hlaa fox valley chapter news...hlaa fox valley chapter news volume 34 issue 2 april 2019 hear...
TRANSCRIPT
2019 April Meeting & Program
Monday April 8th
6:15—Social Time 7:00 Program
Presenter: Kelly Rehbeck, Manager at HEAR Wisconsin
Program Topic: Hearing Assistive Tech-nology & Wisconsin’s Telephone Equip-ment Purchase Program (TEPP)
Kelly Rehbeck, the Showroom Manager at HEAR Wisconsin, will share expertise gained from her own hearing loss, plus 25 years of experience working in the Deaf/Hard of Hearing field.
She provides technology assessments and train-ing to people with hearing loss, and also to profes-sionals in Wisconsin who work in the field. She is also in charge of HEAR Wisconsin’s worksite as-sessment program that helps workers with hearing loss and their employers identify the technology and strategies necessary to succeed.
Kelly will share information about Wiscon-sin’s Telephone Equipment Purchase Program that is available to hard of hearing and deaf Wisconsin-ites at no cost. There is no income qualification to receive TEPP support. Many of our chapter mem-bers benefit from the TEPP program. Please join us to learn more.
HLAA Fox Valley Chapter News
Volume 34 Issue 2
April 2019
HEAR Wisconsin is a nonprofit that
helps infants, children, and adults with
hearing loss by eliminating communica-
tion and language barriers through
personalized services, technology, and
education. It is located in West Allis.
Regular chapter meetings are held at the Unitarian Universalist Fellow-
ship, Appleton. 2600 Phillip Lane. Map at www.fvuuf.org HLAA is not
affiliated with UUF. We appreciate being able to use their facility.
Lancet Commission to Address the Global Burden of Hearing Loss The Lancet, the world’s foremost medical journal, recently announced the formation of the new Lancet Commission to identify ways to reduce the global burden of hearing loss. The Commission follows a recent Lancet Review of the state of global hearing health care and possibilities for improving it. You can find more information about the Commission on The Lancet website https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(19)30484-2/fulltext
Testers Needed for New App for People with Hearing Loss TranslateLive is a new service which allows any two people to com-municate who are in the same room or across the world (it is available in more than 120 languages). People who have a hearing loss can use it in one-to-one situations where each user can use their own device thereby eliminating the need to share. The App can also be used along other communication services (i.e., phone calls, FaceTime, Skype). Trans-lateLive is currently looking for people with hearing loss to test the app and share feedback. Since it is useful for translating and not just tran-scribing they are also asking for feedback on interactions with people who speak another language. Go to translatelive.com for more infor-mation and to sign up for your free trial. For any questions and to pro-vide feedback please email [email protected]
New Trial Raising Hope for Development of First Drug to Restore Hearing 03/15/2019 LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — Researchers at UCLH’s Royal Na-tional Throat Nose and Ear Hospital (RNTNEH) and UCL Ear Institute are leading a drug trial aimed at regenerating the sensory receptors (hair cells) in the inner ear. While long thought to be irreversible, past animal studies have indicated that these cells can be regenerated through the use of a small molecule substance known as a gamma-secretase inhibitor. Currently, there are no drugs available to treat loss or damage of the hair cells in the inner ear, referred to as sensorineural hearing loss. It is esti-mated that approximately 90% of all hearing loss is sensorineural in nature.
40 years ago when HLAA was born, very little research was
being done on hearing loss. Hearing aids were primitive,
cochlear implants were non existent, and no one dreamed of
the assistive technology many of us use now. It’s exciting to
be able to share information in our newsletter on topics relat-
ed to research & development. Thanks to HLAA for pushing
for positive change. Some day a cure will be found!
HLAA Fox Valley Chapter has several unique pro-
grams that are suitable for in service trainings, or edu-
cational presentations for churches, schools, business-
es, hospitals, service organizations, professional
groups, etc. Contact us if a presentation on Living
Well with Hearing Loss or Integrating Hard of Hearing
Employees/Members/Patients, is of interest to your
group. [email protected]
To Chapter Participants: If you would like to be
involved on our educational outreach team, please let
the chapter leaders know.
Milwaukee Walk4Hearing
Saturday, May 11, 2019
Please consider joining the “State Step-
pers” walk team! It’s a great way to show
that hard of hearing people are in it to win
it by creating awareness of the high inci-
dence of hearing loss.
