Volume 29, Number 6

COVER STORY 10 “This Kid is Intense”—Meet Washington Redskins NFL Player Reed Doughty By Barbara Kelley NFL starting strong safety talks about football, family, and his own hearing loss.

TECHNOLOGY Page 10 16 On Your Mark, Get Set, Hear! By Brad Ingrao Uncover strategies for living an athletic life with hearing loss.

TRAVEL 20 Flight 309 is Now Boarding From Another Gate By Lise Hamlin Learn about HLAA’s work to make air travel more accessible for people with hearing loss and how you can help.

MEDICAL Page 18 26 Ear Pressure and Flying By Yuri Agrwal Have you ever taken off in a plane and landed with no hearing? Here is what you can do about it.

WIRELESS 28 Bluetooth® and Hearing Aids: Ready for Prime Time? By Mark Ross People with hearing loss want to know if they can use a cell phone Page 20 with a Bluetooth® connection. Here is the answer.

TIPS 46 Holiday Madness By Arlene Romoff Here are seven communication tips to get you through the noise of the season. Hearing Loss Magazine (ISSN 1090-6215) is published bimonthly by the Hearing Loss Association of America, 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 1200, Bethesda, Maryland 20814. Annual Membership Dues are: USA—Individual DEPARTMENTS $35, Family $45, Professional $60, Student $20, Libraries & Nonprofit Organization $50, Corporate $300. Canadian and 6 From the Executive Director’s Desk By Brenda Battat overseas memberships are also available. Members receive a complimentary copy of Hearing Loss Magazine. Single copies of Hearing Loss Magazine are available to non-members for 8 From the Editor By Barbara Kelley a $5.25 shipping and handling charge. 18 Corporate Member Guest Column By Steve Largent Opinions expressed in articles appearing in Hearing Loss Magazine are those of the author. Mention of goods or servic- es in articles or advertisements does not mean Hearing Loss 31 Instant Messages Association of America endorsement, nor should exclusion suggest disapproval. Manuscripts, photographs and artwork 32 President’s Message By Michael Stone are welcome for review. Request the “Authors’ Guidelines” from the Editor or view them on www.hearingloss.org. The Hearing Loss Association of America cannot be held 32 2008 Hearing Loss Association of America Donors responsible for loss or damage of unsolicited materials. Letters of Hearing Loss Magazine interest may be published unless the writer requests otherwise. All rights reserved. No 42 Hearing Loss Association of America Chapters part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission of Hearing Loss Association of America. ©2008 The Hearing Loss Association of America. COVER: Reed Doughty, Washington Redskins NFL player. Photograph by Cindy Dyer. Postmaster: Send address changes to Hearing Loss Magazine, 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 1200, Bethesda, MD 20814. FOUNDER Howard E. “Rocky” Stone (1925-2004) i>Àˆ˜}ÊœÃà In 1979, Rocky Stone founded the organization ÊÊÊÊ
ÃÜVˆ>̈œ˜ as Self Help for Hard of Hearing People (SHHH). œvÊ
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The thinking behind the self-help philosophy for SHHH was to enhance 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 1200 each of us as human beings. Hearing loss was an important but second- Bethesda, MD 20814 ary consideration. Once we accept responsibility for ourselves, we have 301/657-2248 Voice to learn to love ourselves, and then, each other. —Rocky Stone 301/657-2249 TTY 301/913-9413 Fax Contributors www.hearingloss.org [email protected]

Yuri Agrawal, M.D., is an otolaryngology resident at Johns Hopkins University School The Hearing Loss Association of America is the of Medicine in Baltimore, MD. nation’s foremost membership and advocacy organization for people with hearing loss. Hearing Brenda Battat is executive director, Hearing Loss Association of America. Loss Association of America opens the world of communication to people with hearing loss through Reed Doughty is an NFL player for the Washington Redskins. information, education, support and advocacy. The national support network includes the Washington, Lise Hamlin is director of public policy and state development, Hearing Loss D.C., area office, 14 state organizations, and 200 local chapters. Our clear, straightforward message Association of America. has changed the lives of thousands of people: Hearing loss is a daily challenge you can overcome. Brad Ingrao, Au.D., is director of audiology at the Canadian Sensory Institute You do not have to hide your hearing loss. You do in British Columbia. not have to face hearing loss alone. Steve Largent is president and CEO of CTIA–The Wireless Association. Executive Director Brenda Battat Barbara Kelley is deputy executive director and editor-in-chief of Hearing Loss Magazine. Deputy Executive Director Arlene Romoff is an HLAA member from Saddle River, New Jersey. Editor-in-Chief Barbara Kelley Mark Ross, Ph.D., is an audiologist and associate at the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) at Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C. Director of Development & Education Christopher T. Sutton Michael Stone is president of the HLAA Board of Trustees. Director of Member Services & Chapter Development For advertising information, contact Christopher Sutton at [email protected]. Toni Barrient Director of Public Policy BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEDICAL ADVISORS TECHNICAL ADVISORS & State Development Judith Harkins, Ph.D. Michael Stone, D.C. Paul Hammerschlag, M.D. Lise Hamlin Gallaudet University President New York University Medical Center Mead Killion, Ph.D. Director of Events & Operations Jeannette Kanter, NY John W. House, M.D. Etymotic Research Vice President House Ear Institute/Clinic Nancy Macklin Harry Levitt, Ph.D. Deb Charlea Baker, VT Michael D. Seidman, M.D. RERC, Gallaudet University National Walk4Hearing Manager Secretary Henry Ford Hospital EDUCATION/CHILDREN’S Ronnie Adler Peter Fackler, NY MENTAL HEALTH/ ISSUES ADVISORS Web Designer Treasurer REHABILITATION ADVISOR Carol Flexer, Ph.D. Susan Parras Brenda Battat, ex-officio Samuel Trychin, Ph.D. University of Akron Francis Beecher, FL Financial Services Coordinator & Controller AUDIOLOGY ADVISORS Julia Davis, Ph.D. Kathy Borzell, FL University of Minnesota Sean Smith Teresa Burke, NM Jane R. Madell, Ph.D. PARENTS’ ISSUES ADVISOR Linda V. Bryan, OH Beth Israel Medical Center Assistant to the Controller John Flanders, Esq. David Crocker, VA Rachel Trask Paul Lurie, IL Jennifer Yeagle HEARING ASSISTIVE Vic Matsui, VA The Listening Center TECHNOLOGY ADVISOR Program Assistants Richard Melia, VA Johns Hopkins Ron Vickery Barbara Miller Steve Noroian, CA Colleen Reeping LEGAL ADVISOR CAPTIONING (CART) Anne T. Pope, NY Henry Fader Connie Savage Tommie Wells, TX ADVISOR Pepper Hamilton LLP Deanna Baker Academy Curriculum Consultant Scott J. Bally, Ph.D. ECO BOX Hearing Loss Association of America Washington, D.C., Area Office Volunteers Hearing Loss Magazine text and cover pages are printed using SFI certified Anthem Matte paper using soy ink. Billie Ahrens Jeannette Kanter • SFI certified products come from North American forests Christie Berner Linda Katz managed to rigorous environmental standards. Manell Brice Joan Kleinrock • SFI standards conserve biodiversity and protect soil and David Gayle Willie Kleppinger water quality, as well as wildlife habitats. Meyer Gordon Susan Mann • SFI forests are audited by independent experts to ensure Graphic design by Cindy Dyer/Dyer Design proper adherence to the SFI Standard. www.cindydyer.com/DyerDesignGallery • SFI participants also plant more than 650 million trees www.cindydyer.wordpress.com each year to keep these forests thriving.

By Brenda Battat When Someone Close to You Refuses to Admit They Have Trouble Hearing, What Do You Do?

An estimated 37,000 people came to the Washington, D.C. Convention Center for the AARP Life@50+ Convention, September 3-6, 2008. HLAA staff worked in shifts at the HLAA exhibit booth in the huge exhibit hall with more than 4,000 exhibits including travel, health, technology, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Hundreds of people stopped by our booth to get information about hearing loss. Some people had specific questions about hearing aids and where to get a hearing test. But, by far, the majority were family members who expressed frustration because their husbands, wives, mothers, or fathers were refusing to admit they may have some trouble hearing. They spoke of their frustration with TVs blaring, phones unanswered, not being able to hold a conversation on the phone, and having to repeat © Cindy Dyer Cindy © conversations again and again. “How do I get my wife, husband, mom, dad, to do something about their hearing loss? They refuse to admit they have From the a problem and it’s driving me crazy.” D-E-N-I-A-L Executive One of the most common reactions of people when they develop hearing loss is denial. This denial can be the result of many things but one key reason is Director’s that in our society hearing loss is seen as a sign of getting old and confused. Being hard of hearing or deaf comes with heavy historical baggage, Desk from stereotypical usage such as “deaf and dumb” to putting deaf people in institutions because they were considered uneducable. This is reinforced by the media making fun of the mistakes people make not hearing what is said. These negative associations have gelled into a stigma that has proven hard to eradicate.

Younger Adults with Hearing Loss However, there is also a positive generational component. Today younger adults are more likely to admit their hearing loss, seek help and move on. Younger adults tend to be more comfortable with technology, have grown up with disability rights laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and have never known TV without captioning. When people of any age with hearing loss find HLAA and our chapters, they let their hair down, learn self-advocacy and take advantage of technology and communication strategies that when used together, are life changing. By taking action to manage their hearing loss they in no way can be seen as old and confused—they are in the game. To learn more about hearing loss and denial and for helpful hints on what to do when someone refuses to admit they have a hearing loss, go to www.hearingloss.org.

Brenda Battat is executive director of Hearing Loss Association of America. She lives in Bethesda, Maryland, with her husband Joe. She can be reached at [email protected].

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Ins_Dynamic_8-58x11-14bl_def.indd 1 24.9.2008 17:29:11 Uhr By Barbara Kelley This November Hearing Loss Association of America begins its 30th year. A lot has changed since 1979. Today, we know that hearing loss is the third most prevalent health issue in the United States behind heart disease and arthri- tis. We also know that what was once considered a problem afflicting only older people is no longer true. With newborn hearing screening, better health care, and warnings about hearing loss due to noise exposure, younger people are recog- nizing and treating hearing loss earlier. Moreover, younger people comfortable with technology are embracing the latest to help them live well with hearing loss. In this issue we have articles on Bluetooth® as well as wireless phones.

Reed Doughty: A Lifeline You can imagine the excitement here in Bethesda about interviewing the hometown football team’s Reed Doughty. HLAA’s Director of Events Nancy Macklin has a 10-year-old son, Joseph. His goal in life is to be a Redskin. He is dead serious. He and his brother play for the Silver Spring Saints. That’s a start. Redskins Reed Doughty is one of those young adults who got help with his hearing loss and is willing to talk about it. In a matter-of-fact way, and with pun intended, he tackled his hearing loss. He knows who he is: a foot- ball player, father, husband, and yes, he happens to have a hearing loss. © Cindy Dyer Thanks to Reed and his willingness to talk about his own hearing loss, his From the Editor words will resonate to young people everywhere—and not just to those with hearing loss. His story begins on page 10.

New I Worry Too Much On the day this magazine goes to press (October 15), my nine-year-old son is Beginnings scheduled for a hearing screening. Is he not hearing or is it normal for nine-year- old boys to say “what?” all the time? After years in this field, and coming from a family with ear problems—including my own left ear drum that beats its own abnormal tune, to my father with hearing loss—I’m hyper-vigilant about hearing loss and hearing protection. We are the family who carries ear plugs in the car for concerts and fireworks. If our son, Patrick, who plays football on the Great Falls Steelers, or Joseph, who says he will be a Redskin someday, is ever diagnosed with a hearing loss, Reed becomes a lifeline for these active boys and their parents. And, he sends the message for all young people that they can do anything they dream of doing. Thank you, Reed. You have done more than you know. To our readers, authors, supporters, members, and friends, happy holidays and thank you. Let’s toast to 2009 and our new beginnings together. And, if you know a young adult with a hearing loss, pass along this issue. They’ll be glad you did.

Barbara Kelley can be reached at [email protected].

JUNE 18–21, 2009 Marking 30 Years You are invited to join HLAA in Nashville, Tennessee as it celebrates its 30th Birthday! Nashville is called the “Music City” with good reason. It has been home to the Grand Ole Opry since the 1920s and known as the Capital of Country Music ever since. Whether you hear country music calling you or the celebration of HLAA’s 30th Birthday, there’s no doubt that the place to be next June is the 1979–2009 Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee!

8 Hearing Loss Magazine HLAA CONVENTION 2009 Register to Win a WIITM Early-bird registration is now open. Members Gaylord Opryland Hotel who register for the Full-Activity Package by Dec., 31, 2008 will have their name submitted Nashville, Tennesee in a drawing for a Nintendo WiiTM. While the price of gas and food have gone up drastically June 18–21, 2009 in the past year, our registration rates remain unchanged. They are lower for the Nashville www.hearingloss.org SAVE Convention than they were for Convention THE 2007 in Oklahoma. See Convention 2009 DATE! details at www.hearingloss.org. Highlights Vinton Cerf, Ph.D., vice-president and chief Internet evangelist at Google is widely known as one of the “Fathers of the Internet.” Dr. Cerf engages audiences worldwide and will talk about technologies for accessibility.

The Deafness Research Foundation will sponsor the Research Symposium, An Update on the Latest Hair Cell Regeneration Research. New time slot: Friday morning, June 19, 2009.

New for Nashville is the addition of a track of workshops specifically for Young Adults (ages 18–35). Come one and come all to learn about social, employment, education issues, and more.

Back by popular demand is a Chapter Room which will feature a place for chapters to display their newsletters, programs and other treasures, and where chapter-related workshops will take place.

Did you know that the Grand Ole Opry is the 1979–2009 longest running radio show in history? Don’t miss this special opportunity to visit the Grand Ole Opry for a live performance on Saturday, June 20, 2009.

Just minutes from the airport and a short drive to the infamous honky-tonks in downtown Nashville, the Gaylord Opryland Resort boasts nine acres of indoor gardens, waterfalls, and an indoor river complete with its own flatboat. There are restaurants, shopping and a spa and fitness center—all under one roof.

For exhibitor or sponsorship opportunities, contact Christopher Sutton, director of development and education, at csutton@ hearingloss.org.

For more information about HLAA Convention 2009, visit www.hearingloss.org or e-mail Nancy Macklin, director of events, at [email protected]. By Barbara Kelley “This Kid is Intense!” Meet Washington Redskins NFL Player Reed Doughty

Can you smell it? Sniff harder, you’ll catch it. It’s November and football is in the air. Here in Washington, D.C., we smell football early. The hometown team, the Washington Redskins, commenced training camp in August at Redskins Park in Ashburn, Virginia, where fans flocked to see their beloved Skins at open practices. Don’t even try to keep us away. We show up in thousands. Except for one day in August. I left the thousands behind (I already had joined the thousands on Fan Appreciation Day) and met Reed Doughty on the last day of training camp. Drafted by the Washington Redskins in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft, Reed was known last year as the man who replaced Sean Taylor, Number 21, who died tragically in 2007. That was last year. This year, you can spot Reed as Number 37—the starting strong safety who is tenacious, aggressive, loves to sack the quarterback, and interrupt what the opposing offense has so carefully planned. He is known as a solid and versatile cover safety who fits in well with Washington’s aggressive defense and special teams. Doughty, 26, graduated from Northern Colorado University as the school’s first ever three-time Academic All American with a 4.0 grade point average. He is married to Katherine (Katie). They have a son, Micah, who is almost two. Doughty took time off last year from football when their son, who is now doing well, needed a kidney transplant. Giving up is not something Reed would consider. Reed and the Redskins granted Hearing Loss Magazine an inter- view to talk about his hearing loss. But, when I met Reed on August 13, his hearing loss was clearly a sidebar topic. He is first an NFL player, family man, and scholar athlete who just deals with his hear- ing loss. Knowing what he had to do, and with encouragement from Katie, he got hearing aids. His hearing loss doesn’t get in the way of the job at hand. Watch a Skins game and you’ll see what I mean. A trip to Redskins Park is an experience in itself where the staff greets you with enthusiasm and professionalism. The same enthusi- asm permeates the complex as they carefully handle and train their players. Watching Head Coach Jim Zorn at practice with the team (yes, we saw some play calling) was exciting as we waited for Number 37 to come off the field and out of the shower to meet us. Let’s go talk to Reed Doughty. You don’t have to be a Redskins fan to become a fan of Number 37.

