*build friendship wit Nucleus & Baha recipients in your community

*are you considering a Nucleus or Baha and want to meet people who already have one

*voice your ideas and participate in local events with Cochlear.

All are welcome

WHERE:  Saratoga Springs Public Library,  49 Henry Street, Saratoga Springs, NY

WHEN:  Thursday, February 9th at 6:30-8:00pm

RSVP:  518-761-0554 or email office@afthi.org

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE ADULT/TEENAGE CLASS

Starting the week of February 27th Sign Up online today!!

FABULOUS FRIENDS WITH FLYING FINGERS

Start Tuesday, February 28th  there are only a few spots left so don’t delay sign up today!!

Faced with a substantial decline in contributions and competition with other good causes for local grants and fund raising dollars, we could very well be forced to close our doors this month ending 25 years of service.

Our total budget of 2011 is $88,000 of which 70% comes from fundraising and grants.

If you would like to donate you can send or drop off a check made out to AFTHI, 71 Glenwood Avenue, Queensbury, NY 12804.   For more information please call 761-0554 or email us at office@afthi.org

AFTHI provides services and support for individuals with hearing loss, and also their family, friends, co-workers and classmates.  Hearing health has such a dramatic impact on quality of life, and we want to be available in the future to help people of all ages with hearing loss.

We’d love to have you join us for our Annual Holiday Party on Sunday, December 11 from 2:00pm- 4:30pm at the West Glens Falls Volunteer Fire House, Luzerne Rd, Queensbury!

Our party includes:

• visit from Santa
• crafts
• games
• food
• raffle, and
• a performance by the Fabulous Friends with Flying Fingers

Please just RSVP using this nifty on-line reply card!

Reprinted from:  Hearing Loss Magazine, May/June 2011

 Even with today’s technology, the best hearing aids and cochlear implants can’t separate the sounds you want to hear from background noise, or pickup all the sounds coming from a distant source like a stage or movie screen.

With a telecoil you can expand the functionality of your hearing aid or cochlear implant.  A telecoil in a hearing aid functions as a wireless antenna that links into a sound system and delivers customized sound to the listener.

WHAT IS A TELECOIL?

A telecoil is a small copper coil that is an option on most hearing aids and is built into cochlear implant processors.  They are also known as t-coils and were originally used to boost the magnetic signals from the telephone handset.  The telecoil is activated by a t-switch on the hearing aid or cochlear implant.  All landline and some cell phones are designed by law to be used with telecoil.

The telecoil can make a noticeable difference in your life when you combine it with hearing assistive technology.  This pairing of technology bridges the physical space between you and the sound source.  Hearing assistive technology connects the listener directly to the sound source while most background noise is eliminated.

WHEN WOULD YOU USE A TELECOIL?

Increasing the volume on your hearing aid or cochlear implant won’t necessarily increase the clarity of what you hear.  Hearing assistive technology combined wit a telecoil can improve your understanding of dialogue at work, in a meeting, in the classroom, theaters, places of worship, tour buses, and other places.  Some people use telecoils at home with the TV while keeping the TV volume low for the comfort of others.

Many public places are equipped with hearing assistive technology.  With the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, hearing assistive technology is increasingly available in public places.

 WHAT IS HEARING ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY (HAT)

Theare are three types of wireless hearing assistive technology. 

The hearing loop is a wire that circles a room and is connected to the sounds system. 
The loop transmits the sound electromagnetically. 
The electromagnetic signal is then picked up by the telecoil in the hearing aid or cochlear implant. 

An infrared system uses invisible light beams to carry sound from the source to a personal receive.  (the sound source must be in the line of sight.)  Different types of attachments may be connected to the personal receiver such as a neckloop or a behind the are silhouette.  The telecoil then picks up sound from the receiver .

An FM system works similarly, but sound is conveyed though radio waves to a personal receiver.

 WHAT OTHER USES ARE THERE FOR TELECOILS?

