Everyone has been somewhat snowed in lately, but meetings and activities have continued. While we have a group of people in northern Kentucky who used to be an SHHH group, they have reorganized as a social group under the name "What-Ya-Say?" They meet frequently for dinners, movies, and other activities and seem to be enjoying themselves immensely. It would be nice if all our three areas would somehow pool their thoughts and include both the usual SHHH meeting arrangements and also the social side that we like to share. Derbytowners socialize on their own but not in organized events, other than an informal dinner once a month. And of course we will gladly welcome Northern back into the SHHH fold if they decide to include other educational and advocacy activities to their schedule!
The main function of SHHH in a community, in my opinion is to provide a place for new people to turn to for information and a chance to meet others with hearing loss. SHHH has been providing this service in communities across the country since 1983. And while the process of reorganizing the structure of SHHH may cause to appear somewhat different in the near future - see page 2 - we will always really be the same because of our roots in the local communities.
So what's been happening lately in Kentucky? Read on -
Derbytown - Louisville
Derbytown had Dr. Gorden McMurry speaking at the November meeting about cochlear implants. This is a topic they revisit regularly because the changes and improvements in the field are ongoing and fascinating. Dr. McMurry provided a background on what the implant can do and helped us understand what the most recent improvements mean for a new implantee. With three CI's in the audience and several wannabees, we aired a lot of questions, fears and gained a lot of reassurance about results.
In December, the chapter had the usual Holiday Party at Ann Rosenbaum's complex. We have grown comfortable with that setting. Had a large group this year and a wonderful time. If you are online, look at the state webpage for pictures taken at the party!
In January, Derbytown hosted a speaker from WHAS to talk about captioning. Gil Ludwig, director of Engineering and Operations, explained his background in working to improve captions in St. Louis. We had a good session of exchanging ideas and a certain amount of complaining! Mr. Ludwig took notes and made several changes the next day to make the news more understandable for us. He requested an advisory group be set up to continue the dialogue and keep him up to date with what we see and want to see.
Capitol City - Frankfort
In October, Jayne McRae and I did a radio talk show with Michael Davenport (Frankfort) about hearing loss and SHHH.
In November, Drew Weldon, Outreach Specialist for the TDD/Specialized Equipment Program for the KY Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing was our guest speaker. He talked about the process an individual goes through when applying for free state equipment. He had some of the devices on hand to demonstrate.
Our January speaker was back by popular demand from the SHHH group participants. Kathy Sandusky, an Audiologist from Lexington was guest speaker to discuss hearing aids, the difference between digital and programmable, and the different kinds of circuitry's that can be put on a hearing aid.
Bluegrass Group -Danville
No news from this group as they have not had meetings in December or January. They are alive and well though, so if you want to join them for an evening, do contact Patty Edwards for information.
The Weather Channel recently became the first cable network to offer 20 hours of captioned programming a day.
The Weather Channel (TWC) announced that beginning January 2001, the network would double the hours that viewers can receive closed captioning, expanding the service from 10 to 20 hours of programming a day. This makes TWC the first cable network to offer such comprehensive closed captioning. The new hours for the service are from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. (Eastern Time).
I am hoping that by the next time you pick up this newsletter, this spot will announce that henceforth hearing aids will be paid for by insurance companies in Kentucky! A bill will be introduced in this legislature to that effect. It is too early to give you the number of the bill, but please watch your newspapers for it. If we need to have everyone send letters of support and there is time, you will receive a mailing to that effect. This effort is being led by Trish R. Freeman, R.Ph., Ph.D. Trish is also a commissioner on the KCDHH, holding the At-Large seat. She is the mother of three children, two hearing impaired boys and a hearing girl. She has formed a study group at the KCDHH on this topic also. Paula Esterle is our representative in that group.
We all know that hearing aids should be part of our medical insurance coverage. There are four (CA, MD, MN, MO) states that have this coverage for their state employees. Also five private corporations that give it to their own employees. And Rhode Island and Virginia now require it for all citizens in the states. Alabama is working on this also. Let's make Kentucky next - -
So watch please, for news about this bill, and offer your support!!!
You can request Relay service to retrieve voice messages from answering machines ( single line ) .
To request Answering Machine Retrieval (AMR) , type AMR GA (ANS/mach retrieval).
The CA will respond, " pls. place your handset next to your ANS machine and turn on. GA ".
