Steady as She Goes
Zentrip is a new, fast-acting motion sickness remedy in the form of a citrusflavored medicated strip placed on the tongue about an hour before activity. Zentrip contains meclizine hydrochloride, an antiemetic which blocks a chemical messenger in the brain, helping to reduce or prevent vomiting, dizziness and other sensations associated with motion sickness. But what if that feeling of being motion sick persists once you're back on stable ground? Visit Deafness Research Foundation's Facebook page to view a new video and learn about Mal de Debarquement syndrome, a condition of feeling seasick on dry land.
National Parks Now More Accessible
People with hearing loss will fi nd new resources to access multimedia interpretation at national parks this summer. The National Park Service (NPS) now offers on-screen, open captions, subtitles or assistive listening systems. Its aim is "to enable viewers with hearing loss to participate fully when viewing video or multimedia productions without self-identifying." Furthermore, NPS guidelines emphasize that park exhibits shall offer handsets, such as audio sticks, sound sticks and telephone receivers, which must have volume control and be telecoil compatible. And information desks shall allow for text telephone service (TTY) equipment. So, load up the RV and head out to experience a new depth of appreciation for the history and background of our most notable national landmarks.
Mainstreaming D/HH Students in Vietnam
The Oticon Foundation announced in May a $50,000 grant to the Global Foundation for Children with Hearing Loss to establish a teacher training program for teachers of deaf and hard of hearing infants and children in Vietnam. The grant enabled the Global Foundation to bring to Vietnam in June a total of 12 experts in audiology, speech therapy, early intervention and auditory-verbal education. The experts mentored 88 Vietnamese teachers and 25 families of children with hearing loss on helping children improve their spoken language skills and integrate more successfully into hearing society. Since each teacher works with approximately 10 children, the program will positively impact the education of more than 850 children.
New Leadership at IHS
The International Hearing Society (IHS), which represents hearing healthcare providers worldwide, has appointed Kathleen Mennillo as executive director, effective May 1. Mennillo, who takes over from outgoing director Cindy Helms, has served as education manager for IHS, which is based in Livonia, Mich. Mennillo earned a BA at the University of Michigan Dearborn and an MBA from Davenport University.
Oticon Focus on People
Nominations are now open for the 13th Annual Oticon Focus on People Awards to honor outstanding people with hearing loss who are helping to show that hearing loss does not limit a person's ability to make a positive difference in their families, schools, communities or the world.
Since 1996, this national awards program has recognized and rewarded people with hearing loss who defy negative stereotypes of what it means to have a hearing loss. There are four categories: student, adult, advocacy and hearing care professional. Each first-place winner receives $1,000, plus $1,000 for their school or favorite charity. Winners in the youth, adult and advocacy categories also receive a set of Oticon hearing instruments. Visit www.oticonusa.com under the Professional or Consumer section to complete the online form by September 20, 2010.
Chinese Use Noise in Law Enforcement
Long Range Acoustic Device™ (LRAD®) products have been sold to Chinese national law enforcement agencies. The company states that LRAD-directed sound products and systems enable law enforcement to communicate clearly at safe distances, broadcasting critical information, instructions and warnings. Law enforcement personnel are trained on the proper use of LRAD and have full control of the audio output through a prominently positioned volume control knob. LRAD creates increased standoff and safety zones; supports resolution of uncertain situations; and potentially prevents the use of deadly force, with the use of targeted sound. Visit www.lradx.com for more on LRAD Corporation.
London's Deaf Rave Scene
Babelgum's Vice Versus (www.babelgum.com/viceversus), a weekly Internet show, takes viewers around the world to unearth the strangest, weirdest and most exciting underground scenes and cultures, and guess what they found in London? Known as Deaf Raves, these hard of hearing parties are organized by deaf people for deaf people and include a wide range of music styles such as reggae, R&B and house drum and bass. The music is turned up loudly so party-goers feel the strong vibrations through their bodies from the bass. Hearing companions are cautioned to wear ear protection.
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