This year Delta Zetas and the Cool Cats joined Quota to hand out earplugs.
This was the second year Quota participated in the parade. The weather could not have been better.
With so many helpers to hand out earplugs, we quickly ran out! The rest of the parade was spent waving, smiling and chanting “Quota Cares! Save your Hearing!”
Look for us next year! Ho ho ho!
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As a Quota member, it is encouraging to know that the part our Club plays in fulfilling its mission of serving the local and global communities on service to the deaf and the hearing impaired is part of a greater force. This became very evident while attending HLA’s 5th Anniversary event at the JW Marriott June 15, 2009.
Not only were attendees able to experience the hearing loop system but an interpreter and captionist were provided.
Chris Jacques, President of HLA-GR welcomed everyone to the event and set the stage for some well known speakers.
First, US Representative Vern Ehlers shared with the group the “Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act (H.R.1646) he is trying to get passed. This would provide a tax credit of up to $500.00 per hearing aid, available once every 5 years, towards the purchase of a hearing aid, available to: 1) individuals age 55 and over, or 2) those purchasing a hearing aid for a dependent. The bill includes a $200,000/year income-eligibility cap.
Following Mr. Ehlers, Richard M. DeVos, Founder of Amway Corporation was presented with the HLA-GR Appreciation Award. Mr. DeVos stressed that “communication” is not just hearing but conveying your message in positive ways. He emphasized that it doesn’t matter what time it is. It is YOUR time and the only time you have so deal with things NOW!
Another well known speaker, Professor David G. Myers, author of “A Quiet World – Living with Hearing Loss”, (click here for his website) spoke on different kinds of hearing loss. In addition to technologies available, there are various adjustments that can be made to help the hard of hearing such as holding a meeting in a quiet place at a small table with lots of lighting so you can see the other person’s eyes and hands. He sees hearing aids as glasses for the ears. He went on to further discuss many of the technologies available for assistive listening and especially what a difference the T-coil is making. He mentioned some of the places that are now looped such as the Grand Rapids Airport, DeVos Convention Center, churches and taxis in London. In addition, New York City is trying to get 642 subway booths looped.
He encourages all to DREAM BIG and “LET’S LOOP AMERICA”!
Mr. Myers’ message of dreaming big was carried on with the next speaker, Bill Barkeley. Mr. Barkeley is a motivational speaker who is deaf-blind and who successfully climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro (you can read more about his adventure here).
What an inspiration!!!!!!!!!!!
He believes that sometimes restraints help you go somewhere. His restraints took him to the top of the mountain.
He wanted to reach the summit so he could get his message out to not let disabilities define you – you define your own abilities and dreams can come true.
As the audience sat teary eyed, the program ended with Keith Brautigam, Calvin College Professor of Music, singing “Climb Every Mountain”.
As all the information and positive words were flowing, a central theme emerged throughout the morning -
DREAM BIG AND ENJOY AND MAKE THE MOST OF NOW!
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Levels of hearing loss
Normal Hearing: 0-20 dB
Mild Hearing loss: 20-40 dB
Moderate Hearing loss: 40-60 dB
Severe Hearing loss: 60-90 dB
Profound Hearing loss: 90-120 dB
How Loud is Too Loud:
90 Decibels: prolonged exposure to any noise above 90 dB can cause gradual hearing loss.
100 Decibels: no more than 15 minutes of unprotected exposure recommended.
110 Decibels: regular exposure of more than 1 minute risks permanent hearing loss.
Are you hurting your hearing?
0 dB -Threshold of normal hearing
20 dB -Whispered voice
40 dB -Refrigerator humming
60 dB -Normal conversation
80 dB -City traffic
90 dB -Lawn mower, Motorcycle
100 dB -Wood Shop
110 dB -Chain saw
120 dB -Snowmobiles
140 dB -Rock Concerts, Firecrackers
“What is it like to be deaf?”
People have asked me.
Deaf? Oh, hmm… how do I explain that?
Simple: I can’t hear.
No, wait… it is much more than that.
It is similar to a goldfish in a bowl,
Always observing things going on.
People talking at all times.
It is like a man on his own island
Among foreigners.
Isolation is no stranger to me.
Relatives say hi and bye
But I sit for 5 hours among them
Taking great pleasure at amusing babies
Or being amused by TV.
Reading books, resting, helping out with food.
Natural curiosity perks up
Upon seeing great laughter, crying, anger.
Inquiring only to meet with a “Never mind” or
“Oh, it’s not important”.
Getting a summarized statement
Of the whole day.
I’m supposed to smile to show my happiness.
Little do they know how truly miserable I am.
People are in control of language usage,
I am at loss and really uncomfortable!
Always feeling like an outsider
Among the hearing people,
Even though it was not their intention.
Always assuming that I am part of them
By my physical presence, not understanding
The importance of communication.
Facing the choice between Deaf Event
weekend or a family reunion.
Facing the choice between the family commitment and Deaf friends.
I must make the choices constantly,
Any wonder why I choose Deaf friends???
I get such great pleasure at the Deaf clubs,
Before I realize it, it is already 2:00 am,
Whereas I anxiously look at the clock
Every few minutes at the Family Reunion.
With Deaf people, I feel so normal,
Our communication flows back and forth.
Catch up with little trivials, our daily life,
Our frustration in the bigger world,
Seeking the mutual understanding,
Contented smiles and laughter are musical.
So magical to me,
So attuned to each other’s feelings.
True happiness is so important.
I feel more at home with Deaf people
Of various color, religion, short or tall.
Than I do among my own hearing relatives.
And you wonder why?
Our language is common.
We understand each other.
Being at loss of control
Of the environment that is communication,
People panic and retreat to avoid
Deaf people like the plague.
But Deaf people are still human beings
With dreams, desires, and needs
To belong, just like everyone else.
–Dianne Kinnee (Switras)
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At our last noon meeting on April 2nd, we had a chance to hear from Todd B. and Bill H. about their company Hearing Loop Systems through ASCOM Communications Contractors. Visit their website to learn more about this local owned and operated company. You can also learn more about the loop system and how it works. Do you know of a building or organization that can benefit from this system? The technology is growing, more and more hearing aids are able to keep up with the technology. Do not hesitate to contact us, (Quota of Grand Rapids) for more information, to get you started.
The above image shows the basic concept behind the loop system.
David G. Myers, a professor at Hope College, is an advocate of the Hearing Loop System. You can read more on his website.
Look for this universal sign displayed where hearing Loop Systems are installed.
How can the Hearing Loop System help you?
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With the focus on health care in Washington, DC, this is perhaps the best time to make our voice heard in support of tax credits for hearing aids. The Hearing Aid Tax Credit legislation now before Congress provides up to $1,000 for two hearing aids for dependents and adults 55 years and over. According to research done by Sergei Kochkin of the Better Hearing Institute, one in four households in America has at least one person with a hearing loss and two-thirds cannot afford hearing health care.
The following link is an easy to use way to contact your congressmen/women in support of this legislation. With no support from insurance, at a cost of $4000+ every 4-5 years, this type of legislation can really help anyone wearing hearing aids.
Thanks for your support.
Thank you to Nancy who sent us this information. Contact your congressman/woman today!
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