton Relay Offers Another Method for Deaf and Hard of Hearing to Place Phone Calls

On October 1, Hamilton Relay announced the launch of HIP Relay Wireless, a service that benefits the Deaf and Hard of Hearing by allowing them to use pagers, PDAs, cell phones and other mobile devices to place relay calls. It gives relay users the mobility to place relay calls while on the go. This nationwide service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. By having relay access through pagers and mobile devices, relay users now have convenient access to telephone service. Relay users are able to make or receive relay calls from any location - whether they are in the car, a restaurant or airport.

Instead of typing phone conversations on a Text Telephone (TTY), you can now use any mobile device or personal computer that has a WAP browser or that runs the AOL® Instant MessengerTM (AIM®) service to make a relay call through Hamilton. The AIM® Screen Name for Hamilton Relay Services is HipRelay. A Hamilton Communications Assistant ("CA") answers your call and then places another call to the telephone number you wish to reach. The CA then translates and relays your conversations confidentially by converting voice information to typed communication and reading aloud typed messages to hearing persons.

"Hamilton Relay Service is delighted to give relay users access to relay services through mobile devices," said Dixie Ziegler, Vice President of Hamilton Relay. "Hamilton is constantly working to provide communication solutions to meet the needs of its customers. Because the AIM service is free and universal, giving relay users the ability to place Hamilton Relay calls through the AIM Relay Service opens up a whole new way for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Speech Disabled individuals to communicate."

There are many mobile devices and pagers that work with HIP Relay Wireless. Mobile devices should be equipped with several essentials such as internet access and full keyboard. Users will also need a wireless service plan that allows for text messaging. Additional charges from a user's wireless carrier may apply for sending or receiving text messages.

The following devices are fully compatible with HIP Relay Wireless with a Wireless Access Protocol (WAP) browser (i.e. Blazer):

If a particular pager or mobile device is not listed above, there are other wireless devices that may work with HIP Relay Wireless. Individuals who would like more information on using pagers or mobile devices through relay, or who would like information on receiving voice calls or placing Spanish calls through HIP Relay Wireless, can visit Hamilton Relay under the link titled HIP Relay Wireless. Individuals can also contact Hamilton Relay Customer Service at 1-800-618-4781 TTY/V or via email at Hamilton

Hamilton offers a variety of features and services to further enhance relay communication. Hamilton Internet Protocol Relay allows relay consumers to use computers and other web-based devices to connect to Hamilton Relay via the internet rather than a TTY in order to call any hearing telephone user. Hamilton Internet Protocol Video Relay Service enables relay consumers to communicate in American Sign Language or signed English via high-speed internet access and a variety of video conferencing equipment rather than a TTY and typing. Both services are available at Hamilton.

Hamilton Telecommunications, based in Aurora, Nebraska, currently provides relay services to the states of Nebraska, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Rhode Island, Maine, Wyoming and the District of Columbia. Established in 1901, Hamilton also provides local telephone and cable television service, call center services, internet services, computer sales, network integration and much more to customers across the country. For more information, visit Hamilton's website at Hamilton or call 800-618-4781.

AIM and AOL are registered trademarks of America Online, Inc. Instant Messenger is a trademark of America Online, Inc.

Newcomers: We would like to stay in touch with all of our newcomers. If you have internet access and you are not receiving the newsletter and periodic e-mails regularly, please consider contacting Melanie Magruder and Ed Schickel) to be placed on our e-mail list.

Thanks: Our Board has been working online to serve you. Their time is appreciated. Special thanks to Karen Lichtefeld, Judy Rogers, Mary Lee Nelson, and Paula Esterle for representing us at state meetings. And we are especially grateful to Karen Lichtefeld for arranging for us to use a room at the River Road Country Club for our holiday party.

Benefits of SHHH Membership

What SHHH is doing for you!

From the Desk of Brenda Battat, Director of Public Policy and States Development

Help Financing Hearing Aids. Please support the Hearing Aid Tax Credit H.R 4241 introduced by Rep.Ryun R-KS, and the companion bill in the Senate, S.B 2055 introduced by Senator Coleman D-MN, that would provide $500 tax credit per hearing aid for individuals over 55 and dependent children.

Direct Access to Audiologists Please support the Hearing Health Accessibility Act of 2003 (S. 1647), as introduced by Senators Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO) and Tim Johnson (D-SD), or H.R. 2821, as introduced by Representatives Jim Ryun (R-KS) and Lois Capps (D- CA). This legislation would allow Medicare beneficiaries to go directly to a qualified audiologist for hearing testing without the need for a physician referral.

Other SHHH Actions to benefit you:
How to Advocate for Better Classroom Acoustics
FCC & Dept. of Education
Captioning Plans
Religious Captioning Issues
Movie Caption Legal Brief
Awards and Recognitions
Newborn Screening (ASHA)
Early Detection Funding (EHDI)
State Advisory Boards
Social Security Criteria Issues
Federal Legislative OnLine
Information & Resources
State Legislative OnLine
Information & Resources
Go to: Hearing Loss.org to learn more about what SHHH is doing for you.

Benefits of SHHH Membership

1. Self Help for Hard of Hearing People, Inc. is THE voice for all people with hearing loss. (A large constituency gives them credibility and contacts.)

2. Information is brought to members through Hearing Loss: The Journal of Self Help for Hard of Hearing People.

3. The National Convention provides education and access to vendors and exhibitors.

4. Support through local chapters and online information.

5. Discounts on books, resource materials, convention fees and special promotions

6. Advocacy efforts

7. Surveys, courses and special events.

8. Fellowship and support.