continued on page 12 Redskins Washingtron © Don Wright,

10 Hearing Loss Magazine November/December 2008 11 Three things: toughness, Reed Doughty cont. from page 10 by. I took good notes. I’m also a visual tenacity and hard work. learner so if there was anything on the “ Hearing Loss Magazine (HLM): board I would write it down. I think I can push harder What makes you a starting safety? What attributes do you have that HLM: We know in college football and focus longer than put you in that spot? you memorized hand signals and were vigilant in all the plays. Your success Doughty: everyone else. Three things: toughness, led to your NFL career and now with tenacity and hard work. I think I can the Redskins. What is different in the push harder and focus longer than NFL as compared to college football ” everyone else. in regard to your hearing loss? HLM: Are you a hitter or a cover guy? (Editor’s note: Generally, in my armchair Doughty: The big thing with college opinion, hitters use their brawn; players was that as far as the calls were con- who cover use their speed.) cerned, it was very simple. I would just look to the sidelines; I don’t even Doughty: I like to hit, but I’m requir- think I got in the huddle. It’s hard when ed to do both. But I would rather be it’s loud, and when someone has a physical. mouthpiece in to know the difference between “sin” and “swim.” Those HLM: You mention you had hearing are different calls we have. It’s hard. ” loss as a child. Did you use hearing That was college. aids then? When is the first time you But now I have a different got hearing aids? responsibility in the NFL, so I have to rely on someone else for the call, and Doughty: The first time I used hear- that can make it difficult. [Washington ing aids was this past season at age 25. Redskins Linebacker] London Fletcher I probably had been needing them knows that if I can’t see him, I can’t get for a while. While I was growing up the call. So I just make sure that when people knew I had a hearing loss, but we’re in the huddle I have a clear line thought I could either use hearing aids, of sight and make sure I can see what or not use them. When my family life he’s saying, or ask him to give the call and school life were affected, I needed again. The worst feeling is when you to get them. I had just found a way really don’t know the call and you around them at first, but realized that can’t play fast. I think that’s the biggest it was time [to get hearing aids]. adjustment I’ve had to make. In college, we didn’t have much HLM: You were a scholar athlete at meeting time, but in the pros, we have the University of Northern Colorado so much meeting time. I think coaches with a 4.0 GPA and earned the Draddy really noticed it my first year. I think Trophy—the “Academic Heisman.” they honestly thought “this kid was How did you get through college with supposed to be smart and I’m telling the hearing loss? Did you use any him stuff and he’s not paying attention.” hearing assistive technology? They would be sitting behind me in meetings and talking and correcting Doughty: I told most of my teachers me and I wouldn’t have any clue or about it. They noticed that I listened I would just nod my head because very directly, always paying attention. I was embarrassed, and just say that I Almost so much so that they were heard what they were saying when I probably saying, “Dang, this kid is really didn’t. That’s what really led to intense.” I would sit in the front and let me getting the hearing aids because them know that I didn’t hear very well, although I can’t wear them on the but if they could enunciate, and speak field, in the meetings it really helps. in a normal voice, I’d be fine. And as long as I could see them I was okay. HLM: How are the Redskins accom- A lot of my study was hands-on modating you with the hearing loss? for the Exercise Science degree, so there Are you being proactive in asking the weren’t that many lectures. It was a lot trainers, teammates, coaches for what

© Ned Dishman, Washington Redskins © Ned Dishman, Washington more lab work and I was able to get you need to communicate? They have

12 Hearing Loss Magazine a lot invested in you and your value to the team is obvious. What do they Do you want to be cool, or do you want need to know from you and what are to live a good life? For me, it was hard some solutions that work? “growing up, getting made fun of for Doughty: My rookie year, our hearing loss or for wearing hearing aids. defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams, You just kind of let go of your pride and wanted me to get a hearing test. He wear hearing aids. I don’t really care if told me, “I think you may have some I’m not cool…I think it’s no different hearing loss,” and I was like, “Coach, than glasses. Hearing loss might I know I have hearing loss.” have a different stigma sometimes, I wouldn’t say I wasn’t forth- but I am in need of hearing © Cindy Dyer coming. I was trying to start my NFL enhancement, and career, and nobody wants limitations I’m going to wear whether it’s physical or mental or hearing aids. whatever, so I was just trying to start out on the same foot as everybody else. Coach Williams actually made me ” © Cindy Dyer get a hearing test that confirmed what I a little combination of both. My grandmother was deaf, and one of already knew. I went back to Northern I was focused and paying attention my aunts is severely hard of hearing, as Colorado University where they have but I was really looking at him to hear is my father. He taught for 35 years so a great audiology department. They what he was saying. The hearing aids I think he was my greatest support and told me it was completely up to me. I have helped me a lot, especially when inspiration. He is in his late fifties and decided I had the money to get them, another safety wants to ask me a ques- he’s doing well with hearing aids. so it definitely was a smart thing to tion about a play and he’s whispering. My mom has supported him, and do and it helped my family life a lot. I don’t do well with whispering, but the my wife, Katie, has supported me. She hearing aids help. I mean, I turn them understands me and definitely helps HLM: How have your coaches reacted up and turn them down. when I miss something. A restaurant is since they heard of the hearing loss? sometimes so annoying to me because Are they supportive? HLM: What is the most frustrating situ- I want to be able to order, but if I don’t ation for you with your hearing loss? hear the waiter or something I directly Doughty: In my rookie year, my look at her and she already knows. “He coach couldn’t really put two and two HLM: It doesn’t have to do with foot- wants french fries,” she will say. It’s together as to why I was making the ball, it has to do with my family life. kind of funny but it’s also frustrating. same mistake twice and not getting it I can wear my hearing aids during the But that’s why I like the hearing corrected. He thought he had corrected day and hear my son. We live in a tri- aids, because they allow me to take care me but I didn’t hear him correcting me. level town home. So if I’m on the bot- of her instead of my always looking to After I had told him that I was hard tom floor and he’s upstairs with my her for confirmation of what’s going of hearing, [Coach Williams] thought wife, and she calls down for me to get a on. Katie has been awesome. that it made sense. He just noticed bottle and I come up; she asks if I heard that if I didn’t acknowledge him, that her, and I say no. But now that I have HLM: What advice would you give I didn’t hear it. He would tap me on my hearing aids, it’s fine. parents whose boys want to play foot- the shoulder to make any correction But the hardest times are at night. ball? Among parents there seems to be I needed on the field. If I’m running I’m fearful that if my wife were to work two camps. One says start them early in back from a long pass, he didn’t correct nights like she used to as a nurse, I’d elementary school. The other says that me there; he waited until I got back, probably go sleep in my son’s room the early start only teaches the boys to so I could hear him. That helped a lot. because I just sleep through stuff. I be rough with little skill development, always thought I was a heavy sleeper, so don’t start them until high school. HLM: What strategies do you use in but I think it was because I didn’t meetings? In training? hear. I didn’t usually wake up during Doughty: I started playing when I was thunderstorms or when my son was seven years old. As far as it being too Doughty: Now that I wear the crying, so that’s been the hardest part. rough of a sport, it’s a game and you hearing aids in the meetings, Coach can be aggressive on the field instead Williams really noticed that everybody HLM: Who has provided the most of off. You can play hard and hit hard else would have their heads down support since you found out you had but still play the game with integrity during the meetings, and I was always hearing loss? and character. Off the field, you can watching him. He said to me, “You’re be a nice guy and help people. I don’t either super intense and focused, or Doughty: I’ve had hearing loss my think there is any correlation with being you might be reading my lips.” It was whole life, so my family has been great. continued on page 14

November/December 2008 13 Reed Doughty cont. from page 13 aggressive on the field and being a Have You Heard bully off the field. About Redskins If kids want to play, then let them Running Back play. A rule in my family is if you start Larry Brown? something then you should finish it.” Lawrence “Larry” Brown, Jr., born HLM: What advice would you give in Clairton, Pennsylvania, is a to young people who discover they former NFL player whose eight- have a hearing loss? year career was spent exclusively with the Washington Redskins Doughty: Do you want to be cool, from 1969 to 1976. or do you want to live a good life? For Brown went to four con- me, it was hard growing up, getting secutive Pro Bowls during his made fun of for hearing loss or for first four seasons and led the wearing hearing aids. You just kind of Redskins to their 1973 Super let go of your pride and wear hearing Bowl VII appearance against the aids. I don’t really care if I’m not cool. “perfect season” Miami Dolphins. I think it’s no different than glasses. Brown finished in the top five of Hearing loss might have a different the league for rushes five times, stigma sometimes, but I am in need rushing yards three times, yards of hearing enhancement, and I’m from scrimmage three times, going to wear hearing aids. If I didn’t, Redskins Washington © Don Wright, and total touchdowns twice. I would be just like someone who is a pro, and swapped hearing aid tales going to try to drive without glasses with Patrick Holkins, HLAA member, Helmet Fitted with when he needs them. summer intern at HLAA, and college Hearing Aids Have enough confidence in your- senior. Then Reed led us to the office In 1969, newly arrived Redskins self and have a support group around and gave us a box of Redskins goodies— coach Vince Lombardi noticed you. You find out who your good hats, shirts—and autographed all of that Brown, an obviously talented friends are, and they’ll help you out. them. What a way to end the day! but underperforming running HLM: How does it feel to play in back, was starting slightly late Washington, D.C., where the fans eat, Reed Doughty Injured behind the snap of the ball. Tests breathe and bleed Redskins? October 15, 2008: The report from ordered by Lombardi determined Redskins Park today is that Reed that Brown had a hearing loss Doughty: It’s fun. I don’t think they Doughty was placed on injured reserve and that he was watching for the really care about my hearing as long because of a nerve problem in his back. lineman to move rather than as I’m playing well. That’s the fun part. Head Coach Zorn said, “He still has listening to the quarterback’s And that’s how it is in life. Success isn’t some numbness in his feet and it is snap count. determined by what our limitations likely he will need surgery.” Lombardi had Brown’s are but how we get over them. Whether Such is the life of a football player helmet fitted with an ear-piece it’s hearing or not having the same who plays it rough. With the same that relayed quarterback Sonny physical ability as someone, or not toughness, tenacity, and hard work he Jurgensen’s snap counts, thus having the same mental ability, displays on the field, we expect to see improving Brown’s responsive- you just have to work harder. Reed fight back from the injury and ness, and allowing him to hit enjoy watching him play once again. the hole very quickly. Conclusion For more about Doughty, go to Brown went on to become I told Reed we didn’t want to take too www.washingtonredskins.com. one of the great running backs in much of his time. It was the last day of NFL history, with a reputation for training camp, and Reed was heading Barbara Kelley is toughness, for running hard, and home to see Katie and Micah. The deputy executive for running “much bigger” than players live at training camp for the director of Hearing his 195 lb. frame would suggest. duration and the Doughty’s live a few Loss Association of Because of his hard-churning style, miles from Redskins Park. But he just America and editor- his career was cut short due to talked to Katie, and since she wouldn’t in-chief of Hearing numerous injuries, but not be home right away, he said, “I can Loss Magazine. before establishing himself spend more time with you.” So he did. She can be reached as an NFL back of note. He showed us his hearing aids, at bkelley@ © ww.wikipedia.com

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November/December 2008 15 By Brad Ingrao

16 Hearing Loss Magazine but your hearing aid will snap, crackle trust the safety of the helmet. The The Hearing Loss Association of and pop. Then it will stop working. Oregon School Activities Association America is all about showing the world To mitigate this problem, use an specifically warns against cutting down that people with hearing loss can do absorbent sweat band on the head the padding of a football helmet. just about anything they set their minds above the hearing device. There are Second, it is highly unlikely that to. While this was always true, modern also specialty products to address you can effectively hear under a helmet technology opens doors that while this problem to some extent. designed to protect your skull. While not locked, certainly had a bit of stick The Hearing Aid Sweat Band these helmets do have ear holes, they to them in the past. (www.hearingaidsweatband.com) significantly change the way that sound As an audiologist, I get requests is a small absorbent cover for behind travels to the hearing device. all the time for creative solutions to the ear hearing aids and cochlear The scope of this article precludes the challenges of playing sports with implant processors. a detailed discussion of these effects, hearing loss. Rather than provide a Super Seals (http://www.justbekuz. but if we observe players with normal menu of solutions, this article will com/) are latex covers for hearing aids hearing, they are not doing a lot of address the larger issues hard of hear- and CIs. They are available in several talking. They use hand signals and just ing athletes face with some ideas on colors and do a good job keeping watch the flow of the game and react. how to address them. moisture off the hearing device. Two Modifying safety equipment is caveats form my experience with Super an unsafe and unnecessary risk. Distance Seals: 1) They are latex, so those with By all means, use your technology, For most sports, communication be- latex allergy or sensitivity should not including FM for meetings, pre- tween coaches and players, or between use these; and, 2) Once they are on scrimmage practice talks, etc. Just teammates, must occur at distances the device, they also trap moisture before you hit the field, however, stow much greater than the typical distance inside. Be sure to remove them after the the electronics in a safe container, of conversation (three to four feet). activity and thoroughly dry the device. suit up and play the game like all the No matter how advanced your hearing others: with your eyes, not your ears. aids or cochlear implants are, they Post-Activity Hearing still rely on ear-level microphones to Device Care The Final Stretch pick up sound and start the process of After you hit the showers, it’s import- Sports are a great way to exercise the amplification or electrical hearing. ant that you give your hearing device body and mind. Some of them are also Physics and electronics teach us some care. Wipe all parts down with great social activities. The more you that ear-level microphones work quite an absorbent cloth to remove any can describe the logistics of the sport to well up to about six feet. After that, we obvious moisture. As soon as possible, your audiologist or hearing instrument need to employ additional technologies usually that night, place them in a specialist, the better solutions you will to bring voices to our personal hear- dehumidification system. There are work out to allow you to safely enjoy ing technologies. In most sporting many product names out there, but your favorite sport. situations, personal FM systems will they fall into two categories: passive bridge the distance quite well, but and active. References the use of these may not be feasible The passive systems use a chemic- Fitting Football Helmets. White paper by during certain activities. Some of these al desiccant like silica gel to remove Oregon School Activities Association, include contact sports such as football, some moisture. Active systems create http://www.osaa.org/football/ rugby and soccer, or sports requiring heat and usually circulate the hot air sportsmedicine/FittingFootball rapid movement and projectiles such to a desiccant block. For users that are Helmets.pdf as squash, racquetball, or tennis. I’ll very active, I find the active systems address these a bit later in this article. much more effective. The product Brad Ingrao, Au.D., FM hearing assistive technology I personally prefer is the Dry and is an audiologist and may be of great benefit during sports Store (www.dryandstore.com). long time member that also contain a significant conversa- and supporter of HLAA. tional and social component, but aren’t What to Do When Sporting He has presented on terribly physical or fast. Some examples Gear Precludes Hearing Gear a variety of hearing include walking or hiking, fishing, For sports that require the use of hel- loss related topics world- bowling, golf, shuffleboard, table mets, it is impractical to wear hearing wide and his writings tennis or birding. technology during the game. Some on earmolds and tech- people have attempted to carve out nology solutions have been published in Perspiration spaces in the padding of these helmets professional and consumer publications There’s an old saying in sports and busi- to accommodate behind-the-ear hear- in the United States and abroad. ness: Never let them see you sweat. This ing aids or cochlear implant processors. He is director of audiology at the is also true with hearing devices that This is a bad idea for a few reasons. Canadian Sensory Institute in Burnaby, have moisture-sensitive parts. Your heart First, altering the padding like British Columbia. Dr. Ingrao can be loves your intense treadmill routine, this makes it impossible to know or reached at [email protected].

November/December 2008 17 CTIA–The Wireless Association is a corporate member of the Hearing Loss By Steve Largent Association of America. CTIA is the international association for the wireless telecommunications industry, dedicated to expanding the wireless frontier.

1983. What a year. As a 29-year-old in the middle of my first career as an NFL wide receiver, this was the year I thought it would happen. The Super Bowl, that is. But, as we now know, the dream fell short for the Seattle Seahawks when the Los Angeles Raiders went on to capture the prize. But 1983 proved to be significant for reasons beyond that memorable foot- ball season, and would follow me into a new career. A worldwide communica- tions revolution was launched 25 years ago when wireless telephony became a commercial service. American consumers saw meaningful value in wireless and quickly began to shape its future look, feel and purpose. Today, with more than 260 million wireless users in the United States, there’s truly something for everyone. Since I arrived at CTIA five years ago, the wireless industry has made significant progress in the development of devices for persons with disabilities. We continue to see more and more Hearing Aid Compatible (HAC) cell phones in the market- place. National carriers are currently required to offer 50 percent of their handset models per air interface with an HAC immunity rating of M3 (or higher) in their stores. Even more HAC wireless devices will be added to the lineup in 2009, as Corporate manufacturers and carriers plan to offer new models with differing functionality. When you walk into a wireless store and see numerous devices on display, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Couple this with a special need, such as Member hearing loss, and there’s an added challenge that can make searching for the right cell phone even more complicated. Guest To meet this challenge, we’ve taken a number of steps to help consumers with hearing loss better identify HAC devices. Cell phones certified by the FCC are Column labeled with the immunity rating (i.e., M3) on the packaging, and national carriers are including “call out cards” with displays to indicate whether the handset has attained HAC certification. Wireless for Everyone: Wireless companies are taking further action to simplify the process and Recent Updates in the facilitate positive customer experiences by offering live device testing in carrier operated stores. As I often say, when it comes to finding a wireless phone that fits Wireless Industry your needs, it’s important to try it before you buy it. Consumer education also plays a key role in raising awareness about wireless accessibility and compatibility. CTIA’s website, www.AccessWireless.org, is a great tool for consumers to find the latest HAC updates, share information, and link to other websites that provide resources on services and devices for persons with disabilities. The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) has done a terrific job in educating the wireless industry about the telecommunications needs of consumers with hearing loss. We look forward to continue working with HLAA in the effort to ensure that every American has access to and can benefit from all that wireless has to offer. So, what can consumers expect to see 25 years from now? The sky’s the limit. Believe me…the best is yet to come.

Steve Largent is president and CEO of CTIA–The Wireless Association. www.AccessWireless.org

For information about HLAA’s Corporate Membership Program, visit www. hearingloss.org, click on “Membership,” or contact Christopher T. Sutton at [email protected] or 301.657.2248.

