Page 3 - qt edition #39 SEPTEMBER 28, 2023
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023                               THE QUEENS TIMES                                                            PAGE 3



           NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Releases
            Report on The City’s Immigrant Population And                                          New York Department of State’s
                                                                                                   Division of Consumer Protection
                          Initiatives of The Office in 2022                                      Releases Guidance For Consumers

             NYC Mayor’s Office of Im-  their work to serve immigrant  reviews the critical role MOIA   Purchasing Newly Approved
        migrant Affairs (MOIA) Com-  communities all across the city.”    played in developing initiatives to
        missioner Manuel Castro released          “As  someone who  immi-  support our newest New Yorkers   Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids
        a report on the city’s immigrant  grated to this country as a child  while continuing to serve long-
        population and initiatives of the  with my mother, and grew up in  time immigrant New Yorkers.
        office.                      New York City, I understand the       Some of these initiatives include  Federal Regulations Now in  need to pick the product yourself
             The report highlights the impact  critical work of this office and its  creating the City’s first Ukrainian  Effect Allow Consumers to Buy  and do your research to make
        of MOIA and showcases the work  importance,” said Manuel Castro,  Response Initiative and continu-  Hearing Aids Over the Counter  sure the device you pick can
        done by the Adams administra-  Commissioner  of the  Mayor’s  ing to serve Haitian New Yorkers                       meet your needs. Over-the coun-
        tion to respond to the challenges  Office of Immigrant Affairs.  through our Haitian Response       The New York Department  ter hearing aids are generally the
        that  many  new  immigrant  and  “Under the leadership of Mayor  Initiative. The MOIA team also  of State’s Division of Consumer  least expensive option available.
        long-time immigrant New Yorkers  Eric Adams, and Deputy Mayor  engaged with 10,643 immigrant  Protection and Division of Li-  (Note: These hearing aids are
        faced during calendar year 2022.    Anne Williams-Isom, the city  New Yorkers through our Ask-  censing Services have released  intended for people with mild to
             “Amidst a global humanitarian  mobilized a colossal humanitarian  MOIA hotline, delivered 1,536  guidance  to  help  consumers  moderate  hearing  loss  and  not
        crisis that has led to tens of thou-  operation to support our newest  translations of over 300 different  navigate the process of purchas-  severe hearing loss.)
        sands of people seeking refuge  New Yorkers. No other city in the  source documents in 49 different  ing hearing aids. In 2022, new  •    Professionally fitted: A reg-
        in New York City, the Mayor’s  nation has responded to this scale.  languages. Through MOIA’s Im-  federal regulations went into  istered professional will discuss
        Office of Immigrant Affairs has,  The outpouring of compassion  migrant hotline, we fielded nearly  effect allowing retailers to sell  your specific hearing needs to
        time and again, stepped up to the  and support from New Yorkers at  40,133 calls conducted over 11,467  hearing aids over the counter.  help you pick a hearing aid that
        challenge by helping guide policy  the Port Authority Bus Terminal,  comprehensive legal screenings  This means consumers with  is most appropriate for you and
        related to our newest New Yorkers  modern-day Ellis Island, has been  through the city funded immi-  mild to moderate hearing loss  your budget. A registered pro-
        and provide critical core services  truly inspiring. This report high-  gration providers. Our English  can now buy hearing aids in  fessional can help you find the
        such as language access and indi-  lights our efforts in responding to  Language Learning team hosted  store or online without needing  right hearing aid for any level of
        vidualized referrals,” said Anne  a global humanitarian crisis while  74 courses, reaching over 4,578  a prescription or formal hear-  hearing loss, including severe or
        Williams-Isom, Deputy Mayor  continuing to serve longtime im-  English language learners, and  ing test. Follow the New York  profound hearing loss.