Place your handset above the answering machine speaker and play the recorder. The answering machine light indicator or numbers will show that all messages have been retrieved.
Then place the handset back on listen and say GA. The CA will re-voice the message back to you . Or if you have a Uniphone or Ameriphone VCO, then the CA types the messages back to you.
(Information provided by Sprint)
From David Baquis at SHHH Nat'l comes the following invitation:
We are delighted to inform you about the 3rd introductory Technical Training Program for SHHH members who use and are interested in hearing assistive technology (HAT). This program provides intensive training for SHHH members who wish to know more about the basic technical aspects of HAT, its application, and how to advocate for HAT for hard of hearing consumers.
Collaboration between the Lexington Center Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Hearing Enhancement (RERC) and SHHH enables us to carry out such a training program. If you are interested, we ask that you apply to participate in the training program, which is scheduled for March 16-18, 2001 in Augusta, Georgia. Eight individuals from the region comprising Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee will be selected for this training session. Two trainings have already been held (in the Midwest and mid-Atlantic regions) and two more will be planned in other areas.
Participants will be reimbursed for the cost of travel, shared hotel accommodations and meals.
Based upon input we have received from HAT users over the years, we have tentatively settled on the following topics to be covered in the training program:
* Different types of HAT and its application
* How to advocate for HAT
* Understanding the operation and installation of assistive listening
systems
* Troubleshooting assistive listening systems
* ADA requirements and other public policies relevant to HAT
For more information about eligibility requirements and an application form, contact national or one of Kentucky leaders. Info is also listed on the national website: www.shhh.org
Auberon Waugh, British journalist and columnist, was the son of Evelyn Waugh, author of Brideshead Revisited. Auberon died January 16, 2000 at the age of 61. He apparently was somewhat hard of hearing, as was his father. The following delightful story will strike a familiar chord with all of us - -
January 22, 2001, from "The Press", Canterbury, NZ.
NOTED BRITISH literary cynic Auberon Waugh, who died last week, was, like his father Evelyn, rather deaf from middle age onward and this led to occasional misunderstandings. His obituary in the Independent says that he claimed to have been invited to address a conference in Africa on breast feeding. He duly swotted up on the subject and arrived with what he thought would be a stirring address. It soon became clear that the audience, if stirred at all, were being stirred in the wrong way. At last the hubbub became so great that he had to sit down. He then discovered that the conference was on press freedom.
Get your plane tickets, reserve that room, and start saving your pennies for a smashing big week in Cherry Hill, NJ. It is never too early o start planning for the convention. To thousands of SHHHers, this is the highlight of the year. We love conventions!
This one will start right out with a picnic by a river behind the hotel. You won't even have time to unpack your bags. There will be a captioned play to attend - Passion, at the Wilma Theater. And the Exhibit Hall will once again be the center of attention as aisle after aisle is filled with booths about hearing aids, assistive listening devices, computers, phones and every gadget we dream about. (Did you see that commercial recently about the fella with computer screen in his glasses? We tried that at the exhibit hall two years ago as a means of captioning. Cool.)
But for most of us the most enjoyable part of the convention is meeting all the people from all over the country and being able to talk to anyone there, because in this setting communication is not a problem. And every meeting room will have real time captions, along with assistive listening devices on loan for the length of your stay. See you in New Jersey?
Patricia Colvin
Paula Esterle
NorbertGlancy
Mary Ann Hervey
Judy Rogers
by Stephen Epstein, M.D.
Reprinted from the SHHH website
Ototoxic medications are those drugs that have the potential to cause damage to the inner ear structures which may result in temporary or permanent loss of hearing or an aggravation of an existing sensorineural hearing loss. If you have an existing sensorineural hearing loss, regardless of the cause, when using ototoxic medications, you are more vulnerable to aggravation of that hearing loss.
As a result of using ototoxic medications, the degree of hearing loss that occurs and the amount of recovery that follows depends upon the amount and duration of the use of that particular medication. If you are consuming more than one ototoxic medication, you are even more vulnerable to developing a sensorineural hearing loss or aggravation of your existing sensorineural hearing loss. Some ototoxic medications such as aspirin and aspirin-containing drugs -- regardless of the amount and duration of usage -- when discontinued, result in complete recovery of hearing and cessation of associated symptoms such as tinnitus.
