Archive for May, 2006

When the Mind Hears : A History of the Deaf (Vintage)

Posted in Hearing Aids on May 31st, 2006

Abstract: Bone Conduction Hearing Aids
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When the Mind Hears : A History of the Deaf (Vintage)
The authoritative statement on the deaf, their education, and their struggle against prejudice.

Nation BriefsMumbai Mirror, India – May 29, 2006Krishnagar: An 11-year-old deaf and dumb boy fell ill after being ordered to do 300 sit-ups by a village panel in Nadia district of West Bengal. . Deaf-Mute boy accused of rape; ordered 300 sit-ups Newindpress (subscription)all 2 related

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Save Yourself from the Terrible Ear Infection

Posted in Hearing Aids on May 27th, 2006

Abstract: Starkey Hearing Aids
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Ear infections and earaches are common illnesses that plague
just about 10 million Americans a year. They can cause immense
pain that make it tough on you to concentrate and complete
tasks. So what can be done to get rid of ear infections and
earaches? Better yet, what can you do to prevent ear infections
and earaches before they become a problem? Here, I’ll tell you
the most common reasons for ear infections and list some basic
methods that will help you and your friends escape the dreaded
earache.

Who’s most affected by ear infections? Children
are the most common group affected by otitis media (ear
infection). Three out of four children experience an earache or
ear infection by the time they are three years old. Why is this
important for you to know? It’s important because you’ll be able
to recognize the signs of an impending ear infection for your
children and do something about it before it becomes a problem.

How do earaches occur? Did you know that swimming
or taking a shower can lead to an ear infection? Ear infections
are caused by trapped water, moisture and bacteria growth in the
inner ear. This build up in the inner ear irritates the
Eustachian tube and causes it to swell. The swelling of the
Eustachian tube then puts added pressure on the inner ear and
that leads to the aching that we feel. The pressure in the ear
constantly builds as water and moisture are not able to drain
from the ear through the nose. Alas, the inner earache”>http://www.xlear.com/articles/earache.aspx>earache or
ear infection. Other than these suggestions, there are only a
few ways to rid yourself of an ear infection after getting it.
If you’re already experiencing the pains from an ear infection,
go to your local doctor for antibiotics.

Remember, just because you feel an earache coming on, doesn’t
mean you have to live with the pain of it. Take the proper
measures to ensure that you and your children don’t suffer the
pains of an ear infection. Now, you know what to do to rid
yourself of the pressure and pain that earaches and ear
infections cause almost 10 million people a year.

About the author:

Jordan Bartlett is a client account specialist with 10x
Marketing – More Visitors. More Buyers. More
Revenue. For likewise information about earaches”>http://www.xlear.com/articles/earache.aspx>earaches
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Coping With Hearing Loss: A Writer’s Story

Posted in Hearing Aids on May 25th, 2006

Abstract: Hunting Hearing Aids
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Oddly enough, I’ve come to think that losing my hearing was one of the greatest things to ever happened to me, as it led to the publication of my first novel.

I believe that no matter how tough things get, you can make them better. I have my parents to thank for that. They never allowed me to think that I couldn’t accomplish something because of my hearing loss. One of my mother’s favorite sayings when I expressed doubt that I could do something was, “Yes, you can.”

I was born with a mild hearing loss but began to lose innumerable of my hearing when I was a senior in college. One day while sitting in my college dormitory room reading, I noticed my roommate get up from her bed, go to the princess telephone in our room, pick it up and start talking. None of that would have seemed strange, except for one thing: I never heard the telephone ring! I wondered why I couldn’t hear a phone that I could hear just the day before. But I was too baffled–and embarrassed–to say anything to my roommate or anyone else.

Late-deafened people can always remember the moment when they first stopped being able to hear the important things in life like telephones and doorbells ringing, people talking in the next room, or the television. It’s sort of like remembering where you were when you learned that President Kennedy had been shot or when you learned about the terror attack at the World Trade Center.

Unbeknown to me at the time, that was only the beginning of my downward spiral, as my hearing grew progressively worse But I was young and still vain enough not to want to buy a hearing aid. I struggled through college by sitting up front in the classroom, straining to read lips and asking people to speak up, sometimes again and again.

