Rockers The Who fear they've taken their final bow - because they're struggling to deal with the "issues" of staging shows with Pete Townshend's hearing problems.
The 64 year old has suffered from partial deafness and tinnitus for many years, and admits the condition is now so bad he is having to cut back the amount of time he spends on stage and in the recording studio.
He is testing new in-ear monitors, which help ease his tinnitus - but frontman Roger Daltrey fears their performance in London last month could be their last, if Townshend's health problems persist.
Daltrey tells Uncut magazine, "If carrying on is going to mean Pete going deaf, let's stop now. Entering old age is a silent world - nothing is worth that.
"That (last month's concert) might have been the last gig. I honestly don't know. We're trying to deal with issues that we have never dealt with before.
"Our bodies are beginning to give up on us. I've had voice problems in the past year that I've managed to sort out and I'm really enjoying singing again but you have to be realistic - I am 66 years old."
Thursday, 29 April 2010
Monday, 26 April 2010
Deaf voters 'unheard' by politicians - Full Story
Deaf voters 'unheard' by politicians
An estimated 90,000 deaf people in the UK rely on British Sign Language (BSL) to communicate - but only one political party has ever used it in its election broadcasts.
Tessa Padden, a television presenter and BSL translator currently involved with the BSL:UPTAKE project at Heriot-Watt University,believes this leaves many deaf people excluded from the democratic process.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"When Nick Clegg shot overnight from being the Invisible Man of British politics to being the Coming Man, it seemed to take the political establishment by surprise.
But why? Once you engage in dialogue with people and actually listen to what they have to say, you can no longer ignore them.
And too often "invisible" means just that - ignored.
As we move towards May 6th the parties and politicians are doing all they can to persuade people to vote for them.
But how much of their messages will get across to the estimated 90,000 deaf people in the UK who rely on British Sign Language?
Many deaf people believe they are 'invisible' to politicians
Will any of the parties talk to BSL users in a language that they understand? Will any of them understand what deaf people are saying to them?
The BSL:UPTAKE project, based at Heriot-Watt University, offers UK politicians a unique opportunity to engage with and understand the most ignored and invisible community on the political spectrum.
BSL:UPTAKE was set up in 2009 with a remit to improve dialogue and knowledge exchange between the world of politics, public policy and the Deaf community.
Heriot-Watt's main partner in the project is the Scottish government's Equality Unit.
Now BSL:UPTAKE is offering an online resource specifically geared to the General Election.
In its website library, it has created a whole new section - General Election 2010 - at http://www.bsluptake.org.uk/info/?cat=268.
This brings together in one place links to the information deaf people need to understand the general election, from TV programmes in BSL to party manifestoes in BSL and other information.
Swing the election
Just as important, it gives candidates in the general election links to the information they should be aware of if they are to include deaf people in their appeals to the electorate.
In marginal constituencies, a few hundred deaf voters could easily swing the election.
As far as we can see, the only party that has ever produced information in British Sign Language for a national election anywhere in the UK has been the Scottish Green Party.
In 2007, it produced two videos for the Scottish Parliament and Scottish council elections, which were held on the same day in May 2007.
The Scottish Green Party BSL party election video lasted three minutes.
The second video explained the voting system for the Scottish Parliament and council elections. It lasted just two minutes.
Both videos were presented by a Scottish Green Party spokesman, with a BSL/English interpreter standing beside him.
Just five minutes of information, interpreted into BSL by one of the smaller political parties in Scotland, seems to be the only information targeted at deaf people so far, in any election in Britain
Tessa Padden
So the first language of the videos was English, and BSL was added as an interpretation, just as party political information might be translated into other languages for ethnic minority or immigrant communities.
So just five minutes of information, interpreted into BSL by one of the smaller political parties in Scotland, seems to be the only information targeted at deaf people so far, in any election in Britain.
Not really enough, is it?
The Scottish government has devoted more resources to making information available in BSL.
In November 2009, it held a National Conversation event for deaf people in Glasgow, with a deaf chairperson and BSL/English interpretation throughout.
