SHHH Support Group (Self Help for Hard of Hearing People) Google Group

blog

erin...@bigpond.com (Erin Mckenzie-Christensen) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:55:01 UT

Hi
I have started writing a blog I thought you might be interested in
You can read it at
http:\\musicanddisability.blog spot.com
Cant work out why not going blue so hope you can copy and paste and that you find it and enjoy. Its about how I have continued to be a musician despite being deaf and having other disabilities too. There will some photos eventually. I have written 3 entries so far.

Who to complain to about dodgy audiology services

kate.lo...@gmail.com (Kate) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:51:04 UT

Hi everyone,

If you ever need to complain about an audiologist, or rather their
services if you are not happy with them, I have received some info
from an audiologist about avenues of complaint for problems
experienced with hearing aid and related purchases:

1. The Audiological Society of Australia (ASA) (also known as

Free Telecommunications Seminar - Adelaide

christian...@gmail.com (Christian) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:48:02 UT

Hi SHHH Google Groupers, here is another great event happening in
Adelaide for the SA google groupers. Please pass this on to others who
may be interested. This is organised by the Deafness Forum and Deaf
Australia Inc.

Here is your opportunity to ask questions and to help improve access
and services. Please let us know how you go.

ACCESS ALL AREAS FILM FESTIVAL

christian...@gmail.com (Christian) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:38:53 UT

Hi SHHH Google Groupers, Just received a notification from Karina, who
is organising the Access All Areas Film Festival.

As part of the Access All Areas is a whole bunch of movies being shown
around NSW - all of which are audio descriptioned and have captions!

CASTLE HILL 16 NOVEMBER
NORTH ROCKS 17 + 18 NOVEMBER

FW: {SHHH Support Group} Re: Temporary exemption application - cinema captioning

belinda.kersl...@mediaaccess.org.au (Belinda Kerslake) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:54:41 UT

Hi Erin

There are currently two cinemas in Adelaide that have captioned movie
sessions. They are the Marion Megaplex and the Palace Nova East End. We have
a website devoted to accessible cinema at [link] which
gives you session times for captioned and audio described movies, the latest

Temporary exemption application - cinema captioning

christian...@gmail.com (Christian) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:23:00 UT

From Nicole Lawder of Deafness Forum

The Australian Human Rights Commission has received an application for
a Temporary Exemption on behalf of Hoyts Corporation, Greater Union
Organisation, Village Cinemas and Reading Cinemas. The application and
a notice inviting submissions on the application has been placed on

New Member

skwe...@iprimus.com.au (laughalot) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:54:31 UT

I am a new member from Perth, WA. I am 38 years old. I have had a
hearing loss all my life and wear heairng aids in both ears. I
struggle with my hearing loss and haven't accepted. Socially etc. Any
tips on how others cope would be appreciated. I feel isolated. Thanks.

Documentary for SBS - exciting opportunity

christian...@gmail.com (Christian) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:08:16 UT

Hi all,

A friend of mine is producing a TV show for SBS. He is looking for a
deaf person to participate in the Sydney - Hobart yacht race this
year.

Please see email below for further information.

This is a very exciting opportunity and time is running out, so let me
know if you’re interested and I will introduce you to Nick via email.

Young Adult Get-Together 2009 at the Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre

kate.lo...@gmail.com (Kate) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:21:29 UT

Hey guys,

I am going to this event with my friend Olivia - and also a bunch of
other people I know are going too. So feel free to pass the invitation
on, or come along - it's for anyone really... Whether you are thinking
about getting a cochlear implant, or if you have one, or just want to
meet other hearing impaired/deaf young people.. I reckon it will be

Panel: "Reality Check: Choices for Deaf People"

kate.lo...@gmail.com (Kate) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:19:57 UT

Invitation to Sydney-siders for an event about deafness and the
choices for people with a hearing impairment.