        of Health and Human Services.  migrant New Yorkers.”       trained 146 volunteers online.    Department of State on Face-  Hearing Aid Fittings:
        “This report provides a snapshot       In 2022, the Adams administra-       While the report presents a  book, Twitter and Instagram and  •    Over the counter: You are
        of that work and recognizes the  tion responded to multiple global  snapshot of the City’s work in this  check in every Tuesday for more  responsible for ensuring a proper
        team at MOIA that gets stuff done  humanitarian  crises. From the  area, it does not cover the totality  practical tips that educate and  fit and professional assistance is
        every day for immigrant families  Russian war on Ukraine to the  of work that MOIA and other New  empower New York consumers  not provided.
        and individuals, whether they just  influx of asylum seekers crossing  York City agencies do to serve im-  on a variety of topics. Sign up to  •    Professionally fitted: A reg-
        arrived to seek asylum or came to  the US/Mexico border, many im-  migrants. To view the full report  receive consumer alerts directly  istered professional will program
        call NYC home through another  migrants came to New York City  and learn more about the Mayor’s  to your email or phone here.  the device to your unique hear-
        path.  Thank you to Commissioner  seeking refuge and a chance at  Office of Immigrant Affairs, visit       “As over-the-counter hearing  ing needs. They will also make
        Castro and his dedicated team for  the American Dream. This report  nyc.gov/immigrants.  aids become more readily avail-  sure the device is comfortable
                                                                                                able on store shelves, making  and properly fits. The provider
            MTA to Provide Shuttle Bus to Vietnam Veterans                                      them more affordable and acces-  will work with you to make sure
                                  Memorial in Queens                                            sible, it’s important for consum-  you are able to correctly use the
                                                                                                ers to understand that shopping  device on your own.
                                                                                                for these devices may not be as  Returns and Warranties:
        Shuttle will Operate Once an  caro. “We are proud to work with  Memorial in recognition of our  simple as it seems,” said Secre-  •    Over the counter: Check the
        Hour Between Mets-Willets  the Department of Veterans’ Ser-  Nation’s heroes,” said Assembly  tary of State Robert J. Rodri-  product return and refund poli-
        Point Subway Station and  vices to ensure everyone can visit  Member Sam Berger. “To the  guez. “There are many factors to  cies before you buy. You may not
        Flushing Meadows Corona Park  the memorial to pay their respects  veterans who served in Vietnam:  consider while choosing between  be able to return or get a refund
        Memorial is Free and Open to  to the millions of Americans who  welcome home.”          over-the-counter and traditional  on an over-the-counter hearing
        the Public                   served in the Vietnam War.”        “The Wall That Heals is a  prescription hearing aids, and  aid purchase. Over-the-counter
                                          “We are excited to partner with  powerful commemoration of the  I urge New Yorkers who are in  hearing aids are not required to
             The Metropolitan Transporta-  the MTA while The Wall That  men and women who served in  the process of purchasing hear-  provide a warranty.
        tion  Authority  (MTA)  has  an-  Heals is on display in Flushing  the Vietnam War,” said NYC  ing aids to read our guidance to  •    Professionally fitted: A
        nounced that it would provide  Meadows Corona Park,” said  Council Majority Whip Selvena  help decide which option can  registered dispenser must allow
        a shuttle bus between the Mets-  NYC Department of Veterans’  N. Brooks-Powers, Chair of the  best serve their needs.”  you to return the device within
        Willets Point subway station and  Services Commissioner James  Committee on Transportation and       New York State Office for  45 days and is required to issue
        the NYC Department of Veterans’  Hendon. “The addition of shuttle  Infrastructure. “The Wall’s exhi-  the Aging Director Greg Olsen  you a refund.
        Services Vietnam War Memorial,  buses not only provides a conve-  bition in New York City provides  said, “Over-the-counter hear-       Follow-up Visits and Resolu-
        which will be in Flushing Mead-  nient option for New Yorkers to  an important opportunity for lo-  ing aids are an option newly  tion of Issues:
        ows Corona Park from Thursday,  pay their respects, it also makes  cal families to honor their loved  available for many consumers  •    Over the counter: If you run
        Sept. 28 through Sunday, Oct. 1.   The Wall That Heals accessible to  ones, and there should be minimal  struggling with mild to moderate  into any issues with the hearing
             Between Thursday, Sept. 28  an even wider audience.”   impediments to accessing the  hearing loss. As with any major  aids, you will need to contact the
        and Saturday, Sept. 30, the shuttle       “New Yorkers have a great  Wall at its location in Flushing  purchase – especially one that  device manufacturer. There are
        will operate every 60 minutes  chance to reflect on our history  Meadows Corona Park. The MTA  may  be  necessary  to support  no industry standards or laws
        between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.  and pay tribute to our veterans  bus service between Mets-Willets  quality of life – it’s important to  requiring assistance be provided
        On Sunday, Oct. 1, the shuttle  who made the ultimate sacrifice  Point and the Memorial is an im-  make an informed decision that  after you purchase over-the-
        will operate every 60 minutes  when the Wall That Heals opens  portant step towards making the  suits your specific needs and  counter hearing aids.