This was filmed and made available on the Scottish government channel on YouTube.
Two recent Scottish government consultations have had summaries translated into British Sign Language, by deaf first-language BSL users.
But as we head towards the general election, how much meaningful information will any of the parties produce in BSL - preferably presented or translated into BSL by deaf people?
More importantly, how committed are the political parties to ensuring that they inform - and consult - deaf people continuously, not just once every few years, when there's an election?
Maybe deaf people are voters - or potential voters - once every few years.
Lacked information
But they are also citizens of the UK, and of Scotland, all the time, all day and every day.
Politicians need to recognise their rights as citizens, and make sure that deaf people, from childhood throughout their lives, have the same access to information that hearing people have.
Citizenship and the deaf community is the subject of an excellent study by Dr Steven Emery, a former research associate at Heriot-Watt University.
BSL:UPTAKE will soon be delighted to publish extracts in both BSL and English, on the BSL:UPTAKE website.
Not only deaf people, but politicians, civil servants and others would understand more about deaf people's political rights and the barriers they face if they would take the time to consult this and other important research.
Steven Emery talked about deaf people and the political process in a presentation that is published in the Scottish government equality unit's The Long and Winding Road - A Roadmap to British Sign Language & Linguistic Access in Scotland.
In it he says: "…all (deaf) groups wanted to discuss the voting process and the role of politicians.
Some people did reflect on how they became political, but it was mostly with people believing they lacked information to make choices how to vote... more importantly, they gave evidence that politicians did not understand the deaf community or its priorities.
"That hindered their ability to engage in the political process."
Deaf people should be engaged in the political process all the time, not only at elections.
You can find out more about how this can be done and about lots of other issues of importance to the deaf community on the BSL:UPTAKE online Library: http://www.bsluptake.org.uk/"
An estimated 90,000 deaf people in the UK rely on British Sign Language (BSL) to communicate - but only one political party has ever used it in its election broadcasts.
Tessa Padden, a television presenter and BSL translator currently involved with the BSL:UPTAKE project at Heriot-Watt University,believes this leaves many deaf people excluded from the democratic process.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"When Nick Clegg shot overnight from being the Invisible Man of British politics to being the Coming Man, it seemed to take the political establishment by surprise.
But why? Once you engage in dialogue with people and actually listen to what they have to say, you can no longer ignore them.
And too often "invisible" means just that - ignored.
As we move towards May 6th the parties and politicians are doing all they can to persuade people to vote for them.
But how much of their messages will get across to the estimated 90,000 deaf people in the UK who rely on British Sign Language?
Many deaf people believe they are 'invisible' to politicians
Will any of the parties talk to BSL users in a language that they understand? Will any of them understand what deaf people are saying to them?
The BSL:UPTAKE project, based at Heriot-Watt University, offers UK politicians a unique opportunity to engage with and understand the most ignored and invisible community on the political spectrum.
BSL:UPTAKE was set up in 2009 with a remit to improve dialogue and knowledge exchange between the world of politics, public policy and the Deaf community.
Heriot-Watt's main partner in the project is the Scottish government's Equality Unit.
Now BSL:UPTAKE is offering an online resource specifically geared to the General Election.
In its website library, it has created a whole new section - General Election 2010 - at http://www.bsluptake.org.uk/info/?cat=268.
This brings together in one place links to the information deaf people need to understand the general election, from TV programmes in BSL to party manifestoes in BSL and other information.
Swing the election
Just as important, it gives candidates in the general election links to the information they should be aware of if they are to include deaf people in their appeals to the electorate.
In marginal constituencies, a few hundred deaf voters could easily swing the election.
As far as we can see, the only party that has ever produced information in British Sign Language for a national election anywhere in the UK has been the Scottish Green Party.
In 2007, it produced two videos for the Scottish Parliament and Scottish council elections, which were held on the same day in May 2007.
The Scottish Green Party BSL party election video lasted three minutes.
The second video explained the voting system for the Scottish Parliament and council elections. It lasted just two minutes.
