From her Longview office, Hirth mails fliers and newsletters to assisted-living centers, churches, schools, low-income housing complexes and other places to let people know she is available to help.

Deaf Action Center, which had been staffed with one part-time worker, has been open for about four years. The center offers three programs.

One is the Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program that targets hard of hearing, deaf, visually and speech-impaired residents, as well as people with mobility and cognitive disabilities. The program offers free telephones to disabled residents regardless of their income, Hirth said. Numerous choices exist. For example, some phones have a flasher to alert a hearing impaired person of an incoming call. One has a display screen so hearing-impaired users can read what the caller is saying.

The organization's second program offers hearing aids to residents who qualify based on their income. Clients who qualify for hearing aids must pay $25 to be fitted.

Another service includes putting people with hearing impediments in touch with a Longview support group. During meetings, Hirth and guess speakers share coping skills, new technology, job information and other resources.

Hirth also collects used hearing aids — any type and condition — and sends them to a lab in Dallas where they are refurbished.

Audiology

Ken Martin, a Good Shepherd Medical Center licensed audiologist, performs hearing evaluations on patients. He works with Hirth to help hearing impaired patients get special phone equipment.

"We have to be more proactive in letting people know it's available," Martin said. "That's kind of been a problem."

He said the state's Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program provides "anything you need to be able to communicate on the telephone."

The audiologist said hearing loss could happen because of aging and exposure to loud noises, as well as ear infections, which he often sees in children.

Some symptoms of hearing loss include feeling dizzy or a ringing sound.

Melissa Bell, regional specialist for Communication Services for the Deaf in Tyler, said the Deaf Action Center programs are beneficial to disabled residents.

"It's important because it fosters independence for people with hearing loss," Bell said. "(People with disabilities) don't have to depend on family members or others to make phone calls. They can do it themselves and feel good about it."

Bell said her advocacy and service group has sent about 60 people a year to the Longview center for help. People are pleased to be able to go to the center to test the special phones, she said.

Support

Debra Myers, 47, president of Hearing Loss Association of America support group, began losing her hearing at age 5. It wasn't until two years ago, though, that she joined the monthly support group, which was formerly called Self Help for Hard of Hearing.

Before Myers joined Hearing Loss Association of America, she hadn't spent much time around people who have hearing impairments.

"I have been able to learn what's available to me not only in my home life but in my work life," said Myers, an accountant at Genpak manufacturing plant. "A lot of people are shy, and some people don't want to reach out for help."

She said some people don't want to admit they are hard of hearing and steer clear of support groups. About 25 to 30 people attend the monthly meetings.

Hirth refers clients to Hearing Loss Association of America meetings. The group meets from 10:30 a.m. to noon, the first Saturday of the month at Wesley-McCabe United Methodist Church on Mobberly Avenue in Longview.

On the Net: Deaf Action Center: www.deafactioncentertexas.org

Specialized TelecommunicationsAssistance Program: www.dars.state.tx.us/dhhs/stap.shtml

Hearing Loss Association of America: www.hearingloss.org

If you go

What: Hearing Loss Association of America 11th Anniversary Celebration, free

When:10:30 a.m. to noon, Feb. 4

Where: Wesley-McCabe United Methodist Church, 1115 S. Mobberly Ave., Longview

By Patrina A. Bostic
http://www.news-journal.com/news/content/news/stories/2006/23/01232006New_hearing.html