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May 2, 2006

Historical Person Hard of Hearing Hall of Fame Nominations Due

From: The Hard of Hearing Hall of Fame - May 2, 2006

The Hard of Hearing Hall of Fame (www.hardofhearinghalloffame.com) is seeking nominations for their initial Historical Person honoree. Selection criteria is based on consideration of an individual’s body of work or achievement, and their own hearing loss. Nominations (http://www.hardofhearinghalloffame.com/NominationForm.html) are due May 10th. Selection(s) will be announced May 15th.

The nomination process is easy. Tell us your choice of a famous person in history and their hearing loss.

The overall mission of the Hard of Hearing Hall of Fame is to educate people about potential inner ear damage caused by noise AND to seek tax deductible donations to support research for hearing regeneration.

Here are some comparisons of noise levels and possible damage:
Sustained exposure causing possible hearing loss - 90-95dB
Walkman on 5/10 - 94dB
Power mower - 107dB
Amplified rock, 4-6' - 120dB
Pain begins at a level of about 125dB
Rock music peak 150dB

The Hard of Hearing Hall of Fame is sponsored in part by Rotarians for Hearing Regeneration – A Rotary Action Group (www.hearingregeneration.org). The Action Group promotes interest in research and the funding of the Hearing Regeneration Initiative at the Virginia Merrill Bloedel Hearing Research Center at the University of Washington (www.depts.washington.edu/hearing/).

It was thought that once hair cells of the inner ear are destroyed (noise or drug-induced), they do not re-grow, but now research by Dr. Edwin Rubel (VMBHRC) gives hope to those with hearing loss. Dr. Rubel and his associates are attempting to re-grow hair cells in mammals. There scientists believe that within ten years they will be able to re-grow inner ear hair cells and improve the lives of millions of people worldwide.

Hearing Loss Statistics:

· Hearing loss is the number one disability in the world.
· 15 of every 1000 people under age 18 have a hearing loss.
· Nearly 90% of people over age 80 have a hearing loss.
· Ten million Americans have suffered irreversible noise induced hearing loss, and 30 million more are exposed to dangerous noise levels each day.
· Approximately 59,000 people worldwide have received cochlear implants. About 250,000 people would be good candidates for a cochlear implant. Most people worldwide can't afford implants.

Other Hard of Hearing Hall of Fame Selection Categories: Art, Sports, Business, Feature Films, Military, Music, Politics, Professions, Rock and Roll, Science, and Television.

The Hard of Hearing Hall of Fame website (www.hardofhearinghalloffame.com) contains downloadable videos as well as articles on hearing loss as well as the hearing regeneration initiative (the sharing of world wide information concerning the re-growth of hair cells).

Submitted by
Don Doman
trainingmedia@yahoo.com
www.ideasandtraining.com
253-759-6639