------------------------------ ------------------------------ --------------------------
Panel: "Reality Check: Choices for Deaf People"
------------------------------ ------------------------------ -------------------------

Deafnesss Forum One in Six October Edition Is available now

christian...@gmail.com (Christian) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:50:59 UT

Always a worthwhile read

[link]

Fun with your hearing aids.

ami...@iinet.net.au (Amicus) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 08:56:53 UT

Hi all,

I was just wondering why do hearing aids have to look so boring?

Can't they design ones with a bit of bling.

Check this link out I found of a picture where a hearing aid user decorated
her own hearing aids, they look fabulous!

[link]

DEAFNESS AND WELL-BEING WORKSHOP 2009 LISMORE (NORTH NSW)

christian...@gmail.com (Christian) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 04:34:23 UT

for those in Northern NSW.................

We all get worried from time to time!

Things happen in our lives that sometimes we may not able to get
through as well as we like!

Have you thought about “Deafness and well being?”

Deafness and well being is a good thing that we can talk about

phones

erin...@bigpond.com (Erin Mckenzie-Christensen) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 02:23:06 UT

I am confused now Andrew has said that other carriers provide special phones elizabeth is saying only telstra do which one is correct????
I did not find telstra particularly helpful in fact I only managed to get the big button one because of hearing solutions. They did not understand why I needed this phone and I find them extremely expensive hence why we got the VOIP service as well as theirs. We wanted to change carriers once the plan of the VOIP phone and the bigpond internet ran out cause its expensive and the phone keeps dropping out apparently due to slow upload speed.

telephone

erin...@bigpond.com (Erin Mckenzie-Christensen) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 05:48:29 UT

Does anyone use the telstra big button phone that works with hearing aids?? I find its really good and the volume control is useful but depending on who is on the other end it can be too loud or not loud enough. I use the volume control both on the phone and the hearing aid but sometimes it still doesn't help one way or another. I know there are other options like TTY and the relay service but I would rather not go down that path until I have no other choice.

Buying hearing aids and using another service provider

christian...@gmail.com (Christian) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:17:15 UT

Just had a recent enquiry.

Has anyone ever bought a pair of hearing aids, maybe even second hand
and used another audiologist clinic to provide moulds, and adjustments
to the hearing aid to suit your hearing and provided servicing?

Has anyone had trouble with their warranty because they took their

Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that frustrates you?

christian...@gmail.com (Christian) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 06:22:52 UT

From our regular contibutor Kate.

This is an important shout-out to all my Australian friends and
acquaintances with a hearing loss, or to people who know someone who
is deaf

The Australian Federal Government has launched a full Senate Inquiry
into deafness!

Is there anything about having a hearing loss or being deaf that

Seminar in Sydney: "Reality Check: Choices for Deaf People"

kate.lo...@gmail.com (Kate) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 05:08:41 UT

------------------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------ ----------------------
Reality Check: Choices for Deaf People
------------------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------ ----------------------

To celebrate the National Week of Deaf People 2009, the NSW Parliament

Captioned play at Bondi Pavillion: "COHABITATION: BONDI"

kate.lo...@gmail.com (Kate) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 06:47:51 UT

For the Sydney-siders

Feel free to pass this onto your contacts, looks like it will be very
interesting.

Captioned play being held at Bondi Pavillion. Bring a laptop, and get
captions while you watch.

------------------------------ ------------------------------ ---------
"Cohabitation: Bondi"

Hear for You mentoring program for deaf youth

kate.lo...@gmail.com (Kate) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 05:15:17 UT

Hi everyone,

There is a mentoring group just started last year that offers
mentoring and support for young deaf people between the ages of 12 and
18, who are hearing impaired and use speech, not sign language, as
their main mode of communication.

If you know of anyone that might be interested in:

hearing loops

erin...@bigpond.com (Erin Mckenzie-Christensen) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 09:16:43 UT

Hi everyone
I was wondering how expensive a hearing loop for a meeting room is? My friend is involved in & I am looking to be involved in a group that combines disability and arts and there is someone in the group who is deaf. They are looking at getting the group incorporated so they can apply for funding for this sort of thing but I told my friend that I thought hearing loops were very expensive. Its in a room at Arts SA. I haven't seen the room so I dont know how big it is or anything.

