Cochlear's bid falls on Siemens' deaf ears
BIONIC ear company Cochlear has missed out on acquiring the hearing-aid business of Germany's Siemens, which has dropped plans to sell the division after failing to get bids of more than E2 billion ($3bn).
Cochlear chief executive Chris Roberts declined to comment yesterday and refused to be drawn on speculation that Cochlear had been working with private-equity firms Hellman & Friedman and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts on a joint bid for the division.
According to reports, Siemens was looking to sell the business for more than E2bn but investors were prepared to pay only between E1.5bn and E1.6bn.
Another bidder interested in the business was Permira, which teamed up with Nordic Capital to make a joint bid.
One analyst said a continuing decline in profitability at the hearing-aid business was the main reason bids fell short of Siemens's expectations. Siemens's hearing-aid unit posted sales of E550 million last year, down from E565m in 2008.
The unit's margin on earnings before interest, tax, amortisation and depreciation fell to just below 30 per cent, down almost 5 percentage points from the previous year.
Cochlear announced last month that it expected its full-year net profit to increase by 15 per cent to $150.1m as sales of its new generation implant, the Nucleas 5, gathered momentum.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Talking the sounds of silence
Talking the sounds of silence
In silence was spoken a thousand words.
Well, maybe not a thousand, but Julia McGoohan, 10, and 11-year-old Paige Lundberg — joined occasionally by Nicole August, 10 — were carrying on an animated conversation using just their hands, which were forming words in American Sign Language.
"It's really easy," Julia said.
Nicole explained that they had a deaf classmate at Silver Bay Elementary, here, whom they saw 40 minutes a day for mainstreaming into their fifth-grade class. The pupils picked up sign language just from that daily interaction, she said.
The three were among pupils from all over New Jersey — Galloway Township; Atlantic City; and the Marie H. Katzenbach School for the Deaf, West Trenton; Shore-area school districts such as Neptune, Jackson, Toms River, Lacey and Berkeley's Central Regional; and higher-education institutions such as Ocean County College, which has a deaf-interpreter program and The College of New Jersey, which has a deaf education-teaching program — who came together March 10 for Silver Bay's annual Deaf Awareness Day.
Now in its 13th year, the event is designed to promote a positive self-image of deaf and otherwise hearing-impaired people, as well as celebrate friends made through the day, said Debra Breece, teacher of the deaf at Silver Bay and the event's coordinator.
"Sign language is a good thing to know, to be able to talk to people who are hard of hearing," said Paige.
Though most of those kindergarten and first- through 12th-grade students who went to the event were deaf or otherwise hard of hearing, the day also had hearing attendees including Julia, Paige, and Nicole, who with their class would be recited and signed the Pledge of Allegiance.
In addition, Silver Bay class B-108 sang and signed "You've Got A Friend in Me," and the Little Theatre of the Deaf, the children's wing of West Hartford, Conn.-based National Theater of the Deaf, performed "Tree Wise." The play is the story of a girl with a deaf mother and deaf friend who makes friends with a hearing person. Through the help of a special tree, both girls learn more about deaf culture. In addition, the audience learns some simple signs.
"This is a chance for the deaf kids to socialize with other kids just like them," Breece said. "They often feel isolated, and this event alleviates some of that."
In silence was spoken a thousand words.
Well, maybe not a thousand, but Julia McGoohan, 10, and 11-year-old Paige Lundberg — joined occasionally by Nicole August, 10 — were carrying on an animated conversation using just their hands, which were forming words in American Sign Language.
"It's really easy," Julia said.
Nicole explained that they had a deaf classmate at Silver Bay Elementary, here, whom they saw 40 minutes a day for mainstreaming into their fifth-grade class. The pupils picked up sign language just from that daily interaction, she said.
