HearMore Unveils Top 5 Accessible Holiday Gift Lists for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

HearMore is proud to unveil its handpicked accessible holiday gift lists for the deaf and hard of hearing for the 2014 holiday shopping season. HearMore is comprised of deaf and hard of hearing experts who specialize in products that truly make a difference in the lives of those who are deaf or suffer from hearing loss. Each of the 10 items that make up the two lists below – Top 5 Accessible Holiday Gifts for the Deaf and Top 5 Accessible Holiday Gifts for the Hard of Hearing – were carefully selected by the experienced HearMore team.

For the 2014 holiday season, make sure to Like HearMore on Facebook, Follow HearMore on Twitter and Subscribe to HearMore's Email List for exclusive holiday deals and other special offers.

HearMore.com Top 5 Accessible Holiday Gifts for the Deaf

1. ALL-NEW Vibrating Watches for People of All Ages

Reizen Solar Powered Ana-Digit Watch with 4 Vibrating Alarms - English/German (HearMore Item# 712107)

Key Features: Perfect for men or women of all ages, you can charge this watch in the sun or under a lamp.

VibraLITE Mini Vibration Watch-White Silicon Band with Stainless Steel Buckle (HearMore Item# 512015)

Key Features: Fashionable and functional with 12 daily alarm settings available; fits small wrists so it's a great gift for teens.

2. Sonic Alert Vibrating Alarm Clock with Vibrations and Flashing Lights (HearMore Item# SB1005WV)

Key Features: Wake to 3 different combinations: Bed Vibrations, Flashing Lights, Audible or all 3 simultaneously!

RELATED: The compact Travel Shaker with powerful vibrations (HearMore Item# 90100)

3. Nutone Strobe Door Chime System with Wireless Transmitter, Push Button and Battery (HearMore Item# 9000204)

Key Features: Effortless setup; Use as a door chime or a wireless pager; Alert uses both a flashing strobe and a programmable chime

ADD-ONS ALSO AVAILABLE!

Nutone Strobe Door Chime – Receiver Only (HearMore Item# 9000202)

Nutone Strobe Door Chime – Doorbell Only (HearMore Item# 9000203)

4. ASL Novelty Items – ILY Ornaments & Jewelry

Key Features: Share the love of ASL with gifts that make fine additions to anyone's Christmas décor or jewelry collection

Santa with Reindeer I Love You Sign Language Ornament (HearMore Item# 961470)

Apple Bear I Love You Sign Language Ornament (HearMore Item# 961471)

Mystique ILY Bracelet with 0.5-in Silver-Plated Charm and Purple Beads (HearMore Item# 961203)

Mystique ILY Bracelet with 0.5-in. Gold-Plated Charm and Purple Beads (HearMore Item# 961204)

5. Sign Language Games, Books and DVDs

Key Features: The following games, books and DVDs are perfect holiday gifts for parents or teachers of deaf children.

Sign Language BINGO (HearMore Item# 961588)

Please note, the following Books and DVDs are non-returnable:

The Gallaudet Childrens Dictionary of American Sign Language with DVD (HearMore Item# 968631)

The Picture Plus Dictionary Second Edition (HearMore Item# 997654)

ASL Poetry - Selected Works of Clayton Valli on DVD (HearMore Item# 950354)

HearMore.com Top 5 Accessible Holiday Gifts for the Hard of Hearing

1. Reizen Loud Ear 120dB Gain Personal Amplifier (HearMore Item# 907654)

HOLIDAY SPECIAL: 40% OFF - Save $20!

Key Features: Powerful personal amplifier with 120dB gain

Built-in microphone for clear and loud hearing

Voice and sound comes through mini earphone
Picks up sound at a distance of up to 100 feet away
Includes 2 AAA batteries and single earphone

2. Wireless TV Listening Speakers – Dark Brown (HearMore Item# 400122)
(also available in Black, Tan or Gray)

Key Features: Hear the TV without wearing uncomfortable headphones
Hear what is going on around you, unlike wireless TV headphones
Allow others to keep the room volume where they want
Audiologist Recommended
Easy to install with one simple connection

3. Sonic Boom Sweetheart Alarm Clock (HearMore Item# SBH400SS)

Key Features: Extra Loud Vibrating Alarm packaged with an all-new powerful 12-volt bed shaker.

Related Products Available: 

Sonic Bomb Alarm Clock and Bed Shaker (HearMore Item# SB500SS)

Sonic Alert Alarm Clock with Bed Shaker and Radio (HearMore Item# SBR350SS)

4. Ensemble 50dB Amplified Captioning TouchScreen Phone (HearMore Item# 958003)

HOLIDAY SPECIAL: 62% OFF - SAVE $124.95!

Key Features: State-of-the-art amplified phone that lets you read conversations on screen in addition to hearing them.

5. PowerTel 500 Amplified DECT 6.0 Cordless Telephone Special Combo Pack (HearMore Item# 500111)

Combo Pack gives you 1 master phone unit, 2 additional expandable handsets plus 1 extra FREE handset!