Both videos were presented by a Scottish Green Party spokesman, with a BSL/English interpreter standing beside him.
Just five minutes of information, interpreted into BSL by one of the smaller political parties in Scotland, seems to be the only information targeted at deaf people so far, in any election in Britain
Tessa Padden
So the first language of the videos was English, and BSL was added as an interpretation, just as party political information might be translated into other languages for ethnic minority or immigrant communities.
So just five minutes of information, interpreted into BSL by one of the smaller political parties in Scotland, seems to be the only information targeted at deaf people so far, in any election in Britain.
Not really enough, is it?
The Scottish government has devoted more resources to making information available in BSL.
In November 2009, it held a National Conversation event for deaf people in Glasgow, with a deaf chairperson and BSL/English interpretation throughout.
This was filmed and made available on the Scottish government channel on YouTube.
Two recent Scottish government consultations have had summaries translated into British Sign Language, by deaf first-language BSL users.
But as we head towards the general election, how much meaningful information will any of the parties produce in BSL - preferably presented or translated into BSL by deaf people?
More importantly, how committed are the political parties to ensuring that they inform - and consult - deaf people continuously, not just once every few years, when there's an election?
Maybe deaf people are voters - or potential voters - once every few years.
Lacked information
But they are also citizens of the UK, and of Scotland, all the time, all day and every day.
Politicians need to recognise their rights as citizens, and make sure that deaf people, from childhood throughout their lives, have the same access to information that hearing people have.
Citizenship and the deaf community is the subject of an excellent study by Dr Steven Emery, a former research associate at Heriot-Watt University.
BSL:UPTAKE will soon be delighted to publish extracts in both BSL and English, on the BSL:UPTAKE website.
Not only deaf people, but politicians, civil servants and others would understand more about deaf people's political rights and the barriers they face if they would take the time to consult this and other important research.
Steven Emery talked about deaf people and the political process in a presentation that is published in the Scottish government equality unit's The Long and Winding Road - A Roadmap to British Sign Language & Linguistic Access in Scotland.
In it he says: "…all (deaf) groups wanted to discuss the voting process and the role of politicians.
Some people did reflect on how they became political, but it was mostly with people believing they lacked information to make choices how to vote... more importantly, they gave evidence that politicians did not understand the deaf community or its priorities.
"That hindered their ability to engage in the political process."
Deaf people should be engaged in the political process all the time, not only at elections.
You can find out more about how this can be done and about lots of other issues of importance to the deaf community on the BSL:UPTAKE online Library: http://www.bsluptake.org.uk/"
Tate Modern, British Sign Language Talk - Works of Bridget Riley
Bridget Riley
Fall 1963
Friday 4 June 2010, 19.00–20.00
Deaf visitors are invited to join Tate Modern for this presentation in BSL by Nadia Nadarajah, which focuses on the abstract paintings of Bridget Riley. Looking at works produced throughout her career, you will see how over time her compositions changed from black and white to colour.
Tate Modern Level 5 Concourse
Free, no booking necessary
Fall 1963
Friday 4 June 2010, 19.00–20.00
Deaf visitors are invited to join Tate Modern for this presentation in BSL by Nadia Nadarajah, which focuses on the abstract paintings of Bridget Riley. Looking at works produced throughout her career, you will see how over time her compositions changed from black and white to colour.
Tate Modern Level 5 Concourse
Free, no booking necessary
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
Deaf Awareness event, Northwick Park Hospital, 1st July 2010
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Silent Sounds will be presenting a Deaf Awareness event, at Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow, between 08:30 and 13:00 on Thursday 1st July 2010.
Please do come along and see us on the day.
Check www.silent-sounds.co.uk/blog.php for more details
We look forward to seeing you there!!
British Troops In Afghanistan Suffering Hearing Loss.
Current military personnel and armed service veterans can suffer serious noise induced hearing loss as a result of being exposed to extremely loud environmental and/or combat related noises such as machine guns, mortars, bombs, artillery, airplane engines and shipboard machinery whilst on active duty.