The three were among pupils from all over New Jersey — Galloway Township; Atlantic City; and the Marie H. Katzenbach School for the Deaf, West Trenton; Shore-area school districts such as Neptune, Jackson, Toms River, Lacey and Berkeley's Central Regional; and higher-education institutions such as Ocean County College, which has a deaf-interpreter program and The College of New Jersey, which has a deaf education-teaching program — who came together March 10 for Silver Bay's annual Deaf Awareness Day.
Now in its 13th year, the event is designed to promote a positive self-image of deaf and otherwise hearing-impaired people, as well as celebrate friends made through the day, said Debra Breece, teacher of the deaf at Silver Bay and the event's coordinator.
"Sign language is a good thing to know, to be able to talk to people who are hard of hearing," said Paige.
Though most of those kindergarten and first- through 12th-grade students who went to the event were deaf or otherwise hard of hearing, the day also had hearing attendees including Julia, Paige, and Nicole, who with their class would be recited and signed the Pledge of Allegiance.
In addition, Silver Bay class B-108 sang and signed "You've Got A Friend in Me," and the Little Theatre of the Deaf, the children's wing of West Hartford, Conn.-based National Theater of the Deaf, performed "Tree Wise." The play is the story of a girl with a deaf mother and deaf friend who makes friends with a hearing person. Through the help of a special tree, both girls learn more about deaf culture. In addition, the audience learns some simple signs.
"This is a chance for the deaf kids to socialize with other kids just like them," Breece said. "They often feel isolated, and this event alleviates some of that."
Beyond the court at Missouri School for the Deaf
Beyond the court at Missouri School for the Deaf
It’s at 8 a.m. and a classroom full of high school students are discussing an algebra equation.
At the Missouri School for the Deaf, students are provided constant communication and a sense of belonging 24/7. 88 students, from kindergarten through 12th grade, live and learn on this campus.
5-year-old Demonta Logan is one of those students. Demonta didn’t find out he was legally deaf until fourth grade. As he has grown his hearing is continuing to fade.
For most of his life, Demonta was one of few deaf students at the St. Louis public schools he attended.
After recommendations from his counselors, Demonta decided on his own that he wanted to enroll at the state funded school, which everyone there calls “MSD.”
I went here, the Missouri School for the Deaf because I thought I was going to make some new friends since I did. LOGAN 1
In public school, Demonta’s inability to understand what people were saying affected him socially. Sometimes miscommunication would lead to a fight with his friends.
Sometimes we’d get mad at each other, but I didn’t know why he got mad. LOGAN 2
He’s now able to communicate better with his friends. It’s because all students at MSD use sign language and share his situation. Now, eight months into his first year at school, Demonta feels comfortable with his friends and can speak without the fear of a miscommunication.
We’ll chill, chat, watch a movie, talk to each other whatever. LOGAN 3.
MSD teacher Angela Russell deals with students’ conflicts and needs all the time. Last year she had a student who started the year very timid but soon relaxed.
Socially you could tell she was so much more comfortable than in a situation where people didn’t understand why she talked different or why people couldn’t hear her. RUSSELS 1
The middle school and high school students live in dorms. There are separate dorms for boys and girls, and each room houses two students.
Room assistants are on call around the clock. They make sure all the students shower, clean their rooms, do their laundry, keep safe and stay on their schedule. Demonta says it’s like having a mom around.
She knows what is right and what is wrong. She watches us when the time is right, she’ll tell us that we didn’t clean our room, she’ll tell us to clean our room. LOGAN 3
Administration and faculty try to keep the transition seamless from mainstream schools to MSD. As required by the state, the curriculums are the same, but the overall experience is not.
Assistant Superintendent Tom Bastean is also a graduate of the school.
Bastean says deaf students at mainstream schools are unintentionally restricted. They are told when and how to complete tasks, and it creates a lack of independence.
We teach that here.
You have to think for yourself and you have to make decisions, you make your own choices. BASTEAN 1
It’s the extra-curricular activities at MSD that allow students to do just that.
Without those experiences I don’t know who I would have become. Maybe I would not know my identity if I had not come to this school. BASTEAN 2
For Demonta, it’s the basketball.