        between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.  next week,” said New York State  Wall more accessible in an area  expectations when it comes to  •    Professionally fitted: A regis-
        The shuttle will make stops at  Senator John Liu, Member of the  that is otherwise hard to reach via  fittings, maintenance, and other  tered professional will schedule
        Roosevelt Av between Union St  Senate Transportation Commit-  public transit.”          factors. The State’s Division of  follow-up visits as necessary to
        and Main St, Roosevelt Av in  tee. “Many thanks to the MTA for       The Wall That Heals is  Consumer Protection has pro-  address any difficulties you may
        front of the Mets-Willets Point  making sure this special exhibit  a partnership with the Viet-  vided an exceptional resource  have with the device. They are
        subway station, and Flushing  is accessible to all New Yorkers  nam Veterans Memorial Fund  to help, and I encourage all who  also required to be available to
        Meadows Corona Park.         with bus service between Mets-  (VVMF). The three-quarter scale  are considering a hearing aid to  provide adjustments and servic-
             “Every day, buses help more  Willets Point and the memorial in  replica of the Vietnam Veterans  read this new guidance.”   ing  for  any  hearing  aids  they
        than one million New Yorkers get  Flushing Meadows Corona Park.”  Memorial in  Washington  D.C.       Professionally Fitted Hearing  have dispensed.
        to work, school, and everything       “I commend the MTA for  honors the more than three mil-  Aids vs Over-the-Counter Hear-       Routine Cleaning and Sound
        the city has to offer,” said New  providing this vital service to  lion  Americans  who served in  ing Aids: What’s the Difference?  Quality Checks:
        York City Transit Senior Vice  visit the NYC Department of  the U.S. Armed Forces in the   Hearing Test:             •    Over the counter: You will
        President of Buses Frank Anni-  Veterans Affairs’ Vietnam War  Vietnam War.             •    Over the counter: You will  not receive routine cleaning and
              Meng Announces Nearly $2 Million in Federal                                       not receive a hearing test when  sound  quality  check  services
                                                                                                you buy over-the-counter hear-
                                                                                                                             when you purchase over-the-
                         Grants For Nonprofits in Queens                                        ing aids.                    counter hearing aids.
                                                                                                •    Professionally fitted: A  •    Professionally fitted: If you
                                                                                                registered professional will test  purchase a hearing aid from a
             U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-  nization in New York State and  of the immigrant and low-income   your hearing and help you pick  registered dispenser, you can
        Queens) announced that nearly $2  is located in Jackson Heights,  communities in Queens.  a product that meets your needs.  take your device back to the
        million in federal funds has been  focusing on issues like workers’       The money, which includes   They will also refer you to a  dispenser for routine cleaning
        awarded to two nonprofit organi-  rights, immigrant and civil rights,  $1.6 million for Make the Road   specialist if your hearing tests  and  maintenance  for  the  best
        zations in Queens: Make the Road  and environmental and housing  and $250,000 for La Jornada,   reveal a condition that is medi-  performance.
        New York and La Jornada.     justice. La Jornada, a food pantry  will help provide equipment and   cally treatable.       For more information, visit
             Make the Road is the largest  in Woodside, helps to provide ba-                    Choosing a Hearing Aid:      the Food and Drug Administra-
        grassroots immigrant-led orga-  sic services to address the needs   (Continued on page 4)  •    Over the counter: You will  tion’s website.
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