in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, N ov em be r 14 ,2 01 9 | 4 Help the University of Guelph improve hearing healthcare across Canada..anada Cssor acerachtlae hgniraeh Connect Hearing and Professor Mark Fenske at the University of Guelph are seeking participants who are over 50 years of age, have never worn hearing aids and have not had a hearing test in the last 24 months, for a hearing study that investigates factors that can influence better hearing. Study Parameters The researchers will examine listening in a range of situations, from one-on-one, to group conversations, watching TV and wider social contexts like supermarkets and other noisy environments, and how it effects connection and socialization. Why Participate? It is estimated that 46% of people aged 45 to 87 have some degree of hearing loss, but most do not seek a solution right away. In this study you'll be playing an important part in determining the key factors around identifying hearing loss and what influences the decision to seek treatment. Participants will be significantly adding to growing knowledge surrounding hearing loss. *Wingfield, A., Tun, P. A., & McCoy, S. L. (2005). Hearing Loss in Older Adulthood: What It Is and How It Interacts With Cognitive Performance. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 14(3), 144-148. † Study participants must be over 50 years of age and have never worn hearing aids. No fees and no purchase necessary. 1. Cruickshanks, K. L., Wiley, T. L., Tweed, T. S., Klein, B. E. K., Klein, R, Mares-Perlman, J. A., & Nondahl, D. M. (1998). Prevalence of Hearing Loss in Older Adults in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin: The Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study. Am. J. Epidemiol. 148 (9), 879-886. 2. National Institutes of Health. (2010). You can register to be part of this groundbreaking new hearing study by calling 1.888.242.4892 or visiting connecthearing.ca/hearing-study from pipe fittings and connectionsfrom pipe fittings and connectionsf in older homes built before 1975. Oakville Mayor Rob Burton is- sued a statement in response to the Star investigation that says he will bring a motion forth at the next re- gional council meeting that en- courages residents to replace any lead water pipes in their homes with safe alternatives. "I will also be writing to the pro- vincial Minister of Education about water safety standards in our schools," said Burton. "We take any concerns associated with our drinking water and public safety very seriously." In March, Health Canada cut the federal lead guideline in half - to 5 parts per billion (ppb) from 10 ppb - to reflect the neurotoxin's health risks. Ontario has for now kept its benchmark at 10 ppb while it reviews Ottawa's new guideline. According to the Region, the Halton Regional Laboratory has tested 3,604 Halton water samples for lead - both public and private -for lead - both public and private -f since 2007, and the results showed a 99.3 per cent compliance rating. But in Halton's aging school system, the Star investigation re- vealed that the Halton District School Board had 304 exceedances in the past two years - one of the highest totals among school boards in the province. Lead fixtures, including taps and water fountains, were histor- ically used in school plumbing and many remain in place today as the main culprits of elevated lead lev- els in drinking water. "We regularly test our drinking water fixtures, and if exceedances are detected, we implement appro- priate measures based on the di- rection and guidance from the Hal- ton Region Health Department," said Steve Allum, manager of en- vironmental programs with the district school board. In addition to flushing the lines and installing filters, the board re- moves lead-laced fixtures, he said in a written statement. "In those instances, labour and materials are usually around a few hundred dollars. If fixture re-few hundred dollars. If fixture re-f placement is necessary, the full cost can range into the thou- sands." But school board officials say the province has not been dealing with the added costs of removing lead. "There hasn't really been much discussion from the Ministry of Education to us about how to re- spond to this," said Maia Puccetti, superintendent of facility services for the Halton District Schoolfor the Halton District Schoolf Board. The Ministry of Education said that while it allocates funding to school boards, those boards are re- sponsible for deciding how the funds are spent, "as they are in thefunds are spent, "as they are in thef best position to determine their re- newal priorities and local needs." For homeowners who suspect or know their water has elevated levels of lead, it's up to them to re- place the portion of the water ser- vice line and plumbing on their private property. Halton is working to educate homeowners on how to check their plumbing and also offers res- idents water testing for lead levels, which can be secured by calling 311 or emailing accesshalton@hal- ton.ca. For more information visit hal- ton.ca or hdsb.ca. -with files from Robert Cribb NEWS Continued from page 1 COUNCIL WILL RECOMMEND RESIDENTS REPLACE LEAD WATER PIPES IN HOMES Homeowners who suspect their water has elevated levels of lead can have it tested by Halton Region. Torstar file photo THE ISSUE: LEAD IN DRINKING WATER LOCAL IMPACT: WHILE OLDER HOMES AND SCHOOLS MAY BE AT RISK OF HAVING LEAD FROM AGED PLUMBING FIXTURES IN THEIR WATER, HALTON SAYS THE WATER IT PROVIDES RESIDENTS IS SAFE TO DRINK STORY BEHIND THE STORY: Following a lengthy investigation by the Toronto Star about lead in Canada's drinking water, we looked closer at how safe the water is in Halton, and how local authorities and politicians are responding to the national exposé.