My favorite thing is about MSD is that I love to play basketball, that’s my favorite sport of all time. LOGAN 4
Demonta has gained a sense of belonging on the team. Although he is not on the starting five, he’s always the one jumping up and down from the bench cheering.
The school does a lot to keep the students connected, but still it can get lonely.
Demonta keeps a picture frame of family photos next to his bed.
Mostly I miss my girlfriend, miss mom, miss dad, my sister and my brother. LOGAN 4
Students at MSD go home almost every weekend to see their parents and siblings.
Still, Demonta loves when his parents come to surprise him to watch a basketball game.
Since Demonta enrolled at MSD, his father, Michael Logan, says he has noticed Demonta is more confident. He is more mature and more comfortable with himself.
Demonta hopes to continue to improve his confidence and academics at MSD until he graduates in three years.
It’s at 8 a.m. and a classroom full of high school students are discussing an algebra equation.
At the Missouri School for the Deaf, students are provided constant communication and a sense of belonging 24/7. 88 students, from kindergarten through 12th grade, live and learn on this campus.
5-year-old Demonta Logan is one of those students. Demonta didn’t find out he was legally deaf until fourth grade. As he has grown his hearing is continuing to fade.
For most of his life, Demonta was one of few deaf students at the St. Louis public schools he attended.
After recommendations from his counselors, Demonta decided on his own that he wanted to enroll at the state funded school, which everyone there calls “MSD.”
I went here, the Missouri School for the Deaf because I thought I was going to make some new friends since I did. LOGAN 1
In public school, Demonta’s inability to understand what people were saying affected him socially. Sometimes miscommunication would lead to a fight with his friends.
Sometimes we’d get mad at each other, but I didn’t know why he got mad. LOGAN 2
He’s now able to communicate better with his friends. It’s because all students at MSD use sign language and share his situation. Now, eight months into his first year at school, Demonta feels comfortable with his friends and can speak without the fear of a miscommunication.
We’ll chill, chat, watch a movie, talk to each other whatever. LOGAN 3.
MSD teacher Angela Russell deals with students’ conflicts and needs all the time. Last year she had a student who started the year very timid but soon relaxed.
Socially you could tell she was so much more comfortable than in a situation where people didn’t understand why she talked different or why people couldn’t hear her. RUSSELS 1
The middle school and high school students live in dorms. There are separate dorms for boys and girls, and each room houses two students.
Room assistants are on call around the clock. They make sure all the students shower, clean their rooms, do their laundry, keep safe and stay on their schedule. Demonta says it’s like having a mom around.
She knows what is right and what is wrong. She watches us when the time is right, she’ll tell us that we didn’t clean our room, she’ll tell us to clean our room. LOGAN 3
Administration and faculty try to keep the transition seamless from mainstream schools to MSD. As required by the state, the curriculums are the same, but the overall experience is not.
Assistant Superintendent Tom Bastean is also a graduate of the school.
Bastean says deaf students at mainstream schools are unintentionally restricted. They are told when and how to complete tasks, and it creates a lack of independence.
We teach that here.
You have to think for yourself and you have to make decisions, you make your own choices. BASTEAN 1
It’s the extra-curricular activities at MSD that allow students to do just that.
Without those experiences I don’t know who I would have become. Maybe I would not know my identity if I had not come to this school. BASTEAN 2
For Demonta, it’s the basketball.
My favorite thing is about MSD is that I love to play basketball, that’s my favorite sport of all time. LOGAN 4
Demonta has gained a sense of belonging on the team. Although he is not on the starting five, he’s always the one jumping up and down from the bench cheering.
The school does a lot to keep the students connected, but still it can get lonely.
Demonta keeps a picture frame of family photos next to his bed.
Mostly I miss my girlfriend, miss mom, miss dad, my sister and my brother. LOGAN 4
Students at MSD go home almost every weekend to see their parents and siblings.
