Hearing Links

InSight Cinema is a non-profit outreach program that advocates literacy through the use of captioning first run feature films to Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, English as a Second Language and Literacy networks. Since its inception, InSight Cinema has received support from the film industry, bringing together the studios, theatre chains and the captioned film audience.

Open captions are enhanced English subtitles with full dialogue plus audio prompts such as doorbells, gunshots and off-screen dialogue. They appear directly on the screen without a black box blocking the screen.

Many new hearing aid users are delighted to say that open captioned movies have helped them to adjust to their hearing aids, i.e. adjusting volumes, settings and learning to use their t coils and assistive listening devices. Contrary to popular belief, captioning actually enchances viewing and listing.

To see a listing of all InSight screenings around the country and to find out what films will be coming to your area click on - www.insightcinema.org and note the theater link which allows you instant access to show times.

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

Federal Bill Would Provide $500 Credit

Federal legislation has been proposed that would provide a $500 tax credit per hearing aid once every five years when purchased by adults over age 55 and for parents purchasing hearing aids for a dependent child. Similar legislation has been proposed for several years, but never actually voted on.

The Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act (HR2329) has been introduced by Representatives Carolyn McCarthy of New York and Vern Ehlers of Michigan. A corresponding bill (S 1410) has been introduced by Senators Norm Coleman of Minnesota and Tom Harkin of Iowa.

If you would like to support this legislation, the Hearing Industries Association has available at their website (www.hearing.org) sample letters of support you can send to your congressional legislators.

Former congressman Jim Ryun, a former world record holder in the mile run, first introduced this legislation several years ago. He has bi-lateral sensorineural hearing loss himself and uses binaural hearing aids.

Featured in the ChEARS "Hearing HealthCare News"

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

Skull Base Disease Foundation - They are the multi-disciplinary information repository to advance the education, treatment and cure of skull base diseases. For more info - click on - spsbdf.org

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

Senta Medical Clinic - Is a Specialty Skull Base Disease, Ear, Head, Neck, and Neurosurgery Center.

Senta Clinic
6645 Alvarado Road
Suite 4000
San Diego, CA  92120
619-229-4908
www.sentaclinic.com

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

Self Help for Hard of Hearing People, Inc. (SHHH)
7910 Woodmont Avenue
Suite 1200
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 657-2248
(301) 657-2249
www.shhh.org

SHHH is an international volunteer organization composed of people who are hard of hearing, their relatives, and friends. SHHH provides self-help programs and referrals to local chapters.

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

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
National Institutes of Health
31 Center Dr MSC 2320
Bethesda, MD 20892-2320
NIDCD Information Clearinghouse 1 (800) 241-1044
1 (800) 241-1055
A href='http://www.nidcd.nih.gov'>www.nidcd.nih.gov

NIDCD conducts and supports biomedical and behavioral research and training and the dissemination of information on disorders of hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech and language. The NIDCD Clearinghouse offers information to health professionals, patients, industry representatives and the public.


The National Institute on Aging Information Center
P.O. Box 8057
Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8057
1 (800) 222-2225
1-(800) 222-4225
www.nih.gov/nia

The National Institute on Aging is the component of the National Institutes of Health devoted to improving the health of older people. This site offers the general public and health professionals consumer-oriented information on a wide range of topics important to older people and their families as well as a description of their research program.

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

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
10801 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852
Voice: (301) 897-3279
TTY: (301) 897-0157
Toll-free: (800) 638-8255
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Eastern time
Fax: (301) 897-7355
E-mail: actioncenter@asha.org
Internet: www.asha.org
Current developments and changes in the coverage of hearing health care expensive by private insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare. Offers online company information on providers of assistive listening devices (ALD) including centers across the country where individuals can examine the types of assistive listening devices available in order to determine which products to purchase. To locate an Assistive Device Demonstration Center in your area, call the American Speech- Language-Hearing Association' s (ASHA) Action Center at 1-800-638-8255.

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

American Tinnitus Association
P.O. Box 5
Portland, OR 97207
Voice: (503) 248-9985
Toll-free: (800) 634-8978
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Pacific time
Fax: (503) 248-0024
E-mail: tinnitus@ata.org
Internet: www.ata.org
The American Tinnitus Association is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing tinnitus research and educating patients and professionals through conferences, books, brochures, videos, and the quarterly journal Tinnitus Today.