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
The Gen X Chapter of HLAA Invites you to the Annual HLAA-PA BBQ
EVERYONE IS WELCOME!!!
PLEASE BRING FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Picnic will be held Rain or Shine
Sunday, August 24, 2013
12 NOON-5PM
Ridley Creek State Park, Pavilion 11B, Media, PA 19063
Cost: $8 per person, $14 per family
This is a wonderful opportunity to meet other people with hearing loss in PA and nearby states, as well as to have a relaxing and fun afternoon! We will have games and competition, as well!
Hamburger, Hot dogs and Vegetarian options will be provided! Food Contributions are greatly appreciated (portion size for 6-8 people).
Please RSVP by Monday, August 18,2014.
Name:____________________________email:______________________________
Individual ($8)___Family ($14)____
We are bringing: (Please specify what you do plan to bring, and please bring your own utensils to serve):
Drinks (Soda, water or juice), ice, Desserts
Please send this information with check payable to HLAA-GenX:
Ms. Beth Ann Rejonis, 2083 Hawthorne Place, Paoli, PA 19301.
Email: baf@fast.net for any questions.
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).
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Monthly Meeting June 2, 2014 6 – 8 pm.
William Jeanes Memorial Library
4051 Joshua Road
Lafayette Hill, PA 19444
HLAA - Montgomery County Chapter 