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26 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Sunday December 24, 2006 www.oakvillebeaver.com Noise-Induced Hearing Loss a sound threat Continued from page 25 children work more in groups than individually, making classrooms noisier. Activities that they engage themselves in have a strong noise component to them according to Hannan. "Their electronic games is probably the number on thing," Hannan said. Hannan said that students are involved in more indoor activities than outdoors. "As a result, Noise-Induced Hearing Loss is happening at increasingly younger ages," she said. "It's a gradual process which makes it even more difficult, because you don't notice," Hannan noted that similar to Age-Related Hearing Loss it's often not the individual themselves who notice the loss, but the people around them start to notice when they say `pardon' a lot or start turning up the volume on the television more often. The Hearing Foundation of Canada decided to make Grade 6 the time to introduce students to hearing loss prevention. "They are on the cusp of the noisiest times of their lives," Hannan said noting the children will soon be starting school dances and starting to go out more. "With The Hearing Foundation of Canada, what our objective is, is to make the public aware of the dangers of Noise Induced Hearing Loss," said Hannan. "If we know about it in the first place, we can prevent it from happening." Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn told the children that they should take advantage of this information and take care of their hearing because he wasn't provided that information when he was growing up. Aleksia Pavlovic, 11, a Grade 6 student agreed with what Flynn had to say. "It's important to save it now, because we're never going to get the chance again to do it again," the student said adding, that she will take what Hannan said to heart and take better care of her hearing. Hannan said the main prevention methods are to be aware, turn it down, don't be afraid to ask someone else to BOXING WEEK BLOWOUT! Our Entire Regular Stock of Christmas Fabric, Trimmings, Accessories and a Special Selection of Festive Wear Fabrics D EC. 27-31 ONLY! turn it down, remove yourself away from the sound source and wear hearing protection. Students were provided with earplugs that cut down 25 per cent of the noise. "Our goal is to ultimately have the curriculum include hearing loss prevention and we also want Sound Sense to be in all the schools," Hannan said. Currently the program is funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation and they are in their third year of their threeyear funding. The Foundation is in need of funding to keep the program running. In the 2005-2006 and 20062007 school years, The Hearing Foundation of Canada will introduce Sound Sense to Grade 6 students in 3000 Ontario Schools. One third of those schools will have a trained facilitator give the presentation and the other schools will be encouraged to present the program with the materials that they will be provided with. Next year the program will be starting in Prince Edward REALLY?: Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn is surprised to learn he listens to his music too loud. Island, a pilot program is running in Alberta and BC and will be starting in late winter in Manitoba as well. If teachers are interested in having a trained facilitator administer the program at their school they can contact Hannan at 416364-4064 ext. 31 or by e-mail at ghannan@hearingfoundation.ca. the holiday sale. savings up to 40% off all Woodcraft furniture ­ custom sized and custom finished. everything is on sale up to70% off. The Montana Armoire/Workstation in solid maple, oak or pine. Deluxe Taper Leg Harvest Table shown with Special Athena Chairs. all harvest tables 40% off! SIMPLICITY & NEW LOOK PATTERNS $ Individually priced. Dec.27-31 only. Not valid with any other discounts. Entire In-Store Stock! BURDA & McCALLS PATTERNS Dec.27-31 only. Not valid with any other discounts. Entire In-Store Stock! 1.99ea. 1/2 M.S.R. Price Individually priced. The Crossback Chair shown with standard upholstered seat Hudson Valley Wide Screen TV Console with glass doors and 6 adjustable shelves Offer valid Dec.27-31/06, excl. promotional merchandise & special purchases. Details in-store. 140 Rebecca St. OAKVILLE 844-7728 Insertion Date: Wednesday, December 27/06 (or other) OPEN SUNDAYS (or other) Insertion Size: 4 X 118 lines 12-5 Please set all relevant address info in this space, in reverse, big & bold as space allows. Proof to Store Manager. Happy Holidays! Mississauga: 2185 Dundas St. W. 2 Blocks W. of Erin Mills Pkwy. (905) 607-2247 · Open Sunday Whitby: 111 Dunlop St. W. at Brock St. Workshop & Showroom: (905) 668-2770 370 Denison St. E., Markham Open Sunday (905) 475-2488 · Open Sunday www.woodcraft.ca www.oakvillebeaver.com including floor models