Help improve captioning on TV in Australia!

kate.lo...@gmail.com (Kate) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 05:15:43 UT

If you are interested in helping improve captioning in Australia,
maybe you could look into providing a submission for the to review of
Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice. I have already sent
one!

See details below.

Cheers,
Kate

------------------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------ -----

Melbourne - A Seminar with Dr Christine Yoshinaga –Itano

christian...@gmail.com (Christian) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 23:44:32 UT

……..Opening All Doors……

A Seminar with Dr Christine Yoshinaga –Itano

For audiologists, speech pathologists, early childhood educators and
newborn screening professionals

Newborn hearing screening provides the opportunity for children to
optimize language outcomes.

However the absence of any component, for example, a quality health

telecoils

erin...@bigpond.com (Erin Mckenzie-Christensen) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 07:10:26 UT

Are telecoils a standard program in all hearing aids or do you have to ask specifically for it to be included? Its not for me but for my Aunty. I cannot believe what her audiologist told her about using the phone. They said that she had to place the phone in a particular position and then it would work but actually you need a telecoil in the hearing aid and a phone that works with a telecoil - not all of them do this!

hearing aids

erin...@bigpond.com (Erin Mckenzie-Christensen) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 06:44:44 UT

My aunty is looking into getting aids. She is not a pensioner. Do you know if places that sell aids give a trial period and if so can you return aids after a period if they dont work or are not the right thing?
Erin

laptop operators

erin...@bigpond.com (Erin Mckenzie-Christensen) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 04:36:08 UT

You know a couple of months ago how there was a trial from NABS for laptop operators for people who are hearing impaired. This is where a person from NABS typed everything that was said at private medical appointments drs, physio, podiatrist etc for people who dont use AUSLAN but still have trouble communcating with their health professionals?? Well I was wondering if anyone knows if this service was going to be continued as a full service since the trial ended? I used the service and it was fantastic and I wrote a letter to NABS that they said they would include in their report. They said they would let me know if it was to continue but I haven't heard anything yet

Having trouble hearing over the telephone. Participants needed

christian...@gmail.com (Christian) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 03:23:32 UT

Australian Communications Exchange is seeking participants needed for
a new trial

ACE will launch the web based version of Captioned Telephony in the
last quarter of this year. We are looking for participants who have
trouble hearing on the phone and would like to use a web based
captioning service. You must also have access to the internet (either

Qantas launches website for those who are Deaf and Hearing Impaired

christian...@gmail.com (Christian) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 03:11:26 UT

Hi All,

This is from Kate Locke, an active member in the Hard of hearing
community. Some of you have written about travelling so i hope this is
of benefit.

Hi everyone,

I recently asked that Qantas update their special needs page to
include info for hearing impaired and deaf people.

It used to be all lumped together with people with mobility issues,

Siemens Pure 700

scar...@voip.com.au (Suzieq23) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 06:40:50 UT

Hi,

Is anyone currently wearing the Siemen's Pure 700 hearing aid? How are
they going? anything i should be aware of before im fitted with them?

thanks

Hearing Impairment is an insult

scar...@voip.com.au (Suzieq23) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 04:34:36 UT

Hi All,

I have found many links and references when it comes to refering to
someone who is "hearing impaired" is considered offensive. Below is an
extract from Wikipedia:

The phrase hard of hearing, normally used as an adjective, can also be
used as a noun, referring to people with hearing impairment as the

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN STUDYING AT MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY?

christian...@gmail.com (Christian) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 02:32:55 UT

ARE YOU DEAF OR HEARING IMPAIRED?

COME ALONG TO

MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY OPEN DAY
SEPTEMBER 12, 2009
10AM – 4PM

Open Day is the major event of the Macquarie University calendar. It
combines advice on courses and careers with museum visits,
demonstrations and activities to give future students and members of

DEAFNESS AND WELL-BEING 2009 SYDNEY

christian...@gmail.com (Christian) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 02:30:50 UT

We all get stressed from time to time!

Things happen in our lives that sometimes we may not be able to handle
as well as we could!

However, have you ever thought about the “Deafness and well-being?”

