PEGGY JOHNSTON, CO-DIRECTOR
404 S. Oak Street
404 S. Oak Street
Durand, MI 48429
989-288-4546
517-285-6532
jklbmc@yahoo.com
SHARON POPLER, CO-DIRECTOR
SHARON POPLER, CO-DIRECTOR
3640 E. Bath Road
Morrice, MI 48857
Tel: 989-634-5748
gma4hugs@hotmail.com
DEAF AWARENESS
POSTERS ARE NOW AVAILABLE!
We now have reprints of four of the previous Deaf Awareness Posters. Contact me if you wish to have posters, etc.
American Manual Alphabet: This poster is one that we did not have to reprint. This poster could be used in schools, churches, libraries, Grange Halls or anywhere that people come in contact with deaf or hearing impaired people. For example, our Grange delivered Dictionaries to a third grade classroom, along with Deaf Awareness items (one being the Manual Alphabet poster) and in one of the thank you’s we received, one of the students had learned the alphabet. Another third grade teacher had her students do their spelling words in sign language. There are many possibilities with this.
Pledge of Allegiance: This poster could be placed in schools, Grange Halls, libraries, etc. An idea that can be used is to do parts of it at each of your Grange meetings until everyone can sign it.
Do You See the Signs: (of hearing loss) This poster could be placed in church nurseries, day care centers, pre-schools or wherever adults can view them. It is a poster to make parents aware of what an infant to 12 months should be able to do, from 12 months to 2 years, from 2 years to 4 years and 5 years old.
Grange Deaf Awareness: Awareness – communication is key to qualify of life – hearing loss is permanent- early detection and treatment is essential, etc. Education – educate the public with printed material, video programs, classroom instruction, special equipment, information, programs. Prevention- hearing protections used, hearing testing, newborn hearing screening, personal education.
We now have reprints of four of the previous Deaf Awareness Posters. Contact me if you wish to have posters, etc.
American Manual Alphabet: This poster is one that we did not have to reprint. This poster could be used in schools, churches, libraries, Grange Halls or anywhere that people come in contact with deaf or hearing impaired people. For example, our Grange delivered Dictionaries to a third grade classroom, along with Deaf Awareness items (one being the Manual Alphabet poster) and in one of the thank you’s we received, one of the students had learned the alphabet. Another third grade teacher had her students do their spelling words in sign language. There are many possibilities with this.
Pledge of Allegiance: This poster could be placed in schools, Grange Halls, libraries, etc. An idea that can be used is to do parts of it at each of your Grange meetings until everyone can sign it.
Do You See the Signs: (of hearing loss) This poster could be placed in church nurseries, day care centers, pre-schools or wherever adults can view them. It is a poster to make parents aware of what an infant to 12 months should be able to do, from 12 months to 2 years, from 2 years to 4 years and 5 years old.
Grange Deaf Awareness: Awareness – communication is key to qualify of life – hearing loss is permanent- early detection and treatment is essential, etc. Education – educate the public with printed material, video programs, classroom instruction, special equipment, information, programs. Prevention- hearing protections used, hearing testing, newborn hearing screening, personal education.
MAY/JUNE 2025 GRANGE NEWS
Spring has Sprung!!
CHILDREN’S HEARING LOSS
Spring has Sprung!!
Did you know that the National Grange adopted Deafness as its health project in 1970!! Fifty five years ago. Wow! Don’t seem possible. (Although I graduated from high school in 1970 and am celebrating my 55th year this August at our reunion, Peggy. ) Gosh that’s a lot of years!!
Many states have supported the program over the years by educating themselves and others about hearing loss. Projects which benefit deaf and hard of hearing persons have been accomplished by National, State, county local and Junior Granges. Many, many educational materials have been made available to Granges, schools, libraries, churches, etc. Several states still have projects going regarding deafness.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CHILDREN’S HEARING LOSS
A child’s development is unique, but some traits of hearing and language do follow a fairly consistent pattern. If a child does not develop speech at what is considered to be a normal rate it would be wise to ask for a hearing test. Early detection of hearing loss allows parents to explore all the options of medical treatment and education choices; to begin learning about hearing loss themselves and to start learning and teaching alternate communication methods.
By the time a child enters school, more than 80% of the language the child will use in the next ten years has been learned. Vocabulary will expand, but never at the same rate it has in the first five years of life. An undetected hearing loss in these critical years will severely affect a child’s education and entire life.
