Living with Hearing Loss

2006-12 Donna E Duke Marie MacRae, Vice-President of Learning Programs with the Society for Learning in Retirement (SLR) had a concern about meeting the needs of the hearing impaired - the invisible disability that affects many seniors as well as a younger population. Being the action-oriented person that she is and also with years of experience behind her working as a special education teacher, Ms MacRae is very tuned-in to the needs of others. To that end Ms MacRae, through SLR, has partnered with Leslee Scott, Rehabilitation Counsellor with the Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (WIDHH). Ms Scott will be conducting "Living with Hearing Loss", a 10-week course beginning January 15 that is offered free of charge by SLR and is open to the public. The only fee involved is $25.00 for the workbook. Some funding for this pilot project has been provided by the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (CHHA) BC Chapter and the Central Okanagan Foundation. Ms Scott is seeking further funding from other sources in order to continue delivering this and other relevant services to the community. Hearing loss is affecting people at a younger age so the incidence of those with hearing loss is growing. Hearing damage with the younger set is due to our environment and life style. Noise damage, says Ms Scott "is insidious and gradual." The average age for noticeable hearing impairment used to occur in the mid fifties - now it is happening in the mid forties. Generally speaking, hearing loss affects about 10% of the population but increases with age to one in five to those in their fifties and one in two for those over sixty. During the 10 weeks of instruction, Ms Scott will focus on three key components: Fundamental Speech Movement which will help participants learn speech-reading (formerly known as lip reading); Relaxation Techniques which addresses the exhaustion that the person with a hearing loss experiences; and various Coping Strategies which includes the issues of attitudes in themselves and others; getting communication needs met by being assertive; the effect of environment and the use technical devices. Ms Scott will talk about the pros and cons of hearing aids; why they are important and why waiting too long to obtain them only contributes to difficulty in adjusting. Usually people become accustomed to the quiet and "the brain has to get used to hearing again." It is essential that participants of this course register with a spouse or partner or family member. The person living with a person who is hearing impaired needs to gain an understanding of hearing loss but also the individual needs someone to practice with. There is homework assigned! The course, Living With Hearing Loss, will be held at the Martin Avenue Community Centre. Registration will take place early in December through the SLR website: www.slrkelowna.ca or the course brochure can be obtained from the office located at 1434 Graham Street, Kelowna, BC. Contact their voice mail at 250 762-3989 Local 125.

 

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