Anti Vuvuzela campaigners are urging football clubs in Britain to keep the controversial horn out of their stadiums.

To some, they were the definitive sound of the World Cup, a celebration of African culture and must-have momento of this summer’s football festival; to others, they were just an irritating din. But now campaigners for hard-of-hearing people are urging football clubs in Britain to keep their stadiums free of the drone of the dreaded vuvuzelas when the new season kicks off next month.

They are warning that the blaring, horn-like sound from the instruments is so loud that fans of the nation’s favourite sport could suffer permanent hearing loss if fellow spectators at a match try to recreate the atmosphere from South Africa.

Read the full article here.

Pictured here are Christene Rogers, audiologist from UCT,  Andrea Lewis, our Executive Secretary and Betty Glaser.

Tinnitus is a condition that can impact on one’s life and is not easy for non-sufferers to comprehend.  It also can be something that can be very difficult to live with depending on the degree of severity.  Family members may not be able to understand and it could cause strain on a relationship.

If you live on your own, it can be a frightening experience and Betty felt that a support group could be of great assistance to anyone affected.  This would be the first such group in South Africa as far as was known, so if there are any Tinnitus sufferers out there who are interested in joining a group, please let us know.

View Betty’s Presentation on Tinnitus

“These findings may provide the first step toward regenerating spiral ganglion neurons, the nerve cells that send sound representations to the brain,” said Alain Dabdoub, PhD, co-author of the study and Assistant Professor of Surgery with the Division of Otolaryngology at the UC San Diego School of Medicine. “This has significant implications for advances in cochlear implant technology and biological treatments for hearing loss.” Inside the cochlea, hair cells convert sound vibrations into electrical signals that are then sent on to the spiral ganglion cells. If these cells are lost or damaged, hearing loss occurs. Existing therapies for hearing loss are based either on increasing hair cell stimulation with hearing aids or introducing an electronic substitute for the hair cells with cochlear implants. In either case, the presence of working spiral ganglion neurons is required for a successful outcome.

Prior research shows that as few as 10 percent of the typical number of spiral ganglion neurons is sufficient for the success of cochlear implants. Finding out that Sox2 is involved in generating new working cells opens up the possibility of treating hearing loss with therapy that stimulates Sox2 into action. Sox2 is part of the SoxB1 family of proteins, which plays a significant role in neural development in the spinal cord and elsewhere. The study demonstrates a new role for Sox2 in ear development, showing that the protein is critical for the production of auditory neurons and that generating new neurons is possible.
The study was published in the 13th January issue of the Journal of Neuroscience.

Not sure if you have the same problem, but I had a hard time looking for the right phone, desktop (wired) or handphone after I had my first CI (2004).
My daily routine office work involves frequent calling and receiving calls from customers. Initially, I shy away from phone calls and that affects my work productivity very badly. I often resort to using SMS to communicate with people.

The situation makes me hunt around for the right phone. I searched the internet for hearing aid compatible phones and also tried the phones at retail shops. But do not seem to get one that is really suitable for my use. So far, I have tried Bluetooth & handsfree device from Noizfree. The sound quality was good but somehow the device did not last. I have also tried the MaxIT bluetooth neckloop, the volume was so soft that I could hardly hear any voice.

After a long search, at last I found one neckloop, CLA7v2 Powered Neck Loop which I am most satisfied with. The call quality is good and there is little or no disruptions during calls. I have been using it for the last one month and I hope it will last as long as possible. Based on my own experience, I hope the information below is also useful to you if you are hunting around for a suitable phone.

Desktop wired phone
I am using a handset amplifier, HA-40 model (purchased from SGH). Just plug the HA-40 to the base set of your phone and connect the handset to the amplifier. The amplifier has an independent volume control which can increase the volume. No restriction to the type of phone you are using. Very useful for office or home. It operates on a 9V battery. No drop in call quality. Other family members can also use. Can choose to use with or without T_Coil, depending on individual.

Hand Phone
I am currently using Nokia E71. So far I find this most friendly to use with CI. When used with T-Coil, there is minimum interference and buzzing sound. Call quality is usually good.

If you need handsfree for phone call, below are options you can consider:

Bluetooth Neck Loop
There are a few versions available in the local market, the MaxIT, the Artone and the Noizfree Beetle. Most of these devices control its volume through the handphone. I found them too soft for my use. So, try them before buying. Try them in nosier environment and not just in quiet enclosed room.
Another option is the CLA7BT Neckloop Bluetooth. It has an independent volume control with amplification up to 30db. Even in noisy environment, you should be able to hear clearly. It is powered by a lithium rechargeable battery. Though I have not tried the bluetooth version but I am now using the wired version with the same technical technical specification. See below on CLA7v2 Powered Neck Loop.

The advantage with bluetooth neckloop is it should work with any phone with Bluetooth capability. So you can choose the type of phone you want with bluetooth capability. But it consumes a lot of battery power.

Wired Neck Loop
I am using CLA7v2 Powered Neck Loop. It comes with 5 interchangeable, color-coded adapter cables. It is compatible with iPhone, cell phones (with 2.5mm or 3.5mm jack connector). I understand it is also compatible with cordless phones, audio devices such as iPod, MP3 and DVD players, and assistive listening devices that use a neck loop. It has an independent volume control with amplification up to 30db. I have no problem connecting to my Nokia E71 with the 2.5mm mono audio jack. If you are using other brand or model, you should try before buying. Alternatively you can purchase an appropriate adapter.
The calls are loud and clear. You can use it comfortably under most situations. You can adjust the volume to suit your hearing needs (30db is loud).
For bilateral (like me), you will enjoy the clear and loud sound with both hearings.

Similarly, you can enjoy stereo music from your ipod or radio. There is a stereo cable supplied with the device. The device has a convenient switch which you can off when not in use. It operates on 2 AAA batteries and can last as long as 2 weeks.

Cons (Ooops):
The size is quite big (looks like a big pendent, oval shape, abt 35mm x 70mm) and a bit of weight with 2 batteries.

This provides the user with a convenient, wireless solution that is free from the interference and feedback often experienced due the interaction between the microphones in the hearing aid and the mobile phone.

Please note: in order to use HearIt Mobile with hearing aids in T-position (telecoil), the hearing aid must be equipped with a telecoil fitted by the hearing care professional.

She informed me that Vodacom only offer specific phones for people who have a visual impairment e.g. blind or low vision, they do not offer any products for people with a hearing loss e.g. phones that are telecoil enabled; airtime which can be used for sending sms’es etc.  I asked her when Vodacom would begin to start supporting the deaf/Deaf/HoH communities?  Mapoma did not have an answer and promised to take the matter up with her Supervisor.

Should we hold our breath??

Researchers have produced evidence, based on tests at a soccer match with blaring vuvuzelas, that the sound level inside a 2010 stadium could lead to permanent hearing damage. “The findings of this study demonstrate a real risk of noise-induced hearing loss,” they say in an article in the latest edition of the SA Medical Journal. The study was authored by Dr De Wet Swanepoel of the University of Pretoria’s department of communication pathology, and Dr James Hall of a sister department at the University of Florida.

They said they tested the hearing of 11 spectators before and after they attended a Premier Soccer League match at a FIFA-approved training stadium with 30 000 seats. During the match, ten of the 11 wore personal sound exposure meters fixed to their shoulders, and four of them blew vuvuzelas. The researchers said the average sound exposure experienced by the participants during the almost two hours they spent in the stadium was 100.5 decibels.

Get ready audiologists, you may need to extend your practice hours.

Read the full article here.

We were fortunate enough to receive a presentation by Patrick Holkins who is the founder of Hear. Now. South Africa (HNSA) and Hearing Loss Nation (HLN), a US based online community for individuals with hearing loss between the ages 18 and 35.