18 Hearing Loss Magazine

Flight 309 is Now Boarding From a Different Gate Airline Travel for People with Hearing Loss: What You Can Do Now

By Lise Hamlin

20 Hearing Loss Magazine If you have a hearing loss, you reluctant to venture to the restroom One member let us know know what it’s like to be sitting for fear of missing those visual she was so stressed at the on the edge of your seat, wonder- clues that would let her know when her plane was boarding. Another airport she was reluctant to ing just what the last announce- commented that it made a world of venture to the restroom for ment was and what the next one difference when her hearing husband fear of missing those visual will be. A page for a passenger? accompanied her on flights: she A gate change? A boarding call? could relax knowing her husband clues that would let her The Hearing Loss Association would alert her to every important know when her plane of America works at the national announcement as it was being made, was boarding. that she would not need to depend on level to impact public policy that overtaxed airline personnel who may benefits our members and all people or may not remember to notify her. • Checking and claiming of luggage with hearing loss. Here is the latest So, what do the rules say and • Aircraft changes work on airline travel. what can we do to make air travel • Safety briefings presented to less stressful for us all? passengers on airlines • Warnings to passengers to use the According to the United States Air Carriers Act and DOT restrooms more than half an hour Department of Transportation (DOT), The Air Carrier Access Act prohibits before arrival U.S. airlines carried 272 million discrimination by U.S. and foreign air domestic passengers on 3.9 million carriers on the basis of disability. The The rules also state that services flights during the first five months of Department of Transportation (DOT) animals must be permitted to accom- 2008. There is no question in my mind has issued rules defining the rights pany an individual with a disability, that many of those passengers have a of passengers and the obligations of and the carrier must allow the travel- hearing loss. air carriers under this law. They also er to sit in any seat on the airplane Recently, HLAA Executive Director unless the animal obstructs the aisle By Lise Hamlin issued new rules that will come into Brenda Battat sent an e-mail to HLAA effect in 2009. or emergency exit. members talking about our work to DOT rules apply to the conduct of make air travel more accessible to air carrier personnel (e.g., pilots, flight HLAA Comments people with hearing loss. She wrote: attendants, gate agents or check-in and Objections counter personnel). They do not apply HLAA filed comments with the “When it comes to air travel people to federal security screeners who are DOT regarding these regulations. with hearing loss struggle: inaccessible covered by rules of the Department We requested DOT make the rules airports, announcements and in-flight of Homeland Security (DHS), Trans- stronger creating greater accessibility entertainment systems that are not portation Security Agency (TSA). for passengers with hearing loss across captioned and communicating with They also do not apply to parts of the the board. When DOT published the agents in noisy airports make travel airport terminal itself, such as retail revised rules that will become effective more difficult, if not impossible for stores that are covered under the ADA. May 2009, they did not accept all our most of us.” The rules at this point are fairly suggestions for change. simple. They say that air carriers must DOT did clarify the rule, indicat- It was clear after that e-mail went ensure that people who have a hearing ing that “timely access” to informa- out that we had hit a nerve. People loss have timely access to information tion should mean “prompt access” to with hearing loss found a voice for that the carriers provide to other information provided to all other their concerns and complaints about passengers. You must identify yourself passengers. However, the requirement accessible air travel, sending us tales as a person with a hearing loss who for prompt access will cover only the of missed connections, uncooperative needs the information. Personnel can gates, ticketing areas and customer airline personnel and in general, provide access themselves, by alerting service desks. Information about stressful travel. Air travel is a hot you to the changes, or the airline can baggage must be given no later than button issue for many people with use alternative formats, such as visual when it is transmitted to all other hearing loss. And we can see why. messaging. Examples of what must passengers. If you have a hearing loss, you be provided include information We do hope that change will know what it’s like to be sitting on concerning: make a difference to consumers. We the edge of your seat, wondering just are concerned that someone who does what the last announcement was and • Ticketing not know that an announcement was what the next one will be. A page • Flight delays made because they never heard it will for a passenger? A gate change? • Schedule changes not be able to let DOT know whether A boarding call? • Connections or not these events were timely, One member let us know she • Flight check-in prompt or not at all. was so stressed at the airport she was • Gate assignments continued on page 22 November/December 2008 21 Airline Travel When DOT does not see complaints, they believe all is continued from page 21 well, that people are getting what they need. From our perspective, silence is not golden. We need DOT to hear, Does Identifying Yourself Work? loud and clear, all is not well. We need you to tell DOT HLAA objected to the requirement when you are getting late information, wrong information, for self-identification because we find it often results in failure of or no information, even after you have self-identified. transmission of any information at all. DOT rejected our arguments Tell DOT All is Not Well When you come home, you saying, “requiring simultaneous visual If we are going to see changes in can fill out the official DOT form by transmission of the information along airline accessibility, we must do visiting the DOT web page at http:// with each and every public–address the work ourselves. When we airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/forms/ announcement would saddle carriers succeed in getting access, we’ll 382form.pdf. You can send this with undue costs.” know it was our own hard work form directly to DOT: HLAA believes those kinds of that made it happen. displays would benefit everyone. Not HLAA will continue to work with U.S. Department of only would it provide information to DOT to press our issues and raise Transportation people with hearing loss, but it could concerns about accessibility. But we Aviation Consumer Protection provide information to people who can’t do it alone. At our last meeting Division, C-75-D arrive after a gate change, hearing or with DOT it was clear that they are 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. not. We are disappointed the new not receiving enough consumer Washington, D.C. 20590 rules do not require visual display complaints directly. We found out of information. that the air carriers are not required When you send in your com- We were also disappointed to to provide copies of complaints to plaint, send a copy to me (lhamlin@ learn DOT did not rule on in-flight DOT, just the numbers. DOT will hearingloss.org or to the HLAA access. Entertainment and informa- see, for example, the number of postal address). Or, if you have any tion, not to mention on board an- baggage complaints or the number of trouble at all, HLAA will help you nouncements such as connecting complaints related to service animals, file your complaint. flight information, is all inaccessible but they won’t know if an individual to people with a hearing loss. When was forced to move to another seat Lise Hamlin is director DOT presented the new rules, they because airline personnel wrongly of public policy and told us they did not have enough thought all service animals must state development. information on in-flight video be seated at the bulkhead. She joined the staff in © Cindy Dyer technology to draft rules that would When DOT does not see April this year after require airlines to include captioning complaints, they believe all is well, being a long-time for the videos presented. that people are getting what they advocate and HLAA We know such technology exists need. From our perspective, silence Board member. She and in fact has been installed in is not golden. We need DOT to hear, formerly worked at the airplanes owned by United Arab loud and clear, all is not well. We League for the Hard of Hearing and most Emirates. If they have installed it, need you to tell DOT when you recently, the Northern Virginia Resource clearly the technology is available. are getting late information, wrong Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing We also know that WGBH-TV has information, or no information, Persons. Lise lives in Rockville, Mary- been working on technical standards even after you have self-identified. land, and can be reached at lhamlin@ to provide DOT the information they hearingloss.org. need and, in fact, have a grant to How to File a Complaint work on finding out just that kind of HLAA has created a form that you can information. Visit http://ncam.wgbh. take with you to the airport the next org/ife/index.html. time you fly to make it easy to file The good news is that DOT complaints with DOT. That form did not close the door to receiving can be found on the HLAA website technical information on in-flight at www.hearingloss.org. Go to the entertainment. They expect to offer Advocacy link. If you don’t get the a supplemental notice of proposed information even after you’ve identi- rulemaking in 2009 to address the fied yourself as a person with hear- issue of access to in-flight videos. ing loss and you have asked to be 1979–2009 We look forward to the opportunity notified, use the form to write down to provide the information they need the who, what, when, where, why Join us in Nashville for Convention 2009. Details at www.hearingloss.org. to require in-flight captioning. and how.

22 Hearing Loss Magazine HearingLossFall08_Final 10/3/08 3:19 PM Page 1

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Have you ever taken off on a flight only to land with decreased or no hearing? This condition is known as aerotitis media, or otic barotrauma. Here is what you can do about it.

By Yuri Agrawal

26 Hearing Loss Magazine Ear Pressure and Flying

We’ve all experienced the sensa- because this can cause ear damage. That way you can keep ahead of tion of having pressure build up in If we don’t actively equilibrate cabin the pressure change by swallowing, our ears during the first part of an and middle ear pressures during de- yawning, chewing or performing airplane flight. This is an inevitable scent then the pressure differential can the Valsalva maneuver. side effect of moving up quickly grow so large that the Eustachian tube through the atmosphere. As the may not be able to open. This pres- Other Help plane gains altitude, the cabin pres- sure imbalance can persist for days, or Beyond these precautions, there sure decreases while the pressure in even weeks, and the resulting pressure are also some mechanical aids that our middle ear stays the same. This on the eardrum can cause ear pain, have been reported to help avoid the leads to a feeling of fullness or pres- pressure, ringing and hearing loss. problem, such as earplugs with a flex- sure against the inside of the eardrum Doctors refer to this condition ible membrane that slow down the that only goes away when the pressure as aerotitis media, or otic (ear) baro- buildup of pressure gradients between inside the ear decreases to match that trauma. Ear barotrauma is temporary the middle ear and the outside world of the cabin. in most cases, and tends to resolve (e.g., EarPlanes). Those of us who don’t like the on its own as the pressure gradient If you do develop symptoms feeling of pressure inside our ears can dissipates gradually. of ear barotrauma (ear pain, pres- relieve this sensation by swallowing, Very rarely, flying can cause per- sure, or hearing loss) after flying, yawning, or chewing. This works be- manent damage, if pressure gradients you can try the Valsalva maneuver cause moving our faces in these ways involving the middle ear are transmit- or use nasal decongestants. If your opens up our Eustachian tube—the ted to the inner ear. Symptoms of symptoms (particularly hearing channel that connects our middle ear inner ear involvement include dizzi- loss) persist for over 24 hours, you to the outside world. When the Eusta- ness, vertigo, ringing and hearing loss. should call your doctor who may chian tube opens, pressure equalizes Ear barotrauma is a condition that want to examine your ears and get and we lose that unpleasant feeling affects both people with and without a hearing test. In certain cases, your inside our ear. hearing loss. doctor may recommend surgically When you’re going up in a plane However, it may matter more for placing a hole in your eardrum (with it isn’t really necessary to swallow, people with hearing loss because any or without a tube) which can hasten yawn or chew. High-pressure air can additional decline in hearing (even if pressure equalization and relieve flow passively out of the middle ear it’s temporary) can become a serious symptoms. through the Eustachian tube, so you’ll issue for overall hearing and commu- It’s worth doing what you can to comfortably equilibrate even if you nication. avoid ear barotrauma because it can sleep through the entire ascent. be a great inconvenience while it lasts, What Can Be Done to and, in rare cases lead to permanent Landing is the Hard Part Avoid the Problem? damage. On the way down things aren’t so easy. First, try to avoid flying when you When the plane descends the cabin have a cold or allergies: congestion Yuri Agrawal, M.D., is pressure increases, so we need to let makes it more difficult to open the an otolaryngology resi- some air into the middle ear to even Eustachian tube either actively or dent at Johns Hopkins things out. Air flow into the middle ear passively. If you do have to fly when University School of doesn’t occur passively; rather we need congested, use a decongestant nasal Medicine in Baltimore, to actively open the tube by swallow- spray (such as oxymetazoline) 30 Maryland. ing, yawning, or chewing. minutes before take-off and again We can also actively open the 30 minutes before starting the de- Eustachian tube by performing the Val- scent. In fact, some recommend using salva maneuver (i.e., pinching our nos- a nasal decongestant as a preventive trils, closing our mouth and blowing), measure even if one is not congested. which increases the pressure inside our You can also use an oral medi- For More Information head and pushes air through the Eusta- cation like Ibuprofen for relief of on Ear Barotrauma chian tube into the middle ear. generalized head congestion just American Hearing Research Of note, one should not perform prior to take-off. Second, it’s a good Foundation website the Valsalva maneuver too forcibly idea to stay awake during descent. www.american-hearing.org/

November/December 2008 27 When I was growing up in New York City, it was not uncommon to see someone having an animated conver- sation, apparently with himself since no conversational partner could be observed. It was rather a strange sight, but since the people doing this were generally harmless (except perhaps to themselves) they were basically ignored as they walked and talked. In my recent visits to New York, I see the same apparent phenomenon —only multiplied a thousand fold. On just about any street in midtown Manhattan, there are people walking and talking, apparently to themselves, seemingly oblivious to their surround- ings. Upon close examination, how- ever, they all have one thing in com- mon: a Bluetooth® receiver sticking out of their ears. It is clear that they are talking to a real human being, using a cell phone with a hands-free arrangement; no one categorizes them Bluetooth®Bluetooth® andand as having some sort of psychological problem (at least on this basis!). HearingHearing Aids:Aids: People with hearing loss want to know if they too can use a cell phone, ReadyReady forfor in the same cool and convenient manner, with a Bluetooth® connection. The answer is that they can, but not in PrimePrime Time?Time? the exact same way. Although hands- By Mark Ross free connection can be made, it is not Hearing aid quite as easy to do as it is for someone wearers and with normal hearing, at least not cochlear implant presently. users want to Bluetooth® Background know if they can Bluetooth® came by that strange use Bluetooth® name just about ten years ago when a connections in the con-sortium of electronic companies, same cool and mainly from Scandinavia, joined convenient manner forces to agree on a common wireless as everyone else. protocol. The term refers to an ancient Nordic king named Harald Bluetooth who united many tribes in a single kingdom. Essentially, this is what the Blue- tooth® operation does; it wirelessly connects (unites) all sorts of electronic devices. It does this by transmitting a detailed set of operating instructions from one electronic component to another. The information is coded so that the transmitted signal is received only by an intended receiver. Early examples of Bluetooth® operation were between various computer components, later extended 28 Hearing Loss Magazine to cell phones and a host of other The term Bluetooth refers candidate for this use of Bluetooth® devices. Among its advantages is its low is someone who is a habitual user power and limited transmission range; to an ancient Nordic king of both an FM system and a cell this helps ensure an interference-free named Harald Bluetooth phone; for example, a person who signal that can be received only by the routinely keeps the FM microphone intended recipient of the message. who united many tribes in dangling on a strap around his or her a single kingdom. Essentially, neck. So, with this procedure, while But What About Us? a “hands-free” connection to a cell For hearing aid users, the major this is what the Bluetooth® phone can indeed be made, it can potential advantage of Bluetooth® at operation does; it wirelessly be done only by relaying the phone this time lies in the distortion-free call via an FM transmission to the access it can provide to cell phone connects (unites) all sorts hearing aid. communications. While there are of electronic devices. The other Bluetooth® compatible other electronic sound signal outputs device offered by the Phonak Com- that can be accessed via a Bluetooth® is no longer being made and marketed. pany is its iCom communication receiver (e.g., an MP3 player, TV, Evidently ELI was not yet ready for interface. This is designed to be computer, etc.), right now the poten- “prime time.” As well as it worked, it suspended around the neck with tial application with cell phones was not adopted by enough people a cord that doubles as an antenna. seems the most pertinent. to make it an economically viable As with any Bluetooth® device, it is In spite of the many advances in product. People who now possess the first necessary to pair and connect wireless communication and hearing ELI or the ELI neckloop (into which the intended transmitter and receiver, aids (in part because of the advocacy the ELI module is plugged) can still in this example the cell phone with efforts by HLAA), the quality of the realize a hands-free arrangement while the iCom. verbal signals heard through hearing using their cell phones, but the current Calls are routed from the cell aids may still be contaminated by generation of this product line is being phone to the iCom via Bluetooth®, various sorts of interference (ambient phased out. which translates the incoming electromagnetic noise, sound fluctua- message into discrete channels, one tions caused by hearing aid positional Phonak’s Smart-Link and iCom for each ear. This provides a true changes, etc.). The Phonak Company has two entries binaural signal, unlike that received Then, too, hands-free conversation, in the Bluetooth® market. The first is via an FM system. The iCom will which would be a major convenience the Smart-Link FM microphone/ only work with Phonak’s Exélia and for some hearing aid users (besides just transmitter, which has included Naída instruments since only these looking “cool”), is not possible with Bluetooth capability from the time hearing aids contain the necessary the conventional use of a cell phone. of its introduction some four years coil to pick up the message broad- Hence, the interest in Bluetooth® ago. Pairing and connecting the cast by the iCom antenna. technology by hearing aid companies. transmitter to a compatible cell The iCom employs what is They have identified a need and it is in phone (one that also includes termed “near-field magnetic induc- their business interest to fill that need. Bluetooth® capability) is a straight- tion” (NFMI) to deliver the signal, A few manufacturers have responded to forward process (or so I’m told!). via the neckloop, to a special digital this challenge, each in their own way. When a cell phone is paired to the coil located within the hearing aids. Smart-Link, incoming calls will first be This coil is not to be confused with ELI from Starkey transmitted (via a Bluetooth® signal) to the traditional telecoil, which these Several years ago, the Starkey Com- the Smart-Link which then retransmits hearing aids also contain. pany marketed the ELI, a “miniature” the incoming call (via an FM radio Both the Phonak products, (about one inch) Bluetooth® receiver signal) to hearing aids that incorporate the Smart-Link and the iCom, are that could be plugged into the base of FM capability. basically relay devices, in which the a behind-the-ear hearing aid. With it, There is a possibility that this phone message has to be retrans- one could directly connect to a remote double transformation—from the mitted to the hearing aids using a cell phone (in a purse or on one’s belt, phone to the Smart-Link and thence third device. While they will provide for example) and carry on a distortion- to the hearing aids—may affect the the goal of a hands-free connection, free telephone conversation. It was quality of the telephone message, but they are still not as convenient as (and is) the only device that permitted we don’t really know. Generally, the Bluetooth® use for someone with a direct electrical connection to a fewer transformations a signal has to normal hearing. hearing aid from a Bluetooth® receiver. undergo, the better. I tried it myself and I thought it Because of the limited range of a Oticon’s “Streamer” worked well. However, I have recently Bluetooth® transmission, in order for Another example of a relay (or learned that the ELI (along with a phone call to connect to the Smart- gateway) device is being offered by two companion products, a remote Link the two devices must be in close Oticon, Inc. using what is termed Bluetooth® transmitter and a neckloop) proximity. Therefore, the most likely continued on page 30 November/December 2008 29 Bluetooth® and NZ-BEETLE H-2ST and the MAXIT in our society now, and is a proven Hearing Aids Bluetooth® Loopset. technology for normal-hearing people, Each of these will also permit its use by people with hearing loss continued from page 29 a hands-free connection to a cell seems just a bit too involved. phone by using a relay arrangement. What hearing aid users would a “streamer.” Like the iCom, the Incoming calls are detected by the like is to have Bluetooth® capability streamer serves to pair and connect Bluetooth® receiver (located at the hub incorporated within the body of the intended transmitter with the of the neckloop), and retransmitted their hearing aids. While there has proposed receiver (a cell phone is to the hearing aid telecoils via been significant progress in the mini- the primary example in this article). the neckloop. The inclusion of a aturization and power reduction Both the streamer and the iCom traditional neckloop and telecoils requirements of the Bluetooth® appear to employ similar procedures does increase the possible exposure chip, it is still not at this point. and concepts. The streamer is worn to electromagnetic interference and Minus this development, with- around the neck, with the neckloop movement effects, but the upside is out direct access to the cell phone serving as the antenna, which that this arrangement is much less (or any audio output), I question transmits a near-field magnetic- expensive than the three examples the economic viability of any relay induction signal to binaural Epoq described above. arrangement. Not only is it more hearing aids. This does not involve costly, but it is less convenient. With traditional inductive coupling that What hearing aid users this development, perhaps the dreams requires the use of telecoils, thus would like is to have articulated by the BluEar Assistive Listening Consortium (described by eliminating exposure to possible Bluetooth® capability electromagnetic interference. Drs. Jerry Yanz and David Preves in the incorporated within the November 2007 issue of The Hearing Siemen’s TEK body of their hearing aids. Journal) could finally be realized: The last entry (that I am aware of) access, through a common channel in the Bluetooth® “relay” market is While not explicitly designated for that would pick up sound emanating the TEK device, that is offered by use by people with hearing loss, the from any sound source. Siemens Hearing Instruments. As SD-SM100 Bluetooth® receiver does with the Phonak and Oticon offer- include an amplifier and, reportedly, Mark Ross, Ph.D., ings, this unit is designed to work can simultaneously be used as a is an audiologist with the latest, most technologically listening aid by some people with a and associate at sophisticated hearing aids. These mild or mild-to-moderate hearing the Rehabilitation © Cindy Dyer are hearing aids that can wirelessly loss. It looks like the usual Bluetooth® Engineering Research connect to one another as well as receiver worn by normal-hearing Center (RERC) at to the relay device. people. However, it also includes an Gallaudet University. The TEK is also suspended environmental listening mode with He was awarded around the neck and retransmits a three levels of amplification for use the HLAA Lifetime message via Bluetooth® from a cell when not talking on the phone. Achievement Award phone to the hearing aids. It should This is not a hearing aid and I in June 2008. He be emphasized that the TEK and would not advise someone to use it and his wife, Helen, live in Storrs, the other relay devices all include as such, but it can be convenient for Connecticut. To find more Dr. Ross capabilities to receive and retransmit someone with a hearing loss who articles on technology for consumers, signals from other audio outputs spends a lot of time on the phone. In go to www.hearingresearch.org. besides cell phones. this instance, I would advise the use of This article is supported in part by a custom earmold, which can fit on the GRANT #H133E030006 from the U.S. Checking a Catalog nub of the Bluetooth® receiver. It also Department of Education, NIDRR, to All four of the examples given above includes a listening mode that permits Gallaudet University. The opinions can provide a hands-free connection binaural listening with a receiver in expressed herein are those of the to cell phones, but only through each ear, naturally, at double the cost author and do not necessarily reflect some sort of relay device. All are (though this device is the least expens- those of the Department of Education. similar in that the traditional tele- ive of the ones described above). coil is not being used, presumably Coming Next Issue to reduce possible interference from In Mark’s Opinion Mark Ross answers the most electromagnetic noise. My own assessment of the current frequently-asked question of all In the latest HARC catalog (other state of Bluetooth® utilization by time—“What is the best hearing aid? vendors may also carry these devices), people with hearing loss is that there Is there a Consumers Reports-type chart two additional Bluetooth®-compatible is less there than meets the eye. While where we can compare hearing aids receiver/neckloops are listed: the Bluetooth® is one of the buzzwords on the market?

