This is what BBC said:

“People who are deaf or hard of hearing have long complained that going to watch a film can be an unsatisfactory experience, with subtitled films on at unsociable times and often suffering from technical problems. But a solution could soon available in the form of special glasses which allow the wearer to see subtitles directly in front of their eyes, giving them the freedom of choice afforded to hearing people.”

Check out the link and watch the video.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-14654339

One of the questions that keeps coming up among the Hear2day community is around the issue of subtitling on DVD’s in South Africa. Why do some DVD’s have subtitles and others don’t? Why can’t all DVD’s have subtitles? It would seem that subtitles are available on nearly all DVD’s that are manufactured intentionally, but when it comes to locally supplied DVD’s, it’s a different story. Hear2day has tried to make it easier for people who rent movies from Mr VIDEO by running a campaign where every DVD with subtitles has a sticker easily identifying that subtitles are available. This is a start, but the real issue needs to be addressed at on a supply level.

We wrote to NuMetro and asked them why not all DVD’s which they release here in SA have subtitles available. This is there response:

Nu Metro Home Entertainment represents five international studios (Warner Bros., Sony, Paramount / Dreamworks, Universal, BBC) plus a large slate of independently produced content (both local and international content) which they release each month.  Almost all content from the international studios is subtitled for DVD release.

Product from the Independent slate is handled differently.  When bringing in the material for subtitling, we have encountered problems due to the conversion process required from NTSC to Pal and the time frame that we have to complete this in.  Due to piracy issues, we cannot delay a release for 3 or 4 weeks in order to get this conversion done. All DVDs (both rental and retail) specify on the sleeve whether the DVD is in fact subtitled and for which languages.  This is checked locally and every effort is made to ensure that the information on the sleeve is 100% correct. Nu Metro Home Entertainment would never choose to remove or not include subtitles on any DVDs since extra features are a strong selling tool.

Nu Metro Home Entertainment represents five international studios (Warner Bros., Sony, Paramount / Dreamworks, Universal, BBC) plus a large slate of independently produced content (both local and international content) which they release each month.  Almost all content from the international studios is subtitled for DVD release. Product from the Independent slate is handled differently.  When bringing in the material for subtitling, we have encountered problems due to the conversion process required from NTSC to Pal and the time frame that we have to complete this in.  Due to piracy issues, we cannot delay a release for 3 or 4 weeks in order to get this conversion done. All DVDs (both rental and retail) specify on the sleeve whether the DVD is in fact subtitled and for which languages.  This is checked locally and every effort is made to ensure that the information on the sleeve is 100% correct.

Nu Metro Home Entertainment would never choose to remove or not include subtitles on any DVDs since extra features are a strong selling tool.

We will continue to pursue this issue and try and gain a better understanding, but for now we need to continue with our investigation. We don’t think that enough emphasis is being placed on the importance of subtitles, not only for the deaf community, but also the vast community that doesn’t have English as their first language. Onwards and upwards.

Dr. Robert Sweetow, a world renowned specialist in the area of ear, nose, throat, neck and head disorders, will be visiting South Africa in the month of October 2010. This branch of medicine is called Otolaryngology and Dr. Sweetow has a special interest in tinnitus which is the persistent or continual ringing sound experienced in the ear.

• Is Tinnitus disrupting your daily routine?
• Would you like to understand more about the condition?

You are welcome to attend this support work-shop. Dr. Sweetow will lead the support session. He will address your questions and reflect on therapeutic options for managing this symptomatic disorder.

Please confirm your attendance, by responding in any one of the following ways before 15 October 2010.

Email: tinnitus@widex.co.za
Fax: 086 682 9121
Share call: 0860 326 061

Date: 21st October 2010
Time: 11:00 – 1200
Venue: LT1, E Floor, Groote Schuur Hospital

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.