Hearing aid information and resources about hearing aids and hearing aid care.

Congressman Ed Markey (D-MA), center, introduced the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009 (H.R. 3101) on June 26, 2009.

Our Educational Series is informing us this week about another bill that was introduced in addition to the Tax Credit Bill for the hearing disabled.  My hearpod.com brings us any and all information for the hearing impaired and any interested party. This information was researched and printed by COAT, the Coalition for Accessible Technology.

Summary of the “21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act”

Everyone knows that race cars are loud yet every week I see too many race fans with no hearing protection of any kind. Hearing is an important part of our lives, and our NASCAR passion, but many NASCAR fans are not taking good care of their ears at the track.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) a person can listen to a 90 decibel (dB) sound for 8 hours straight without any hearing damage. 90 dB is approximately as loud as a busy city street.

Adding just a few decibels cuts that safe time dramatically. At 115 dB you can only listen safely for 15 minutes.

We are continuing our discussion this week from the myhearpod.com Educational Series, with regard to providing you information on the bill from the House as we did for the Senate on Tuesday. (H.R.1646) indicates the legislation going on in the house in regards to receiving a tax credit for hearing aids.  Once again, we wholeheartedly support this bill and ask that you give your total support to this important legislation as well. You can email your letter of support to mail@hearingaidtaxcredit.org

Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act

What would the Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act do? And, what are the differences in the House and Senate legislation?

This week, myhearpod.com Educational Series is going to provide you with information regarding the bill (S1019) which  is finally proposing a tax credit for hearing aids to be given every five years. We wholeheartedly support this bill and ask that you give your total support to this important legislation as well. You can email your letter of support to mail@hearingaidtaxcredit.org

Sen Harkin Reintroduces Hearing Aid Tax Credit Expands Coverage

Sen Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) has reintroduced Hearing Aid Tax Credit legislation in the Senate (S 1019), which would expand coverage to people of all ages who have hearing loss, according to the Hearing Industries Association (HIA), Washington.

Today, our Educational Series is taking a look at both Private and Federal Insurance Coverage for Hearing Loss.  It is a timely discussion due to the fact that in the U.S. the President is addressing Health Care Reform.  While MyHearPod.com does not promote any political preferences, we do support any legislation that promotes the Hearing Loss Community.

Insurance Companies and Reimbursement For Hearing LossHearing aids can cost from about $1,500 to $8,000 U.S. dollars, depending on the type and style. There are additional fees for professional services, testing, and fitting. Unfortunately, many forms of private and government health insurance do not cover the costs of hearing aids or the tests and services needed to get them.

This woman has a hearing disability.  She has answered many questions regarding the ability to drive and how she copes with her hearing loss while driving.  She shares her story with us this week in our educational series.

Hearing Loss & Driving

Some of you have asked if it’s difficult for me to drive with a hearing loss.  As far as I know you don’t need ears to steer a vehicle.  But, since you asked, I’ll answer some of your most common questions on this.

1.  How do I hear Emergency Vehicles?

Hearing dogs can spend from four to six months in training learning how to alert their trainer to sounds in the environment.  Most hearing dogs can respond to approximately seven sounds like fire and smoke alarms, telephone, oven timer, alarm clock, doorbell, door-knock, and name call.  Sometimes, they can also respond to a baby crying.

Once they are trained and have bonded with their deaf partner, they get accustomed to other sounds as well, such as tea kettles, microwaves, washer and dryers, or any sound that is repetitive.

In public, a hearing dog provides an increased awareness of his/her
Environment. However, not being trained to react to specific sounds like a fire engine or ambulance, they won’t respond, but they WILL look and this alerts the non-hearing person that something is catching the hearing dog’s attention.

This week our educational series is taking a look around the country capturing news - which keeps us informed of important issues regarding hearing loss.  Today, we are reprinting with permission the following article, giving us an insight into Captioning in the Courtroom in California - as reported from the Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons.

CAPTIONING in the Courtroom
Always ask for it
It’s the law. It’s your right.

By Cheryl Heppner from NVRC

Today, the hearing impaired educational series is talking about going to the movies and advocating for the proper equipment in theaters no matter where you live.

Many people with hearing loss find that “going to the movies” is an activity which is no longer enjoyable for them because they cannot hear the film’s dialogue. Providing communication accessibility in movie theaters is improving but achieving the goal of full communication access will take time and sustained effort. Here are a few things you as a consumer of movies (and live theatrical productions) can do to advocate.

Being a patient with a hearing loss can be as difficult as having surgery or being in the hospital for other reasons.  There are things you can do to alleviate the worry and frustration you may experience before entering the hospital.

Preparation prior to surgery will save a lot of time and energy for the hearing impaired so it is important to contact the hospital as far in advance as possible to discuss and request aids or services that may be needed.
The following are questions to ask your doctor and hospital prior to your stay:

For People Who Use Hearing Aids or Cochlear Implants: