Hearing Expo 2003 at UMaine May 7
Contact: Joe Carr at (207) 581-3571; Amy Engler-Booth at (207) 581-2011
ORONO — May is Better Hearing and Speech Month, the perfect time to communicate some important information about hearing and speech. One in six Americans has a hearing, speech, or language problem–a condition that makes it difficult to communicate with others. Untreated, these problems can cause difficulties at home, school, and work. Anyone, of any age, can have or develop an impairment of the ability to hear, speak, or understand effectively. More than half of the people older than 65 have impaired hearing, but hearing loss can happen to anyone, of any age.
The graduate students from he University of Maine Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders will host “Hearing Expo 2003” on Wednesday, May 7 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at UMaine’s Dunn Hall. Adults in the community are invited to attend the program, which is an evening for adults who wish to have their hearing screened and learn more about what is new in hearing aid technology. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about assistive listening devices such as, alarm clocks that shake one awake rather than sound an alarm, an apparatus that will signal lights in one’s home when a baby cries, amplifiers for the television, and sound systems that allow one to hear better in background noise. Those with hearing aids will have the opportunity to have their hearing aids cleaned and checked and those without hearing aids will be able to determine if they could be helped with amplification.
Participants will also be provided with helpful suggestions on communicating more effectively, especially when communicating with those with a hearing problem. Additionally, information will be provided on dangerous noise levels and hints will be relayed on protecting one’s hearing.
Space is limited, so those interested should RSVP today by calling 581-2009.