Guidelines to Follow In regard to the use of ototoxic medications, whether they are over-the-counter or prescription, there are several important facts you should know and several important rules you should follow:
Always inform your doctor that you have a sensorineural hearing loss or nerve-type hearing loss.
Always ask your doctor, when he is prescribing new medications for you, to inform you of any potential side effects, especially if the
medication is ototoxic.
Always read the labels or ask your pharmacist about the potential ototoxic effects of over-the-counter medications.
Always be aware of the early warning signs of ototoxicity.
Signs of Ototoxicity, Listed in Order of Frequency
The development of tinnitus (noises in the ears) in one or both ears.
The intensification of existing tinnitus or the appearance of another sound that didn't exist before.
Fullness or pressure in your ears -- other than being secondary to an upper respiratory infection.
The awareness of a hearing loss in an unaffected ear or the progression or fluctuation of an existing loss.
The development of vertigo or spinning sensation usually aggravated by motion and may or may not be accompanied by nausea.
Should any of these symptoms develop while taking any medication -- stop the medication immediately and call your doctor.
Ototoxic Medications
Finally, you should be aware of the common ototoxic medications, how they are prescribed, and for what conditions they are given. The following is a simplified list of ototoxic medications and represents the most common drugs. (There are many other medications that have bee listed as potentially ototoxic; however the incidence is insignificant. Consult your physician to be sure.)
Keep this list for ready reference.
1. Salicylates - Aspirin and aspirin-containing products. Toxic effects usually appear after consuming an average of 6-8 pills per day. Toxic effects are always reversible once medications are discontinued.
2. Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS) - Advil, Aleve, Anaprox, Clinoril, Feldene, Indocin, Lodine, Motrin, Nalfon,
Naprosyn, Nuprin, Poradol, Voltarin. Toxic effects usually appear after consuming an average of 6-8 pills per day.
Toxic effects are usually reversible once medications are discontinued.
3. Antibiotics Aminoglycosides, Erythromycin, Vancomycin Aminoglycosides - Streptomycin, Kanamycin, Neomycin, Gentamycin, Tobramysin, Amikacin, Netilmicin These medications are ototoxic when used intravenously in serious life threatening situations. The blood levels of these medications are usually monitored to prevent ototoxicity. Topical preparations and ear drops containing these antibiotics, Neomycin and Gentamycin, have not been demonstrated to be ototoxic in humans.
Erythromycin - EES, Eryc, E-mycin, Ilosone, Pediazole, and new derivatives of Erythromycin -- Biaxin, Zithromax Erythromycin is usually ototoxic when given intravenously in dosages of 2-4 grams per 24 hours -- especially if there is underlying kidney nsufficiency. The usual oral dosage of Erythromycin averaging one gram per 24 hours is not ototoxic.There are no significant reports of ototoxicity with the new. Erythromycin derivatives since they are given orally and in lower dosages.
Vancomycin - Vancocin This antibiotic is used in a similar manner as the aminoglycosides; when given intravenously in serious life-threatening infections, it is potentially ototoxic. It is usually used in conjunction with the aminoglycosides which enhances the possibility of ototoxicity.
4. Loop Diuretics - Lasix, Edecrin, Bumex. These medications are usually ototoxic when given intravenously for acute kidney failure or acute hypertension. Rare cases of ototoxicity have been reported when these medications are taken orally in high doses in people with chronic kidney disease.
5. Chemotherapeutic Agents - Cisplatin, Nitrogen Mustard, Vincristine. These medications are ototoxic when given for treatment of cancer. Their ototoxic effects can be minimized by maintaining blood levels of the medications and performing serial audiograms. The ototoxic effects of these medications are enhanced in patients who are already taking other ototoxic medications such as the aminoglycoside antibiotics and the loop diuretics.
6. Quinine - Aralen, Atabrine (for treatment of malaria), Legatrin, Q-Vel Muscle Relaxant (for treatment of night cramps) The ototoxic effects of quinine are very similar to aspirin and the toxic effects are usually reversible once medication is discontinued.
Just as you are responsible for your overall health, you are responsible for the preservation of your hearing or the preservation of your existing hearing reserve. Being aware of ototoxic medications and their potential warnings is a good safeguard to protect your hearing -- and a sound investment!
Stephen Epstein, M.D., F.A.C.S., is an otologist and a fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Inc., and the American College of Surgeons. He is the director of The Ear Center in Wheaton, Maryland.