By the time a child enters school, more than 80% of the language the child will use in the next ten years has been learned. Vocabulary will expand, but never at the same rate it has in the first five years of life. An undetected hearing loss in these critical years will severely affect a child’s education and entire life.
Most children will:
By 3 months:
—respond to parent’s voice
—react to unexpected loud noise
By 6 months:
—respond to noises such as toys, telephones, etc.
—smile, squeal, laugh out loud
By 12 months:
—respond to own name
—say mamma, dada, & 1-2 other words
—shake head for yes and no.
By 15-18 months:
—start to answer questions and may use words and
gestures to support the answer
—like books, and may repeat lines of text for the
reader
By 2 years:
—understand one to two step commands
—vocabulary is expanding
By 3 years:
—experience rapid development of speech
By 4 years:
—express events according to a measure of time and
can tell about a series of events.
By 5 years:
—have well-developed speech patterns
Share this information with any new parents you
might know. It just might prove to be useful.
JULY/AUGUST 2025 GRANGE NEWS
Hello everyone! Summer is “maybe” finally getting here?
I don’t have hearing aids (yet?) but I know a lot of people that do and that made me wonder if there was special care that should be taken with them in the humid hot weather. This is what I found…
Apply sunscreen before putting in your hear aids, and if the do get wet, dry them off quickly with a clean cloth and consider using a dry aid kit.*
A World of Sound
No longer lost in the world's soft hum,
Hello everyone! Summer is “maybe” finally getting here?
May was certainly up and down with the temperatures. Lots of rain, sunshine, cold, heat, you name it and we had it. As I write this article, the forecast is for some much warmer temps in the next week.
I don’t have hearing aids (yet?) but I know a lot of people that do and that made me wonder if there was special care that should be taken with them in the humid hot weather. This is what I found…
To protect your hearing aids from summer heat, moisture, and sweat, store them in a cool, dry place when not in use and use a dehumidifier.
Apply sunscreen before putting in your hear aids, and if the do get wet, dry them off quickly with a clean cloth and consider using a dry aid kit.*
Store in a Cool, Dry Place:
High temperatures and humidity can damage hearing aids, so store them in a cool, dry place when not in use.
Use a Dehumidifier:
A dehumidifier helps remove moisture from the air, which can protect your hearing aids from damage.
Apply Sunscreen Before Putting in Aids:
Applying sunscreen before inserting hearing aids can help protect them from moisture and debris from the sunscreen itself.
Protect from Water:
While some hearing aids are water-resistant, it’s best to avoid exposing them to water, especially during swimming. If they do get wet, dry them off quickly with a clean cloth and consider using a dryaid kit.
Keep Aids Clean:
Summer activities can bring sweat, dust, and debris, so clean your hearing aids regularly. Watch for wax. With the summer moisture and humidity, some people produce more ear wax than usual. Be sure to keep your ear canals clean and as wax free as possible to help your hearing aids function at peak performance.
Use Moisture Protection Products:
Consider using sweat-resistant covers or sleeves specifically designed to shield hearing aids from moisture.
Avoid High Temperatures:
Don’t leave your hearing aids in direct sunlight or in hot environments liked parked cars.
Monitor for Damage:
Pay attention to your hearing aids’ performance and check for any signs of damage, such as reduced sound quality or unusual sounds.
*Dry Aid Kits:
*Dry Aid Kits:
Dry-aid kits primarily consist of a jar containing desiccants, such as silica get or other moisture-absorbing materials. These kits are designed to remove moisture from hearing aids or other electronic devices, helping to prevent damage cause by humidity. Some kits also include a container for the device and instructions.
Desiccant:
The core component of a dry-aid kit. This is typically a material like silica gel that readily absorbs moisture from the air.
Container:
A jar or box, often made of glass or plastic, to hold desiccants and allow the device to be placed inside.
Ingredients:
Often included with the kit, providing guidance on using the kit and reactivating the desiccants if necessary.
Often included with the kit, providing guidance on using the kit and reactivating the desiccants if necessary.
Optional: UV disinfection:
Some advanced kits also include a UV-C light to disinfect the hearing aids in addition to drying them.
A World of Sound
In silent spaces, once I used to dwell,
Lost in whispers, a world I couldn't tell.
Then came the aid, a gift to my ear,
A world of sound, now so very clear.
Birds in the garden, a vibrant, sweet choir,
Children's laughter, setting hearts afire.
The gentle rain, a soothing, soft beat,
A symphony of sounds, can't be beat.
No longer lost in the world's soft hum,
Hearing aid, a friend, my life to come.
With newfound clarity, I can now see,
A world of sound, designed for me.
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