Speaker System Controls

Speaker System Controls

On Friday I had set up the system for a Youtube presentation. When it was finished, embarrassingly  I couldn’t get back to direct CDs.

So I needed to formalise how to change music mode easily.

Four experimental sessions (and a trip to the suppliers to reset my hearing aids) later:

MM1(music Mode)  – laptop,

For Youtube and Windows Media Player

Method – hard -wired via switch, either laptop and DVD 

From “Everything” turned off:

  • Switch on computer, screen, rt hand audio switch, and speaker.
  • Als switch Phonac Hearing Aid to Music channel

MM2 – DVD Player

DVD audio and video and CD audio

Methods – a. Hard -wired via switch, either laptop or DVD player

AND b. (the default method) link to hearing aids, normally

 automatic,  (speakers normally on stand-by)

  • Switch off computer, 
  • Switch on screen, left hand audio switch, and speaker.
  • Als switch Phonac Hearing Aid to Music channel

MM3 – PIXXL smartphone using cast to screen

Switch everything off

(Default method) Cast to screen 

With no output to speakers

OR MM4, BUT my smartphone is set up to receive Bluetooth rather than send it out.

MM4 Bluetooth direct paired – No, I’m not happy

AND CERTAINLY not both  simultaneously  

Switch Hearing Aid to “Music” Channel

At least I now understand my problems on Friday!

The Eye Opener 2024 Update

The Eye Opener 2024 Update

 

The key change in the last few years has been the extraordinary developments in using smartphones.

These comments all relate to Android systems as used on the Google PIXL. Similar features are available on Iphones.

 

The most important is “Select to speak” which reads the text to you, whether email, diary, newspaper, texts, photos (even of letters and product labels. Using Bluetooth to link to your hearing aids is even better.

Almost as important is “Triple Tap” the screen to magnify the text or image on the screen.

From that point on, just do whatever is best for you and develop your capabilities at a rate you choose.

 

THE EYE OPENER 2018 

How do adults cope with visual impairment and sight loss?

This booklet is compiled with the  thoughts and experiences of the  Shoreham support group of the Macular Society for the benefit of those  who are new to the group or those about  to start the journey of coping with  central vision loss. It is useful reading for  carers and families.

HOPE . . . some random thoughts 

  1. 1. Hope is part of the lifeblood that keeps  society going. We all hope tomorrow is going to  be better than today. 
  2. 2. How can visually impaired people strengthen  their hope? What can we do for ourselves?  Answer Stay in touch about the visual sciences – there may be a breakthrough for you. Research is  going on throughout the world. 
  3. 3. Can you ever reach a position with your vision  loss so that you could discard your white cane if  necessary ? 
  4. 4. You may lose your central vision, but you can  build on your peripheral vision and use this part  of the retina. 
  5. 5. All sorts of things change as your memory  improves to compensate for sight loss. 
  6. 6. You develop new strategies, for example is a  document that you sign valid if you can’t read it?  Get a trusted person to read it for you first. 

 Coping with blindness and vision loss

The key to successful vision rehabilitation is to  develop and sustain a positive mental attitude. 

Take any opportunity to learn from the hearts,  minds and experiences of other people and  discover what has helped or hindered them in  making a positive adjustment to loss of sight. 

Learn about emotional reactions and the  factors that lead to the necessary change in  thinking which many people must wrestle with,  because the loss of their sight affects their  everyday lives. 

In this way strengthen and enrich your own  efforts to increase individual independence. 

Remember the mantra – 

Think what you CAN do,  

not what you cannot do!

Emotional Reactions

Shock and disbelief 

After first visiting the Eye Clinic and being told  of the condition this emotion can turn to anger,  as realisation of the change of lifestyle or work  arrangements which will be inevitable. ‘What a  nuisance’ is a milder expression of this anger.  On the other hand fear is an emotion which can  be felt. Fear of losing a precious sense – Sight.  

Anxiety 

This emotion comes and goes. It is not helped  by the thoughtlessness of others around you. For  instance, people not thinking and leaving  obstacles in your way which you may crash into. 

Helplessness 

This can be described as a negative emotion. It  may arise from a sense of frustration. Relax.  Make positive thoughts. You can do it ! 

