Recording Noise Levels in Restaurants

There is an interesting article in the Los Angeles Times in the last couple of days about measuring noise in restaurants.  All of us with hearing loss know how difficult it is to manage conversations in noisy restaurants.  In the article, it mentions that restaurants that measure noise at 90 decibels or above is equivalent to sitting next to a running lawnmower and trying to have a conversation with someone you are dining with at the same time!  Here is the link to the article: http://www.latimes.com/features/food/la-fo-restaurant-noise-20120818,0,1279757.story

After reading this article, I found an app on my iPhone called db Meter Pro for .99 cents that I downloaded.  Now I can record the decibel levels in the restaurants that I go to, keep a log of what I record, and share my findings with my fellow Hearing Loss Association chapter members.  Do you think we could eventually convince the restaurant owners to "keep it down!"?

Happy Birthday ADA!

July 26, 2012 was the twenty-second anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Every day I am grateful for the disability activists who worked so hard to convince senators and representatives to write legislation creating and protecting rights for people with disabilities.

Every day I am thankful for the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, Section 508, FCC captioning rules, the Air Carrier Access Act and the 21^st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act.

I love being able to watch captioned television.  Captioned movies both in the theater and on my DVD player are delightful and allow me to enjoy entertainment with family and friends.

It is great that when I am in a meeting or attending a lecture or public program, I can have the services of a captionist to ensure I do not miss any nugget of wisdom.

ADA gave me the ability to have my hearing dog with me wherever I go: work, restaurants, theaters, museums, doctors’ offices…virtually anywhere.  The Air Carrier Access Act gives me the OK to have Terrific Dog with me on airplanes.

Thanks to the ADA and other Federal rules, people with hearing loss and other disabilities can function better in all aspects of life in the United States.

Sex, Lies & Hearing Aids

We hear it a lot: “I want a hearing aid that is small, discreet and practically invisible so nobody knows I’m wearing it.”  They continue: “I don’t want people to know I have hearing loss because I don’t want to appear old; I don’t want people to think I’m no longer attractive or sexy.”

Wow.  Hearing aids have the power to influence all that, huh?

So what do people want from a hearing aid?

Shouldn’t the first thing on the list be that it works, that it helps you hear better than you do now?  New models of hearing aids are small while providing the features that can enhance ability to hear.  One of the most important additional features is a telecoil which can help the wearer use a telephone.  It can also be used to connect with a variety of assistive listening devices, further enhancing one’s ability to hear in a variety of settings.

While there are small hearing aids that are complex and powerful, if you think you can focus only on the size of the hearing aid and still hear better, you might be lying to yourself.

We’ve covered the hearing aids and the lies, what about the sex?  Can there be anything hotter than actually, truly hearing someone say, “I love you, you sexy thing.”

What is a Peer Mentor?

Recently, I graduated from the Gallaudet University Peer Mentoring Certification Program, along with 5 other classmates.  At the ceremony, we were asked to say a few words, and I read a definition of what I think a Peer Mentor is, and I thought I would share it with you here.

“A peer mentor is a person who has walked a particular path with regard to the unique challenge of hearing loss and found his or her way.   The peer mentor has confronted their own hearing loss, defined the challenge, and set out to live life to the fullest capacity despite the challenge.  The hearing loss does not define this person, but rather has given this person a peculiar skillset, which enables him or her to adapt, cope, thrive, survive and achieve satisfaction in life.  After the peer mentor has achieved this state of assimilation, acceptance and understanding; he or she decides to help others who are further behind them on the path.  They understand the concept of empathy, which is not feeling sorry for another, but rather feeling for another because he or she has felt those same feelings themselves.  Peer Mentoring involves the concept of ‘paying it forward’ which means that no one need be left behind.” 

Joan Haber

Peer Mentor

June 26, 2012

They All Mumble!

Are you tired and frustrated?  Do you find yourself complaining that everyone around you mumbles?  Do you have trouble hearing people on the telephone?

Have you missed a date because you thought someone said to meet them on Fifth Street but you heard Sixth Street?

Does your family complain about the volume when you watch TV?

Have you stopped going to the movies.  Do you avoid parties?  Do you find yourself wishing that you didn’t have to go out to a restaurant because you know it will be hard to participate in conversation?

While you can claim everyone mumbles, the truth is that everyone does not mumble.  Sure, some people do, but not everyone.  The truth is that you need to face the truth and the ultimate truth is you, my friend, are ready for the next big step: it’s time to have your hearing tested by a hearing health professional.

You can start with an otolaryngologist (ENT), and then go on to an audiologist to learn more about what’s going on in and between your ears.  The more you learn the better you can live.