According to a recent study, more than two-thirds of British troops returning from Afghanistan are suffering severe and permanent hearing damage. Internal defence documents reveal that following their six-month tour in Helmand between April and October 2008, of 1,250 Royal Marine commandos, 69% had “audiometric evidence consistent with NIHL [noise-induced hearing loss]” due to the intense noise of combat and 410 were classified as having more extreme cases.
As a consequence of the intensity of the conflict in Helmand and its close-combat fighting, roadside devices and noise of low-flying coalition aircraft, Tinnitus or almost complete deafness among combat troops, was found to be considerably greater than previously reported.
Noise Regulations stipulate maximum workplace volume levels not to exceed 85 decibels for prolonged periods, yet the blast of a gun or “medium” explosion measured 140dB, equivalent to hearing a jet plane taking off about 40m away. One in 10 Territorial Army recruits had, in fact, experienced a significant degree of hearing loss following their tour of duty which was “unlikely to be due to anything other than noise or blast”.
An MoD study, ‘The Extent of Operational NIHL’, highlights major problems among 73 reservists deployed to Helmand Province, finding that 67 had problems with their hearing. Of these 39 were diagnosed with noise-induced hearing loss with 16 new cases of hearing problems thought to be from “blast injury”.
An MoD spokesman said, following feedback and hearing loss advice, they were trying out a new ear protection system, comprising a custom moulded earplug with an inbuilt microphone to cut the noise impact of loud explosions, whilst still giving the wearer the ability to hear colleagues. It is hoped that the easy-to-fit earplugs would stay in place, thus providing vital protection from the effects of loud explosions and gunfire.
According to a recent study, more than two-thirds of British troops returning from Afghanistan are suffering severe and permanent hearing damage. Internal defence documents reveal that following their six-month tour in Helmand between April and October 2008, of 1,250 Royal Marine commandos, 69% had “audiometric evidence consistent with NIHL [noise-induced hearing loss]” due to the intense noise of combat and 410 were classified as having more extreme cases.
As a consequence of the intensity of the conflict in Helmand and its close-combat fighting, roadside devices and noise of low-flying coalition aircraft, Tinnitus or almost complete deafness among combat troops, was found to be considerably greater than previously reported.
Noise Regulations stipulate maximum workplace volume levels not to exceed 85 decibels for prolonged periods, yet the blast of a gun or “medium” explosion measured 140dB, equivalent to hearing a jet plane taking off about 40m away. One in 10 Territorial Army recruits had, in fact, experienced a significant degree of hearing loss following their tour of duty which was “unlikely to be due to anything other than noise or blast”.
An MoD study, ‘The Extent of Operational NIHL’, highlights major problems among 73 reservists deployed to Helmand Province, finding that 67 had problems with their hearing. Of these 39 were diagnosed with noise-induced hearing loss with 16 new cases of hearing problems thought to be from “blast injury”.
An MoD spokesman said, following feedback and hearing loss advice, they were trying out a new ear protection system, comprising a custom moulded earplug with an inbuilt microphone to cut the noise impact of loud explosions, whilst still giving the wearer the ability to hear colleagues. It is hoped that the easy-to-fit earplugs would stay in place, thus providing vital protection from the effects of loud explosions and gunfire.
Tuesday, 13 April 2010
Deaf Awareness Week - Headline
Deaf Awareness Week this year will be from Monday 28th June to Friday 2nd July. Silent Sounds will be hosting a number of events.
Check www.silent-sounds.co.uk/blog.php for details
Check www.silent-sounds.co.uk/blog.php for details
Deaf Awareness week
Deaf Awareness Week
Silent Sounds will be hosting a number of events for Deaf Awareness Week , which this year will be from Monday 28th June to Friday 2nd July. Most of these events will be sited at specific locations where we can talk to both the general public, and also to deaf people and to people with connections in the deaf community.
The general message behind these events will be to 'Look At Me'
The theme aims to improve understanding of the different types of deafness by highlighting the many different methods of communication used by deaf, deafened, deafblind and hard of hearing people, such as sign language and lipreading.
