Hearing Loss Simulation: the Flinstones

I just found this video on YouTube. Watch it! (and listen) As the Flinstones and the Rubbles go one playing their boardgame and talking, the audio is changed to simulate how one would be hearing the conversation with various degrees of hearing loss.

Curtis Pride, deaf major league baseball player, was cited by the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce as of one of ten outstanding young Americans. Mr. Pride shared his "overcoming hearing loss" story in a number of public service announcements for BHI. "It was my most exciting moment-pinch-hitting for the Montreal Expos with runners on first and second base against the Philadelphia Phillies. I hit the first pitch for a two-run double, and received my first standing ovation. I was overwhelmed as I stood on second and saw all those people cheering. I've come a long way since being born with a 95% hearing loss. Major reasons were my exceptionally supportive parents, being first fitted with hearing aids as a baby, getting speech therapy from infancy through high school, and my determination to rely on oral communication. Such blessings helped me obtain my degree from The College of William and Mary, as well as excel in soccer, basketball, baseball and other sports. People wanted me on their team. My hope is that others will be encouraged by my experience to seek help-medically, with hearing aids, or other rehabilitation- if they suspect a hearing loss." Curtis is the fourth known deaf major league baseball player in history. There were three deaf ball players prior to Curtis Pride. 1) Dummy Hoy (he was the first) back in the 1800's. He was the person who instigated the hand signals for balls, strikes, safe, out, etc. 2) Dummy Taylor (who also worked at the Illinois School for the Deaf) played ball in the early 1900s and 3) Richard Sipek, played in mid 1940's for Cincinnati Reds.


Information obtained from the Better Hearing Insitute: www.betterhearing.org

Matt Lauer of the Today Show has his hearing tested

Did you happen to watch the Today Show this past Wednesday, August 10th?

If you missed it, Matt Lauer had his hearing tested by Lexington Hearing & Speech Center.  He brought much needed attention to a critical health concern that is under-recognized and under-reported.


"In submitting to a hearing test on the air, Mr. Lauer performed a genuine public service that helps bring attention to the growing health crisis of hearing loss in adults under 65," said Adele I. Agin, LCSW, Executive Director, Lexington Hearing & Speech.


"The truth is that younger Americans are losing their hearing at an alarming rate, and recently I found out that that includes me as well," Mr. Lauer said.  Mr. Lauer, 53, reported that although hearing loss is commonly thought to predominantly affect the aged, currently more adults under 65 suffer hearing loss than those over 65.  He was advised by the audiologist conducting his hearing test that his impairment was attributable to the earphone he routinely wears in his right ear as part of his job.  


"Regular earphone and headphone use is the single most common factor leading to hearing loss in adults under 65.  Teenagers and young adults who 'plug in' to listen to music for hours at a time are especially vulnerable, and parents should make sure their children are getting hearing tests as part of their annual health check ups. Testing is covered by most insurance plans, is painless and take only a few minutes," said Lexington's Audiology Director, John Ioannou, MS, CCC-A.  "Hearing loss is irreversible.  Identifying any problem early on will enable appropriate steps to prevent further deterioration and reduce the impact of hearing loss on quality of life."


Kudos to you Mr. Lauer!  Thank you, from this group of audiologists, for bringing this to the attention of all of your viewers!

I wanna rock and roll all night...

...and party every day!

Remember that song? By American Rock Band KISS?

On Thursday, April 14th (that's tomorrow!) Paul Stanley (vocals and rhythm guitar) will appear on "The Doctors," a nationally syndicated TV medical talk show.  It is aired at 2pm in the Toledo area on NBC channel 24. (outside the Toledo area, please check local listings for times).

Mr. Stanley will discuss his work with the non-profit House Research Institute, his own hearing loss and his efforts to prevent noise-induced hearing loss among teens. They are working on a major initiave called "It's How You Listen that Counts," to educate millions of teens around the world on preventing noise-induced hearing loss. 

Together, they will be drawing the attention of teens in NYC and LA to hearing health issues through an after-school event called SOUND RULES!

The event, free for teens, will take place at the Director’s Guilds in NYC on May 4 and Los Angeles on May 12. 

Did You Know that Paul Stanley was born deaf in his right ear?