Still, Demonta loves when his parents come to surprise him to watch a basketball game.
Since Demonta enrolled at MSD, his father, Michael Logan, says he has noticed Demonta is more confident. He is more mature and more comfortable with himself.
Demonta hopes to continue to improve his confidence and academics at MSD until he graduates in three years.
Bill would require political ads be accessible to the deaf
Bill would require political ads be accessible to the deaf
Residents who are deaf and hard of hearing want to know what politicians are saying on TV.
A group of residents testified Tuesday before the House Ways and Means Committee in favor of a state bill that would require candidates to offer closed captioning or transcripts for television and web commercials.
Alfred Sonnenstrahl, a Montgomery County resident with two grandchildren enrolled at the Maryland School for the Deaf in Frederick , asked the committee to support the bill.
He pointed out that in the committee room, they rely on microphones for everyone to hear -- a hearing aid for hearing people, he said.
"Now obviously, at some point, you've thought of the expense that you would incur putting in this technology, and you assumed that it was a given expense," he said. "We're asking you to make it the same for us."
He is a board member of the Maryland Association of the Deaf, which supports the bill so deaf and hard of hearing voters can learn about candidates.
The bill is being sponsored by Frederick County Delegate Joseph Bartlett in the House and Sen. Norman R. Stone Jr. in the Senate.
Bartlett has never used closed captioning on his campaign advertisements but said he would in the future.
"Once I heard from advocacy groups, it's something we should have been doing all along, and I should have been doing it all along," Bartlett said.
He doesn't think the bill is too onerous for campaigns, since it gives them the choice of offering closed captioning, posting a transcript on a campaign website or seeking an exemption.
"There are 769,000 people we're disenfranchising, and I think we should take it into account," he said.
Sonnenstrahl said the cost of closed captioning ranges from $100 to $1,000, depending on the length of the event, if it is live or taped in advance, etc.
Residents who are deaf and hard of hearing want to know what politicians are saying on TV.
A group of residents testified Tuesday before the House Ways and Means Committee in favor of a state bill that would require candidates to offer closed captioning or transcripts for television and web commercials.
Alfred Sonnenstrahl, a Montgomery County resident with two grandchildren enrolled at the Maryland School for the Deaf in Frederick , asked the committee to support the bill.
He pointed out that in the committee room, they rely on microphones for everyone to hear -- a hearing aid for hearing people, he said.
"Now obviously, at some point, you've thought of the expense that you would incur putting in this technology, and you assumed that it was a given expense," he said. "We're asking you to make it the same for us."
He is a board member of the Maryland Association of the Deaf, which supports the bill so deaf and hard of hearing voters can learn about candidates.
The bill is being sponsored by Frederick County Delegate Joseph Bartlett in the House and Sen. Norman R. Stone Jr. in the Senate.
Bartlett has never used closed captioning on his campaign advertisements but said he would in the future.
"Once I heard from advocacy groups, it's something we should have been doing all along, and I should have been doing it all along," Bartlett said.
He doesn't think the bill is too onerous for campaigns, since it gives them the choice of offering closed captioning, posting a transcript on a campaign website or seeking an exemption.
"There are 769,000 people we're disenfranchising, and I think we should take it into account," he said.
Sonnenstrahl said the cost of closed captioning ranges from $100 to $1,000, depending on the length of the event, if it is live or taped in advance, etc.
Deaf teacher inspires her students
Deaf teacher inspires her students
When Cathy Oshrain first became a teacher, she wondered how she would communicate with her students.
Oshrain, who was born deaf, had been hired to teach hearing students at North Miami Beach Senior High. She was one of only six deaf teachers at traditional public schools in South Florida.
But for Oshrain, an expressive and energetic woman with an obvious passion for her craft, connecting with students was never a problem.
``It was easier than I thought it would be,'' said Oshrain, 53, who was interviewed for this article through a student interpreter and e-mail. ``It came naturally. They understood me and I understood them.''