Isolation 

Join a support group if this emotion arises. A  shared experience with others is an  enlightenment. If this is not possible ask for  help via the Macular Society Helpline from a  “telephone be-friender.”  

Accept the loss  

Anger and frustration may arise if you are  someone who needs to be in control and now you  are not. Can you accept the loss ? The disease  affects your central vision and will not go away,  so can you improve on what sight you still have ?  Try to work on your vision looking to the side –  how much can you manage to see at the  periphery ? 

Depression  

If you have a vascular (wet) type macular  disease then continual visits to the clinic for  injections can lead to this emotion. Try to work  at ignoring this. Your sight may improving. Plan  ahead for the next day. 

Personal coping strategies 

Accepting the loss. 

Loss of central vision may not happen straight  away. You may be told you won’t go blind. You  may be philosophical about it, especially if you  are an older person. If you are younger then you  may have a different mind set. Get a second  opinion if you need to. 

Learning to live with it.  

Recognise there is a loss. Try to carry on as  though it hasn’t happened until you cannot  manage so well. Plan ahead for changes which  you can expect to happen to your vision. 

Refusing to dwell on it. 

Each of us has different ways of dealing with the  situation. Our feelings are at play. Look around  you and think what you can do to deal with the  loss. Listen to others and don’t rely on pity. 

Keep a positive attitude.  

Keep asking the question “How can I do that?

Take one day at a time.  

Get a routine in your day. Keep a calendar up to  date for forthcoming events. Write things down  as an aide-memoire. 

Turn to technology.  

There is a lot of equipment out there to help  you. There are ‘tech’ classes to teach you.  Contact the support group. 

Use humour.  

If your personality can stretch to it, make light of  things. If not, try not to become depressed.  

Do tasks differently. 

Can your family help ? If that is not possible then  use your money for yourself to buy help in the  home and garden. For example de-clutter the  home. Move things round to make it easier. Do  you need all those items that gather dust ?  

Accept assistance.  

Family and friends may want to help. Accept  the offer. You won’t necessarily lose your  independence.  

Do ask for help in the supermarket or if you  are at the bus stop or even crossing the road.  Get used to getting it wrong – for example  putting your hand out for the bus to stop and it  turns out to be a coach or a lorry ! 

Stay informed of the eye disease.  

If you go to a support group take in all the  information you can. Join in the discussiocs.  Talk about your experience … everyone will  listen. 

How can I do it?

Can you manage in the property you live in ?  Is now the time to move into something smaller? Can you cope if you live on more than one  floor ? Can you manage stairs ? Is your loss of  central vision disorientating? Maybe you have  vision in the lower visual fields so that you can  look down and check below as you walk.  Use the back of the stair tread as your guide  when descending. Maybe mark the top and  bottom stair tread with a marker on the  bannister which you can feel. 

If you live on one floor can you move things to  suit you better? Tell people you live with that  everything has its place and return it there  when they have used it. Can you move trip  hazards (rugs, nests of tables, power leads) to  have a clearer, safer area ? 

If you are sight impaired ask for a  Rehabilitation Officer for the Visually Impaired  (ROVI) to visit you at home to help you with  suggestions for managing in the home. If not,  get a family member or friend to come with you  to the 4 Sight Resource Centre to get some  ideas. 

Problems may arise when your family ask you to  move near to them. 

You would have to learn a new street scene.  There is good technology available so get  someone to help you on a home computer or  I-pad to check the street scene on a Google  Earth Map and help you learn what your new  surroundings look like.

Think before leaving the local area by yourself  How confident are you ? Is your memory still  good and are you still street-wise? You will have  to learn the road crossing points and the bus  stops.  

  Assess the risk of having falls 

When walking on a footpath, do you have foot  wear that is comfortable and you can “feel” your  way along. Try and gain knowledge of where the  dangerous kerbs and crossings are in the area  and avoid them. Make a mental note of local  obstacles like overhanging foliage from gardens  or A-boards in the High Street. Avoid going out  when the weather is really bad, unless  accompanied or taken by car. Look out for  umbrellas! Should you consider wearing bright  clothing ?  

Coping with orientation and balance 

Take one day at a time. Think about what you can do,  not what you can’t do.  

When out walking, find out where the slopes and  kerbs are. Where possible take the extra strides  to walk up to and cross at a Pelican crossing. 