By the time I entered graduate school, I could no longer put off getting a hearing aid. By that time, even sitting in front of the classroom wasn’t helping much. I was still vain enough to wait a few months while I let my hair grow out a bit before taking the plunge but I eventually bought my first hearing aid. It was a big, clunky thing, but I knew that would have to be able to hear if I ever wanted to graduate. Soon, my hair length didn’t matter much, as the hearing aids got smaller and smaller. They also got better and better at picking up sound. The early aids did little further than make sounds louder evenly across the board. That doesn’t work for those of us with nerve deafness, as we may have massed hearing loss in the higher frequencies than in the lower frequencies. The newer digital and programmable hearing aids go a long way toward improving on that. They can be set to match different types of hearing loss, so you can, say, increase a particular higher frequency heavier than the lower ones.

Once I got my hearing aid and was able to hear again, I could focus on other things that were important to me–like my education, my career and writing that first novel!

I had long dreamed of writing a novel, but like others kept putting it off. As I began to lose increased and in addition of my hearing, I thought that writing a novel would be the perfect hobby for me, as anyone can write regardless of whether they can hear. I was also determined to prove that my deafness would not hold me back.

My first novel was published in 1994 and my fifth in the summer of 2005. Writing turned out to be much extra than a hobby, and I’ve been writing full-time for fresh than 10 years. I’m now hard at work on my first nonfiction work, a photo-essay book to be published by Bulfinch, a division of Time Warner Books, in 2007. I honestly believe that I would never have sat down at the computer and banged out that first novel if I hadn’t lost so much of my hearing. Instead, I’d probably still be an editor somewhere and still dreaming about someday becoming a novelist. That’s why I sometimes think that losing my hearing was one of the number one things that ever happened to me.

About The Author

Connie Briscoe is a New York Times nonpareil-selling author with five novels published. She is currently at work on a photo-essay book to be titled Jewels. She has coped with a hearing loss her entire life. For heavier information about hearing loss and hearing aids visit her site at www.hearingaidinformer.com.

Kaine vetoes consolidation of schools for deaf and blindDaily Press, VA – May 19, 2006. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said Friday he has vetoed legislation that would consolidate into one school Virginia’s two schools for deaf and blind students. .

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ENERGIZER AC-675EZ6 Ez Change Hearing Aid Batteries

Posted in Hearing Aids on May 23rd, 2006

Abstract: Vivatone Hearing Aids
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ENERGIZER AC-675EZ6 Ez Change Hearing Aid Batteries
For heavier than 100 years, Energizer – through continuous invention and innovation – has played a vital role in how people live, work and communicate. Energizer powers people’s lives around the globe by offering consumers superior value in portable power and lighting products and creating and delivering superior consumer and customer solutions that elevate Energizer as the global portable power leader.

Kaine vetoes consolidation of schools for deaf and blindDaily Press, VA – May 19, 2006. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said Friday he has vetoed legislation that would consolidate into one school Virginia’s two schools for deaf and blind students. . Deaf, blind schools not merging Richmond Times DispatchVSDB Future WHSVKaine Vetoes 8 Bills, Bringing His Tally to 15 Washington PostStaunton News Leader – WTKR Your NewsChannel 3 – all 14 related

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Bird Flu: Tamiflu and Relenza for Prevention and Treatment

Posted in Hearing Aids on May 21st, 2006

Abstract: Sears Hearing Aids
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According to a recent report on influenza in the Journal of Virology, “Although vaccination is the ideal way to reduce the interspecies spread of influenza viruses, the preparation of a new vaccine takes six months or farther. In the interim, antiviral drugs are the only option.”

Antiviral drugs can be used for both treatment and prevention of H5N1 bird flu, but have significant limitations. These drugs are expensive, supplies of them are limited, they have to be given within a short time period to be cogent, and resistance either has already developed or can develop at any time. Even under optimal circumstances, none of them are 100 percent capable.

There are four antivirals that are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use against influenza—two older and inexpensive drugs, amantadine and rimantadine, to which the bird-flu virus has developed significant resistance—and two newer, extra expensive and in addition competent drugs, Roche’s oseltamivir (brand name: Tamiflu), and GlaxoSmithKline’s zanamivir (brand name: Relenza; must be inhaled). The two new drugs belong to a class of antiviral agents called neuraminidase inhibitors. Tamiflu works by blocking the action of a specific enzyme, known as neuraminidase, on the surface of the influenza virus to prevent it from spreading and infecting other cells in the body.