Telecoils can improve hearing on hearing aid compatible phones and can be used with neckloops to replace headphones.  A neckloop is similar to a hearing loop, except that it is worn around the neck and can be plugged into other audio    devices (such as an MP3 player , computer, or FM or infrared receivers) to transmit the audio signal directly to the hearing aid telecoil, y passing the need for headphones.

 HOW DO YOU GET A TELECOIL?  ARE THEY EXPENSIVE?

Ask for a telecoil when you buy your hearing aids.  A telecoil may add a small amount to the cost of your hearing aid but the benefits far outweigh the cost.  Ask your audiologist to include a telecoil in your hearing aid and ask for advice on how to use it.  Many models and styles of hearing aids and all cochlear implants can be fitted with telecoils.  Telecoils can sometimes be added to your current hearing aid but it will cost less if you include it in your original purchase.

 PURCHASING A HEARING AID

Don’t assume that your hearing aid will automatically come with a telecoil or that it will be recommended.  Or, if a  telecoil is present, don’t assume it has been programmed to suit your individual needs.  Today, approximately 65% of all hearing aids dispensed in the United States have telecoils.  Yet, few consumers are told about them and know how to use them.

Always ask questions!!!

Please RSVP using the form below or by calling our offices (518) 761-0554.

• November 4 @ 8:00pm
  John Lennon Song Project Birthday Celebration with Rex Fowler & Tom Dean
• November 7 @ 7:30pm
  The Applause Factory Presents Pianist George Winston
• November12 & 13 @ 8:00pm
  Adirondack Theatre Festival & Lynx Ensemble Theatre Presents It Goes Without Saying
• November 19 & 20
  Warren Miller 61st Annual Ski Movie
• November 26-28
  Tony DeSare Home for the Holiday Concert

Visit the Wood Theater for more info and tickets.

On Wednesday, October 20th, AFTHI representatives attended three events, two in Saratoga Springs and one in Glens Falls. Kassey attended the 3rd Annual Healthy Aging Conference at the Queensbury Hotel bring together more then 150 Family Caregivers, Health & Human Service Providers and Senior Citizens. Ben attended the Saratoga Vital Aging Network/Saratoga County NY Connects’ “In My House, About Me, Without Me”
conference, a community conversation on diverse pathways to alternative living options for the elderly held at the Holiday Inn/Saratoga Springs and attended by more than 130 people. AFTHI Board Member Grady Aronstamm attended the 6th Annual Women’s Health & Fitness Expo held at the Wesley Community’s Embury Commons in Saratoga Springs.

These event were a valuable opportunity to meet and network with health and human service providers as well as individuals interested in accessing AFTHI programs/services.

Before the end of 2010, I am confident that Kassey and/or I will have scheduled outreach day(s) and hours in the Greater Saratoga Springs Region (more information to follow). We also are seeking ways to increase our presence in the more rural townships of Washington County and Northern Warren County municipalities.

The Tri-County Unity Way’s (TCUW) new Community Resource Coordinator, Meredith Hastings recently visited with the AFTHI. The TCUW’s Annual Campaign officially kicked off on September 15th. I have expressed my interest to Meredith in accompanying the United Way when they visit some of the area’s larger employers during the next couple of months. Last year’s visits to National Grid , CR Bard, Covidien, Irving Tissue and
SCA Tissue, to name just a few, were valuable experiences and afforded us the opportunity to personally promote the AFTHI and develop professional relationships with these and other companies.

The AFTHI’s Webmaster Caspar J. Green from Town Fool Web Designs recently started to collect data on the Association’s website’s weekly activity. During the first 14 days in October , we had received 172 web site visits, by 160 unique visitors on the website.

Recently, the website has helped generate inquires from residents of Georgia , Missouri, Illinois, New Jersey and Florida. Updates and improvements to the website are
ongoing. We appreciate hearing your feedback on both the website and the Listen Up! newsletter (which is now available in both print and on-line editions).

Happy Thanksgiving to our Board of Directors, Membership, Volunteers, Friends and Supporters!