Share Your Story on the Consumers Union Website

Consumers Union, which publishes Consumer Reports has, generally, not tested products and filed reports on features that are important to people with hearing loss. However, Consumers Union has established its “Hear Us Now” project that gives voice to consumers who are experiencing problems in the following categories: Internet, TV & Radio, Cable & Satellite, Phones & Cell Phones, and Media Ownership. 
If you are experiencing problems regarding telephone, cable and internet services, or equipment, you are invited to “Share Your Story” by going to http://www.hearusnow.org/other/share.  The form at that website will enable you to tell about your experiences in dealing with problems, and perhaps solving them, in the listed categories.  If you submit a story, Consumers Union may edit it for clarity and return it to you for your approval before publishing your story.  Also, by accessing this website, you may learn from the experiences of other consumers. 
If people with hearing loss use this communication resource offered by Consumers Union, visibility into the issues faced by this population can be increased.  Perhaps, if a sufficient number of stories are submitted, Consumers Union may take an interest in testing and reporting on telecommunications products and services regarding their use by people with hearing loss. 

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Analog-to-Digital Transition for Wireless Telephone Service…Will
You Be Affected?
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Patrick Halley
Monday, February 11, 2008
 (703) 812-4600, media@nena.org

ARLINGTON, VA. - Over a million cell phone users could potentially lose access to 9-1-1 on February 19, 2008.  AT&T Mobility, Alltel, Cellular One, Dobson, US Cellular and Verizon Wireless and some other cellular providers have received Federal Communications Commission approval to turn off their analog networks.  You will not be affected if you describe to SprintNextel or T-Mobile.

This is a particularly important issue for people who have received older cellular phones from Donated Phone Programs.  Many of these phones require the analog networks and recipients may not be able to contact 9-1-1 after the February cut-off date.

You will not be affected if you have a digital phone.  You can tell if you have a digital phone if it has any of these capabilities: text or instant messaging; Internet browsing; MP3 player or integrated camera; SIM card. Most cell phones that are over 5 years old are analog and service may be discontinued.

The National Emergency Number Association (NENA) suggests that if you cannot tell if your phone will be affected by this change, you should take it to any local cellular phone retail location for assistance. They should be able to determine if a cellular phone is analog or digital.

If you are affected by this discontinuation of service, you may want to contact the Donated Phone Program that issued your phone.  For more information visit, http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/analogcellphone.html.

NENA is The Voice of 9-1-1™. NENA promotes implementation and awareness of 9-1-1 as North America’s universal emergency number. NENA is the leading professional non-profit organization dedicated solely to 9-1-1 emergency communications issues. NENA serves its nearly 7,000 members in 48 chapters across the U.S., Canada and Mexico through policy advocacy, establishment of technical and operational standards, certification programs and a broad spectrum of educational offerings.  Find out more at www.nena.org.

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Direct Access to Audiology Services

Hearing Loss Association of America supports the Medicare Hearing Health Care Enhancement Act of 2007 (HR 1665). Medicare beneficiaries with hearing loss would benefit from the option that allows them to see either a physician or an audiologist first for their hearing health needs.
This bill would give consumers a choice and, therefore, improve access to hearing care for Medicare beneficiaries without diminishing the important role of medical doctors, or expanding the scope of practice for audiology. The legislation would also bring Medicare into line with the policies of other federal health programs, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program administered by the Office of Personnel Management, and many private health plans that provide participants in their respective heath care programs with direct access to audiologists

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FCC Proceeding on Hearing Aid Compatible Rules
On November 7, 2007, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a series of proposed rules to revamp its hearing aid compatibility requirements. The notice was primarily based on a joint consensus reached by industry and consumers in spring 2007, as well as a staff report released by the Wireless Bureau. HLAA submitted joint comments with the Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc., in which HLAA supported the consensus agreement.
To see the HLAA comments go to www.hearingloss.org/advocacy/

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Cordless Phone Manufacturers to Make All Handsets TIA-1083 Compliant

The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) and the Hearing Loss Association of America announced on January 7, 2008, that Panasonic, Uniden, Thomson, and V-Tech will have 100 percent of their new cordless telephones comply with the TIA-1083 interference standard.

This standard will curtail the interference experienced by cordless phone users with hearing aids and cochlear implants. These manufacturers have indicated phased-in commitments to 100 percent compliance, with most achieving it for new designs in 2008 and all expecting to comply by the beginning of 2010.

This milestone is the result of consistent, coordinated efforts by TIA, its members, HLAA, and the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Telecommunications Access at Gallaudet University. Collaboration between TIA, the communications industry, and HLAA is productive on many levels. Good-faith negotiations allow all parties to avoid burdensome regulations that might have unintended consequences for consumers. Working directly with industry allows consumers with hearing loss to voice their concerns and see their suggested changes brought to market as quickly as possible.
To see the full press release go to www.hearingloss.org/advocacy/

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Wisconsin Senate Introduces Health Insurance Coverage of Cochlear Implants for Infants and Young Children

Senate Bill 88 will require health insurance policies and plans to cover the cost of hearing aids and cochlear implants for infants and children less than 11 years of age who are certified as deaf or hard of hearing by a physician or an audiologist. The coverage requirement applies to both individual and group health insurance policies and plans, including defined network plans and cooperative sickness care associations, to health care plans offered by the state to its employees, including a self insured plan, and to self insured health plans of counties, cities, towns, villages, and school districts. 

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Deborah LoGerfo sent us “First Flight,” a heartwarming story about “Zara’s first airline flight as her hearing dog. (PDF Format)