Amantadine was once adequate against H5N1, but its adequateness has cuted drastically because the virus has developed resistance against it. There is some indication, however, that a combination of Tamiflu and amantadine might be major competent than Tamiflu alone. Information about Tamiflu and Relenza is summarized below:

Tamiflu (oseltamivir; the first choice for prevention or treatment of bird flu)

1. Prescription antiviral medication approved for treatment of seasonal influenza by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Note that use of Tamiflu for treatment or prevention of avian influenza (bird flu) is an “off-label” use of the medication, that is, a use that has not been officially approved by the FDA. However, Tamiflu is widely recognized as the leading available medication for prevention or treatment of bird flu, and its use in this situation is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

2. Mechanism of action: neuraminidase inhibitor (active against all nine influenza A neuraminidase subtypes recognized in nature, including recent pathogenic avian viruses [H5N1, H7N7, N9N2], as well as a virus containing the neuraminidase from the 1918 pandemic strain).

3. Available forms: 75 mg capsules and 12 mg/ml suspension.

4. Effective only if given within 48 hours of onset of symptoms.

5. FDA-approved for treatment for those one year and older.

a. Dose for treatment of influenza for those 12 and older: 75 mg twice daily for five days.

b. Dose for treatment of influenza for those under twelve: 2 mg/kg up to a maximum of 75 mg twice daily for five days.

c. Side effects occurring in five percent or further of patients taking Tamiflu for treatment were nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These symptoms generally do not persist with ongoing treatment. Rare instances of serious side effects have been reported, but they are of uncertain relationship to Tamiflu.

6. FDA-approved for prophylaxis (prevention) of influenza for those 13 and older:

a. Dose for prophylaxis of influenza for those 12 and older: 75 mg daily for 10 days.

b. Not approved for prophylaxis of influenza for those younger than 12. However, use of Tamiflu in this situation is probably safe and able. By deduction, dose should be 1 mg/kg up to a maximum of 75 mg daily for 10 days.

c. Side effects occurring in five percent or major of patients taking Tamiflu for prophylaxis were headache, nausea, and fatigue.

7. Use in pregnancy: Category C (meaning no scientific studies have been done to prove that it is safe in pregnancy—because of liability, no such studies are ever undertaken—but available evidence indicates that it is probably safe to use during pregnancy).

8. Significant drug interactions: none (although probenecid doubles the level of oseltamivir)

How adequate is Tamiflu for prevention or treatment of seasonal influenza? Clinical studies have shown the following:

Oral oseltamivir is highly protective against experimental human influenza, and early treatment is associated with reductions in viral titers, symptoms, nasal cytokines [inflammatory agents], and middle-ear pressure abnormalities. Early oseltamivir treatment of acute influenza in otherwise healthy adults and children aged one to 12 years reduces the time to illness alleviation by one to 1.5 days, fever duration, and viral titers in the upper respiratory tract. Early treatment reduces time to functional recovery by three days or greater.

Treatment of children also reduces the risk for otitis media [inner-ear infection] and decreases overall antibiotic use. In healthy and high-risk adults, early treatment decreased the risk for lower respiratory tract complications leading to antibiotics and to hospitalization. In is unknown whether treatment reduces the risk for transmission [of the virus from the infected person to someone else].

Prophylactic administration of once-daily oral oseltamivir (75 mg) is highly adequate in reducing the risk for developing febrile illness during influenza season in unimmunized adults. Prevention of influenza reduces secondary complications in institutionalized older adults. Once-daily oseltamivir for seven to 10 days is also active for post-exposure prophylaxis in household contacts, including children, and when ill index cases receive concurrent treatment.

Relenza (zanamivir; the second choice for treatment of bird flu)

1. Prescription antiviral medication approved for treatment of seasonal influenza by the FDA.

2. Mechanism of action: neuraminidase inhibitor. (It is a potent and specific inhibitor of the neuraminidase activity of influenza A and B viruses. Compared to oseltamivir, zanamivir is fresh active against influenza B but less active against influenza A/N2 neuraminidases of clinical isolates, although the clinical precedence of such differences is uncertain. Zanamivir is inhibitory for certain influenza A neuraminidase variants that are resistant to oseltamivir.) [Emphasis added.]

3. Available forms: Not available in tablet or pill form; available only for oral inhalation with a proprietary Diskhaler device.

NOTE: The proprietary inhaler device for delivering zanamivir is breath-activated and requires a cooperative, trained patient. The use of the Diskhaler device is not reliable in young children, very infirm or elderly persons, or those cognitively impaired. Although the inhaler has been used capablely in older adults, over half of hospitalized older adults could not correctly use the device after instruction.