Check which crossings have refuges in the  middle. Use a white cane (folded or unfolded to  cross). Take time out to remember the street  scene from what vision you have got. If you are  not confident to cross on a busy crossing, get  someone to help you. Don’t be afraid to ask. 

If your balance is not good, walk with either a  stick, twin poles or shopper trolley.  

Use your peripheral vision to look down at the  path. Try not to rush along, stop and check  around now and again, especially if you have  been a “quick” person before. 

Coping with bright sunlight 

Living here on the south coast the light is  brighter because the sun reflects from the sea  and into the town. 

Get a good pair of sunglasses. Don’t buy the  first pair, try out different tints and buy from a  place where you can try them on and look out of  the window into the street.  

Different people prefer different tints. However  as a general rule a reddish-brown tint suits AMD  sufferers. A grey-green tint (usually darker) is a  neutral density tint and a good all rounder.  A sodium-yellow tint is ok for cloudy days and  helps with getting a good contrast and makes  things stand out better. The choice is yours.  

Have a look in the 4 Sight Vision Support  Resource Centre for a wrap round sunshield with  a choice of different tints. Try them out in the  sunshine before buying them.

Lighting Needs (‘Eyes run on light ! ’ ) 

Learn to use lighting more effectively. Increase  the number of electrical sockets around the  home for plugging in equipment. 

Have task lighting in work areas. Consider  putting the “task” closer to the light. You could  try using a modern ‘head-band’ torch for some  tasks. 

Use LED light or day-light bulbs where possible. 

Have good lighting in the kitchen. Try painting  woodwork, ceiling and walls a lighter colour to  reflect the light more. Have a lighter coloured  work-top.  

Get a strip light fitted in the garage and even in  the greenhouse.  

Buy magnifiers with a light included for print and  other small tasks. Learn to use them correctly – important !! Have good lighting where you sit to  try and read. Use a small torch for extra direct  lighting in dark places around the home. 

Travelling abilities and needs

When travelling on a train take your folded  white cane with you. If it is crowded ask for the  seat reserved for disabled people. 

At the ticket barrier use the gate by the barrier  attendant.  

On a coach trip orholiday, hold your folded  white cane when getting on and off the coach,  to help avoid any pushing and shoving. 

When phoning for a taxi ask for one with a low  roof as some modern taxis are higher and need a  ‘step up’ to get inside (not easy to see). 

If staying at a hotel count the number of doors  to the fire exit. Check out the stairway and the  lift. 

If you travel by bus, obtain a free disabled  concessionary bus pass allowing travel at any  time. Requests are made to the West Sussex Bus  Pass Information line. 

At the airport ask for assistance to help you  through the check-in system and take you to the  aircraft – your companion will go with you.  Make your luggage very visible on the baggage  reclaim. 

Travel with a companion when using a moving  pavement. 

 Use of Assistive Devices in Daily Living 

A popular assistive device helping visual  impairment is the Apple I-pad. It is very  versatile for use as a reading device or  magnifier, a useful communicator of emails and  internet sites and it can take digital photographs. 

Smartphones can do all the things an I-pad can  do and also be used as a telephone. They are  smaller than an I-pad (modern smartphone  screens can be 6 inches in diameter and very  bright), however their versatility makes up for  this. 

Using Chromecast technology the information  from the screen is cast onto a digital television  screen and enlarged.

 They can also be  programmed to convert speech to text or vice versa, to take operating instructions. 

AI, Artificial Intelligence devices such as Amazon,  Echo or Google Home Mini are fixed devices  programmed via home wi-fi to take spoken  instructions and carry out tasks on the  internet. They can be directed to do simple  tasks in a home, which is modified to take  instructions such as turning on and off  equipment and lighting or adjusting heating.  

There are also many types of desk-top devices  with a keyboard linked to a computer using  sophisticated software to assist the visually  impaired.  

Throughout the year there is an opportunity to  attend Awareness Days or Exhibitions where  these are demonstrated. 

Individuals should be aware of their needs  before deciding what to look at, because these  assistive devices can be quite costly. The  Resource Centre at 4 Sight in Shoreham may be  able to help. 

The audio reader is a device for listening to  books. It is quite useful for readers who like a  novel read to them by a trained voice. 

