HLAA – Montgomery County Chapter

CART transcript available on request from don(at)groffiti(dot)com

HLAA, nee SHHH celebrates its 35th anniversary this year.  Diana Bender described how this is being celebrated, and gave us a brief biography of SHHH founder Howard “Rocky” Stone.  His CIA career was the stuff of legend, and as the founder of SHHH was a major factor in raising  hearing loss into a topic of national concern.

Audiologist Mark Weinstein, BC-HIS spoke about new directions hearing aid manufacturers are moving in, and descriged how  the audiologist decides what aids to recommend and to try for different patients.

Oticon representative Debra A Winters, Au.D, FAAA spoke about research at Oticon into “brain hearing”,  with the goal  of enabling  it to better understand what it hears.

A lively discussion followed their presentations.

Our December meeting will be a birthday party, with a cake  to celebrate HLAA at 35, as well as other holiday delicacies.

Please join us.

The meeting was in rap session format, with about 20 in attendance.  A young couple whose 1-year-old is about to get hearing aids were visitor, and much of the discussion centered around that event.

The newly created chapter publicity brochure is available for distribution.  You can download a .pdf copy HERE

At our November meeting, Audiologist Mark Weinstein will bring us up to date in the hearing aid field.  More details here later.

Juliette Sterkens

HLAA National Hearing Loop Advocate Juliette Sterkens, Au.D. spoke on September 8   on hearing loss, hearing aids, and hearing loops.  With 30 years of experience as an audiologist, she is a tireless advocate for loop technology, and has been been involved in the installation of hundreds of loop installations in Wisconsin.

The audience included MontCo members and a number of visitors, including members of other local HLAA chapters, and several local loop installation contractors.  A lively discussion was part of the evening.

Links:

http://www.loopwisconsin.com/
http://www.hearingloop.org/
http://aldlocator.com/

Ricardo, Max, Tom, Juliette

The CART transcript of the session is available on request to don(at)groffiti(dot)com

Don setting up CART

Juliette and the Group

Recap-
More than twenty people attended this meeting, including a number of newcomers and visitors.  The discussion was wide-ranging, and dealt with smartphone applications for hearing assistance,  remote microphone systems,   the hearing loop system at Jeanes, and other topics.
Attendees enjoyed  sandwiches, a veggie tray, desserts, and drinks.

Note that HLAA MontCo does not meet in July and August. Our next meeting will be on September 8 (not the first Monday, of course; that one is taken).

.

Monthly Meeting  June 2, 2014  6 – 8 pm.
William Jeanes Memorial Library
4051 Joshua Road
Lafayette Hill, PA  19444

Dr. Saunders’ presentation, AN INTRODUCTION TO THE THE AUDITORY SYSTEM, provided a review of the hearing mechanisms in a wide variety of the animal kingdom from chinchillas to humans, and featured history, humor,  a video of hair cells in motion, and research into hearing restoration.  A number of visitors were in the appreciative audience.

The CART transcription (56kB file) and PowerPoint (12MB file) are available on request  to don[at]groffiti[dot]com.

Monthly Meeting  May 5, 2014  6 – 8 pm.
Jeanes Memorial Library
4051 Joshua Road
Lafayette Hill, PA  19444

Chapter member James Saunders, PhD, will speak about hearing mechanisms, hearing loss, and research into hearing restoration.  He is Professor of Research Otolaryngology, Physiology and Neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania, and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Hearing Loss Association of America.
CART and hearing  loop provided.
FREE, VISITORS WELCOME

Our speaker was  Karen Leslie-Henry,Director, Center for Community & Professional Services  & Community Outreach, of the  The Pennsylvania School for the Deaf.

Karen Leslie-Henry of PSD

She provided a detailed history of PSD, student demographics, educational philosophy, community & educational outreach programs and ways to support the school.   This was warmly received by our members and visitors, and was a helpful bridge between the Hearing Loss and Deaf communities

The meeting was CART-enabled, and looped.

Update:
A dozen MontCo members braved wintery weather to enjoy the party.

Note:
MontCo HLAA does not meet in January or February.  Our next meeting will be on March 3, 2014, and will feature a speaker from the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf.

Our December meeting on 12/9  (a week later than our usual date) will be a holiday party.

An entree (Swedish meatballs!) will be provided, as well as veggies, beverages, and desserts.   Cash contributions will be welcome to defray expenses.

At 6 p.m., at the Jeanes Library.  As always, visitors are welcome.

Come help to celebrate the holday season.