Our Valley Santa Clarita November/December 2016 | Page 9

Government
SCV LEADERSHIP AWARDS
Nola Aronson ’ s

Government

Dante Acosta , Mayor Pro Tem

If you haven ’ t visited one of our Santa Clarita Public Library branches , I would like to encourage you to check them out . The City operates the Canyon Country JoAnne Darcy Library , the Old Town Newhall Library and the Valencia Library . Each of the three branches offers a wide variety of programs and services including Fall story times , homework help , free audio book downloads and so much more .

Would you be surprised to learn that your local library is a great resource for free online services ? With your library card you can enjoy eBooks , streaming videos , downloadable music , digital magazines and reference materials . Free digital training classes are also offered through your library . Free children ’ s programs are also offered at the three branches including elementary story time , fairy tales and fair gardens , elementary reading club , paper bag puppet theater , and much more .
In November , the Santa Clarita Public Library , in partnership with the Friends of the Santa Clarita Public Library , will be hosting the 10th Annual Family Literacy Festival . Join us on Saturday , November 12 from 10 a . m . to 2 p . m . at the Old Town Newhall Library , located at 24500 Main Street for this annual event . The theme of this year ’ s festival is “ Explore Your World .”
The free Family Literacy Festival brings together a variety of local students , teachers , artists , and education enthusiasts partnering on interactive stations focused on literature , math , technology , engineering , science and art . Attendees will also enjoy food trucks and free books ( for children and teens up to 12th grade , while supplies last ). Please visit SantaClaritaLibrary . com for more information or call ( 661 ) 259-0750 .

It ’ s a Loud , Loud World

By Nola Aronson

Noise pollution is a feature of our increasingly crowded world and many people have already experienced dangerous hearing conditions . How can you tell if your hearing has been affected ? It ’ s not as easy as you might suspect .

As a simple test , think about how your ears reacted to loud noise situations . If there was pain , a feeling of having your ears blocked , the need to shout in order to be heard , or a temporary buzzing or ringing in your ears , chances are you have experienced hearing damage .
How does this damage happen ? Inside the ear are small , delicate hairs that help conduct the noise that constitutes your hearing . Injury to these hair cells comes from exposure to loud noises that can be sudden or prolonged . This can result in temporary and permanent hearing loss . To guard against noise-induced hearing loss , you need to become familiar with and avoid dangerous decibel levels .
Any sound over 85 decibels exceeds what hearing experts consider the “ safe ” range . More than that and , over time , there ’ s a good chance you ’ ll damage your ears .
We believe in giving back !
At Advanced Audiology , we strongly believe in two things : 1 . Living your best life through better hearing ! 2 . Giving back to our community .
Since 2010 , we have actively supported the important work by nonprofits associated with such causes as Alzheimer ’ s , breast cancer , affordable housing for veterans , and diabetes .
Schedule your free hearing screening and see why we have been recognized as Santa Clarita Valley ’ s Community Champion !
Call today ! ( 661 ) 505-1135 For every hearing aid sold in November , 10 % of the sale will be donated to Habitat for Humanity .
• The average conversation between two people tunes in at about 60 decibels .
• A motorcycle ramps the sound up to about 90 decibels — this exposure most likely wouldn ’ t damage hearing unless it was for an extended period of time .
• The highest setting on your personal listening device can hover between 105 and 120 decibels — these levels are dangerous and can damage hearing .
Hearing loss should be addressed before it spirals into other issues such as depression and brain atrophy . If you think you ’ ve already experienced dangerous sound levels and want to find out if you have hearing damage , you should visit an audiologist . Regular visits to an audiologist will help you retain your hearing fitness .
If you or a loved one are experiencing hearing loss , call your community hearing experts at Nola Aronson ’ s Advanced Audiology , 661-505-1135 . In honor of Veterans Day , we will be donating 10 % of all hearing aid sales to Habitat for Humanity for the month of November to benefit Santa Clarita Valley ’ s heroes and their families .
23822 Valencia Blvd ., Suite 103
( next to AAA in the Owen Paterson building )
Valencia , CA 91355
( 661 ) 505-1135 scvadvancedaudiology . com