Technology is rapidly developing and new  assistive devices are coming to the market all  the time. So keep an eye open ! 

Common Words and Abbreviations 

Macula  

The macula is the small area of the retina (about 5 mm in  diameter) responsible for the processing of central vision, fine  detail and much colour vision.  

Dry AMD (Age Related Macular Disease)  

Sometimes also known as atrophic or geographic macular  degeneration. It is caused by the slow degeneration of the  macula. There is currently no cure or treatment for dry AMD.  Non-clinical support is given through low vision services. 

Wet AMD  

The aggressive and fast developing form of the condition caused  by leakage of blood and fluid from abnormal blood vessels on or  behind the macula. The leakages leave scar tissue that damages the macula. Permanent damage and sight loss will occur if not  treated within three months.  

Retina  

This is the thin membrane at back of the eye that contains the  light-sensitive cells. The macula is in the centre of the retina.  

VA (Visual Acuity)  

This is a measurement of vision. In the UK, normal vision is  described as 6/6. It means the line of the Snellen chart (the  sight test chart used by eye specialists) read at 6 metres by a  person with normal vision. (The USA uses feet, hence the  broadly equivalent term 20/20 vision). 

We hope you enjoyed reading this booklet and we leave you with some useful  telephone numbers. 

Macular Society Helpline 0300 3030 111 Macular Society General Enquiries 01264 350551 Macular Society IT Helpline 0300 3030 111 4 Sight Vision Support Shoreham 01273 454343 Shoreham Macular Support Group Leader 01903 241673 West Sussex Bus Pass Information Line 0845 075 1018 

 The Shoreham Macular Support Group  meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month  at 10.00 am upstairs in the Shoreham Centre,  Pond Road, Shoreham-by-Sea. BN43 5WU.

June 2018

VIOLINISTS and their Violins

VIOLINISTS and their Violins

According to my AI Assistant, Gemini:

“Determining the “finest” violins can be quite subjective, as various factors contribute to their excellence, including historical prestige, sound quality, playability, and personal preference. However, some violinists are known for wielding instruments considered at the absolute pinnacle of craftsmanship and value. Here are a few:

Stradivari Players:

  • Anne Akiko Meyers: Owns the “ex-Kochanski” Guarneri del Gesu (1742) and the “Titian” Stradivari (1690).


  • Leonidas Kavakos: Plays the “Wieniawski” Stradivari (1735).
  • Joshua Bell: Uses the “Gibson, ex-Huberman” Stradivari (1713). Yes 
  • Renaud Capuçon: Performs on the “Kreisler” Guarneri del Gesu (1739). YES
  • Gidon Kremer: Plays the “Tartini” Stradivari (1715).

Guarneri del Gesu Players:

  • Hilary Hahn: Owns the “Soil” Stradivari (1714) and the “Ladenini” Guarneri del Gesu (1731).#
  • Nikolaj Znaider: Plays the “ex-Viotti” Guarneri del Gesu (1779).
  • Julia Fischer: Uses the “Mute Stradivari” (1710) and the “Baron Deurbroucq” Guarneri del Gesu (1732).

Other Notable Instruments:

  • Yo-Yo Ma: Plays the “Davidov Stradivari” cello (1712).
  • Vilde Frang: Owns the “ex-Gingold” Guarneri del Gesu violin (1742).
  • Viktoria Mullova: Performs on a Giovanni Battista Guadagnini violin (1779).

It’s important to remember that these are just a few examples, and countless other violinists play exquisite instruments with rich histories and exceptional sound. Ultimately, the finest violin is the one that resonates most deeply with the musician and allows them to express their art fully.

Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that many great violinists choose not to play on historical instruments due to various reasons, such as insurance costs, playing style preferences, or simply personal choice. Ultimately, the focus should be on the musician’s artistry and ability to connect with the audience, regardless of the instrument they wield.

I hope this information gives you a good starting point for exploring the fascinating world of violins and their masters!”

