European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 29, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 10 the stars and stripes . Tuesday november 29,1994 video game Vest makes Waves with deaf by Kimberly . Wilson t the associated press Washington a Vest designed to help video game players feel sounds i bringing a new dimension of sensation to the deaf and those with partial hearing. Developed by former defense contractor Aura systems the inter actor game Vest was created to focus and intensify sound so that video game players could strap it on and feel every slam Dunk and tackle that they see on their screens. But now the Vest which Sells in toy stores for about $100, is making vibrations among the hearing impaired. It s sort of accidental that the hearing impaired found it As exciting As they seem to have said John Winfield who markets the Vest. I be been focusing i for society in general but whatever Seg ment of society enjoys it i want to share it  one communications teacher at Gal Laudet University s Model secondary school for the deaf in Washington said the vests might help the deaf and those with partial hearing Monitor their voice Levels. ".-. .,.\ y " " deaf aerobics instructors say the inter actor and a vibrating dance floor with built in transducer a hand sized Vibra Tion amplifier that reverberates according to music speech or sounds just like a Reg ular speaker does when plugged into a receiver help them stay in step wit their classes. It s interactive technology said Howard Schlieper who runs the school sight sounds & vibes lab. He uses the Vest floor and oscillating theater seats to introduce students to the pitch and intensity of sound. Schlieper s lab is soundproof but the vibration from a sound system hooked up debt Jqnes a video game player wears Aura systems inter actor game Vest which focuses and intensifies sound. To musical instruments transducers laser beams television monitors several speakers and the chairs vests and dance floor spreads beyond the room to Distant classrooms. We use it to teach the physics of sound and Light he said. Maybe the kids can hear some sound but not All of it. The transducer focuses and almost intensifies the  but the amplifier gives More thump than noise. The deeper the sound the stronger the vibrations. So percussion and Bass filled rap and heavy Metal deliver More punch than say country or classical music. Response to the technology has been mixed at Gallaudet since the vests hit the Market in August but a group of Stu dents in a recent class in the lab Felt strongly about the rhythms beating from within the Vest Al � r and seats. Aimee Armour preferred the beat Frap music to the heavy Metal music Schlieper played. It gives you a head ache she explained. But now i know Why my mom likes classical music. It kind of calms me  Jeremy Tharpe a Sophomore who wears a hearing Aid seemed startled to find he could hear a Little of the music. I m deaf but i can hear this pretty Good he said. Others at the school so far the Only place where the technology has Bee tested by the deaf Community were less enthusiastic. Sophomore Jessica Jordon speaking through an interpreter said the idea of the vests made her feel inadequate. I can t hear anything she said. I makes me feel like people Are making a big Deal out of things people Are  really Don t like to think that if i weren t deaf i would t need  Winfield admits the technology can serve every need. I think if the children Are older and the rest of the family i deaf and they re not used to sound it s liable to be a new Frontier the Vest marketeer said. But even if just a Small amount of people use it it s a  Jill Bianco a Junior from a deaf family disagreed. This feels funny she said explaining the intrusion into her deaf Ness. ". I like the quiet feeling. It s  stage off stars a dec. 1st 1994 Heidelberg Kongre thaus Sta Thalle dec. 2nd 1994 Wiir Burg Schweinfurt Mega front disco Thek doors open ar8 of pm show starts at 9 30 pm a a. Limited seating ticket Price 25.00 / pm 40,00 idolbor9 Only $ 35.00 " concert ticket outlets Debo Jones productions inc. O 61 84 / 3 go 35 special guest my a ass a Virgin Mega store Frankfurt cd tickets Hanau Jav a Garren Grimm Heidelberg All age Welcome Mann Elmer Gartenhaus Mannheim this to another Nebo Jones production  Garmisch the take Bird ski special of the last weeks your five Day Early Bird ski special includes o ski instruction o lift pass for appropriate ski slope o equipment and clothing o local transportation to from slopes "js129 i i. I get a jump on the season dates dec. 4-9 dec. 11-16 Early Bird skiers must be registered guests in one of the  hotels during the entire week. For reservations Call Dan 4402-575, Civ. 08821-79081 fax. 08821-3942