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Garcia: Hearing loss workshop offers education, support | thetimesherald.com | The Times Herald
One in every 10 Americans experiences some degree of hearing loss.
According to the Department of Labor and Economic Growth, about 1.4 million -- or 14% -- Michigan residents are deaf or hard of hearing.
For the younger population, Quota International of Port Huron has teamed up with Siemens Hearing Instruments on Sound Beginnings Hearing Aids for Children in Need -- a program that provides free hearing aids for young people diagnosed with hearing loss. This year the program has expanded to include people up to 23 years old, which will encourage more people to apply.
Quota International will cover the costs and logistics of testing, appointments, ear molds and other incidental expenses such as batteries for a year. St. Clair County District Judge Cynthia Platzer is an active member of the organization's program and has seen the effort benefit families and the community at large.
Nan Asher, executive director of the Michigan Association for Deaf and Hard of Hearing, a United Way partner agency, said about 40% of children with hearing loss, even if it is mild, have a secondary disability. That can include blindness, cerebral palsy, autism or a host of other developmental disabilities. Hearing loss is a primary disability because of the challenges it presents for communication and learning.
To take advantage of the Sound Beginnings program, applications must be submitted by Aug. 31. For more information, contact Platzer at (810) 985-2083 or any other Quota Club of Port Huron member.
For the senior population, the Council on Aging, Inc., Serving St. Clair County, will have a free workshop series on hearing loss at the Port Huron Senior Center. The series dates and topics are:
Thursday: Hearing assistive technologies.
March 11: Safety in emergencies.
March 25: Coping skills and strategies for dealing with hearing loss.
Asher, who will conduct the workshops, said that by age 65 a third of people have a hearing loss. By age 75, half of people are affected and by age 85, two-thirds of the population is affected. Asher adds that another growing problem is hearing loss being undiagnosed or mislabeled as dementia.
One of the goals of the workshop series is building independence for seniors. When seniors are living alone and unable to hear the phone ring or someone at the door, loved ones become concerned about safety. With proper hearing-aid devices, support and by following best practices, those concerns can be eliminated.
Asher makes it clear that one size does not fit all when it comes to hearing-aid devices. Improper fitting or battery change could negate hearing, he said.
Medicare does not provide hearing aids, and Medicaid only covers them to a certain extent.
To register for the hearing loss workshop, call Karen Jolicoer at (810) 984-5061.
One in every 10 Americans experiences some degree of hearing loss.
According to the Department of Labor and Economic Growth, about 1.4 million -- or 14% -- Michigan residents are deaf or hard of hearing.
For the younger population, Quota International of Port Huron has teamed up with Siemens Hearing Instruments on Sound Beginnings Hearing Aids for Children in Need -- a program that provides free hearing aids for young people diagnosed with hearing loss. This year the program has expanded to include people up to 23 years old, which will encourage more people to apply.
Quota International will cover the costs and logistics of testing, appointments, ear molds and other incidental expenses such as batteries for a year. St. Clair County District Judge Cynthia Platzer is an active member of the organization's program and has seen the effort benefit families and the community at large.
Nan Asher, executive director of the Michigan Association for Deaf and Hard of Hearing, a United Way partner agency, said about 40% of children with hearing loss, even if it is mild, have a secondary disability. That can include blindness, cerebral palsy, autism or a host of other developmental disabilities. Hearing loss is a primary disability because of the challenges it presents for communication and learning.
To take advantage of the Sound Beginnings program, applications must be submitted by Aug. 31. For more information, contact Platzer at (810) 985-2083 or any other Quota Club of Port Huron member.
For the senior population, the Council on Aging, Inc., Serving St. Clair County, will have a free workshop series on hearing loss at the Port Huron Senior Center. The series dates and topics are:
Thursday: Hearing assistive technologies.
March 11: Safety in emergencies.
March 25: Coping skills and strategies for dealing with hearing loss.
Asher, who will conduct the workshops, said that by age 65 a third of people have a hearing loss. By age 75, half of people are affected and by age 85, two-thirds of the population is affected. Asher adds that another growing problem is hearing loss being undiagnosed or mislabeled as dementia.
One of the goals of the workshop series is building independence for seniors. When seniors are living alone and unable to hear the phone ring or someone at the door, loved ones become concerned about safety. With proper hearing-aid devices, support and by following best practices, those concerns can be eliminated.
Asher makes it clear that one size does not fit all when it comes to hearing-aid devices. Improper fitting or battery change could negate hearing, he said.
Medicare does not provide hearing aids, and Medicaid only covers them to a certain extent.
To register for the hearing loss workshop, call Karen Jolicoer at (810) 984-5061.