We’ve all bought the cookies, pizzas &
wrapping paper from our neighbors,
friends & family members. Now it’s our
turn to ask them to reciprocate to our non-
profit cause, namely the HLAA. Most will l
return the favor, so go ahead & ask them.
You can bring donations to the April chap-
ter meeting. Christine Klessig will record
& forward them to the state team. Both
she & Julie Olson are registered ‘State
Steppers’ team members. Or donate online
at www.walk4hearing.org (Milwaukee
Walk)
We are communicating better, but we are still not out of the woods!
Image: Cartoonresource (Shutterstock)
Editor’s Edifications…..by Julie Olson
In the past month, 4 people have asked me why I’ve re-
mained actively involved in HLAA for so long. I’ve ‘hung
in’ because I’ve learned more about hearing loss, hearing
technology, medical research, coping strategies, etc. through HLAA
than from any other source, including the internet. The ‘hook’ has been
the opportunity to help others the way I was helped 35 years ago.
HLAA is about people connecting with people who openly discuss how
hearing loss affects their lives. Yesterday, someone told me that hear-
ing loss was ‘killing their marriage’, and wondered if I had any sugges-
tions. Hearing loss, especially adult onset hearing loss, can be a real
drag on a relationship of any kind.
This person is the spouse of someone who has created a personal
‘hearing loss closet’ they refuse to come out of. They won’t go to church
or social gatherings. They have chosen isolation and reclusiveness over
trying. They are fearful of attending HLAA gatherings because they
don’t hear well. They have never experienced a meeting with real time
captioning or hearing loop accommodations. They know nothing about
communication access, and their fear prevents them from learning.
It’s important to understand that the life and wellbeing of the signifi-
cant other can be as deeply affected by this behavior as it is for the per-
son with hearing loss is. Here is my advice:
I encourage you to connect with The Hearing Loss Assn. of America,
Inc. You will find solutions the pros never discuss with you because
they come from trial and error with other people who have hearing
loss. HLAA discussions often relate to relationships. Far too many
myths surround hearing loss, along with super high doses of stigma! In
other words, we are misunderstood. By not openly discussing this we
allow that stigma thing to grow.
Most people with typical hearing think that hearing aids 'correct' hear-
ing loss. They don't, but well fitted hearing aids do help. Many think
we can hear when we want to. Not true, but it often appears that way.
People with typical hearing don’t know how hard people with hearing
loss work to hear; that it's exhausting. When we are fatigued, we can’t
concentrate the way we need to, so we are inclined to drop out of con-
versations. We miss things our hearing partners think we heard. We
feel left out in conversation, while our hearing partner assumes we
heard and acts accordingly. They don’t know when we need help, and
we don’t always know when to ask. This can lead to a lot of misunder-
standings.
It helps both partners to meet other people who live with hearing loss,
theirs or someone else’s. It gets us out of the isolated place where we
can feel sorry for ourselves all day long, and gives us the chance to talk
about it with people who 'get it'. Once we have a clearer understanding
of what hearing loss does to us, we know what to work on to keep our
relationships healthy. We can even learn to laugh at some of the expe-
riences we’ve had. We are not alone with hearing loss unless we choose
to be. Still, it will sometimes feel that way, especially in a crowd.
HLAA gatherings are open to anyone who wants to learn how to live
well with hearing loss; theirs or someone else’s. Try Fox Valley Chap-
ter’s discussion groups, and educational programs. The chapter is
here for you. Through participation you will find answers. It’s
up to you to make the next move!
March Program Summary...
Thank you to Landen Lacey,
speech pathologist and representa-
tive of Med-El Corporation, for anoth-
er excellent presentation on aural
rehabilitation for adults. Hard of
hearing people in-the-know, realize they need
to practice listening skills. It helps so much to
learn what to practice and how to figure out the
sounds we are missing. We had a nice crowd at
the March meeting, and everyone went home
with some excellent tips!
Better yet….
Join the TEAM!