30 Hearing Loss Magazine Instant Messages

Captioning Provider Directory or e-mail cart@ across the country, leaving thousands Are you frustrated by a captioning ncrahq.org. of kids with many problems includ- issue? Go to www.captionsON.com ing hearing loss. to learn what to do. Captioned Videos The local school system (Mont- Member Patrick Holkins, Cambridge, gomery County) had a program for ADA Amendment Act Passes Massachusetts, tells us about a few deaf children. The only other option Both Houses of Congress noteworthy sites: was the Maryland School for the The U.S. Senate expressed overwhelm- For fans of The Office, Heroes, and Deaf, a residential program which ing bipartisan support for the Ameri- other popular NBC programs, check taught only sign language, not our cans with Disabilities Amendments out http://www.nbc.com/Shows/. choice. I believed there had to be a Act (ADA AA) by unanimously pass- Many, but not all, of the listed way to reach these children with the ing the bill by voice vote on September programs for which NBC has posted technology that was around then. 11, 2008. The bill included over 77 full episodes are close captioned. I also came up with an audio bipartisan co-sponsors. While the captions are not displayed loop which I wrapped around the The bill went to the Senate floor on the same screen as the video, but, den and attached to the TV and an after it was passed overwhelmingly rather, on a side screen, it’s not too amplifier. Our daughter told her by the U. S. House of Representatives difficult to follow along. teachers in school about the system. in late June, and has enjoyed wide Second, WGBH provides an They wanted to see it and they pur- support on both sides of the aisle, as impressive amount of high-quality, chased a number of them. Founder well as among employers, civil rights captioned content on their accessible Rocky Stone, who was beginning and disability advocates, who have media page: http://main.wgbh.org/ SHHH (now HLAA) at that time, formed an uncommon alliance wgbh/access/accesswebcast.html. wanted to see it. He loved it, wanted around the legislation. I was particularly excited to find a one for his meetings, and also carried The ADA Amendments Act will link on the main multimedia page to it in a suitcase around the country. As correct narrow court interpretations several years’ worth of PBS Frontline a result, some SHHH groups around that have restricted ADA coverage episodes, all of which are close cap- the country purchased it. It ended in the workplace, and taken away tioned (click the yellow CC button up in local churches and around the coverage for individuals with diabetes, at the bottom of the flash player). elephant at the Smithsonian, and epilepsy, serious heart conditions, Last, Project Read-On (www. was the first one in the House of mental disabilities, and cancer. The projectreadon.com) is a non-profit Representatives. act will also clarify responsibilities organization which, admirably, has From your article and website, for employers. taken on the colossal task of making it seems numerous companies have HLAA Executive Director Brenda online media accessible one captioned developed all kinds of loops. Let’s Battat commented: “This legislation video at a time. While their existing hope, as you say, if they build it, will go a long way to make it clear that collection is modest, it’s much more they will come. under the ADA, people with hearing tasteful than what you’ll find through Desmond Carron loss can use their hearing aids and YouTube or Google Video. Bethesda, Maryland assistive listening devices on the job Happy viewing! to help them be active and involved employees. We thank the Senate for Letter from a Reader Editor’s Note acting on this important bill.” My wife and I read with great Many people write to us ask- interest David Myer’s article, “We’ve ing what technology is best in Caption in Real Time Looped Michigan” (Hearing Loss certain situations. In a future Do you know someone who needs Magazine, September/October 2008). issue an expert will cover all a CART provider? The NCRA Online Our daughter, Kathleen, was born three technologies—FM, Infrared, CART Provider Directory makes profoundly deaf in September 1964 and audio induction loop—and it easier for consumers and CART as a result of the German measles suggest which systems are ideal providers to locate qualified providers. epidemic which traveled from Europe for specific situations. For more information, visit the CART to America in 1964-65, and marched

November/December 2008 31 By Michael Stone Hearing Loss Association of America Donors While we believe that this list is to be as accurate as possible, we regret any possible errors or omissions that have occurred. Corporate and Mrs. Virginia Carr Foundation Donors Mrs. Betty Coombs Mr. Bob Davies Diamond ($45,000 and above) Mr. Frankie R. West-Davis Advanced Bionics Corporation Ms. Nancy A. Dietrich Ms. Marcia B. Dugan Platinum ($44,999–$20,000) Ms. Pamela Foody Aetna Foundation Ms. Laura L. Freeman AT&T Ms. Brenda R. Gardner Cochlear Americas Mr. and Mrs. Nolan Ginn T-Mobile Ms. Andrea Grohman Mrs. Joan M. Haber Gold ($19,999–$10,000) Mrs. Winnie M. Hargis CTIA-The Wireless Association Mrs. Claudia J. Herczog Motorola Foundation Ms. Nelly Hofmann Oticon Mrs. Barbara Hunter Sorenson IP Relay Mrs. Joan P. Ireland Ultratec Ms. Lois Johnson Verizon Mrs. Carol Jones Ms. Karen A. Keil Silver ($9,999–$5,000) Mrs. Liz Kobylak

