LUANNA SWAINSTON, DIRECTOR
965 108th St SW
Byron Center, MI 49315
616-877-0169
Cell: 616-262-3516
plswainston@hotmail.com
965 108th St SW
Byron Center, MI 49315
616-877-0169
Cell: 616-262-3516
plswainston@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.
Your Noisy World Could Get Silent: This poster is a chart that shows the potential hearing hazard of the loudness of sounds combined with the length of exposure to sound and how it can create a permanent hearing loss. Preventions are suggested on this poster. It shows the decibels of many electronic devices that we are in contact with everyday.
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.
Your Noisy World Could Get Silent: This poster is a chart that shows the potential hearing hazard of the loudness of sounds combined with the length of exposure to sound and how it can create a permanent hearing loss. Preventions are suggested on this poster. It shows the decibels of many electronic devices that we are in contact with everyday.
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 2019 GRANGE NEWS
Is Tinnitus Causing That Ringing in Your Ears?
(I found this in the Grand Rapids Press on Sunday, April 14)
Is Tinnitus Causing That Ringing in Your Ears?
(I found this in the Grand Rapids Press on Sunday, April 14)
Have you ever found a constant ringing in your ears that you can’t pinpoint the cause? It might be tinnitus the sensation of hearing a sound when no external sound is present.
In some cases, tinnitus can be managed but for some, it’s a chronic condition that can affect sleep and everyday function. Fortunately there are options to reduce its effects.
About 1 in 5 people experience the perception of noise or ringing in the ears. It’s call tinnitus.
Dr. Gayla Poling is the director of Diagnostic Audiology at Mayo Clinic. She says tinnitus can be perceived a myriad of ways: ringing, buzzing, whistling, a crackling, a chirping.
According to the Mayo Clinic website “the phantom noise may vary in pitch from a low roar to a high squeal, and you may hear it in one or both ears, in some cases, the sound can be so loud it can interfere with the ability to concentrate or hear external sound. Tinnitus may be present all the time or it may come and go.
But why?
“Ninety percent of those with tinnitus have haring loss, so that’s usually where we start as a source or a reason for the tinnitus.”
Hearing loss can be age related, some from a one-time exposure, or exposure to loud sounds over a lifetime.
Poling says the tiny hairs in our inner ear may play a role.
Those little hair cells in our inner ear are really delicate structures. That’s what is actually damaged with noise exposure, or wear and tear on your ears across your lifespan. So those damaged hair cells, might be the reason or part of the cause for tinnitus for some.
Other possible causes include ear problems, chronic health conditions, and injuries or conditions that affect the nerves, either in your ear or in the hearing center of the brain.
Poling says there’s no scientifically proven cure for tinnitus, but there are treatment and management options.
That can be something as simple as getting a hearing aid to treating the hearing loss. And once you treat that, then you find that the tinnitus and the perception of that tinnitus is reduced.
Other options include using a sound generator or a fan at night. And then there are more advanced treatments.
“There’s something called ‘tinnitus restraining therapy.’ There are more ear level masking devices where you can hear sounds throughout the day, too, that are more distracting.”
If ringing in your ears bothers you, start by seeing your health care provider for a hearing test.
JULY/AUGUST 2019 GRANGE NEWS
On Thursday, June 6, 2019 Peggy Johnston, Sharon Popler, Phil and I attended
the Michigan School for the Deaf Graduation. There were 18 graduates this
year. This is the biggest class we have seen (in fact 7 were students that were
involved in our Adopt-a-child program) and 4 of the younger ones were in
charge of the flags and the signing of the Pledge of Allegiance.
On Thursday, June 6, 2019 Peggy Johnston, Sharon Popler, Phil and I attended
the Michigan School for the Deaf Graduation. There were 18 graduates this
year. This is the biggest class we have seen (in fact 7 were students that were
involved in our Adopt-a-child program) and 4 of the younger ones were in
charge of the flags and the signing of the Pledge of Allegiance.
We congratulate the Class of 2019!
Their theme was “Wherever you go, no matter the weather, always bring your own sunshine.”
Their theme was “Wherever you go, no matter the weather, always bring your own sunshine.”
REMINDER:
A reminder to any Granges or Grangers that have not already made a donation to the Deaf Awareness Fund...now is the time to do so. Appeal letters went out awhile back. These funds are being used for some super projects. A special thank you to all of those that have already made your donations. It is greatly appreciated.
ADOPT-A-CHILD
I have had some inquiries about the Adopt-a-Child Christmas Program at the Michigan School for the Deaf and I appreciate that. If you had a child last year I am assuming you want one this year too. If you were not on my list for last year, please contact me and I will gladly add you to my list. (I have Community Grange, added. Thanks!) It can be a Grange, a Granger or a couple. I have some who have taken two and that’s great! Just let me know. I am hoping to get the names of the students by the end of October or the first of November so you have time to shop. If you have any questions please let me know.
I have had some inquiries about the Adopt-a-Child Christmas Program at the Michigan School for the Deaf and I appreciate that. If you had a child last year I am assuming you want one this year too. If you were not on my list for last year, please contact me and I will gladly add you to my list. (I have Community Grange, added. Thanks!) It can be a Grange, a Granger or a couple. I have some who have taken two and that’s great! Just let me know. I am hoping to get the names of the students by the end of October or the first of November so you have time to shop. If you have any questions please let me know.
NEED DEAF AWARENESS POSTERS???
SCROLL DOWN!!
SCROLL DOWN!!
The recipient of this years $500.00 scholarship was Evan Anthony Jones. He came to Michigan School for the Deaf when he was in the 7th grade with very little language. He had difficulty learning and is leaving this year because of his age. H had come very far learning independence and work skills. He is now working in his community part time and at the school part time. He works very hard and is always happy! His parents want him to attend school for this artistic ability. Right now he is working through a vocational organization, getting more Life Skills and vocational training. The committee felt he deserved recognition. We wish him the best!