Make a difference! Donate hearing aids to The Global Foundation for Children with Hearing Loss

It breaks my heart to think about those individuals who do not have access to hearing healthcare and rehabilitative services. The ability to hear, whether naturally or with amplification, provides us with the means to communicate. And the lack of communication can bear significant emotional and social impacts on an individual, leading to isolation and even depression. For children, the ability to hear is a crucial building block for speech and language development. 

I came across an article on AudiologyOnline about a foundation that makes a huge impact for those who are underserved across various countries. In Vietnam, there are approximately 180,000 children who are identified with a hearing loss and yet there are no "professionally trained" audiologists to serve those in need. The Global Foundation for Children with Hearing Loss, a non-profit organization, provides services to those in need, but also trains educators and families to follow their lead for continued support. 

On January 10-21, 2011, an international team of audiologists and auditory-verbal therapists will be collaborating with nine Deaf Education schools in Vietnam to provide audiologic testing, hearing aid fittings, and auditory-verbal support to children and their educators and families. If you, a relative or a friend have a good functioning behind-the-ear style hearing aid, you can donate it to The Global Foundation for Children with Hearing Loss. If you don't have access to any used hearing aids, you can also provide monetary support for the mission. 

According to the article, the foundation has already received hearing aid donations from manufacturers, Oticon and Phonak, as well as grants from other organizations for the purchase of hearing aids. It states that a $100 donation can provide one hearing aid and two batteries, which is amazing. But of course, any amount of donation can contribute to the greater good and there are even opportunities to volunteer! 

For this holiday season, take a moment to consider the difference you can make in the lives of others!


For monetary donations to support the foundation’s Vietnam Deaf Education & Hearing Aid Programs: http://www.childrenwithhearingloss.org/difference.shtml

To donate hearing aids for the January 2010 mission: Contact Paige Stringer, Executive Director, Global Foundation For Children With Hearing Loss at paige@childrenwithhearingloss.org

Hearing Aid Auction: Hear Indiana's "Talk Walk Run 2010" event

The non-profit Indiana chapter of the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Hear Indiana's "Talk Walk Run 2010" event is being held on Saturday, May 1, 2010.
The purpose of the 5K walk or run is to raise awareness and funds for children with hearing loss. One of the ways they are raising funds is through an auction of books, hearing loss related products, and sports memorabilia on their website.

What's interesting is that they are auctioning a pair of Phonak Naida IX hearing aids at a starting bid price of $2,000 for both. There are current no bids on the item and the auction ends on April 29 at 10:00 p.m. The retail price of this hearing aid varies depending on the practice, but the Naida IX can retail for approximately $3,000 each.

Please remember that this hearing aid is not appropriate for every individual. Consult with your audiologist about whether or not this hearing aid is appropriate for you. Learn more about the Naida IX on Phonak's website.

Here are the restrictions listed on their website:
Restrictions:
Naída is water resistant and available in 19 colors and four different styles. With the help of your audiologist, you may choose your color and style. Please contact your audiologist or Paul Kreimer (800-777-7333 or paul.kreimer@phonak.com) if you are unsure if this hearing aid is right for you.

Phonak Audéo PFE, Perfect Fit Earphones

Audéo PFE with microphone (left) and Audéo PFE (right)

I have fairly small ear canals and it can be difficult to find standard sized earphones that are comfortable. I currently have a pair of custom earmolds that I fit over standard iPod earbuds and although they are comfortable, they don't provide any noise-isolation features. 

After hearing a lot of buzz about the Phonak Audéo PFE from forums and briefly trying out my professor's pair and finding them very comfortable. I ordered a pair of white ones with a microphone from their website for $159 plus tax. The Audéo PFEs without a microphone retail at $139 plus tax. Available in black or white and with free shipping.

For this price, users have found the frequency quality excellent using the various different audio filters available. CNET reviews gave it the editor's choice in March 2009. 

What's included:

• 1 pair of Audéo Perfect Fit Earphones with microphone
• Audio filter box with 6 audio filters (2 grey, 4 black)*,  and changing tool
• Silicone ear tips – 3 pairs (1 pair S, 1 pair M, 1 pair L)
• ComplyTM foam tips - 1 pair M
• Cleaning tool for ear tips
• 2 silicone ear guides
• Carrying case

Coming up... a full review. 

Why Hearing Aids DON'T Suck by Healthy Hearing

A recent article published on the Healthy Hearing website provides a rebuttal to a Wired magazine article titled "Why Things Suck: Hearing Aids," that according to Healthy Hearing, gave misinformation about current hearing aid technology. Here is one example from the Wired magazine article: "High-end hearing aids add a directional microphone trained in front of the listener, but that increases cost and, critically, bulk." This is a false statement!


Almost every digital hearing aid on the market today is equipped with directional microphones that can assist the listener understand speech better in noisy situations compared to an omnidirectional microphone that picks up sound from all around. The hearing aids with dual microphones are not more expensive nor do they require larger hearing aid casings. Check out one of Phonak's new products, the Audéo SMART (pictured), which is a small hearing device with directional microphones offered at all three performance levels along with other features. Not only does this hearing aid have a directional microphone but it has adaptive directionality, like most hearing aids on the market today. This means that the hearing device can be set to automatically evaluate the sound environment and select the best microphone configuration for the situation.


The Wired article also goes on to say, "Hearing aids can cost more than $3,000 apiece," which is also incorrect! Hearing aid technology comes in a range of prices and do not start at $3,000! The article goes on and on feeding the reader inaccurate information without any resources.


Ok, I digress. Read the article by Healthy Hearing called, "Why Hearing Aids DON'T Suck," to learn about how hearing aids can improve one's ability to hear and positively impact the quality of life of hearing impaired individuals. It also provides a good overview of advancements in digital hearing aid technology including design, microphones, digital sound processing and batteries.