Silent Call Communications

Silent Call Communications attended the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. The Silent Call wireless alerting system allows a deaf, deaf/blind, or any other user to be discreetly alerted to the activation of any one of a number of common household devices such as a doorbell, telephone ringer, smoke detector, sound monitor, door or window activity, etc. Use it whenever you cannot hear the doorbell. No need to miss a visitor because you were out gardening or could not hear the doorbell or phone.

A typical system consists of one or more transmitters and one or more receivers. There is no limit to the number of receivers and/or transmitters in a system. Transmitters are available that will interface to a doorbell, telephone ringer, smoke detector, fire and/or intrusion alarm panel, sound monitor, door or window activity, etc.

Basically, you would purchase a Sidekick II Signature Series that will detect a signal from doorbell, telephone ringer, smoke detector, CO detector, fire and/or intrusion alarm panel, sound monitor, door or window activity transmitters, it alerts you by flashing the strobe light and activating the bed vibrator (if used), the colored indicator light for that signal will illuminate and a symbol for that specific transmitter will display on the screen!

ZVRS LLC

ZVRS formally known as CSDVRS, the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. ZVRS is a nationally recognized Video Relay Service provider. Head over there and create a free account and get on the waiting list for the new wireless video phone!

The Z™ Model 340 is, quite possibly, the perfect videophone! It is small, lightweight, supports H.323, and delivers high-quality video over broadband or WiFi connections. With a stunning seven-inch screen that can be closed for safe traveling, this sleek videophone can be placed on your desk, mounted on a wall or connected to your television for larger screen viewing. The rechargeable external battery provides up to two hours of video; if you need more time — simply attach another battery!

ZVRS Services include:

ZVRS - Video relay service (VRS) allows deaf and hard of hearing individuals to have telephone conversations with hearing people. Using a videophone with real-time video connection, an interpreter relays the conversation between the two parties. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ZVRS calls may be placed anywhere within the U.S. and to over 45 countries around the world. (For Spanish-speaking individuals, we also offer HolaVRS.)

Z VCO - (I LOVE THIS!!!) Voice carry-over (VCO) users can place calls using single-line Z™ videophones without needing an additional landline or cellular telephone. Use your own voice to speak to the other party, and the video interpreter will translate what they are saying back to you using one of three communication options: American Sign Language, English-based sign language and English-based sign language with lip reading. Simply dial (888) 888-1116 to use Z VCO today!

Z Meeting - Introducing our brightest idea yet! Z Meeting is the solution for bringing multiple parties into the same telephone conversation — at no charge to anyone! Deaf, hard of hearing and hearing individuals can all participate equally in conference calls when using Z Meeting via video interpreters. The Z™ makes it easy to schedule telephone meetings through a simple sign-up form online, allowing you to meet with anyone, anywhere, any time — without travel! Conducting meetings from home or office has never been so simple! For more information, send an email to zmeetingATzvrs.com.

Lifetone

Lifetone Technology was at the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.

Standard fire alarms and smoke detectors may not wake up people with hearing loss. The first of its kind; the Lifetone HL™ Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock uses a 520 Hz square-wave sound pattern proven by the Fire Protection Research Foundation to be more effective at alerting and awakening people with hearing loss, seniors, children, and heavy sleepers than standard fire alarms. The Lifetone HL is both a state of the art fire alarm and an attractive and easy to use alarm clock. The patented Lifetone HL™ sensor listens for your existing smoke detectors (smoke alarms) and then broadcasts its low frequency, 520Hz square wave sound pattern. Be protected. The Lifetone HL™ helps ensure a life-saving environment for you and the ones you love.

Steve and Debbie Bottles getting drawn at the Lifetone Technology booth.

This next part is extremely important to note. The upcoming 2010 edition of NFPA 72® National Fire Alarm Code has made significant changes to the code especially concerning people who have mild to severe hearing loss. It has been shown that a low-frequency (520 Hz) square wave fire alarm effectively awaken and alerts people who have mild to moderately-severe hearing loss and should be installed in sleeping and guest rooms. If you have a profound loss, this new code requires the use of tactile or vibration in addition to high-intensity strobes in sleeping and guest rooms.

Now, I am one of those in the profound category which means without my cochlear implants, I can put a standard 3100 Hz pure tone sound of current smoke detector to either one of my ears and I can't hear it. Then again, a F-16 fighter jet can take off in my driveway and I wouldn't hear that either. So this is a very real concern for people in my position. When I did the demo of the Lifetone Fire Alarm, I could not hear obviously the low-frequency (520 Hz) square wave but people with a milder/moderate loss were able to hear it without hearing aids or cochlear implants. Thus people in my profound position, must rely on the high-intensity strobes and bed shaker as the new National Fire Alarm Code suggests. Lifetone lacks the strobes for me and it would be perfect if they did.

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) conducts and supports biomedical and behavioral research and research training in the normal and disordered processes of hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech and language. The Institute also conducts and supports research and research training related to disease prevention and health promotion; addresses special biomedical and behavioral problems associated with people who have communication impairments or disorders; and supports efforts to create devices which substitute for lost and impaired sensory and communication function.

Deafness Research Foundation

Deafness Research Foundation attended the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center and was the proud sponsor of the Research Symposium: An Update on the Latest Hair Cell Regeneration Research.

For more than 50 years, DRF has worked to make hearing health possible for everyone through quality research and education. As the leading national source of private funding for research, our grants have resulted in treatments for hearing and balance related conditions helping those living with hearing loss and protecting those at risk.

Over 37 million adults and over 1 million children in the United States suffer from some degree of hearing loss. Of adults who suffer from hearing loss approximately:

* 55% are male
* 45% are female
* 8.4 million are between the ages of 18 – 44 years
* 14.3 million are between the ages of 45 – 64 years
* 6 million are between the ages of 65 – 74 years
* 8.3 million are 75 years and over

These numbers are increasing every year due to aging baby boomers (ages 41-59) and Generation Xers (ages 29-40).

In addition to being the leading national source of private funding for research in hearing and balance science, DRF also publishes Hearing Health magazine. Our publication has a circulation of approximately 30,000 and recently won an APEX 2008 Award of Excellence for Magazine & Journal Writing. This valuable consumer resource provides information on technology, treatment, research and issues affecting people with hearing loss.