HOLIDAY SPECIAL: 43% OFF - SAVE $130!

Key Features: 50dB amplification & LED visual ringer; Hearing aid compatible - TIA 1083 Compliant

Also, we sell Hearing Aid Batteries that are very useful stocking stuffers!

Visit www.hearmore.com for all of your deaf and hard of hearing needs.

Taking a Trip? Don’t Get Caught Short of Batteries for Your Hearing Aids or Cochlear Implants

Shorts – check! T-shirts – check! Bathing Suit – check! Whether you are packing for a business trip, a summer vacation, or preparing the kids to go off to camp, the list of items can be long and the process daunting.

But in the frenzy of activity, don’t forget your (or your children’s) all-important hearing aid or cochlear implant batteries. Why risk having to scramble around in unfamiliar areas looking for a store that sells them? Or even worse, not being able to get any?

Be sure you'll get maximum enjoyment from your travels. Keep your hearing devices powered up! Call Hear-More at 1-800-881-4327 or click hearing aid batteries to order. Visit www.HearMore.com for a variety of other products for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Hard of Hearing Kids in WI to Get Insurance Coverage for Hearing Aids, Cochlear Implants

Governor Jim Doyle of Wisconsin recently signed a bill requiring health insurers to cover hearing aids and cochlear implants for hearing impaired persons under 18 years of age.

“This is an important bill that protects Wisconsin families,” the Governor is quoted as saying in a May 21 press release appearing on his website. “For too long, too many families with deaf children or children with hearing loss have struggled to pay for treatment. Today, we are making sure these families no longer have to choose between putting food on the table or providing effective and proven treatment for their child.”

Every year about 200 babies are born deaf or hard of hearing in Wisconsin, and over half of Wisconsin families do not have insurance that covers any of the cost of hearing aids, according to a survey by the Wisconsin Chapter of Hands.

Follow these links to Read the Full Press Release on Governor Doyle’s website or visit www.HearMore.com to view a range of assistive aids aimed at helping the deaf and hard of hearing live more active, independent lives.

Hearing Loss Increasing for Baby Boomers

Hearing loss is a growing problem that, while often associated with senior citizens, is increasingly affecting Baby Boomers, according to an article by Dr. Kent Greer and Laura Fahrer of Fairfield Medical Center in Lancaster, Ohio, published at LancasterEagleGazette.com.

Exposure to noise pollution seems to have overtaken age as the leading cause of hearing loss and an estimated 40 percent of hearing-impaired Americans are younger than 65, which makes hearing loss our nation's third-most prevalent chronic health condition, behind only arthritis and high blood pressure.

The authors cited a study by the National Council on Aging noting that untreated hearing loss was associated with quality of life issues such as depression, anxiety, insecurity and irritability. The NCOA study also looked at the benefits of treating hearing loss with amplification. People who treated their hearing loss with hearing aids reported improvements in their relationships, feelings about themselves, self-confidence, independence and overall quality of life.

Read the full article, including information about the Audiology Department at Fairfield Medical Center, hearing tests and hearing aids.

Learn more about the variety of amplified products available at HearMore, including personal listening devices, amplification devices and amplified telephones.

Ear Gear Protects Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants from Loss, Damage

As summer approaches, people across the country are getting out and about to take advantage of the milder weather. For many this means camping, hiking, fishing and boating, or playing water sports, baseball, softball, tennis, golf and a myriad of other outdoor sports.

But for hearing aid and cochlear implant wearers, this time spent outside comes with a potential risk. Even something as simple as a pick-up baseball game at the local field can cause problems, as dirt and dust may clog the hearing instrument. And in the case of more active or extreme sports and activities, hearing aids and cochlear implants can be dislodged from ears and end up damaged or even lost. But www.HearMore.com offers a solution.

Ear Gear products were designed to protect the delicate electronics of behind-the-ear hearing instruments from sweat, moisture, dust, dirt and shock. The unique nylon/Spandex blend is comfortable to wear and is acoustically transparent, so it won’t interfere with hearing aid performance. Corded models clip to clothing, providing added protection from loss. They’re perfect for children and anyone with an active lifestyle.

Ear Gear comes in assorted colors and styles, including models for hearing aids, hearing aids with FM attachments and cochlear implants. For more information, go to Ear Gear for Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants.

Wisconsin Set to Require Insurance Companies to Cover Children’s Cochlear Implants

Wisconsin is on the verge of becoming the first state to require private insurance companies to cover the cost of cochlear implants for children with severe hearing problems, according to a recent Associated Press report.

The bill, which passed in the state Legislature in late April, applies to cochlear implants, hearing aids and related treatment for those under the age of 18. Governor Jim Doyle has promised to sign it into law.

Supporters say the bill is important to the families with deaf children who cannot afford to pay for implants that cost $50,000 or more without insurance. They say getting the devices early is critical to help children develop their language skills.

Opponents said the bill would drive up costs for small businesses and employees who are already struggling to afford health care costs.

Several states already require insurance companies to cover some hearing aid costs, but Wisconsin would be the first to extend the mandate to cochlear implants.

Read the full AP story.