I over stretched myself –  again

I over stretched myself –  again

It all started so easily:

  • The Jazzxy potatoes arrived early and went on to start chitting
  • Next  there was an offer on some potato bags, which I’d never used before
  • When they arrived I planted the Jazzy
  • To protect them from frost I put them in the polytunnel severely cluttering it up,
  • Them the Orla potatoes arrived, narked plant now,
  • Our small polytunnel  had had to be replaced (storm damage) so now prepare the ground, assemble it, put the cover on, replace the top soi, weight the side flaps, and fit the shelves,
  • So all that’s left to do is to plant the Orla potatoes, top up all ten bags and move them to this polytunnel. Plus fit the storm guys.
  • Meanwhile the first lot of seeds have germinated and need to be potted on, ant
  • Seeds for root crops sown to germinate in trays in the polutinnel.

It’s raining again so I’ll have a cup of coffee.

AND there are still some paths to be sorted out!

But then again, the sun’s come out  and

  • Onion and shallot sets have been planted
  • The red cabbages and broad beans  are growing well in the polytunnel
  • Outdoor broad beans are doing well
  • Charlotte potatoes have been planted
  • And most of the paths have been renewed.

Great.

More White Sticks than I’ve seen in years

More White Sticks than I’ve seen in years

At Shoreham Centre on 27 Feb 2024

A very popular event for the blind and partially sighted.

We were talking to “The Supermarkets” but the most exciting speaker was from Proctor and Gamble. They have two life-changing innovations:

  • Adding a surface pattern, vertical lines on shampoo bottles and circles for the conditioner so you can tell the difference when you are in the shower )with soap in your eye)
  • Adopting “Navilens” to their products so you can find what you are looking for a supermarket’s shelf, from 10m away and then  listen to the product details .

The most important element is meeting others with the same problem. One person told me about “Voice Vista” an app that tells you the street scene as you walk along. I t could be really good.

Three developments that may create a better life for us all

“Fun” as my theme

So I asked my AI Assistant, Gemini

What would you include under “Classical music FUN”

That’s a great question! The answer really depends on what you find “fun” in music. To help guide you, here are a few different approaches to finding fun in classical music:

  1. Upbeat and Energetic Pieces:
  • Fast tempos and playful melodies: Look for pieces like Rossini’s overtures, Vivaldi’s concertos, or Mozart’s finales. These are guaranteed to get your feet tapping.
  • Dance music: Explore classical dances like waltzes, polkas, and jigs. Strauss, Smetana, and even Tchaikovsky offer plenty of options.
  • Humor and Surprise: Some composers loved to inject humor into their music. Try Saint-Saëns’ “Carnival of the Animals” or Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf” for some wacky sounds and unexpected turns.
  1. Interactive and Engaging Experiences:
  • Visual Accompaniment: Watch classical music videos with stunning visuals or animations. Some orchestras even have light shows!
  • Play Along: If you’re a musician, try playing along with simplified versions of famous pieces. There are even apps and websites that can help you do this.
  • Compose Your Own: Write your own short piece inspired by a classical composer or style.
  1. Unconventional and Modern Takes:
  • Crossover Artists: Explore musicians who blend classical with other genres like rock, electronica, or jazz. Try Apocalyptica, Lindsey Stirling, or Vanessa Mae.
  • Minimalist Music: Some minimalist composers like Philip Glass and Steve Reich create repetitive and hypnotic soundscapes that can be surprisingly mesmerizing.
  • Contemporary Classical: Today’s composers are pushing the boundaries of classical music. Discover their innovative works through organisations like the Kronos Quartet or Bang on a Can.
  1. Beyond the Music:
  • Learn about the Composers: Dive into the lives and personalities of the people who created this music. You might be surprised by their quirks and stories.
  • Attend a Concert: Experience the power of live classical music in a concert hall. The energy and atmosphere can be truly magical.
  • Make Connections: Discuss classical music with friends, family, or online communities. Sharing your passion can make it even more enjoyable.

Remember, there’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to “fun” in classical music. Explore different styles, composers, and experiences to find what resonates with you and brings you joy.

Allotment Feb 24

Eight years since I updated this. I suppose it was due to learning how to cope with sight loss and then there was Covid, but we are still here, nearly twenty  years on!

Recently we started a U3a Group called “Grow your own, for flavour” So the objective is flavour. The easy way is minimising the time from cropping to eating. Ergo anything picked and eaten at the allotment is a priority:-

  • Apples, pears, raspberries, baby tomatoes, baby cucumbers, spring onions, lettuce, blackcurrants, (other fruits are not easy)

Then there’s the challenge of trying to get two crops a year that is growing through the winter eg Aguadulce broad beans, garlics, chard, some brassicas, some onions and shallots, winter leeks.