Deafness and well-being is something that we need to talk more about
and try to understand.

2009 Taipei Summer Deaflympics: New record set- 85 countries with 4262 athletes and officials

s...@netspace.net.au — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 23:42:16 UT

2009 Taipei Summer Deaflympics: New record set- 85 countries with 4262
athletes and officials

It is with great pleasure to announce that a total of 85 countries
with 4262 athletes and officials have confirmed participation in
Taipei. The 2009 Summer Deaflympics are scheduled to take place in
Taipei from 5th to 15th of September. The ICSD Congress will take

Fw: Sydney Morning Herald today [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]

erin...@bigpond.com (Erin Mckenzie-Christensen) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 08:23:33 UT

Sydney Morning Herald today [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]I thought Media access and SHHH might be interested in this. My husband sent it to me
Erin
----- Original Message -----
To: Erin Mckenzie-Christensen ; Brian Christensen
Sent: Friday, September 04, 2009 4:00 PM
''I am hearing impaired and rely on captions to read the TV news,'' writes Edith Crowne, of Turramurra, who we believe may have smashed the world record for being subjected to most egregious typographical duress and living to tell the tale. ''The unbelievable mistakes which appear make me wonder whether the captions are typed by a human or a machine. This morning an item was presented about Dawn Fraser who was referred to as 'Fraser Island'. In the past I have seen 'Hoik Hoik' for Hilary Clinton, 'moran man tick' for 'more romantic', 'Obama Dell' for Armidale, 'in the choir' for Eddie McGuire, and so I could go on. It is a real test of one's intelligence to make out what is being said. Could you please find out who is responsible for this appalling typing?''

Senate calls for Government action on deafness

christian...@gmail.com (Christian) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 04:22:53 UT

Senator Rachel Siewert
Australian Greens Senator for WA

MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday 20th August 2009

Senate calls for Government action on deafness

The Senate has called on the Government to improve services and
support for those Australian suffering from a hearing impairment,
supporting a Greens motion on the matter.

Job Access Australia

christian...@gmail.com (Christian) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 03:12:50 UT

Hi SHHH Google groupers,

Has anyone here or anyone know of anyone who has used support from Job
Access Austalia

[link]

Please let us know what you used it for, equipment/ hearing aids
purchased, reimbursements, terms and conditions, anything else to look
out for or consider etc

Employment agencies.

ami...@iinet.net.au (Amicus) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:27:11 UT

Hi Google Groupers,

Was just wanting to know of anyones' experiences using employment agencies,
particularly those specialising in assisting those with disability to find
employment.

One that comes to mind is NOVA Employment which has a speciality service to
help Deaf or people with a hearing impairment into work.

SHHH Hearing Matters August 2009 edition out now

s...@netspace.net.au — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 01:11:37 UT

THE AUGUST 2009 ISSUE OF HEARING MATTERS IS NOW OUT!

Features include:

-A profile of Dr Stuart Down, a profoundly deaf sports physician and
recipient of the Libby Harricks Award for 2008
-Features on getting started on computers
-Results of a 2008 survey of SHHH members
-Summary of the 2009 Libby Harricks oration presented by Prof Graeme

SHHH Introduces buddy system trial

s...@netspace.net.au — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 01:09:06 UT

SHHH Buddy System Trial

Are you interested in making contact with other SHHH members in your
area? If so, we want to hear from you. Please contact Pauline Reidy
on 9144 7586 or s...@netspace.net.au

Note that you must be a SHHH member to participate.

more infomation TBA

Smoke Alarms for Hearing Impaired People

christian...@gmail.com (Christian) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 01:04:13 UT

Denis, a google grouper raises the fact that there are no Australian
Standards for smoke detectors for hearing impaired.