Today, all of Oshrain's sign language classes are full. And more than 50 students are active in the school's American Sign Language Club.
``It's a big thing here,'' said Cat St. Preux, a junior. ``People see us signing in the halls and they want to do it, too.''
`AN INSPIRATION'
Ruth Doirin, 18, credits her teacher.
``She's an inspiration,'' Ruth said. ``She shows us that we can do anything we put our minds to.''
Both Oshrain and her older sister were born deaf. Their mother worked hard to make sure they had a normal childhood. But growing up, the girls were sometimes teased by their classmates.
``It was difficult,'' Oshrain recalled. ``I didn't understand why my friends would make fun of me.''
Oshrain remembers wanting to be a teacher at 9. She was inspired by her teachers, many of whom had treated her well.
``When my friends had trouble in math, I would help them with their homework,'' she said. ``I knew I had it in me.''
At the time, however, deaf people were rarely offered jobs in the classroom. So Oshrain become a lab technician. She held the job for 15 years -- until she decided she needed to pursue her passion.
``By that time, things were different,'' she said. ``I knew in my heart that I could get a job as a teacher.''
Oshrain enrolled at Florida International University, where she earned a bachelor's in liberal arts. She later pursued a master's degree at Barry University.
In 1996, Oshrain was hired as a part-time teacher at North Miami Beach Senior High. She became a full-time teacher in 2000 -- and a nominee for the school district's prestigious Rookie Teacher of the Year award.
Oshrain's program at North Miami Beach has grown since then. Oshrain now teaches three levels of American Sign Language. She also runs a class for students interested in becoming interpreters.
It's a unique operation: Only five other Miami-Dade schools and 12 Broward schools offer sign language classes for hearing students. Few, if any, offer as extensive a program as North Miami Beach Senior.
``I couldn't ask for a better career,'' Oshrain said.
In class, Oshrain communicates through student assistants. She has become an expert at reading lips. Oshrain understands about 70 percent of words -- much more than the average of about 20 percent. She can read lips from the side, too.
Her classes go beyond teaching sign language. Oshrain also teaches her students about deaf culture. Each experiences deafness by wearing ear plugs for a day. And Oshrain constantly talks about things like tolerance and respect.
``Not only do I teach them the subject, I teach them to be responsible and develop respect for every individual,'' she said.
Her students give her high marks.
Senior Desmond Bender, 18, said he was once uncomfortable around deaf people. But he's since learned to be at ease.
``We shouldn't be scared of deaf people because they are regular people, just like me and you,'' he said.
This year, seven of the teenagers in Oshrain's advanced sign language class hope to become professional interpreters.
Oshrain hopes her teaching will help open doors for deaf people -- and in particular, make it easier for deaf people to find jobs.
``I want my students to break down the barriers,'' she said.
On a recent afternoon, the students in Oshrain's advanced class each signed a short essay.
Veronica Forte, 17, was among the first to make her presentation.
``I am a very random person,'' she signed. ``I love laughing and I love eating Panda Express.''
When Veronica finished, her classmates applauded by waving their hands in the air.
ONE WORD
Cat was the next to go.
Her presentation was near perfect, except she signed ``postpone'' instead of ``explain.''
Oshrain complimented her, and then corrected the slight mistake.
Later, the students discussed a conspiracy theory they have: Oshrain can actually hear.
``She has this keen sense,'' said senior Kahreem Dubuisson. ``We say her name and even if she's not facing us, she turns around.''
``She's going to tell us at graduation that she can actually hear,'' Ruth added.
As if on cue, Oshrain turned around.
``I have eyes on the back of my head,'' Oshrain signs in response. ``And under my hair.''
The class laughed for a minute, and then returned to the lesson.
When Cathy Oshrain first became a teacher, she wondered how she would communicate with her students.
Oshrain, who was born deaf, had been hired to teach hearing students at North Miami Beach Senior High. She was one of only six deaf teachers at traditional public schools in South Florida.