After that we need crops that will store easily winter squashes, some onions, parsnips , carrots, celeriac, butter beans, 

And the cream of the crop, the main summer crops Dwarf French Beans, strawberries,  tomatoes, potatoes, summer leeks, beetroot, courgettes, 

Naturally  we have on-going battles with foxes, squirrels, mice, birds, slugs, snails, cabbage white butterflies, black fly and green fly.

So what would we have done differently:

  • Two 4m x 2.5m polytunnels, door/window at each end and one set up with rable and chairs for coffee and for potting,
  • 1m wide path 

All that’s left is to select the right varieties to get the best flavour. I

The first ones on that list are from www.realseeds.co.uk:

“Pink Dreams NEW

Our fantastic new tomato, sent by Cliff Jenkins from seed he got in Bulgaria. Huge – really huge ( over half a kg)- glowing pink fruit with a truly excellent flavour. A perfect balance of acid and sweet, with a subtle smoky undertone; just perfect – this is the one we all rush to take home to cook with after deseeding.

It makes very few seeds, so just a few packets for you to try. Keep your own seed for future years!

‘Cupidon’ Filet Bush Bean

A filet-type, with long slender pods. An exquisite variety that produces a huge number of tender thin green pods all summer, starting early, and continuing cropping well after the others have finished. It has a particularly good flavour used raw in salads. The beans also stay stringless as they get to full size and it makes a good normal french bean, with a particularly good flavour raw.

Sadly, it does not make many seeds and this is unfortunately reflected in the price/packet size  – but if you can afford it, it is a fantastic bean.

A special, gourmet early/maincrop filet variety.”

Audio Books

For years, I have been avoiding the topic.

I realise now this was because on needing a whole new set of clobber, whether from the RNIB, my local library and other sources.

In the event I have chosen two me-audio apps Amazon Audible and NBL (local library).

Both apps now sit on my smartphone. Inevitably the chargeable one has a greater far greater selection. Traditionally I always read thrills and adventures and I read then fast. So I have set the speed at 1.4 (newspapers I listen to at 3, and it’s easy to repeat a paragraph.)

Absolutely fabulous,

With Audible, you get:

You can return books and get a credit.

200,000 books

2 levels: £7.99 for 1 book a month (£69.99 annual); or £109 annually for 2 books per month.

Cancel at any time and you still keep your library.

Download your book and later remove from your device.

There is a wish list facility.

And you get special offers.

All from an app. No other technologies, no other batteries, no other things to carry, no new account, just part of Amazon.

I have upgraded to 2 books per month, approx £4 per book.

Absolutely fabulous.

For carers and friends

I have just added this to the 4.1 Helping carers to cope. Read more.
We, sight-impaired people, cannot see a smile, or a wave of the hand, or “catch someone’s eye”, we cannot recognise a person’s face.

Every time there are people they are all, each one of them, strangers to us until someone says “Hi Bill” or Jenny or Cliff.

We cannot be proactive as any one we approach could be a total stranger.

We cannot start the communication, if you don’t start it then we don’t exist. We are just ignored…

 

And so we press on.

Booklet “Beating AMD”

Beating AMD.

 

A practical plan. Written (and typed) by Cliff Jenkins.

Published December 2018.

Based on his experiences during the nine years since Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) struck him. He now has no central vision at all and he also has wet AMD in his left eye.

Dedicated to all those who suddenly realise ”There is nothing anyone can do.”

 

Contents

1.Introduction, the objective is “winning.” Read more.

2.Action Plan Summary, sub-chapters 2.1 – 2.10. Read more.

3.Protect your eyes. Read more.

4. Surviving everyday life. Read more.

   4.1 Helping carers to cope. Read more.

   4.2 Carers can care too much. Read more.

   4.3 Using a White Stick. Read more.

   4.4 Personal Highs and Lows. Read more.

Appendices

Every WIN is important.

We really can rebuild our self-reliance, resilience and our self-confidence.

…………………………

Winning against AMD – Age-related Macular Degeneration                                                  

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