I have located this on the web:

FACT SHEET
No. 41 – Smoke Alarms for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired
Version 03
Issued: 4 May 2009

FACT
The standard high frequency smoke alarm (3,100 Hz, 85 dB at a distance

Hearing Awareness Week Launch from Parramatta - review by Christian

christian...@gmail.com (Christian) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 23:56:37 UT

Hi all,

last night I attended the launch of the Hearing Awareness Week at
Parramatta Town Hall. It was a great occasion being able to meet with
many from other support groups such as 'Let us hear', Royal Institute
of Deaf and Blind Children, Parent Council of Deaf Children, Meniere's
Association, Deafness Forum, Australian Hearing and a few others. It

AI Media launches their 'Dragon Naturally Speaking' software captioning service. Looking for applicants.

christian...@gmail.com (Christian) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 23:28:09 UT

Hi google group members,

I went to the launch of Hearing Awareness Week last night and met a
bunch of interesting people whos mission is to bring accessibility to
those who are deaf and blind.

One company AI Media launched their new speech recognition/ captioning
software program called ‘dragon naturally speaking’.

Acessible Arts - ‘A Good Man’ special fundraiser screening

christian...@gmail.com (Christian) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 04:53:00 UT

Just received information from Accessible Arts regarding a Captioned
Film.

A special fundraiser screening of Australian documentary A Good Man
will take place on September 5. A Good Man, by Safina Uberoi, is the
true story of a struggling Australian farmer, his quadriplegic wife,
their newborn baby and their plans to open a brothel in a small

Foxtel is hosting a hearing awareness course on Wed 26th August 2009 12:30pm - 1:30pm

christian...@gmail.com (Christian) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 03:34:19 UT

Did you know:

Foxtel will broadcast over 120,000 hours of closed captioned
entertainment on over 45 channels.

To find out more, Foxtel is hosting a hearing awareness course on

Wednesday August 26th
12:30pm - 1:30pm

at 5 Thomas Holt Drive,
North Ryde NSW 2113 Australia TBC

to register: foxtelconnect...@foxtel.com.au

Google Voice and activating SMS-only/VRS numbers

bbu...@gmail.com (Brad Buran) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:35:30 UT

To add a phone number to your Google Voice account (voice.google.com),
they have a computerized system that calls the number and asks you to
enter a number (that is provided to you via the internet). Clearly
this does not work for cell phones that have voice deactivated. While
you'd think most phone companies would allow you to activate voice for

Hearing Awareness Week - Open Day

ami...@iinet.net.au (Amicus) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 03:22:07 UT

Hi All,

I recently became "aware" of an Open Day that is being held by St. Vincent's
Hospital on Saturday 29th August, 2009 from 10am to 2pm.

The event is FREE and I've already made enquiries - no bookings are
required. You can just stroll up!

Please go to the following link for more information on this up coming

Support SHHH by becoming a member

christian...@gmail.com (Christian) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 10:00:07 UT

Hi SHHH Google Groupers,

SHHH Australia Inc. is a voluntary, non-profit educational
organisation dedicated to helping Australians with a hearing loss and
whose primary method of communication is through speech.

It is only operational due to the hard work done by our volunteers who
operate a resource centre in Sydney where people can come in to talk

Audiology Australia XIX National Conference 2010 - website now Live!

christian...@gmail.com (Christian) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 06:47:17 UT

The Audiology Society of Australia have just launched their website.

Audiology Australia XIX National Conference 2010
Sunday 16 May - Wednesday 19 May 2010
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre

More information at

[link]

This is the event that many Audiologists and Audiometrists attend to

Cochlear Implant Club and Advisory Association BBQ this Sunday 16th August 2009

christian...@gmail.com (Christian) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 02:42:53 UT

Hi SHHH Google Groupers

The Cochlear Implant Club and Advisory Association is hosting a BBQ
this Sunday at their premises in Gladesville for all those who have an
interest in Cochlear implants - be those who have one, are getting one
or just curious about it.

A great way to breakk down any barriers involved with cochlear

Hearing screenings to become available to all Australian newborns

christian...@gmail.com (Christian) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 02:32:35 UT

It might be a bit old but it's good to hear that the Australian
Government is actively persuing this.

From Media releases at Australian Hearing

29 June 2009

Hearing screenings to become available to all Australian newborns

Australian Hearing welcomes the Prime Minister’s plan to have every