Don Groff is the recipient of the 2014 Marcia Finisdore Advocacy Award. This award is presented to an individual who has made significant contributions to furthering the access, rights, and dignity of people with hearing loss. Don will receive the award at the Lunch and Learn on Sunday, April 19, 2015.
See update below.
We took in a performance of Mark Twain Unplugged at the Act II Playhouse in Ambler recently, specifically to try out the hearing assistance that is offered there. The results were disappointing, although I really appreciate the fact that Act II is making some effort in this direction.
Act II has a Sennheiser IR system, which incorporates a stethoscope type of receiver, with earbuds, and no option of plugging anything, e.g. headset or neckloop into the receiver. Incompatible with hearing aids, unless you take them out, and completely useless with a cochlear implant. The irony is rich – hearing assistance that is of no use to those who need it most.
I have a modular IR receiver that works with a neckloop, which I have used at the nearby Ambler (movie) Theater. But this receiver works on a 95kHz carrier, and the Sennheiser uses a 2.3MHz carrier, a newer technology. A 2.3MHz receiver module can be bought for about $150, the Williams WIR RX22
My wife, who doesn’t really need it, tried out the system for me, and said it worked quite well. I could not determine how sound was picked up; performers are not miked at Act II. I’ll try to find out.
Actually I was able to follow the show pretty well. It was a one-man show with Tom Teti (two, actually, with an accompanist), so there were never multiple voices to contend with. Act II is small, about 100 seats.
Hal Holbrook of course owns the Mark Twain character, and is still performing it at 89. But you’ll have to travel, or be content with YouTube clips.
Don Groff
Update March 19, 2015
I went back to Act II last night, armed with a Williams RX22 IR receiver and a neckloop to see Unnecessary Farce. Regrettably, the hearing assistance results were less than satisfactory. Performers are not miked, and I could not determine how the “ambient” miking was done. It seemed that when the actors were at the left side of the stage, I got some modest benefit from the system (we were on the right side), but when they were on the right, I did better by turning it off.
I’ll be returning the RX22, even though it did its own job very well.
Even missing much of the dialog, I thoroughly enjoyed Farce. having studied the synopsis and reviews. Farce indeed, and a visual treat, would have been enjoyable with no dialog at all.
Don
Long time MontCo chapter member Richard Claypool passed away on Friday Dec. 26,.
The obituary can be found here.
Richard introduced me to SHHH/HLAA a decade ago. He was a fine musician, a consummate railroad buff, and a dear friend.
Don Groff
We took in the Holiday Show at the Comcast Center in Philadelphia today. We’ve seen the spectacular video presentations on the 80 foot screen before, but they never cease to amaze. Today I wanted to experience the hearing assistance provisions in operation.
Captioning is provided via an iPod, the size of a typical smartphone, available at a service desk, with proper ID. There is really no dialog in the show, and the captioning is limited to commentary about the music – identify the instrument, the name of the piece of music, in a few cases the lyrics. I cannot say that this provided any real enhancement to the show – it is essentially a visual event, and either you look down at the device to read the comment and miss the action, or hold the thing high, which is fatiguing and distracting to others.
The connection to the iPod is via WiFi in the Center I assume. I asked whether this would be available on a smartphone or one’s own iPod, but staff was unable to answer this.
There is also audio description service available via a device other than an iPod. I looked at the device, but did not try it. It is provided with earbuds, not usable to anyone using hearing aids. I’d say that this is a more valuable service than the captioning, providing a very definite benefit to visually impaired visitors.
I applaud Comcast for making these services available to hearing and visually impaired persons.
Don Groff
Rapidly dropping temperature did not deter 18 people from attending our holiday party, and celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Hearing Loss Association of America. A birthday cake, sandwiches, drinks and other snacks supported the celebration.
Note that HLAA-MontCo does not meet in January and February. Our next meeting will be on March 2, 2015. Watch hlaamcc.org for details.
Our meeting place, the Jeanes Library, has a monthly Movie Night. The hearing loop has been incorporated into the player system, and will be used for the first time on November 20.
The feature will be The Lunchbox , a wonderful film set in Mumbai. There will be refreshments, and a discussion led by a local film buff.
I’ve seen this movie, and am looking forward to seeing it again.
From 5:30 to 8:00 on Thursday November 20, 2014.
Come and show your support for hearing assistance systems and enjoy the movie.
Don
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.
On October 9 Don Groff will describe the new hearing loop system in the Community Room of the Jeanes Library, in a presentation titled “Hearing Assistance in Public Places”
He’ll discuss why such assistance is so beneficial to people with hearing loss, and review a variety of systems, but the focus will be on the loop system at Jeanes.
The audience was small but engaged and interested, and had many questions about hearing issues and hearing assistance.
Some (much, actually) of the audience for the presentation.
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
