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HELP-2-HEAR: OUR COMMITMENT In 1979, The Masonic Foundation of Ontario opened a Masonic Window with their commitment to support deafness research, which has continued since that time. Through their association with The Hospital For Sick Children, and the Auditory Science Laboratory in particular, the Masons of Ontario have committed significantly to issues of hearing health care, auditory research, and rehabilitation of the hearing impaired. This long term support by the Masons of Ontario for basic research, the Cochlear Implant Program, and "Voice" coupled with the quest to provide funding for this initiative has been overwhelming. The child who is disadvantaged by a hearing loss for which there has been no early therapy, is often disadvantaged for life. While we have accomplished much since the inception of our programs, it is clear that we can do more. As we move into the new millennium it will be our task to ensure we continue our commitment to these children, and research for the hearing impaired. WHAT IS HELP-2-HEAR The Help-2-Hear program launched by the Masonic foundation of Ontario in July 1999 as a "Millennium Project" will have a two year window. The objective of the campaign will be to establish a $2 million capital fund over the next two years, that will provide the necessary funding required to continue the research to the next plateau: the early detection of hearing loss in neonates and infants, and guide them through an appropriate treatment strategy. THE OBJECTIVE To establish funding that will provide the financial assistance to develop a universal Neonatal Hearing Screening system, within the Province of Ontario which will allow the early detection of hearing loss. The challenge will be to provide hearing impaired children the earliest opportunity to develop their communication abilities, have normal educational and career prospects, and most importantly, improve their quality of life. Research has indicated the earlier that detection is carried out, the more benefits are to be achieved. HOW CAN I HELP ?
The HELP-2-HEAR Project is all about passion, determination, desire and drive! It is about emotion, a sense of ownership, and excitement! It is an opportunity to "Ignite Masonic Pride" As we move into the new millennium, it will be our task to ensure that we continue our commitment to these children, and research for the hearing impaired. Every Mason in the Province will have reason to be very proud of our contribution to this dynamic program. Your contribution will make a difference! THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ! Through the generosity of the Masons of Ontario, the funding provided by The Masonic Foundation of Ontario enabled the Auditory Science Laboratory at The Hospital For Sick Children for the first time anywhere in the world to develop a new tool for mapping activity in the living brain. This and other new equipment afforded research relative to the following: The Use of "Otoacoustic Emissions" These are low aptitude sounds that come out of the inner ear in response to sounds, and indicate how the inner ear is functioning. The sounds are recorded to find out how the central auditory brain exerts control over the sensitivity of the inner ear. "Neural Plasticity" This research relates to the manner in which the central auditory brain can recognize as a result of input it receives. This is particularly important to the developing child. Children who have various degrees of hearing loss from an early age have abnormal development of the central auditory brain. This is reflected in the Cochlear Implant program. "Optical Imaging of Intrinsic Signals" A New technique has been developed for imaging activity in the auditory parts of the brain. A sensitive video camera is used to view the surface of the brain, and look for changes in its optical properties. The research team are the first in the world to successfully use this technique to look at the way in which frequency, and the intensity of sounds are coded in the brain. Help-2-Hear Articles from the Fall Issue of the Ontario Mason
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