© Cindy Dyer CSDVRS Mr. George N. Kosovich Hamilton CapTel Ms. Ann A. Liming Mr. Max M. McCarthy Bronze ($4,999–$1,000) Mr. John McCelland President’s Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Mr. Richard P. Melia Fink Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Richard Meyer Giving Express Program Mr. and Mrs. James and Kathy Minogue Message from American Express Mr. Frances I. Needham Leon Levy Foundation Pepper Hamilton, LLP Med-El Corporation Mr. Howard Potrude Schwab Fund for Charitable Giving Renal Management, Inc. “Every citizen will make his own contribution to the activities Tag Team Global, Inc. Mr. Wayne L. Roorda of the community according to his ability.” —Morelly Widex Hearing Aid Company Ms. Nancy J. Rosenberg Ms. Carolyn Rossick Contributors (Up to $999) San Antonio Chapter Audiology Center of Los Angeles Mr. Dan Simmons Ball Corporation Ms. Lorie Singer With this issue of Hearing Loss Magazine we recognize Mr. David A. Sherman BECFI those individuals and corporations who have generously con- C.V. Starr & Co. Mrs. Alice Marie (Ahme) Stone tributed to the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA). California Hearing Center Mr. Dan Sulzbach GE Foundation Mrs. Judy Tate We are grateful for your gifts that support the work we do to Halliburton Foundation, Inc. Texas State HLA Office help people face the daily challenges of hearing loss. Jewish Communal Fund Mr. and Mrs. Tom Walsh Marco Lutheran Church, Inc. Mrs. Teri M. Wathen Hearing loss is reaching epidemic proportions and McMaster-Carr Mrs. Tommie G. Wells almost everyone has a family member or friend who is Mercedes-Benz of White Plains Beth J. Wilson, Ph.D. hard of hearing. Hearing loss is the third health condition New Mexico Commission Mrs. Suzanne Marshall-Wilson on Deaf and Hard of Hearing after heart disease and arthritis affecting people in the NYSE Group Founder’s Day United States. Pepper Hamilton, LLP Money is raised in honor of Founder Rocky PepsiCo Foundation Stone for chapter development programs. HLAA is committed to eradicating the stigma and in- Rivergate Wine & Liquors, Inc. creasing awareness among the general public about hearing Rochester Institute of Technology $4,999–$2,500 Touch of Gratitude HLA-California State Association loss. With your support we work together and increase the United Way potential for positive change—increasing captioning, insti- Williams Sound Corporation $2,499–$1,000 Los Angeles (LA) Chapter tuting a tax credit for hearing aids, and raising awareness that Bequests Metro Atlanta (GA) Chapter hearing loss is a health and social issue that needs attention, Estate of Alfred E. Wick Tampa (FL) Chapter management, and also prevention. Estate of Selma M. Seider Estate of Letty Terrens $999–$500 We recognize the severe economic pressures imposed on Diablo Valley (CA) Chapter Rocky Stone Houston (TX) Chapter many Americans due to the current financial crisis. However, Lane County (OR) Chapter you continue to choose HLAA as your cause, you believe in Endowment Fund HLA-New Jersey State Association Anonymous the work we do, and we thank you for that. Oklahoma City (OK) Chapter Ms. Heidi M. Adams Peninsula (CA) Chapter This is your organization. Through your support HLAA Mrs. Dianna Attaway Rochester (NY) Chapter Mr. and Mrs. Mike Azcona is making groundbreaking changes through its programs, Sacramento (CA) Chapter Ms. Deb Charlea G. Baker San Antonio (TX) Chapter advocacy efforts, and doing what we do best—helping Mrs. Ouida Black San Francisco (CA) Chapter Mrs. Kathy M. Borzell Shasta County (CA) Chapter people work and live well with hearing loss. Mrs. Kim Brownen Mrs. Linda V. Bryan $499–$250 Michael Stone is president of the Board of Trustees. Mrs. Teresa Blankmeyer Burke East Bay (CA) Chapter Mr. Colin J. Cantlie Greater Baltimore (MD) Chapter He can be reached at [email protected]. Capital Region (PA) Chapter Lebanon County (PA) Chapter 32 Hearing Loss Magazine Long Beach/Lakewood (CA) Chapter Elizabeth Goodwin, Ph.D. GlaxoSmithKline Foundation Mr. Leo Bialis Manhattan (NY) Chapter Mr. Larry J. Hochberg Mrs. Annette Gurian Mr. and Mrs. Richard Bicknell Napa Valley (CA) Chapter Ms. Jeannette E. Kanter Mrs. Joan M. Haber Ms. Julianne M. Bishop HLA-Rhode Island State Office Mr. Barry Kasinitz Mrs. Janet Haines Ms. Ann Blazejewski Sarasota (FL) Chapter Ms. Ruth H. Knudtson Mr. Robert G. Hall Ms. Hilda Blyn Ms. Ann A. Liming Mrs. Winnie M. Hargis Ms. Ronda Bonati $249–$100 Los Angeles Chapter Mr. Bruce J. Harris Mr. Andrew G. Boseman Beaumont (CA) Chapter Mr. Downey McGrath Mrs. Grace Hawkes Ms. Barbara H. Bostwick Canton Area (OH) Chapter David G. Myers, Ph.D. Mrs. Claudia J. Herczog Mr. Eugenie R. Bradford Central Ohio (OH) Chapter HLA-North Carolina State Association Mr. Steven Hill Ms. Bonnie L. Brandi Chattanooga (TN) Chapter Mr. Richard S. Neely Ms. Nelly Hofmann Mr. and Mrs. David Branfield Durham (TN) Chapter Mr. Henry Papit Mrs. Darlene M. Holben Mr. Robert B. Branigin Longview (TX) Chapter Relay Missouri Mrs. Joan P. Ireland Ms. Rosanne Brautovich HLA-New York State Association Southeast Colorado Chapter Ms. Mary Irvine Ms. Elizabeth D. Brewster Permian Basin (TX) Chapter Mrs. Nancy Sonnabend Ms. Karen Sorkin Jakes Ms. Dianne C. Brock Snohomish County (WA) Chapter Ms. Grace W. Tiessen Ms. Joan C. Kleinrock Mr. Floyd Wesley Brosman SW Connecticut (CT) Chapter Ms. Margaret Wallhagen Mrs. Nancy Landrum Mr. Richard V. Brown Westchester (NY) Chapter Mr. Lawrence M. Weingart Mr. Stuart D. Lernowitz Ms. Ruby L. Brown Westshore (MI) Chapter Mrs. Tommie G. Wells Ms. Karen L. Lindberg-Schuppe Mr. Tomi Browne Beth J. Wilson, Ph.D. Ms. Margaret P. Loureiro Ms. Sally C. Brumbaugh Up to $99 Ms. Levona Martin Ms. Barbara Bryan Charlotte (NC) Chapter $999–$500 Mrs. Minta Maxfield Harlan Bullard, M.D. Charlotte County (FL) Chapter Ms. Lori Ali Mr. and Mrs. Joseph McCann Ms. Carol Burns Escondido (CA) Chapter Mrs. Dianna Attaway Mr. and Mrs. William J. Montie Ms. Barbara B. Caner Wilmington (DE) Chapter Ms. Amy J. Becktell Dr. Mary S. Neff Mr. Michael Cano Ms. Diana Bender Mr. David Nelson Ms. Gayle K. Capps 2008 Walk4Hearing Mr. Charles F. Biscoe Ms. Marilyn Nicksic Mr. Johnnie F. Carter Mr. and Mrs. R.M. Bratcher Mr. Richard F. O’Connell Ms. Geraldine Cavallo Spring Walks Ms. Manell P. Brice Ms. Cheryl I. Perazzoli Central Iowa Chapter Atlanta $9,464 Mrs. Raegene Castle Ms. Harriett E. Porch Ms. Claire Chappell Columbus, Ohio $31,796 Ms. Mary Cooper Mrs. Lucia J. Rather Mr. Wilbur Chase West Michigan $21,543 Ms. Nancy A. Dietrich Dr. Steven D. Rauch Mr. Jeffrey Chess St. Louis, Missouri $31,093 Mrs. Alice Dungan Ms. Katherine Runyan Ms. Rebecca A. Chester Longmont, Colorado $17,395 Ms. Bonnie Eggert Ms. Cathy Sanders Ms. Kathleen Christie Rochester, New York $46,472 Ms. Shelley Einhorn Mr. George Schoenstein Mrs. Nancy E. Chubbs Florida $52,772 Mr. Richard England Mr. Dan Simmons Ms. Nancy Clark Southeast Michigan $27,593 Mr. Ralph Gousha Ms. Donna L. Sorkin and Mr. Greg Barry Teresa Cochran, Ph.D. Westchester/Mid-Hudson $70,227 Mr. Russell Green South Atlanta (GA) Chapter Dr. Jay Cohen Ms. Lise Hamlin Dr. Edward A. Stika Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Compton (While we cannot list each individual Mrs. Carolyn Johnson Mr. Larry Stone Mr. Terry Cook walker and donor, the Hearing Loss Mr. and Mrs. Kris Kirstukas Dr. Norma Svedosh Mrs. Betty Coombs Association of America appreciates the Mr. Jim Koski Ms. Karen Swezey Ms. Eileen K. Cooper hard work and generous donations from Mr. George N. Kosovich Mr. John Waldo Ms. Molly C. Corum people across the country). Harry Levitt, Ph.D. Webster Hearing Center Mrs. Paulette S. Cotner Mr. Paul M. Lurie Mrs. Maurice Wilson Mr. Warren Cuddeback Individual Donors Ms. Beatrice Lyons Ms. Sara Blair Wilson Mr. and Mrs. Michael Curtiss Ms. Anne P. Martin Mr. John H. Wren Mr. Robert C. Daly and HLAA Affiliates Mr. Victor M. Matsui Mr. Robert O. Zastrow Mr. John L. Darby Mr. Richard P. Melia Mr. and Mrs. Harry Zinn Mr. Bob Davies HLAA Presidents Circle Mr. Michael G. Meyer Mr. and Mrs. Harley Davis ($10,000 and Above) Northwest Indiana Chapter $249–$100 Ms. Kimberly Davis Anonymous Mr. and Mrs. Howard Potrude Ms. Heidi M. Adams Mr. Paul Davit Mrs. Ouida Black Dr. Richard Procunier Advantage Hearing Center Ms. Joan de Graaff Ms. Hollace Goodman Mr. Michael Quinlan Aetna Foundation Mrs. Esther N. Deininger Mr. John Loengard Mr. and Mrs. Edward Raboy Mrs. Billie Ahrens Mr. Philip deMaintenon Pennsylvania State HLA Office Dr. Lisa M. Sheppard Mrs. Louise W. Allen Ms. Mary Ann DeMeo Rochester (NY) Chapter Mr. Samuel Shrum Mrs. Joan Andrews Mr. George E. DeVilbiss Mrs. Elizabeth F. Steele Ms. Lynn Andrews Ms. Yvonne Dietrich HLAA Visionary Circle Mr. and Mrs. Vern P. Thayer Anonymous Ms. Victoria B. Douglas ($9,999–$5,000) Ms. Sally M. Thwing Mrs. Ruth M. Apa Ms. Olive V. Dower Ms. Laurie Converse Mrs. Gerda Wassermann Ms. Rachel W. Archibald Mrs. Hila J. Draving Ms. Marcia Finisdore Mr. Jesus Arevalo Dr. John Dzwonczyk Jr. Mrs. Jolie Stone Frank $499–$250 Mrs. George Ashby Ms. Doris J. Eaton Greater St. Louis (MO) Chapter Mrs. Doris M. Amery Assisi Heights Convent Mrs. Linda A. Edgar Mrs. Kathy Harral Mr. Robert D. Arnett Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Mike Azcona Ms. Karin Edmondson Permian Basin (TX) Chapter Bank of America Matching Gifts Ms. Anne S. Bahl Ms. Dorothy Emmons Mrs. Anne Pope Mrs. Brenda Battat Ms. Deanna P. Baker Ms. Joan S. Ernst Mr. Wayne Benson Ms. Deb Charlea G. Baker Mr. Michael Eury HLAA Builders Circle Ms. Diana Bingham Ms. Carlene Ballard Mr. Elliot L. Evans ($4,999–$1,000) Mrs. BettySue C. Bischoff Scott J. Bally, Ph.D. Ms. Beverly A. Fish Anonymous Ms. Elspeth G. Bobbs Mr. Steve Barber Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Fitzgerald Mr. David Dent Mrs. Elizabeth B. Bonvillian Mr. Warren Barde Mr. Michael J. Fox HLA-Florida State Association Mrs. Linda V. Bryan Mr. John C. Barratt Ms. Mary T. Fredericks Michigan State HLA Office Mrs. Teresa Blankmeyer Burke Mr. and Mrs. Donald R. Barrett Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Fuller Mr. Warren M. Barnett Mr. Charles T. Carney Sen. and Mrs. Michael Barrett Mrs. Dorothy D. Gandolph Ms. Kelli Barrow Mrs. Virginia Carr Ms. Josephine S. Bateman Mr. Henry Garcia Ms. Nina Berg Ms. Mary Miskimen Clark Ms. Mary Bauer Mrs. Susan Gast Mrs. Jeanine S. Boney Mr. John W. Cooper Ms. Grace E. Beck Mrs. Dodo Gayle Mrs. Kathy M. Borzell Mrs. Deborah DeNardo Mrs. Lois Beck Ms. Lynn M. Gerlach Ms. Florence L. Butler Mr. Edward Dunn Mr. Landis Beike Mr. David D. Gilbert Mrs. Margaret H. Church Ms. Rita T. Durand Ms. Evelyn Bergen Ms. Kim Gold Mr. and Mrs. David C. Crocker Mr. J. D. Eckersley Mr. and Mrs. Norman Bergen Ms. Anita Goldstein Ms. Marcia B. Dugan Ms. Pamela Foody Mrs. Lesley Bergquist Mr. Leo Goldstein Mr. Peter Fackler Mrs. Luella M. Gibb Mr. Jeff Berman Mr. Jose Gonzalez Mr. Richard F. Gibbons Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Gilmore Ms. Ruth D. Bernstein Ms. Kirsten A. Gonzalez November/December 2008 33 Ms. Sandy Gorby Welches Ms. Sheila L. Luster Ms. Ethel M. Simmons Mr. Bill Alvarado Ms. Ruth Gosting William M. Luxford, M.D. Ms. Louise Skalko Mr. Patrick J. Alvino Mrs. Carol Gray Ms. Andrea MacMillan Mr. and Mrs. Russ Soderberg American Hearing Laboratories Ms. Muriel Green Ms. Pamela J. Magyar Mr. John Sours Ms. Cynthia S. Amerman Mr. Bill Greene Ms. Emily Mandelbaum Mr. Roger Spring Ms. Cheryl Ames Mr. Rodney W. Griffith Ms. June B. Mann Ms. Barbara A. Sylvain Mr. Douglas R. Andersen Mr. Thomas H. Groves Ms. Carol Marrero Ms. Anne Szymanski Mr. Donald R. Anderson Ralph F. Guertin, Ph.D. Ms. Susan Mason Ms. Lois E. Thibault Mr. John P. Anderson Chris and Luz Haggerty Mr. S. J. Matayoshi Mrs. Diana Thompson Mr. and Mrs. F.N. Anderton Ms. Mary Haley Ms. Susan B. Matt Mr. James W. Thornburg Mr. Jan Marcos Andrade Judith E. Harkins, Ph.D. Mayo Clinic Jacksonville Mr. Jim Tindall Ms. Mary F. Andresen Mr. Ray Harman Mrs. Sue McFarland Mr. and Mrs. Earl Tingstrom, Jr. Mr. Kevin Andrews Mr. Marc Harris Ms. Mildred C. McGill Ms. Margaret Tomlin Mr. James C. Antisdel Hearing Associates, PC Mr. Robert McKay Ms. Jean L. Toth Mr. Harry H. Appel Hearing Professionals. Inc. Dr. Charles McKeever Mr. Peter Townsend Mr. Paul Arabas Hearing Services and Systems Mrs. Janet McKenna Mrs. Melissa Trauthwein Mrs. Alice H. Arita Ms. Priscilla Henry Mr. Robert M. McPartland Ms. Flo E. Trenary Mr. Robert Armstrong Mrs. Cheryl Heppner Mr. Harold L. McPheeters Mr. and Mrs. Howard Trumbull Mr. Richard Arndt Ms. Jill Herbold Mr. Timothy I. McPherson Janet Trychin, Au.D. Mrs. Laura Arney Mr. Harlan J. Heydon Ms. Mary Ellen McSorley Samuel Trychin, Ph.D. Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Aronson Ms. Jean G. Hibbard Ms. Karyn D. Menck Mrs. Ann Turley Mr. and Mrs. J. Robert Arrington Mr. Glenn Hicks Mr. and Mrs. George Menzies Ms. Elinore Tushner Mr. and Mrs. Russell G. Asay Ms. Diana J. Hill Ms. Therese A. Meyer Ms. Beatrice A. Tusiani Ms. Jewell N. Ashby Mrs. Anne B. Hills Mid-Valley Speech & Hearing Center Ms. Wynona Tyson Ms. Camille Atherton Dr. David Hodge Mr. and Mrs. John Miesner, Jr. Mr. Peter Uccelli Audiologic Hearing Services Mrs. Dorothy Holland-Kaupp Ms. Anna M. Miller Mr. Howard N. Uhrig Auditory Services, Inc Mr. Kendall H. Holm Mr. Jonathan Miller Ms. Lorraine A. Underwood Mr. Richard Augustine Mr. Ted Holmes Dr. Lucy Miller Mr. and Mrs. James Unglaube Mr. Larry Avery Ms. Pam Holmes Mrs. Debbie Mohney Ms. Karen Utter Mr. and Mrs. Elmore C. Ayer Mr. and Mrs. William R. Holzapfel Ms. Helen A. Morrison Mr. Joso Uyetake Mr. Yusuf Azizullah Rev. Charles L. Hopper Ms. Janet Mueller Ms. Ursula Valeri-Young Mr. Peter G. Baake Mr. Howard E. Horner Ms. Angela Musso Ms. Jane S. Van Ingen Mr. and Mrs. Fred Babbin Mr. Howard Horowitz Mrs. Mary Negi Mr. R. O. Vanden-Heuvel Mr. C. W. Babcock Ms. Marilyn M. Horton Mrs. Verna S. Neidigh Ms. Susan Vardon Ms. Alice L. Bachelder House Ear Institute Mrs. Bettie L. Nelson Ms. Angela Vita Dr. Priscilla Bade Mr. Andy Howard Ms. Suzanne R. Newton Mr. Charles L. Vlcek Mr. Albert Badia Mrs. Barbara Hunter Dr. David R. Nielsen Mr. Webster U. Walker, Jr. Ms. Veronica M. Bagnuolo Mr. and Mrs. David Ingram Ms. Kathy Niemeyer Mr. Joel Ward Mrs. Dorothy M. Bailey Ms. Flo Innes Mr. and Mrs. Steven A. Noroian Ms. Maizie H. Watkins Ms. Pat Bailey Mr. John W. Irwin Ms. Ruth Nussbaum Mr. Stuart L. Watson Ms. Anne Baker Mr. David B. Isbell NYU Medical Center Eli Weil, M.D. Mr. and Mrs. Edward M. Baker Mr. Ronald Jantz Ms. Bonnie O’Leary Ms. Angeline M. Wentz Ms. Cathy Bakkensen Mr. Charles R. Jensen Ms. Gina Oliva Mr. David and Mrs. Juanita Wikman Mr. and Mrs. George K. Baldwin Mr. Richard E. Jernigan Ms. Jean Ann Olsen Mrs. Wynn Wildeman Ms. Bonne Bandolas Ms. Lois R. Johnson Ms. Shirley A. Painter Mr. Paul Willington Ms. Fern A. Baris Mr. Paul O. Johnson Mr. Russell Parish Ms. Kate Willis Ms. Ethel Barkell Mr. John R. Jun Mr. and Mrs. Joe Parkey Dr. Nevim Wingfield Mrs. Margaret R. Barker Ms. Marcia Kamin Mr. & Mrs. Leo Parmer Mr. Robert H. Wolter Ms. Marjorie H. Barnard Mr. and Mrs. Julius Kaplan Ms. Terri L. Pastori Mr. Kurt Wulff Ms. Judy S. Barnes Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Karr Mr. and Mrs. David C. Pearson Mrs. Betty H. Yagi Mrs. Dolores Baron Ms. Rosemarie Kasper Mrs. Virginia Peters Mr. William Yerkes Ms. Bonnie Barrett Mrs. Frances V. Kehr Mr. Robert Petri Ms. Nora Yusa Mr. James Barrett Ms. Linda Keller Mr. William Pfeifer, III Ms. Mary Barry Barbara and Bill Kelley Mr. and Mrs. Wilburn Pfeiffer Under $99 Mrs. Mary J. Bartman Mrs. Elizabeth Kimble Mrs. Judith A. Picha Anonymous Mrs. Edith C. Bartnof Ms. Jaynie Kind Mr. Jim Piper Ms. Ann Aaron Ms. Edyth J. Bassett Mr. Vincent V. Kirschner PLP Management Corp Mrs. Dorothy C. Abel Mr. Donald Bataille Mr. Bern Klein Mr. Peter Pomeroy Mrs. Laurette Abrams Ms. Anna Battat Mr. Sidney C. Kleinman Mrs. Denise Portis Ms. Lynn M. Abud Ms. Magda Baumgart Mrs. M. June Knudson Mr. Alan R. Post Mr. Herbert O. Aburn, Jr. Mr. John G. Baynes Ms. Virginia Koenig Ms. Rosalind Pretzfelder Mr. L. M. Acosta Ms. Jane Beach Mrs. Joan Kornbluh Ms. Ann L. Price Mr. Michael Adam Ms. Lois P. Beadle Mr. Stanley Kornblum Mr. Dennis Price Ms. Judith Adams Mr. Larry Beardsley Mr. Gerson B. Kramer Ms. Betty A. Proctor Mrs. Mary B. Adams Mrs. Judy Beaston Mr. Ira Krauss Ms. Ann Pruitt Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Adler Ms. Barbara Beauregard Mr. Greg Kromholtz Ms. Pamela J. Ransom Mr. and Mrs. Mitch Adler Mr. and Mrs. Ray Beauregard Mrs. Patricia Krueger Ms. Dorothy W. Reese Ms. Jeanne A. Adshead Mr. Robert L. Beck Mr. John Kutulas Mr. Herbert A. Rogers Advanced Hearing Solutions Mr. and Mrs. DeLamar T. Bell Mrs. Virginia LaGue Mark Ross, Ph.D. of South Texas Mr. Irving Belz Mr. Stephen Lanset Ms. Gertrude L. Rowe Mr. and Mrs. John Airy Mr. Robert K. Bement Ms. Jannet Larsen Ms. Denise Rubens Mr. Jack Sabwa Akenga Mr. Alfred Benjamin Ms. Doreen E. Lazdowski Mr. and Mrs. Duane R. Russell Mr. Sterling Alam Ms. Diana Y. Berberian Ms. Lisa Lazur Mr. Patrick T. Ryan Mr. Donald B. Albert Mr. and Mrs. Seymour F. Bernstein Mr. Bert Lederer Mrs. Ruth Sadler Ms. Joyce H. Albrecht Ms. Ann Berry Mr. Alfred Lee Mr. Kenny Safran Ms. Letteria Al-Damaluji Mr. Stan Bershad Ms. Mary Jane Lenox Mr. Elliot D. Samuelson Ms. Juanita Alexander Mr. Kent Bessee Ms. Kathy Leser Dr. Conrad Sarnecki, Jr. Mr. Keith J. Alexander Mrs. Anne L. Betancourt Harry Levitt, Ph.D. Mrs. Lisa Saulles Mrs. Betty Allen Ms. Gayle Bettega Ms. Anabel Lisle Ms. Patricia C. Schemm Mr. DeWayne Allen Mrs. Margaret A. Bevelacqua Ms. Patricia A. Litt Mr. Ernest R. Schmitt Mrs. Dorothy W. Allen Ms. Gaile Beynor Ms. Erlene Little Mrs. Marilyn A. Schultz Mr. Henry Allen Mr. Bijoy K. Bhuyan Mr. James Littwitz Katherine Seelman, Ph.D. Mrs. Judith G. Allen Jane Biehl, Ph.D. Ms. Arlene D. London Mr. Walter Selig Mrs. Nettie Allen Mrs. Peggy Binder Mrs. Joyce E. Loomis Mrs. Naomi Shapiro Mr. Ralph Allen Mr. and Mrs. Martin E. Birnbaum Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey T. Lund Mr. LaGuinn P. Sherlock Mrs. Mary Pat Allman Ms. JoAnn Bisceglie Mrs. Bonnita Lundquist Mrs. Al Sherwood Ms. Rhoda M. Altman (deceased) Mr. Lloyd Bissell