If you have any ideas for additional events, or for charity promotions, please do get in touch with us via our website www.silent-sounds.co.uk
The venues for our events will be announced as soon as possible via our blog, and through other media.
Silent Sounds will be hosting a number of events for Deaf Awareness Week , which this year will be from Monday 28th June to Friday 2nd July. Most of these events will be sited at specific locations where we can talk to both the general public, and also to deaf people and to people with connections in the deaf community.
The general message behind these events will be to 'Look At Me'
The theme aims to improve understanding of the different types of deafness by highlighting the many different methods of communication used by deaf, deafened, deafblind and hard of hearing people, such as sign language and lipreading.
If you have any ideas for additional events, or for charity promotions, please do get in touch with us via our website www.silent-sounds.co.uk
The venues for our events will be announced as soon as possible via our blog, and through other media.
Monday, 12 April 2010
Silent Sounds move to new offices!!
On 6th April, Silent Sounds finally moved into our new state of the art offices in High Wycombe, Bucks.
Our offices are now fully up & running, and as well as containing all of the office space needed to handle our operational requirements, it also boasts a fully equipped training facility!
This facility will primarily be used to host courses in deaf awareness. Hopefully in the future, we will be able to provide courses in British Sign Language in our training room too.
Our new address is as follows :
Silent Sounds UK Ltd
10 Manor Courtyard
Hughenden Avenue
High Wycombe
Bucks.
HP13 5RE
Telephone: 01494 796030
Fax: 01494 528616
SMS/Text: 07765 187270
email: richard@silent-sounds.co.uk
website: www.silent-sounds.co.uk
Our offices are now fully up & running, and as well as containing all of the office space needed to handle our operational requirements, it also boasts a fully equipped training facility!
This facility will primarily be used to host courses in deaf awareness. Hopefully in the future, we will be able to provide courses in British Sign Language in our training room too.
Our new address is as follows :
Silent Sounds UK Ltd
10 Manor Courtyard
Hughenden Avenue
High Wycombe
Bucks.
HP13 5RE
Telephone: 01494 796030
Fax: 01494 528616
SMS/Text: 07765 187270
email: richard@silent-sounds.co.uk
website: www.silent-sounds.co.uk
Scientists find possible cure for genetic deafness
Scientists have discovered a gene linked to the type of deafness passed on through families.
The finding revealed treatments for inherited deafness are one step closer. Around half of deafness is thought to be inherited and experts are pinpointing genes involved one by one.
Researchers looked at the genetics of families where several members were deaf and identified the PTPRQ (Protein tyrosine phosphatase, receptor type, Q) gene as playing a role, reports express.co.uk.
The research, funded by the Royal National Institute for Deaf People and published in the American Journal of Human Genetics, was carried out by Dutch experts.
"This research will help develop medicines that are desperately needed to prevent deafness and restore hearing," said Sohaila Rastan, RNID's chief scientific adviser.
In the past few months the Dutch team has discovered two other genes linked to inherited deafness. So far, about a third of 60 genes have been discovered.
Every year 840 babies are born in the UK with significant deafness. By the age of three, one child in 1,000 is deaf.
The finding revealed treatments for inherited deafness are one step closer. Around half of deafness is thought to be inherited and experts are pinpointing genes involved one by one.
Researchers looked at the genetics of families where several members were deaf and identified the PTPRQ (Protein tyrosine phosphatase, receptor type, Q) gene as playing a role, reports express.co.uk.
The research, funded by the Royal National Institute for Deaf People and published in the American Journal of Human Genetics, was carried out by Dutch experts.
"This research will help develop medicines that are desperately needed to prevent deafness and restore hearing," said Sohaila Rastan, RNID's chief scientific adviser.
In the past few months the Dutch team has discovered two other genes linked to inherited deafness. So far, about a third of 60 genes have been discovered.
Every year 840 babies are born in the UK with significant deafness. By the age of three, one child in 1,000 is deaf.