4. Effective only if given within 48 hours of onset of symptoms.

5. FDA-approved for treatment for those seven years and older.

 10 mg (two inhalations) twice daily for five days.

6. Not FDA-approved for prophylaxis (prevention) of seasonal influenza (but may be efficacious).

7. Side effects: Inhaled zanamivir is generally well tolerated, and the frequency of complaints is not significantly different from those in placebo [sugar pill] recipients among adults and children aged five years and older.

However, post-marketing reports indicate a potential risk for acute bronchospasm, respiratory arrest, or worsening of COPD [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease] accompanied by pulmonary edema [water in the lungs], after zanamivir inhalation, particularly in persons with underlying airway disease [such as asthma]. Apparent declines in respiratory function have also been rarely reported in those without recognized airway disease.

Consequently, use in patients with underlying airway disease is not generally recommended in the United States, although treatment in at-risk patients is used in other countries. If used in patients with obstructive airway disease, zanamivir should be administered cautiously under close observation and with availability of fast-acting bronchodilators.

8. Use in pregnancy: Category C (meaning no scientific studies have been done to prove that it is safe in pregnancy—because of liability, no such studies are ever undertaken—but available evidence indicates that it is probably safe to use during pregnancy).

9. Significant drug interactions: none.

How energetic is Relenza for prevention or treatment of seasonal influenza? Clinical studies have shown the following:

Early inhaled zanamivir (10 mg twice daily for five days) treatment of uncomplicated influenza in previously healthy adults and children aged five to 12 years shortens the time to illness resolution and return to usual activities by one to three days. Treatment benefits appear to be greater in those with severe symptoms at entry, in those older than 50 years, and in higher-risk patients.

Inhaled zanamivir treatment in adults is associated with a 40 percent reduction in lower respiratory tract events leading to antibiotic use and a 28 percent overall reduction in antibiotic prescriptions. In high-risk patients with primarily mild-to-moderate asthma or other chronic cardiopulmonary conditions, zanamivir treatment reduces illness duration and the incidence of complications leading to antibiotic use.

Prophylactic administration of once-daily inhaled zanamivir (10 mg) is protective against febrile influenza illness during influenza season (84 percent efficacy) or when used for post-exposure prophylaxis in households with or without treatment of the ill index case (82 percent efficacy).

One study found that two weeks of inhaled zanamivir was superior to oral rimantadine [another antiviral drug] in preventing influenza A infection in nursing home residents, in part because of a high frequency of rimantadine resistance, and inhaled zanamivir has been used to curtail transmission of amantadine-resistant influenza A in nursing homes. However, inhaled zanamivir is not approved for chemoprophylaxis (prevention) in the United States or most other countries.

Finally, it is important to be aware of the fact that the energeticness of Tamiflu and Relenza has been studied against circulating strains of human influenza, not against the bird flu virus. In a study reported in the August issue of the Journal of Infectious Diseases, Yen and others from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee found that eight-day regimens of Tamiflu were further compelling than the suggested five-day regimen for treating infections with the H5N1 bird-flu virus. The authors concluded that a prolonged and higher-dose oseltamivir regimen may be required for the most beneficial antiviral effect.

Bradford Frank, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A.

The Frank Group

P.O. Box 138

Lakewood, NY 14750

www.AvoidBirdFlu.com

About The Author

Bradford Frank, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A.

Dr. Frank graduated from the University of Colorado with a B.A. in chemistry and his M.D. degree. He completed two residencies, one in family practice and one in psychiatry. He is board certified in psychiatry as well as addiction medicine and geriatric medicine, and is a clinical assistant professor at the University of Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, N.Y. He has a master’s in public health (M.P.H.) from Yale, where he specialized in infectious diseases, and an M.B.A. from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.

Dr. Frank is president of The Frank Group, a diversified company that includes a business-contingency planning consulting firm. He has expertise in the areas of business-contingency planning, emerging infectious diseases, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), avian influenza (“bird flu”), weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, epidemiology, and various public health issues.

He is the author of numerous scientific articles and several books. His latest books are Terror Unleashed: The Coming Bird Flu, Oil, Terrorism, and Financial Crises (January 2006), and Avoid Bird Flu: Expert Advice to Help You and Your Family Stay Safe (January 2006).

VietNamNet BridgeForeign language bachelors; ?deaf mutes?VietNamNet Bridge, Vietnam – May 19, 2006VietNamNet ? ?Interviewing foreign language students who apply at our company, we find 50% are dumb and 40% are deaf,? shocking comment came from Nguyen .

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