The Sponsor Program is Fox Valley Chapter’s main fundraiser. Appeal Letters were sent to previous & potential
Sponsors in February. Names will be added as donations are re-ceived. Thank you to everyone who supports Fox Valley Chapter this way. NOTE: If your name or business is not listed correctly, please
let us know immediately. If you wish to support the chap-
ter this way, send your check to: HLAA-
Fox Valley Treasurer, P.O. Box
25, Menasha WI 54952.
2019 Chapter Sponsors
Platinum Level ($200 or More)
Fox Valley Hearing Centers, Inc. Candy McGinnis AuD, Jody Jedlicka AuD, Stephanie Long AuD
Melissa Dintelman AuD, Britanny Uitenbroek AuD
Douglas Grant MD Haviland Hearing Aids Inc. Peter J. Zellmer, AuD. Kyle Martell, AuD Jim Machalk Howard Porter Janet Muthig & Sharon Ihrig, daughters of James Muthig given in his memory Rural Audiology Services Kari Kramer AuD & Becky Franz MS CCC-A
Raymond Smith Gold Level ($100 - $199) Jo Kintopf-Crabb, Michelle Frisbie, Mary & Liz Ginke, Mike & Susan Landreman, Rosemary Smith, Carol Smo-kovich, Jan & Diane Veenendaal, Walt & Phyllis Ziemke Silver Level ($50 - $99)
Jim & Rhonda Bartelt, O.C. & Pat Boldt, Suzanne Brown, James Hemmen, Ione Muehlenbein (in memory of Paul), Julie & John Olson, Charles E. Rud, Sharon Salm, LeRoy Sauer, Karen Lindberg-Schuppe, Lyle & Phyllis Sconzert, Aurelia Stampp, Jerome & Phyllis VanHandel, Paul & Har-riet Zuicker
Bronze Level ($25 - $49)
Kevin Gossens, George Van Amber, Katie Weber, Ken & Mary Ann Walter
We are grateful to these Sponsors for their generosity and
support of HLAA Fox Valley Chapter. Their support allows us to print & circulate this newsletter, to pay rent to hold
regular meetings in an accessible facility, to provide infor-mation & materials to those who attend our meetings, to
educate ourselves & others on new technology, to provide stipends for members to attend outside educational events,
& so much more.
We are grateful to everyone who has made smaller dona-tions to our treasury, & to those who contribute personal
resources of time, energy, mileage & more.
Meetings are open to the public, and are run by volunteers.
.
HLAA shares information, educates, advocates & provides sup-
port to people with hearing loss who choose
to live in the hearing mainstream.
HLAA does not endorse products, providers or services. We share information that makes it possible for people with hearing loss to make informed decisions.
Thank
You!
Save these Dates - Nov. 15 & 16
Shining New Light on Hearing Loss
2019 HLAA State Conference in Appleton
Friday - HLAA-WI Annual Meeting & Reception
Saturday - Presentations, Exhibits & Lunch
Thank you to the people at the
March chapter meeting who
signed up to help with ‘small
jobs’ for the conference. We’ll be
contacting you in the near future
to clarify those jobs. We’re off to a
good start.
Right now we can tell you that
the event will be held at Bordini Center in Apple-
ton. That venue is equipped with a hearing loop,
and has the space and technology we need for a
crowd and for exhibits. Food will be available
there, so we are planning buffet service for the
event. We will need help welcoming attendees and
taking care of registrations and reservations. Our
greatest area of need is help promoting the confer-
ence. PR and outreach will determine the success
of the event. Please promote the event.
We’re looking for veterans with hearing loss
who are willing to lend a hand in getting in-
formation out to other veterans about the
conference. National data shows that the two
most prevalent disabling conditions occurring in
veterans returning from combat zones are tinnitus
and hearing loss.
The conference will feature programs of special in-
terest to people with noise induced hearing loss.
We will recognize veterans with a special thank
you for their service at the event.
More information will be included in upcoming
newsletters. Meanwhile, please think how you
might be able to help the planning committee.
Thank you!
Julie Olson, Christine Klessig & Dale Voskuil from
Fox Valley Chapter; Jerry Lapidakis & Emil Quast
from HLAA-Wisconsin.
Sharing is Caring!
Please Tell People About HLAA!
* Bring a friend to an HLAA gathering.
* Share HLAA literature with others.
* Distribute flyers about our meetings.
* Share our newsletter.