Patrick lost his hearing at the age of four as a result of a bout with meningitis and started wearing hearing aids by the age of 12. He is a Harvard graduate in political science and is also an avid rugby player, playing Ivy League rugby in the United States. He is in South Africa working with a rural community in the Eastern Cape with the aim of establishing a sustainable hearing loss screening and treatment With the help of the Audiology staff at Nelson Mandela hospital in Umtata, he hopes to ensure that all hearing impaired children in the region receive timely and effective hearing health care.   His audiovisual presentation was excellent and inspiring. His passion and commitment to uplifting the hard of hearing community serves as an inspiration to us all. Please check his website out at www.hearnowsa.com

Jenny Perold was up next, presenting topics that we are to discuss for future general meetings.  Everyone agreed on a number of topics, this included topics such as coping with hearing loss at work and at University and how to deal with hearing loss in unfamiliar environments. Some great suggestions were made and it seems that hear2day will be hosting a few more role playing sessions, as well as some additional informal general meetings this year.

We are also glad to announce that hear2day is now a registered Non Profit Organisation (NPO) with a fully functional and approved constitution. This is thanks to the unwavering persistence and efforts of our Treasurer, Fred Benning.

Thanks to Gail Jacklin for providing the snacks and refreshments, they were delicious as always.

We had our very own paparazzi at the meeting, with Andrew Nel and Paul Jacklin snapping up pictures as the meeting progressed. The pictures will be posted online shortly!

The evening was closed by our chairperson Tony Abrahamson, thanking all the members who attended. Special thanks were made to Jenny and Patrick for their wonderful presentations and for those who contributed in ensuring our first hear2day general meeting of 2010 was such a great success.

HearAbility is an independent company which was recently founded by two people who care about those who deal with the issue of hearing loss on a daily basis – a mother of a hearing-impaired daughter and a friend who himself has a disability. The name is derived from: giving those who are hearing impaired the tools or ability to enhance their residual hearing as well as to improve their quality of life. This company is the first of its kind in South Africa – a company devoted to serving the needs of the hearing-impaired communities throughout Africa.

From batteries, battery holders and vibrating clocks, HearAbility is set to make our lives a little easier.

Visit HearAbility.co.za

Hearing Aids became a must from the age of 22. Starting out with the small in the ear hearing aids and, two years later moving to a BTE in the one ear soon followed by another BTE hearing aid for my other ear. Unfortunately this severe deafness became profound three years later, to the extent that it was almost impossible for me to lead a normal life.

I knew that I should not cut myself off from normal activities, but the stress and strain that came with attending a mere social gathering made me tired and at times miserable. I became anxious and constantly on my guard. Unknowingly my professional life also suffered. I could hardly put forth my studies as hearing in lecture theatres was a nightmare. I repeatedly applied for absence of leave. In essence I could not do more than one thing at a time. Work took precedence over all else, since it provided for my livelihood and possibly because I felt that it was necessary for me to proof that I was as good as, if not better than, my piers. Naturally my family and social life suffered a great blow. Needless to say and unknowing to me, I stopped living and merely existed for a long time.

Then the miracle occurred; I had a cochlear implant (CI). My life took on an amazing turn. Still today I find it unbelievable that I am able to hear as much as I do. Sometimes it is hard to believe that I am still deaf. The miracle of sound was given back to me through a mere operation, a simple medical procedure; but it came with a huge prize tag. As a recently married couple my husband and I could not afford this operation. Although my medical aid covered the operation cost; they merely covered R30 000 of the equipment, which according to them is considered a prosthesis.  We were determined for me undergo the operation as soon as possible and incurred a huge amount of debt that will hang over our heads for years to come. Currently, it is crippling us with the current and continued hike in our interest rate. Fortunately for me, my husband is very philosophical about it, and said that it an investment in me.

For me my CI is a new life source and I feel more alive now than I ever did in a very, very long time. Before this, I constantly worried about being deaf and becoming a recluse like so many of my family members (10 aunts/uncles and even more cousins and nieces/nephews). Now I know there is hope, by the grace of God and due to technological advances, anything is possible.  Although this miracle of hearing is a stone throw away from anyone that is hearing impaired, it being a very simple procedure; it still evades so many people with a profound hearing loss. Neither the state nor the Medical Aids are doing much to make this a reality to many. Most South Africans are denied this…Why??? I really don’t know. It is clear that money decides who hear and who don’t!