Friday, 9 April 2010
New deafness genetic fault - full story
Childhood deafness gene uncovered
A new genetic fault which may account for some cases of inherited deafness has been revealed by Dutch researchers.
It means that parents with the hereditary condition may be able to predict more accurately the chances of passing it on to their children.
The new find, documented in the American Journal of Human Genetics, could even one day contribute to treatments, say the scientists.
One child in 750 is born with severe hearing loss or profound deafness.
This research will help develop medicines that are desperately needed to prevent deafness and restore hearing
Dr Sohaila Rastan, RNID
The gene in question, labelled PTPRQ, appears to play a role in the development of the inner ear "hair cell" before the birth of the child.
A genetic fault here means that these cells will not form properly or in sufficient numbers, leading to profound deafness or extremely poor hearing.
This can lead to problems throughout childhood, including behavioural and developmental difficulties, and low academic achievement.
Inheritance
The latest gene was tracked down by scientists at Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre who looked closely at the DNA of families prone to the condition, looking for shared genetic traits.
There are now more than 60 known locations in our DNA which can contain faulty genes contributing to this form of deafness, although only half the genes in these locations which actually cause the problem are yet to be identified.
Dr Hannie Kremer, who led the research, said: "Our approach is identifying more genes for congenital deafness.
"This knowledge will help improve treatments for patients, genetic counselling, molecular diagnosis and the development of advanced therapeutic strategies."
Dr Sohaila Rastan, chief scientific officer for the deaf and hard of hearing charity RNID, said: "Knowledge of genes causing deafness tells us more about how our hearing works.
"This research will help develop medicines that are desperately needed to prevent deafness and restore hearing."
There are hopes that gene therapy will one day be able to correct genetic defects linked to this type of deafness.
A new genetic fault which may account for some cases of inherited deafness has been revealed by Dutch researchers.
It means that parents with the hereditary condition may be able to predict more accurately the chances of passing it on to their children.
The new find, documented in the American Journal of Human Genetics, could even one day contribute to treatments, say the scientists.
One child in 750 is born with severe hearing loss or profound deafness.
This research will help develop medicines that are desperately needed to prevent deafness and restore hearing
Dr Sohaila Rastan, RNID
The gene in question, labelled PTPRQ, appears to play a role in the development of the inner ear "hair cell" before the birth of the child.
A genetic fault here means that these cells will not form properly or in sufficient numbers, leading to profound deafness or extremely poor hearing.
This can lead to problems throughout childhood, including behavioural and developmental difficulties, and low academic achievement.
Inheritance
The latest gene was tracked down by scientists at Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre who looked closely at the DNA of families prone to the condition, looking for shared genetic traits.
There are now more than 60 known locations in our DNA which can contain faulty genes contributing to this form of deafness, although only half the genes in these locations which actually cause the problem are yet to be identified.
Dr Hannie Kremer, who led the research, said: "Our approach is identifying more genes for congenital deafness.
"This knowledge will help improve treatments for patients, genetic counselling, molecular diagnosis and the development of advanced therapeutic strategies."
Dr Sohaila Rastan, chief scientific officer for the deaf and hard of hearing charity RNID, said: "Knowledge of genes causing deafness tells us more about how our hearing works.
"This research will help develop medicines that are desperately needed to prevent deafness and restore hearing."
There are hopes that gene therapy will one day be able to correct genetic defects linked to this type of deafness.
New genetic finding for inherited deafness
A new genetic fault which may account for some cases of inherited deafness has been revealed by Dutch researchers.
Full details of this item on www.silent-sounds.co.uk/blog.php
Check our website regularly for news realating to deaf issues.
Full details of this item on www.silent-sounds.co.uk/blog.php
Check our website regularly for news realating to deaf issues.
Thursday, 1 April 2010
Cure for Male pattern baldness
Scientists in Austria have discovered a definitive cure for Male Pattern Baldness. Apparently, when sweat extracted from the armpit glands of orang utans is rubbed into the effected areas, then you will no longer have to worry about attracting members of the opposite sex.
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