34 Hearing Loss Magazine Mr. and Mrs. William M. Black Mrs. Dare Carden Mr. Frank P. Corica Mr. Dennis Dunn Mrs. Fern A. Blair Mr. Curtis Carey Mr. Francis V. Corrigan Mrs. Mary J. Dunn Mr. Louis V. Blasiotti Ms. Judy Carlin Mr. and Mrs. James D. Covert Mr. Dennis Dureno Ms. Claire Blatchford Ms. Georgia M. Carlson Mr. Eugene D. Cox, Jr. Mr. Walter Dusek Mr. Seymour Blum Mr. Bill Carmichael Mrs. Marjorie Cox Mrs. Judith Dutton Mrs. Linda Bogusch Mr. Frank Carr Mrs. Theo Crabb Mr. Floyd W. Earnest Ms. Priscilla E. Bollard Ms. Judith V. Carr Ms. Marian E. Craft Ms. Marion M. Easbey Mr. Charles A. Bolliger Mrs. Ann M. Carroll Mr. Christopher J. Craig Mr. Earle D. Eason Dr. Virginia Bolmarcich Mr. Jim Carroll Mr. Samuel A. Craig Ms. Sara J. Ebron Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Bongiorno Mr. and Mrs. Allan Carswell Mrs. Christine Crawford-Oppenheimer Mr. Roy C. Eddleman Mr. Jeff Bonnell Mr. G. L. Carter Ms. Barbara M. Creager Ms. Donna Eddy Mr. Lawrence Bookbinder Mrs. Mary E. Carter Dr. Bill G. Cremeen Ms. Susan C. Edens Ms. Elizabeth Booth Ms. Terry Carver Mrs. Louise W. Cremeen Mr. Arthur J. Edmunds Ms. Karen J. Bopp Ms. Kit Case Ms. Elisabeth J. Cremers Ms. Eileen D. Edwards Mrs. Marlid Bork Mr. Russell Castle Mrs. Marietta S. Crichlow Ms. Sheila Edwards Mrs. Iris Boshes Ms. Cristy J. Cathey Ms. Faye Crooks Ms. Gertrude Edzant Bothell (WA) Chapter Dr. and Mrs. David Cenk Mr. Blaine Crouch Mr. Victor Eichler Ms. Elizabeth Botts Mr. and Mrs. John M. Centa (deceased) Mr. Clarence C. Crowley Mr. Merle W. Eide Mrs. Carole S. Bouton Mrs. Lois Centola Ms. Jenny F. Cummins Mr. Owen Eide Mrs. Karen M. Bowden Central PA Chapter Ms. Elaine Cuomo Ms. R. M. Eifler Ms. Helen M. Boyd Mrs. Mary Anne Chadbourne Mr. and Mrs. Jason Curry Mr. Dal “Ike” Eisenbraun Ms. Marion Bradford Ms. Patricia J. Chalmers Mr. Arthur Curtis Ms. Ethel M. Eisenhauer Ms. Sally Brady Mr. Robert Chamberlin Mr. John H. Curtis Ms. Sharon E. Eisenhauer Ms. Carol Brantz Ms. Barbara Chambers Ms. Jennifer Cusick Ms. Linda Ekberg Mr. Gene Bremer Ms. Flo Chan Ms. Marie Cusick Mr. Charles Elder Mrs. Evelyn Breslaw Mr. Gerald Channell Ms. Tammy L. Cusick Mr. Jack Eldridge Mr. David Brierley Ms. Brenda J. Chapman Ms. Dolores A. Cutler Mr. Varthie S. Eliakis Ms. Joyce A. Brinkerhoff Niles D. Chapman, M.D. Mr. Eugene O. Cypert Mr. Carl E. Eliason Mrs. Patricia R. Brockley Ms. Edith B. Chase Ms. Barbara S. Dagen Ms. Ellen Ellowitch Ms. Patricia A. Brogan Mr. Henry H. Chau Ms. Rita D’Agostino John Elmore Au.D. Mr. Joseph C. Bronars, Jr. Ms. Grace Chawes Mr. Irvin Dana Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd G. Elston Ms. Antoinette Brown Ms. Barbara Cheney Ali Danesh, Ph.D. Ms. Laverne O. Elwood Mrs. Dorris I. Brown Mrs. Elmer O. Cheney Ms. Janet B. Daniels Ms. Alma E. Emerson Rev. Jacqualine L. Brown Ms. Barbara L. Chertok Mr. Irving K. Danneil Ms. L. Claire Emery Ms. Louise S. Brown Ms. Yvonne M. Chibuye Mrs. Johann Darney Ms. Jeanne R. Engel Ms. Mary Ann Brown Chicago North Shore (IL) Chapter Mr. J. E. Dass Ms. Dorothy A. Englert Ms. Mary L. Brown Mr. Thomas F. Chiffriller, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew W. Davis Mr. and Mrs. James Englund Mr. Richard Brown Ms. Helen J. Chilson Ms. Christine Davis Mr. and Mrs. Charles Entwistle Mr. Stanley C. Brown Ms. Marion Choate Mr. Gene W. Davis Mr. John Enzie Ms. Virginia Brown Mr. John Christiansen Mr. Herman Davis Ms. Sandra R. Erickson Mr. W. R. Brown Ms. Irene Christopher Mrs. Mary Jo Davis Ms. Kris Eslick Mrs. Barbara Bruce Cincinnati (OH) Chapter Mr. William Davis Ms. Lisette Espana Mr. David Brunberg Mr. Art S. Clark Mrs. Betty J. Dawson Ms. Rachel Esserman Mr. and Mrs. Paul Bryan Ms. Deborah Clark Mr. Kent de Groot Mr. Bill Essig Mr. and Mrs. Dorman Bryce Mrs. Dorothy R. Clark Ms. Elizabeth W. Dean Mr. and Mrs. Paul Etzell Ms. Carol A. Bryson Mrs. Linda B. Clark Mr. and Mrs. Dave DeBliek-Anderson Mr. Allen Evans Mr. and Mrs. Albert E. Buck Mr. Justin Clary Mrs. JoAnne S. Decker Ms. Lise Evans Mrs. Phyllis Buettner Dr. Barbara L. Claster Mr. Robert Decker Ms. Donna M. Ewing Mrs. Elizabeth D. Buino Ms. Jeannette Clawson Mrs. Ruth Dekoekkoek Ms. Janet S. Ewing Mr. Frank Bulan, Jr. Clear Lake Area (TX) Chapter Ms. Bonnie K. DeLaMater Ms. Joan Ewing Ms. Lynne Bunin Mr. and Mrs. Clifford N. Cleary Mrs. Neva Dell Ms. Nora Facchiano Mr. Delmar R. Bunn Ms. Celia T. Clime Mr. Robert R. Dempsey Mr. Jerry Faddis Mrs. Jean Burhenn Mrs. Ruth K. Clutts Mr. Philip Denham Ms. Ruth Fader Mr. James L. Burke Ms. Shari Cobb Mrs. Melissa Denson Ms. Harolyn Farber Mr. Thomas J. Burke Mrs. Arlene Cohen Desert Sounds Audiology Mr. Daniel Farfaglia Ms. Ann Burkhardt Mr. Harry Cohen Mrs. Nancy A. Deutsch Mrs. Bernadette Farley Mrs. Sally B. Burman Ms. Leslie F. Cohen Ms. Patricia B. Deutsch Ms. Betty Farris Mr. Clark Burnett Mr. Mendel F. Cohen Mr. Eugene A. DeVerna Mr. John F. Fasso Mr. Les R. Burnett Mr. Richard Cohen Mrs. Jan DeVinney Mr. Mortimer Feigenbaum Ms. Gayle I. Burns Mr. Martin Colby Mr. Richard C. Diedrichsen Mr. and Mrs. Fred Feldman Ms. Samantha Burns Ms. Christine Coleman Mrs. Betty M. Dillon Ms. Marie Ferrero Mr. John Burr Ms. Leona O. Coles Ms. Florence DiMaio Mr. Paul Feys Mrs. Dorothy Burt Ms. Karen E. Coley Mrs. Joyce L. DiMattia Mrs. Genevieve M. Figaro Mr. Michael Bury Mr. Andrew Colletti Mr. Sol Dinkin Mr. Richard Fijal Ms. Julie Busch Mr. and Mrs. Frank C. Collins M. B. Dinner, Ph.D. Mr. James San Filippo Ms. Gretchen Butkus Mr. David Columpus Ms. Loraine J. DiPietro Ms. Kay Filson Ms. Arlene Butterklee Ms. Patricia A. Colvin Mrs. Nydia J. Dixon Mr. Nicholas J. Fina Mr. W. P. Buyck, Jr. Mr. John D. Colwell Mr. Trent Dockery Mr. and Mrs. Alan Fine Ms. Helen E. Byers Mrs. Grace M. Combellick Mrs. Arlene M. Doerger Ms. Mary Jane Finke Mrs. Gertrude A. Byrd Mrs. Marie D. Commito Mrs. Christiane Domeyer Mr. Charles G. Finn Mrs. Joan Cady Mrs. Darcia Compton Ms. Elizabeth M. Donahue Mrs. Florence S. Fisher Mrs. Ione Callahan Mr. Stephen Compton Mr. and Mrs. Damian Donckels Mr. Robert Fishman Mr. Bernie Camin Mr. David S. Conant Mrs. Jane D. Donnelly Mr. Arthur Fitelson Mr. and Mrs. Dean Campbell Miss Lauren Connell Ms. Marcia Donoghue Ms. Anne C. Fitzgerald Mr. Jack Campbell Mr. Tom Connor Mr. Timothy Dorn Ms. Janice Fitzgerald Ms. Jean M. Campbell Mr. David F. Conover Ms. Star Dotson Mrs. Helen M. Fleming Ms. Morgan C. Campbell Mr. Byron S. Cook Ms. Lillian Douglass Ms. Sarah G. Fleming Ms. Ruth Canaan Mr. and Mrs. Eldon Cook Mr. William R. Downey Mr. John Florian Mr. and Mrs. Robert I. Cane Mr. James B. Cook, Jr. Mr. Robert Doyle Mrs. Frank Fogliani Mrs. Lorraine M. Cantera Mrs. Virginia Cook Ms. Linda Drattell Mr. Earl C. Folst Mr. Andrew Cantor Ms. Heidi Coons Mr. Richard E. Driscoll, Sr. Mr. Martin M. Ford Ms. Bonnie Jean Cantrell Ms. Anne R. Cooper Mrs. Rosemary G. Drnek Mr. Thomas E. Ford Mr. and Mrs. Peter Canzano Mr. Charles Cooper Ms. Hilda Drucker Mr. and Mrs. David Foreman Mr. Christopher D. Capone Ms. Rosemary Cooper Mr. Joe Duarte Mr. and Mrs. Frank Forman Mr. David M. Capone Mr. and Mrs. Russell Cooper Mr. Carl N. Duberg Mrs. Angeline R. Fosburgh Mr. Roger Capps Mr. William S. Coppedge Mr. Bernard Dubs Mr. Arnold Foss

November/December 2008 35 Mr. Donald J. Foulkes Ms. Shirley Govindasamy Ms. Jane B. Henderson Mrs. Jeanne Johnson Mr. Brian Fox Ms. Dolores Graf Ms. Rosemary L. Henry Ms. Lisette M. Johnson Ms. Brittany Fox Mr. William T. Graham Ms. Sharon A. Henry Ms. Lois E. Johnson Dr. and Mrs. Frank Fox Ms. Cathy Grant Ms. Ethel T. Herman Ms. Melva Johnson Ms. Sylvia K. Frank Ms. Genevieve Grant Ms. Hurlene Herring Ms. Ruby K. Johnson Frank’s Professional Hearing Aid Service Dr. Gibson H. Gray Mr. Mark Hessing Ms. Theresa Johnson Mr. Don Franz Ms. Joan S. Gray Ms. Carol A. Hestbech Ms. Dorothea R. Jones Ms. Elaine T. Frary Mrs. Nancy Gray Mr. and Mrs. Robert Heurich Mr. Eugene F. Jones Ms. Karen Frauman Ms. Astrida Greco Mr. and Mrs. Dick Hickman Ms. Faye Jones Freed Center For Independent Living Mr. Harold Green Mrs. JoAnn Hicks Mr. W. Melville Jones Carl B. Freedman, DDS Mr. Richard C. Green Ms. Nancy Hiett Mr. William J. Jones Ms. Mary Freeman Ms. Sharon Green Jo-Anne F. Higa Ebba, M.D. Mr. James A. Jordan Ms. Patricia Frei Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Green Mr. Dean E. Hill Mrs. Marjorie Joseph Ms. Linda L. Freiberger Mr. Walter Greenbaum Ms. Emma Hill Mrs. Juliet R. Joy Brady Ms. Marlene Fricks Ms. Mary H. Greene Michael L. Hill, Au.D. Mrs. Louanne Jozwiak Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Friedman Mr. and Mrs. Kent Greenfelder Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hills Ms. Cynthia J. Juliao Mrs. Michelle L. Frisbie Ms. Margaret Greenstein Mr. Harold Hirsch Mr. Bernard Kabacoff Mrs. Elizabeth Froman Ms. Pam Gregory Ms. Kathryn S. Hirsch Ms. Kirstie Kampen Mr. Mark E. Fronk Ms. Linda S. Grong Mrs. Priscilla D. Hirschy Ms. Marjorie Kapke Ms. Jean Frost Mr. Fred Grossman Mrs. Lorraine Hlavka Ms. Harriet Kaplan Mrs. Sue R. Frost Mrs. Barbara Grout Mr. Ronald G. Hoard Mrs. Lydia Kaplan Mrs. Elin A. Frymoyer Mr. Walter Gruber Mr. Robert J. Hobbs Ms. Denise M. Kapsa Ms. Elizabeth S. Furber Ms. Betty L. Guenther Ms. Carolyn C. Hodge Mrs. Florence Karlgaard Mrs. Jean Gadd Mrs. Irene V. Guerrant Ms. Mona Hoefs Mr. Avrum Katcher Ms. Vicki Gaines Ms. Teresa Guevel Dr. Carl B. Hoffman Mrs. Barbara Kates Mrs. Charlene Gales Ms. Joanne Gunnerson Mr. Steven G. Hoffman Ms. Joyce C. Kathan Ms. Ann Galioto Ms. Marlene Gussin Mr. Stanley Hogsett Mrs. Janet Katz Ms. C. Rita Gallardo Mrs. Connie Gustafson Mr. Gene Holcomb Mrs. Janet E. Kaufman Mrs. Laurie Galleher Mr. Robert W. Gustafson Dr. Terry Holcomb Ms. Sue Kaufman Ms. Betty J. Gallucci Mr. Douglas C. Hachtel Mr. Arleigh Holden Mr. Larry Kavanaugh Mr. Art Gardner Ms. Leona E. Hackensmith Ms. Leigh Hollins Dr. Ronald L. Kaye Mr. Harry R. Gaskell Mr. Jack D. Hackney Ms. Ann Brooke Holt Ms. Lili Kazepis Mr. David Gayle Ms. Jolynn Hadlock Mr. Charles C. Holt Ms. Evelyn B. Kearney Ms. Ann M. Gazinski Ms. Sonja Haeger Mrs. Mary Lou Holton Ms. Martha S. Keating Ms. Sue A. Gedra Ms. Courtney S. Hagner Mr. Ernest L. Home Mrs. Linda J. Keaton Mr. Daniel Geiger Mr. James T. Haight Mr. Robert Honan Ms. Janet Keck Mr. and Mrs. Bob Geldreich Ms. Marsha A. Haines Ms. Mary Honomichl Mr. Doug Keegan Mr. and Mrs. Ray Gelgur Ms. Mary J. Hair Mrs. Durinda Hood Mr. and Mrs. Cal Keil Mr. Robert Gende Ms. Lorraine Halasz Mr. Donald J. Hooper Ms. Karen A. Keil Mr. James George Mr. and Mrs. Marvin R. Halbert Mr. Paul Hopler Mr. George Keller Mr. George Gerbing Ms. Camile Hall Mr. Stan J. Horab Ms. Barbara Kelly Mr. Elwood Gerrits Mr. Clifford J. Hall Mr. Ernest L. Horne Ms. Donna J. Kelley Mrs. Barbara Gessula Mr. John E. Hall Ms. Shirley J. Hostetter Ms. Jeanne Kelley Ms. Margaret Gethins Ms. Maureen Halloran Mrs. Jane Houser Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kellogg Mr. Robert W. Gibson Mrs. Roselyn Hamlin Mr. T. E. Houston Ms. Veronica Kelly Ms. Jean M. Giesen Mr. Joseph A. Hamlyn Mrs. Sarah Hovater-Varkony Ms. Joan M. Kelton Mrs. Helen L. Gifford Ms. Diane E. Hammel Ms. Shirley M. Howarth Mr. Robert E. Kemelhor Mrs. Lois Gilbert Anderson Mr. John D. Hancock Ms. Deanna L. Howell Mrs. Charlene C. Kennedy Ms. Margaret M. Gillean Ms. Maryellen Hanis Hozer’s Hearing Clinic Sr. Inez Kennedy Ms. Ruth Gilmore Mr. Jimmie Hankes Mr. Graydon Hudspeth Mr. Max K. Kennedy Mr. Warren C. Gilmore Mr. Kenneth Hanlon Mr. and Mrs. Martin Huff Ms. Janice K. Keon Mr. Dominick J. Giovanetto Mrs. Mary Hanmer Mrs. Thelma M. Hughes Ms. Denise Kerns Vic S Gladstone, Ph.D. Ms. M C. Hannum Mr. John A. Hultberg Mr. Jeff Keyser Dr. Lenore M. Glanz Mr. Charles Hansen Mr. Raymond E. Humphrey Mr. Sian Kho Mrs. Maxine Glazebrook Ms. JoAnn Hanson Mr. Alan Hunsberger Ms. Denise L. Kiess Mr. Bob Glick Mr. John Hanson Ms. Marjorie C. Hybels Mr. David R. Kietzke Mr. Steve Glick Mrs. Marilyn M. Hanson Ms. Mary P. Hyde Ms. Joanne Killam Mr. J. Curtis Glidden Mrs. Zelma M. Hanson Ms. Elaine Igelman Mrs. Andrea Kimbrough Ms. Judy Glotzbach Mr. Avery Harden Ms. Gisa Indenbaum Dr. and Mrs. Geoffrey King Mrs. Elizabeth Gobble Mr. Marion Hardman Ms. Mary P. Inge Ms. Nancy King Mr. Gaylord L. Goertzen Ms. Clintona J. Hare Ms. Rose Inouye Ms. Jeanne S. Kinnamon Mr. Joe S. Goff Mr. Art Harlem Ms. Zelma Irick Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kirchgatter Ms. Marlene A. Gold Mrs. Elizabeth Harp Mr. Glenn Irland Ms. Netagene Kirkpatrick Mrs. Veronica Golden Mr. Wilfred Harris Ms. Dorothy Irwin Mr. Randy A. Kirsch Mr. Marvin Goldman Mrs. Francis Harry Ms. Beverly Isker Mr. John Kirscher Mr. Stanley Goldman Ms. Rosemary Hart Mr. Tish Jaccard Mr. Adam Kissiah Beverly Goldstein, Ph.D. Mrs. Gwen Hartensteiner Ms. Sarah Jackson Mr. George Kitazawa Mr. Burton Goldstein Ms. Ingrid Haseloff Mr. Peter Jacobson Ms. Suzan Klausmeyer Ms. Ricki A. Goldstein Mrs. Julie Hasuly Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Jacobson Mr. Herman Klayman Ms. Charlene Golub Mr. R. P. Hatch Mrs. Tammy Jaffe Mr. Robert Kleckner Ms. Zoha Gondal Ms. Beverly J. Hawley Ms. Shirley Jarvis Mr. Lewis Kleinrock Ms. Alice L. Gonser Mrs. Mary L. Healy Ms. Muriel Jasnow Mr. and Mrs. Harvey S. Kline Ms. Irma Gonzalez Hearing & Speech Center Dr. Peter Jatlow Mrs. Barbara Klineman Ms. Maria Gonzalez Heart of Texas Hearing Centers Ms. Susan Jefferies Ms. Regina Klisch Ms. Heidi Goodall Mrs. Alice Sue Hecht Barbara H. Jenkins Au.D. Mr. Ralph Klopper Mrs. Ann E. Goodhue Ms. Sylvia Hedlund Mr. John C. Jenkins Ms. Cheryl Knickerbocker Ms. Adrienne Goodman Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Hedstrom Ms. Nancy G. Jenkins Mr. Craig Knoll Ms. Shirley Ann Goodman Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Heger Mrs. Elizabeth M. Jensen Ms. Sherry Knox Mr. and Mrs. Ken Goodmiller Mr. Dean G. Heier Mr. Herb W. Jensen Ms. Joyce Kobayashi Ms. Dorothy Gordon Ms. Dorothy E. Heinecke Mr. Robert W. Jentsch Ms. Marilyn Kobernusz Ms. Edith Gordon Mr. Dwight Helle Mr. Chris Johnson Mr. Steve Koch Mrs. Keril Gordon Mrs. Hannah W. Hellman Ms. Donna Lynn Johnson Ms. Cinda L. Kochen Mr. Ted Gori Ms. Cindy Helmich Mrs. Dorothy A. Johnson Mrs. Doris Kohn Mrs. Mary Frances Gosnell Mrs. Leanne J. Helton Ms. Lois Johnson Ms. Hope Kohn Ms. Dorothy Gould Mrs. Mildred D. Helyer Mrs. Harriet Johnson Ms. Mary Kokovitch Mr. Charles Govatsos Mrs. Smith Hempstone Mr. James R. Johnson Dr. Vasant V. Kolpe

