HLAA – Montgomery County Chapter

The topic for our October meeting was the challenges of traveling with hearing loss. MontCo member Cathie Harvey is planning a trip to Scotland, and discussed measure for making the trip easier.

Past and future travelers shared their experiences and plans.

Travelers face some unique problems, but many are what we all face at home.
Please join us and share in the discussion.

At the Jeanes Library, 4051 Joshua Road, Lafayette Hill, October 1, 2025, 5:30 to 7:30

Captioning and loop system will be in use.

The group discussed a variety of hearing assistance devices, with a focus on TV watching.  There are a half dozen or so devices available, generally specific to one or two brands of hearing aids.  Auracast promises to provide interoperability for this field.  Its pace of introduction is uncertain, will be a few years before widespread availability, it appears.

Our September 3 meeting will focus on devices usually called ‘TV streamers’, which transport the sound from a television set, or any audio source, directly to your hearing aids.

If you have such a device, bring it along for ‘Show & Tell’.

These are modern versions of things we’ve used for a long time: loop systems, ‘TV Ears’, even headsets on a long cable.

If time permits, we’ll also talk about remote microphones, which use the same technology in a somewhat different way. The word ‘Auracast’ will come up often.

We’ll also discuss activities for the next year.

The group watched a video presentation by Jon Taylor of the NYC HLAA chapter. He is a professional musician who lost his hearing, got a CI, and struggled to resume participation in music.

Many of the group, especially those with strong musical interests found his presentation of great value, and a lengthy discussion followed. The presentation is available on YouTube at:

March 2023: Jon Taylor’s HLAA Twin Cities Presentation about Music and Cochlear Implants – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Am0hbh8c1o

He mentioned an important new book about hearing: Of Sound Mind,  Nina Kraus

The New York City HLAA chapter has done an outstanding series of presentations of interest to the hearing loss community, and they are available as YouTube videos at no cost.  You can find a listing at:
https://www.hearinglossnyc.org/meetings-topics

On that list is a presentation by Nina Kraus:

October 2022: Nina Kraus: Of Sound Mind – https://youtu.be/bZWMeQIPfIc

Also of great interest:  Musicophilia,  Oliver Sacks

 Once again  the MontCo chapter invites HLAA members, their families and friends to a picnic at Fort Washington State park on Sunday, July 21, 2024, noon to 4pm, rain or shine.   This is about a mile from the Fort Washington exit of the turnpike.  We’ll be in the Militia Hill area, just off Joshua Road at the MHL-3 Pavilion, the same as in recent years.   This is adjacent to a nice playground and restroom facility.

This is a potluck picnic and all attendees are asked to bring a food item for 6-8 people (and serving utensil if needed) to share.
Please let Kathy Harral know what you are bringing by July 15.

A dozen MontCo members and friends celebrated the holidays.

MontCo members, families and friends are invited to our annual Holiday Party on Tuesday, December 5, 5:30, at Jeanes Library. It will be a dessert potluck evening, with everyone bringing a dessert (and serving utensil). We will provide coffee.

We hope to see you as we start off the holiday season with a social evening.

Please RSVP with number of guests – significant others are welcome – and the dessert you plan to bring.

RSVP to hlaamcc@gmail.com or directly to Kathy

Kathy Harral

Please plan to join us on November 7 at 5:30 PM at Jeanes Library. Our theme for the evening will be “Living With Hearing Loss and Having Much to be Grateful For”. 

In this season of Thanksgiving our hearing loss can present many challenges.  Fortunately, with the support of professionals and each other, we can create full lives and find much to be grateful for.  Come and be inspired by the creativity and courage of members.  Lend your experience to our collective pool of knowledge.

We look forward to seeing you!  November 7 at 5:30 PM at Jeanes Library.

Cathie Harvey, Treasurer