HLAA-Fox Valley Chapter
P.O. Box 25
Menasha WI 54952-0025
2019 Chapter Leadership Board
Steering Committee Co-Chairs
*Christine Klessig [email protected]
*Julie Olson [email protected]
Treasurer: *Michelle Frisbie michellelfris-
Program Chair & CI Group Chair: *Rhonda Clancey
Member at Large: *Dale Voskuil [email protected]
Member at Large: *Jane Young [email protected]
Newsletter Editor: Julie Olson: [email protected]
Phone Contact/Social: ‘T’ Van Asten 920-420-8462
H.O.P.E. Chair: Nancy Gilbertson
Chapter e-mail: [email protected]
Support Crew: Dave Gilbertson, Bob Opsteen, Jerry
Van Handel, Paul & Harriet Zuicker
Feel free to contact any of us personally, or use the
chapter’s e-mail address. We will respond as soon
as possible.
* Designates Members of the Chapter Board of Trustees
Disclaimer—HLAA does not endorse products or ser-
vices. Mention of such is intended to provide readers
& those who attend meetings with information on
products or services that might be of interest, & is not
a recommendation or endorsement.
Our newsletter is available by regular mail or e-
mail. The e-mail version is in color with live links.
Let us know your preference if you wish to change.
* Spring is officially here! Baseball season has
started, and summer plans are in the works. Hap-
piness reigns! Yet many people ponder “Where
am I on the scale of happiness?” What am I doing
with my life?” “How can I be happy when hearing loss perme-
ates my entire being?”
If you are among those asking such questions, consider your-
selves fortunate. There is a place for you to find answers and
support. Whatever pain hearing loss causes, discovering and
connecting with HLAA folks can bring increased hope. With-
out hope, little is left with which to answer the questions
above. Happiness is reached through a combination of circum-
stance, and physical and mental attributes. HLAA helps by
giving you options, by showing how you can improve your life
with a hearing loss, and, importantly, by bringing you into
contact with other people with hearing loss. People need peo-
ple. No one has to be alone with hearing loss.
Observers, over the years, have noted that what we do for
ourselves dies with us, but what we do for others remains and
continues to grow. Everyone wins when we get together to
talk, to learn, and to share our experiences.
*With credits to Howard E. “Rocky” Stone, Founder of HLAA
“An Invisible Condition; The Human Side of Hearing Loss”
HLAA Fox Valley Chapter’s HOPE subgroup provides a forum
where you can ask questions you may be hesitant to ask else-
where. H.O.P.E. meets on the 4th Thursday at UUF from 1-3 PM.
The next meeting is April 25th.
We hope to see you there!
Nancy Gilbertson is the facilitator and chair of
Fox Valley Chapter’s H.O.P.E. Group. She can be
reached at: [email protected]
2019 Chapter Program Calendar
April 8: Hearing Assistive Technology & How to Get It
May 13: Cochlear Implant Surgery Option in Green Bay
June 10: Things You Should Know About ID Theft & Scams
July 8: Summer Social at Appleton Yacht Club
August 12: Confused About How to Get Hearing Help?
September 9: Advances in Hearing Aids from an Audiologist
October 14: Mysteries of Meniere’s Disease Panel
November 11: To Be Determined
November 15 & 16 HLAA-WI State Conference in Appleton
This newsletter serves as our meeting notice. Feel free to con-
tact any of us if you have questions. Cochlear Implant Discussion Group Meeting...
The next meeting of the CI Discussion Group will be held at Neenah Festival Foods upstairs meeting room on April 15th. This group is NOT brand specific. Anyone with a cochlear implant is invited. If you or someone you care about is considering a CI, and would like to know more from people who have them, you are wel-
come to join us! We may not have ‘all the answers’, but together we have a lot of experiences to share!
See you there!
Rhonda Clancey, CI Group Chairperson
NOTE: The meeting room is above the deli. Elevator is available.
HLAA is a membership organization. As an HLAA
member, you are part of an organization with a mission to
provide information, education, support and advocacy to
people with hearing loss. Through our advocacy work at
the federal level, we represent 48 million people with
hearing loss in the United States – that includes you.
Individual $35 Family/Couple $45 Student $20
Dues can be paid online: www.hearingloss.org We do not
have chapter dues, but encourage national membership.
Our meetings are open to anyone interested in learning.