36 Hearing Loss Magazine Mr. James O. Kositzke Ms. Alanna Loken Mr. Donald T. McCleese Ms. Betsy Mulder Ms. Suma Kote Ms. Dorothy J. Long Mr. and Mrs. Richard McCollum Mr. Keith Muller Mr. Andrew Kovalovich Ms. Debbie Lousberg Mrs. Geraldine McCormack Mr. William P. Mulligan Mrs. Dorothy B. Kozak Mr. Tim Lovewell Ms. Edna J. McCready Mr. Homer S. Mullins Ms. Shirley A. Krafft Ms. Donna L. Lownes Mrs. Carolyn McCune Ms. Dorothy Mullis Ms. Joan D. Kraus Ms. Frances B. Lowrey Mr. and Mrs. John S. McCune Mr. and Mrs. Keith Munk Patricia B. Kricos, Ph.D. Mrs. Viola Lucero Ms. Joyce L. McDaniel Mrs. Linda Munsey Mrs. Hazel D. Kriner Mrs. Miriam Ludwig Mrs. Wen McDaniel Ms. Victoria Murad Mr. Joseph L. Kriteman Mrs. Helen Sloss Luey Mr. Alec McDonell Mr. and Mrs. Donald L. Murphy Ms. Jan Kulback Mr. Ronald L. Lusby Mr. W. G. McElhinney Ms. Jackie Murphy Mr. and Mrs. Donald Kulla John J. Lutolf Ph.D Mrs. Cathleen M. McGarity Mr. Richard Murphy Mrs. Cibyl Kumagai Ms. Beatrice Luzim Mr. Lawrence McGaughey Ms. Constance M. Murray Ms. Mihoko Kusachi Mrs. Florence Lyczynski Ms. Kat McGee Ms. Monica Musich Ms. Anne V. LaBeaux Ms. Constance A. Lynch Ms. Chris McGrath Mr. Anthony J. Musso Mr. Larry Lakamp Mr. Peter J. Lynch Mr. Tom McGraw Mr. David D. Myers Mr. Frank E. Lally Ms. Saralie Lynch Mr. Henry McIntyre Mr. Marley D. Myers Ms. Marianne Lamberts Ms. Jacqueline Lyons Mr. Ray L. McKeever Mr. and Mrs. George Nadig Mrs. Russell A. Lampe Mr. Thomas T. Ma Ms. Elisabeth S. McKnight Mr. Patrick W. Nagle Mr. William G. Lancellotti Mrs. Eleanore MacDonald Mrs. Anne McLaughlin Mrs. Barbara B. Nagot Mr. Neil S. Landers Ms. Mimi MacDonald Mr. and Mrs. Arthur McLendon Ms. Pearl Naistadt Mrs. Geraldine M. Landin Ms. Barbara Mack Ms. Deborah C. McMahon Ms. Kay L. Naquin Dr. Earl Lane Ms. Beth A. MacKay Mr. Martin McPherson Mrs. Merle Nault Mr. John Langan Ms. Charlene D. MacKenzie Mr. Warren McPherson Ms. Bobbie N. Navone Mrs. Ruth F. Lansing Ms. Nancy MacMurray Mrs. Ida G. McRoberts Ms. Ethel J. Naylor Mrs. Linda Larsen Ms. Doris Madara Mr. and Mrs. Edward D. McSweeney Mr. Robert L. Neelley Ms. Agnes Larson Mrs. Amy Madelung Ms. Josephine McSweeney Ms. Mary K. Nelson Mr. Norman W. Larson Ms. Arleen Madson Mr. Frank J. McWade Mrs. Perlina Nelson Dr. Holly Latty-Mann Mr. Rodney Maeker Mr. Bernard J. Meader Mr. Richard O. Nettlow Mrs. Sylvia Laurel Ms. Victoria L. Magown Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Meekhof Mr. Kelsey Netzband Mr. Francis T. Laurin Ms. Margaret Maguire Mr. Norman Meisel Ms. Rose L. Ng Ms. Barbara S. Law Ms. Wendy H. Mahan Ms. Constance Meixner Mr. Irwin E. Nichols Ms. Cheryle Lawton Mr. James Mahoney Mrs. Mary Jo Melbourne Ms. Eileen Nicholson Mr. Elmer F. Layden Mr. Frank C. Maiese Mr. Roman Melnyk Mrs. Eve K. Nickerson Mr. Bernard Lazar Mr. Leslie E. Mangus Ms. Mary Lee Mepham Mrs. Amy Niepling Mr. Donald B. Leach Ms. Susan Mann Mr. Fred Merchant Ms. Rita W. Nieporte Ms. Elizabeth A. Leahy Ms. Christine C. Mannix MeritCare Clinic TRE Ms. Edith Nierenberg Mr. Joseph E. Leclerc Mr. Bill Mantinband Ms. Harriette Merkur Mr. and Mrs. Ron E. Nisson Mr. Paul S. Lederer Mrs. Phyllis Maple Mr. Jim Merrill Ms. Joann Nitzel Christopher D. Lee, Ph.D. Mr. Kenneth March Mrs. Barbara Merriman Ms. Adrienne Norris Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Lee Ms. Joan M. Marcoux Mrs. Serafina Messina North of Boston Chapter Ms. Georgia A. Leech Mrs. Berril Marglous Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Meyer Northshore Chapter of Long Island Ms. Mildred C. Leet Mr. Craig Marion Mrs. Ursula Meyer Northeastern Hearing & Balance Ctr. Ms. Barbara Lehar Ms. Linda W. Marker Mr. Alex Mich Jr. Northridge (CA) Chapter Ms. Bernice F. Lehr Ms. Ann M. Markin Mrs. Betsy Middleton Mr. Arthur Northrop Ms. Julie Lehrman Mr. Bernie Marks Mid-Michigan Chapter Mr. Alfred J. Novak Mr. Aksel Lehtmae Mrs. R. J. Marsolais Ms. Aileen Miholovich Mrs. Gloria Nowicki Mr. Matti Lehtonen Mr. Doyle A. Martin Ms. Lorraine Milewski Ms. Frances A. Nunziato Ms. Irma Leibowitz Ms. Janet A. Martin Mr. Lorin L. Millard Dr. Vukani Nyirenda Ms. Lori I. Leiman Dr. John P. Martin Ms. Robin Miller Oakland Audiology Mrs. Ann M. Leisy Mrs. Judy G. Martin Ms. June Mills Ms. Susanne Oakley Ms. Lavonne Lela Mrs. Marilyn Martin Mrs. Jeanne Milne Mrs. Barbara Oates Mrs. Lorraine Lemke Mr. Peter Martin Mrs. Jeanne M. Miloglav Ms. Linda B. Oberst Mrs. Marian Leonard Ms. Hilda Martinez Ms. Olivia Milward Ms. Anna C. O’Bier Ms. Margaret Leone Ms. Rosa B. Martinez Mr. and Mrs. Donald Minneman Mr. Ed O’Brien Mr. Richard Lepkowski Mr. Sergio Martinez Richard Minton, M.D. Mr. James O’Brien Mr. Myron E. Leslie Mr. Frank C. Martino Mrs. Patricia Mirza Mr. John M. O’Connor Mr. Ettore Lettich Ms. Sho Maruyama Ms. Joyce E. Mishler Ms. M. K. O’Connor Ms. Teresa Leung Mr. Takuya Maruyama Ms. Cynthia Mitchell Mr. James F. O’Donnell Mr. Albert Levitt Mr. Richard D. Masia Mrs. Tammy Mitchell Office of Research, Mr. Manford H. Levy Mrs. Andrea Mason Mrs. Susan Mitloff Demonstration, & Innovation Ms. Archie B. Lewis Ms. Eloise Mason Ms. Marlene Mitnick Mr. William Ogden Mr. Marvin W. Lewis Mr. James H. Mason Mrs. Hideko Mochizuki Mr. Robert B. Ogg Dr. L. D. Lewy Mrs. Julie Halbert Mason Mr. and Mrs. Mike Moeller Mr. Donald A. Ogle Ms. Louise Liberati Ms. Meredith K. Mason Ms. Pat Moellers Ms. Dorothy J. Ogle Ms. Karen M. Lichtefeld Mr. Richard Mason Ms. Clair W. Moody Ms. Janet O’Gorman Dr. Jeffrey Liebman Ms. Sherry Mason Ms. Lynn Moody Dr. Michael J. O’Halloran Ms. Joan Liebman Ms. Thelma Mason Mr. Ray Mooney Kevin K Ohlemiller, Ph.D. Ms. Erna Liebzeit Ms. Lyn Mastin Mr. Helmuth Moormann Mr. Benjamin Olevsky Mr. and Mrs. Charles Liedike Ms. Dorothy Matecko Ms. Anise Morell Ms. Aris A. Oliver Ms. Louise H. Lieske Mr. Charles Mater Mrs. Georgia S. Morgan Mrs. Jacqueline Olmstead Mr. Arend Lijphart Mr. Jack Mathews Mr. A. P. Morris Ms. Julie Olson Ms. Joyce R. Linden Ms. Ellen P. Mathis Ms. Ola C. Morris Mrs. Constance O’Mara Ms. Charlotte Lindon Ms. Antonia Matthew Ms. Sylvia Morris Mrs. Melanie O’Rourke Ms. Rosemarie Linhart Mr. Michael G. Maxfield Ms. Gail G. Morrison Ms. Mauri L. Osheroff Mrs. Nanci Linke-Ellis Mrs. Margaret B. Mayer Mr. and Mrs. Michael D. Morrison Ms. Linda Ousley Ms. Doris M. Linkletter Mrs. Sharon Mayne Withers Dr. and Mrs. Ken Morrow Ms. Marcia W. Ousley Ms. Virginia Linnihan Mr. Alton R. Mayo Ms. Anita Morse Mr. and Mrs. David Overholt Ms. Lola J. Linstad Ms. Kathleen O. Mayo Mrs. Joy Moss Ms. Ann B. Owen Lions Club Ms. Rene C. Mayo Ms. Leola Mosso Dr. Jim Pacholka Mr. Richard G. Little Ms. Peggy J. Mc Kee Mrs. Jane Motrinec Mrs. Annette Packer Ms. Edith Littlefield Blane Mr. Bill McBride Ms. Karen Moulder Ms. Jane Pagett Ms. Barbara R. Lively Mr. Darryl C. McCabe Mrs. Doris U. Moyer Ms. Laura Pagotto Mrs. Ernestine Loafman Ms. Elaine C. McCaffrey Mr. Robinson E. Mozo-Saa Ms. Margaret Paine Mrs. Marianne Lock Ms. Amy F. McCarthy Ms. Lois Mueller Mrs. Joan Pallant Mrs. Michaelene Lodise Dr. Eileen F. McCartin Ms. Isabelle Mugavero Ms. Janet Palmer Mr. and Mrs. William Loftus Ms. Marsha McClean Mr. Chuck R. Muhlenbruck Mr. Carl J. Palucki