But for Oshrain, an expressive and energetic woman with an obvious passion for her craft, connecting with students was never a problem.
``It was easier than I thought it would be,'' said Oshrain, 53, who was interviewed for this article through a student interpreter and e-mail. ``It came naturally. They understood me and I understood them.''
Today, all of Oshrain's sign language classes are full. And more than 50 students are active in the school's American Sign Language Club.
``It's a big thing here,'' said Cat St. Preux, a junior. ``People see us signing in the halls and they want to do it, too.''
`AN INSPIRATION'
Ruth Doirin, 18, credits her teacher.
``She's an inspiration,'' Ruth said. ``She shows us that we can do anything we put our minds to.''
Both Oshrain and her older sister were born deaf. Their mother worked hard to make sure they had a normal childhood. But growing up, the girls were sometimes teased by their classmates.
``It was difficult,'' Oshrain recalled. ``I didn't understand why my friends would make fun of me.''
Oshrain remembers wanting to be a teacher at 9. She was inspired by her teachers, many of whom had treated her well.
``When my friends had trouble in math, I would help them with their homework,'' she said. ``I knew I had it in me.''
At the time, however, deaf people were rarely offered jobs in the classroom. So Oshrain become a lab technician. She held the job for 15 years -- until she decided she needed to pursue her passion.
``By that time, things were different,'' she said. ``I knew in my heart that I could get a job as a teacher.''
Oshrain enrolled at Florida International University, where she earned a bachelor's in liberal arts. She later pursued a master's degree at Barry University.
In 1996, Oshrain was hired as a part-time teacher at North Miami Beach Senior High. She became a full-time teacher in 2000 -- and a nominee for the school district's prestigious Rookie Teacher of the Year award.
Oshrain's program at North Miami Beach has grown since then. Oshrain now teaches three levels of American Sign Language. She also runs a class for students interested in becoming interpreters.
It's a unique operation: Only five other Miami-Dade schools and 12 Broward schools offer sign language classes for hearing students. Few, if any, offer as extensive a program as North Miami Beach Senior.
``I couldn't ask for a better career,'' Oshrain said.
In class, Oshrain communicates through student assistants. She has become an expert at reading lips. Oshrain understands about 70 percent of words -- much more than the average of about 20 percent. She can read lips from the side, too.
Her classes go beyond teaching sign language. Oshrain also teaches her students about deaf culture. Each experiences deafness by wearing ear plugs for a day. And Oshrain constantly talks about things like tolerance and respect.
``Not only do I teach them the subject, I teach them to be responsible and develop respect for every individual,'' she said.
Her students give her high marks.
Senior Desmond Bender, 18, said he was once uncomfortable around deaf people. But he's since learned to be at ease.
``We shouldn't be scared of deaf people because they are regular people, just like me and you,'' he said.
This year, seven of the teenagers in Oshrain's advanced sign language class hope to become professional interpreters.
Oshrain hopes her teaching will help open doors for deaf people -- and in particular, make it easier for deaf people to find jobs.
``I want my students to break down the barriers,'' she said.
On a recent afternoon, the students in Oshrain's advanced class each signed a short essay.
Veronica Forte, 17, was among the first to make her presentation.
``I am a very random person,'' she signed. ``I love laughing and I love eating Panda Express.''
When Veronica finished, her classmates applauded by waving their hands in the air.
ONE WORD
Cat was the next to go.
Her presentation was near perfect, except she signed ``postpone'' instead of ``explain.''
Oshrain complimented her, and then corrected the slight mistake.
Later, the students discussed a conspiracy theory they have: Oshrain can actually hear.
``She has this keen sense,'' said senior Kahreem Dubuisson. ``We say her name and even if she's not facing us, she turns around.''
``She's going to tell us at graduation that she can actually hear,'' Ruth added.
As if on cue, Oshrain turned around.
``I have eyes on the back of my head,'' Oshrain signs in response. ``And under my hair.''
The class laughed for a minute, and then returned to the lesson.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)