November/December 2008 37 Mr. Gene Pankey Ms. Lois Reed Mr. John Saemann Ms. Belle B. Shipe Dr. Richard E. Panzer Mrs. Ruth E. Reed Mrs. Debra V. Salomonson Ms. Marcia Shuford Ms. Melissa Pardo Ms. Suzanne Reed Ms. Diane E. Salvamoser Prof. Nancy Shuster Ms. Carol L. Paris Mr. Charles Reese Ms. Lynn G. Salzbrenner Mr. Walter Sickelka Mr. Jon N. Paris Mr. Joe H. Regenhardt Dr. Eslee Samberg-Marcus Mr. and Mrs. David M. Siegel Park Place Hearing Center Mrs. Bette Reigelman Mr. Stanley Samuelson Ms. Toni Siegler Mrs. Cynthia Parker Mr. Robert A. Reiller Mr. Vincent Samuolis Signwrite Reporting Services, Inc. Mrs. Laurel Parker Ms. Pat Reinbolt Ms. Dorothy V. Sangl Mr. Fred Sigrist Mr. Salvatore J. Parlato Ms. Beverly A. Reinertson Ms. Elena Santos Mrs. Lillian Silber Mr. Edwin H. Paschall, Jr. Mrs. Josephine A. Reinhardt Ms. Marilyn Sauer Ms. Maxine R. Silver Mrs. Bobbie J. Paskvalich Mr. John W. Reitmeyer Mr. and Mrs. Paul C. Sauer Mrs. Marlyse Silverberg Ms. Martha Patton Mr. Walter Renner Mr. Kenn Sauls Mr. and Mrs. Victor Silvestri Ms. Mary Payne Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Rennie Mr. Richard Savadow Mr. and Mrs. John Simmons Mr. Donald W. Peaceman Mr. Herbert Renz Ms. Pamela L. Savage Ms. Anetta R. Simon Ms. Betty Pearce Ms. Emily Reynolds Ms. Cynthia L. Savaiko Mr. Robert Simoni Mr. Andros O. Peck Ms. Marilyn M. Reynolds Ms. Jane Savino Mr. Harold D. Simons Mr. and Mrs. Bill Pedersen Mr. Oakley Reynolds Mr. Peter V. Scalzo Miss. Lois A. Simons Ms. Harriet Peetluk Susan Rezen, Ph.D. Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Schaab Ms. Rose Marie Siringo Mr. Dick E. Pelkey Ms. Sara Rhein Mrs. Margaret L. Schaefer Ms. Bernice Sisson Ms. Lois Pendley Mrs. Sharon Rhode Ms. Christine D. Schaffran Ms. Joann Skinner Miss. Valerie Pentoney Mr. Bobby Richardson Ms. Josephine Schallehn Mr. Robert F. Skowronek Dr. Joseph G. Perino Mrs. Lesley Richardson Ms. Pauline Schatz Mr. Larry Slaughter Ms. Jeanne P. Perkins Mrs. Deana Richman Mrs. Susan Horne Scheibe Mr. Bruce Sloane Mr. Robert T. Perkins Ms. Dorothy Richmond Ms. May-Belle S. Schein Mr. David Smale Ms. Sarah Perkins Ms. Norma M. Riddell Mr. Dan Scheller Ms. Helga H. Small Ms. Ruth R. Perman Ms. Debra L. Riddle Mr. Bertram M. Schenck Mr. Charles R. Smith Mrs. Tammy Perry Mr. Arthur G. Ridge Mr. Richard R. Scherer Mr. David Smith Dr. and Mrs. Gerald Perselay Ms. Bonnie Ridley Mrs. Marjorie R. Schick Ms. Elise Smith Mr. and Mrs. Louis Perutti Ms. Patricia J. Ridley Ms. Evelyn Schicker Mr. George R. Smith Mr. Andrew G. Peterson Mrs. Barbara C. Riggs Mr. Samuel Schiff Ms. Georgia Smith Ms. Betty Peterson Ms. Joan Rilance Mr. John Schilling Mrs. Helen C. Smith Mrs. Frances V. Peterson Mr. Frank A. Riley, Sr. Ms. Trudy C. Schindewolf Mr. James A. Smith Mrs. Marion Peterson Mrs. Marge Rinne Mrs. Marla Schindler Ms. Jane L. Smith Mr. Jonathan Petromelis Mrs. Roberta Riser Mr. Todd Schlieben Ms. Katherine V. Smith Ms. Ivanka Petrusheva Ms. Marie C. Ritchie Ms. Doris M. Schmidt Mr. Kenneth E. Smith Ms. Carolyn Petts Mr. Luis Rivera Ms. Karen Schneier Mrs. Lilia Smith Ms. Ruth M. Pfifferling Riverside Medical Clinic Sr. Therese Schnurr Mrs. Lola Smith Mr. Alex Phillips Mr. Michael Rizzuti Ms. Ruth Schoenstein Ms. Marguerite Smith Mr. and Mrs. Robert Phillips Mr. David D. Robbins Mr. Steve Schrader Ms. Megan Smith Mr. Rob Phillips Mr. George J. Roberts Ms. Brenda Schrecengost Mrs. Rose M. Smith Ms. Ann Marie Picardo Ms. Norma D. Robinett Dr. Harold Schultz Ms. Ann M. Snell Mr. and Mrs. John C. Pilgrim Ms. Kate Robinson Mr. Stephen H. Schultz Ms. Arlynn Snukals Joffe Mr. Donald Pitman Ms. Linda Robinson Mrs. Christina Schulz Mr. Don Snyder Mrs. Kathryn Pittelkau Mr. and Mrs. Richard Robinson Ms. Deborah J. Schumann Thomas E. Snyder, M.D. Mrs. Laverne Plackemeier Ms. Karen Rockow Ms. Diane E. Schutt Mr. Robert P. Sonntag III Mr. Sherman Plepler Mrs. Theresa A. Rodeghiero Ms. Melissa Schutt Ms. Michele Sosa Ms. Monica M. Pogozelski Ms. Rosemarie A. Rodriguez Ms. Leslie H. Schwager Col. Roy J. Sousley Mrs. Sophie W. Pohl Rev. Rudolph Roell Mrs. Lisa Schwartz Ms. Linda E. Spagnola Ms. Norma I. Poling Mrs. Helen P. Rogers Mr. Paul Schwartz Vernon C Spaulding, M.D. Mrs. Jean Pontius Mr. Philip W. Rogers Mr. Daniel T. Schwarz Mrs. Anne A. Spery Ms. Jan C. Poock Ms. Virginia Reynolds Rogers Ms. Eleanor Schwarz Ms. Connie Spiewak Mr. Mel Poole Mr. William E. Rogers Mrs. Judith Schwarzmeier Mrs. Mary Ann Spiro Mr. and Mrs. John W. Potkai Ms. Evelyn Rohrich Ms. Rebecca Schweigert Mrs. Dixie Spitzer Mrs. Emily M. Potrude Mr. Al Ronaldson Miss. Josephine Sciacco Spokane ENT Clinic Mrs. Ann R. Pottenger Ms. Norma Ronco Ms. Cynthia A. Scott Ms. Patty Jane Spreuer Mrs. Cathy Potter Dr. Margaret Rosa Ms. Imogene Scott Ms. Norma J. Springer Dr. Marion Potts Mrs. Annie Ross Ms. Jean Scott Springfield Clinic Mrs. Cathrine Powers Mrs. Gretchen Ross Ms. Joyce Scott Mr. John Stack Ms. Anne Prema Ms. Judith W. Ross Ms. Nancy Scotti Mr. George H. Stair, Jr. Ms. JoAnn Priore Ms. Nancy M. Ross Mr. Wayne Seely Ms. Terry Stalk Dr. Marilyn Probe Mr. Spencer H. Ross Ms. Elizabeth T. Segel Mrs. Deborah A. Stamm Mr. Neal Probert Ms. Susie M. Ross Mark W. Seng, Ph.D. Mr. Harold L. Stansel Ms. Elaine Procida Mr. David N. Rowe Mrs. Pamela Senyk Mr. Richard A. Starek Mr. Jack Prucha Ms. Ida Rowe Ms. Lucy Serna Mr. Gerry Stasko Ms. Rose M. Ptashkin Ms. Maxine Rowley Ms. Louise Sethmann Ms. Helene Stein Mr. Ken Putkovich Dr. Herbert Rubinstein Ms. Janet Setsuda Mr. Ross E. Stempel, Jr. Mr. Blake F. Putney Lynn Rudich, M.D. Ms. Dianne J. Sette Ms. Barbara Stenross Ms. Melissa Putt Mr. Jack Rudner Mrs. Vincenza Sette Mrs. Irene M Stern-Kohn Mr. LaVern Pyles Jr. Mrs. Shona Rue Ms. Andrea Shae Ms. Barbara A. Stevens Ms. Carol Quenzer Ms. Dorothy A. Rugg Mr. and Mrs. Don M. Shaffer Mrs. Monica B. Stevens Ms. Carol A. Quigg Mr. Victor M. Ruiz Mrs. Julie Shaffer Ms. Margaret K. Stewart Ms. Gloria Radler Ms. September L. Ruminer Ms. Lauren Shamoil Mr. Robert D. Stewart Ms. Beverly Rager Mrs. Wallace B. Rummel Ms. Elizabeth Shane Mrs. Rochelle Stewart Ms. Marsha Raleigh Mr. Herbert E. Rundgren Jr. Ms. Kay C. Shanker Carren J. Stika, Ph.D. Mr. Richard C. Ramga Ms. Karen S. Runkle Mr. Terrill Shanks Mr. Andrew L. Still, Jr. Ms. Lorena D. Ramp Mr. Walter Rupp Ms. Edith R. Shapiro Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Stoddard Mrs. Pearl Doris Ramseth Mr. and Mrs. William Rupp Irving Shapiro, Ph.D. Ms. Mary D. Stodden Ms. Jean Ramsey Dr. John R. Russell, Jr. Ms. Jeanne A. Shapiro Mr. Gary Stone Mrs. Eileen P. Randall Mrs. Lorene Russell Ms. Rose Shauis Ms. Leslie S. Stone Dr. Phyllis A. Randall Mr. Robert H. Russell Mr. Earl R. Shaw Ms. Mary Anne Stone Ms. Fern Raphael Mrs. Marie E. Ruys Ms. Tammie Shedd Mr. Claude Stout Rappahannock (VA) Chapter Ms. Selma P. Ryave Mr. John Shen Mr. Fred J. Stover Ms. Margaret Rau Ms. Alma R. Rydstedt Ms. Sheila D. Sheperd Mary Jo Strauss, Ph.D. Mr. Larry Ravitz Ms. Sonia Saag Mr. David A. Sherman Mr. Richard Strauss Mr. Ed Rawlings Mr. Carl Sabatino Mrs. Deborah L. Sherman Mr. Lynn Stroud Mr. and Mrs. Donald J. Ray Mr. Howard Sabin Mrs. Rebecca A. Shick Ms. Joann S. Stubbs

38 Hearing Loss Magazine Mrs. Margueritte B. Sudduth Ms. Gloria Valdespino Mrs. Myra S. White Ms. Florence L. Butler Mr. Henry Sullivan Mr. Thomas Valenty Mrs. Veryl E. White Ms. Barbara B. Caner Mr. Lawrence Sullivan Mr. and Mrs. Bob Valway Mrs. Louise Whitmore Mr. Charles T. Carney Mrs. Mary B. Summers Ms. Joyce Van Atta Ms. Doris M. Whitworth Mrs. Raegene Castle Ms. Muriel Y. Summers Mr. Donald Van Auken Ms. Patricia Widman Ms. Rebecca A. Chester Mr. George Sutton Mr. Hank Van Driel Mr. and Mrs. Herbert E. Widmayer Mrs. Nancy E. Chubbs Mrs. Gail Swanson Ms. Peggy L. Van Patten Mr. Duane Wiedman Mrs. Margaret H. Church Ms. Linda A. Sweeney Mr. Willis A. Van Sickle Mr. and Mrs. Chester Wilbert Ms. Ginny L. Clark-Wright Mr. and Mrs. John Swing Ms. Viola H. Vangaasbeek Mr. Jozief Wilk Mr. and Mrs. Russell Cooper Mr. Dennis Szczepanski Mr. Robert Varley Ms. Sandra Wilkins Ms. Eileen K. Cooper Mr. Jim Tabor Ms. Barbara K. Vaughan Ms. Carol A. Williams Mrs. Paulette S. Cotner Mr. Daniel Takacs Mrs. Diane Veenendaal Mr. Darl G. Williams Mr. and Mrs. Michael Curtiss Mr. Makoto B. Takeda Mr. M. M. Veghte Mr. Fred M. Williams Mrs. Johann Darney Mr. George F. Talbert Mr. Stuart A. Velick Mrs. Beverly A. Williamson Ms. Joan de Graaff Mrs. Catharine W. Talbot-Lawson Ms. Rita Verrecchia Dr. Edward K. Williamson Mr. Joseph Degan Kozelsky Ms. Janet C. Tamanaha Ms. Patricia Vetter & Dr. Janis K. Burkhardt Ms. Nancy A. Dietrich Mrs. Sandra Tankersley Mr. Ronald H. Vickery Ms. Alice C. Wilson Mrs. Alice Dungan Mr. Leo Taranto Mr. and Mrs. David S. Viers Mr. John V. Wilson Ms. Rita T. Durand Mr. Charles A. Tarpley Mrs. Michelle A. Vine-Gross Mr. and Mrs. Michael Wilson Ms. Dorothy Emmons Ms. Carolyn J. Tata Mr. S. Frank Viteznik Mr. William Wilson Mr. Peter Fackler Mrs. Jeanie W. Teare Ms. Jean R. Vogel Ms. Nancy Wimpfheimer Ms. Beverly A. Fish Ms. Clara K. Tengan Ms. Barbara Vogelhuber Ms. Joan C. Winkler Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Fitzgerald Mr. Rick Terrazano Mrs. Julie Vogt Mr. Bruce B. Winter Mrs. Luella M. Gibb Ms. Judy Terrell Mr. Peter von Christterson Mr. Elliot Winters Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Gilmore Ms. Danita Testerman Mr. Eberhard Von Goeler Ms. Sylvia Witte Ms. Hollace Goodman Mrs. Marta Tetzeli Ms. Margreta Von Pein Mr. and Mrs. Randall Wokas Ms. Sandy Gorby Welches TEXARK (AK) Chapter Ms. Barbara E. Wacker Mr. George P. Wolfe Mrs. Joan M. Haber Mr. Stephen M. Thal Waggoner, Frutiger, & Daub Mr. and Mrs. Steven Wolff Mrs. Janet Haines The Hearing Discovery Center Mr. Edward Wagman Ms. Carol D. Wolford Mrs. Joan P. Ireland Mr. Ted Theiss Mr. Gary Wagner Ms. Penny Wolfsohn Mr. John W. Irwin Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Thiele Ms. Joyce D. Wagner Mr. R. E. Wollgast Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Karr Ms. Barbara N. Thomas Ms. Betty S. Walberg Mrs. Grace Wood Mr. and Mrs. Kris Kirstukas Mr. Homer B. Thomas Mr. William J. Walborn Ms. Jo F. Wood Ms. Virginia Koenig Ms. Lisa Thomas Ms. Annette Walczak Mrs. Heloise V. Woods Mrs. Nancy Landrum Malcolm Thomas, Ph.D. Ms. Laurel J. Walden Mr. John E. Woods Mr. Bert Lederer Ms. Evelyn A. Thomason Mrs. Ferdie M. Walker Mr. Adin K. Woodward Harry Levitt, Ph.D. Mr. and Mrs. Art Thompson Miss Kelsey Wall Mr. and Mrs. Eric Wormser Ms. Ann A. Liming Mr. John and Mrs. Marilyn Thompson Ms. Cindy S. Wallbrink Mr. Edward Wormser Ms. Margaret P. Loureiro Ms. Andrea Thomson Mrs. MaryAnn Wallen Ms. Barbara B. Worth Ms. Beatrice Lyons Ms. Mary E. Thorsby Ms. Marie D. Walsh Ms. Carol Wortmann Ms. Susan Mackin Ms. Eleanor H. Thrane Mr. Maurice Walter Ms. Nancy K. Wright Ms. Pamela J. Magyar Mr. Tom Thunder Ms. Anne Walters Ms. Marilyn B. Wykoff Mr. Victor M. Matsui Ms. Olive S. Tickner Mrs. Ruth G. Walworth Mrs. Ruth Wynn Miller Ms. Anna M. Miller Ms. Ella K. Tiffany Mr. George Wamsley Ms. Alta Yancey Mrs. Debbie Mohney Mr. Scott Tinkel Mr. Wilfred H. Ward Ms. Dale E. Young Ms. Janet Mueller Mrs. Jennifer L. Tiziani Ms. Dorothy Warren Ms. Geraldine Young Dr. Mary S. Neff Ms. Mary L. Tobacoff Mrs. Adele S. Warsinske Ms. Joyce A. Young Ms. Kathy Niemeyer Ms. Anne M. Todd Ms. Darlene Warzala Mr. Lawrence J. Young Mr. Richard F. O’Connell Ms. Mona Todd Ms. Wendi Adams Washington Mr. Martin Young Ms. Bonnie O’Leary Mrs. Virginia Tolles Mr. Darrylin Wasiuk Mr. Robert Young Ms. Shirley A. Painter Ms. Helen Towle Ms. Helen Waters Mr. Yuille Young Mrs. Tammy Perry Dr. Herb Trace Mr. David Watkins Ms. Marie Younkin-Waldman Mrs. Anne Pope Mr. Harvey Trackman Mr. Howard Watson Mrs. Lillian Zacks Ms. Harriett E. Porch Mr. Marvin Traub Mr. and Mrs. Rex D. Watson Mr. Barry Zadworny Mr. Howard Potrude Mr. Frank Traynor Mrs. Madeline Watt Mrs. Jenny W. Zeis Ms. Betty A. Proctor Mr. Kenneth M. Treadwell Mr. Tovah Wax Ms. Adrienne G. Zekos Mr. Michael Quinlan Mr. Charles W. Treat Donna S. Wayner, Ph.D. Mr. Seymour Zelanko Ms. Carolyn J. Tata Mr. Christopher Trimble Mr. Reed Weaver Mr. George E. Zimmerman Ms. Judy Terrell Ms. Elaine Trinkoff Ms. Linda M. Webb Mr. John S. Zinsser Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Vern P. Thayer Mrs. Lucy E. Triplett Mr. Paul Weber Mr. Stan Zoll Ms. Grace W. Tiessen Mrs. Carla Trivedi Ms. Michele G. Wechsler Mr. and Mrs. Joseph M. Zorawick Mrs. Melissa Trauthwein Mr. Curtis C. Troutman Mrs. Anna M. Wegner Ms. Margaret P. Zottola Ms. Flo E. Trenary Dr. Peg True Mr. Dewayne Weicht Ms. Kathleen M. Zuther Ms. Elinore Tushner Ms. Evelyn B. Truex Ms. Andria Weikel Ms. Janet Zwanziger Mr. Ronald H. Vickery Mr. Alfred Tsang Mrs. Jack Weil Ms. Edith Zwick Mrs. Tommie G. Wells Ms. Carolyn Tschachtli Mr. and Mrs. Richard T. Weiler Ms. Susan Zwiers Ms. Angela Wieker Mr. Peter C. Tubbs Mr. Bernard Weinberger Mrs. Maurice Wilson Ms. Penelope Tucker Mrs. Jane L. Weiner Premiere Club Ms. Sara Blair Wilson Mr. Dennis Tully Mr. Jerry Weisenfluh Thank you to our Premiere Club members Mr. John H. Wren Ms. Nicole Turano Mr. Jay R. Weiser for your continued support. Premiere lub Mrs. Betty H. Yagi Mrs. Stella W. Turk Mrs. Marilyn Weisler members are individuals who contribute Ms. Alta Yancey Mr. Will Turner Ms. Betty Weiss $20 or more to the Hearing Loss Associa- Mr. and Mrs. Richard Twitchell Mr. Herbert Weiss tion of America on a monthly basis, Ms. Ronnie G. Uberman Ms. Kathy A. Weiss automatically by credit card. Ms. Natalie Ulasiewicz Dr. Marie R. Welch Ms. Anita Ullman Ms. Anne C. Wells Mrs. Louise W. Allen Mr. Richard Umphrey Mrs. Betty Welsh Mr. Robert D. Arnett Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Rees Underdahl Mr. Stanley L. Wender Mrs. Dianna Attaway Mr. Verl A. Underwood Mr. Manfred Wengel Ms. Deb Charlea G. Baker Ms. Harriet Ungar Ms. Rebecca Wenger Ms. Amy J. Becktell Mr. Peter Unger Mrs. Glen W. Wensch Ms. Ronda Bonati University of Central Florida Mr. Daniel Wenz Mrs. Kathy M. Borzell University of Utah ENT Mr. Richard S. Wenzel Mr. and Mrs. R.M. Bratcher Ms. Joanne M. Upton Ms. Lorraine Wernow Mr. Richard V. Brown Ms. Karla Ussery West Valley (AZ) Chapter Mrs. Teresa Blankmeyer Burke June M. Uyehara-Isono, Au.D. Mr. Marvin Westcott Ms. Carol Burns

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November/December 2008 41 Hearing Loss Association of America Chapters Coming to a town near you!

committee, walkers, sponsors, and She hooked me up and said, ‘You re you looking for mutual support A donors to which we give thanks.” are probably not going to understand and information about hearing loss? The Westchester/Mid-Hudson a word I am saying.’ I responded, Hearing Loss Association of America Walk far exceeded its goal of $50,000 ‘I heard every word you just said.’ has more than 200 chapters and 14 and raised more than $70,000 for “To be a participant again in the state organizations. For a chapter near HLAA. Monies collected for each Walk hearing world is beyond my wildest you, go to www.hearingloss.org. are shared 50/50 with participating dreams. I cannot begin to express the Share your good news. If you chapters and HLAA national. Chapters joy I feel being able to communicate have news about what is happening in use the money to fund local programs with people again. I feel like I got chapters or state organizations, send and HLAA national uses the money for a piece of myself back that I dearly 400 or less words and JPG photos awareness and advocacy programs. grieved. My heart is touched in the (300 dpi) to Editor Barbara Kelley To read Roberta and Pam’s story, deepest of ways. at [email protected]. go to www.walk4hearing.org. “Thank you for hosting education- al meetings on cochlear implants and Pom-Pom Girls Turn Conference, California-Style for the many people who shared their Fundraisers in Walk4Hearing HEAR2009, Hearing Loss Association personal experiences at chapter meet- Members Roberta Seidner and Pam of CA Regional Conference ings. It was through HLAA-Albuquer- Foody were known as the “Pom-Pom February 13-15, 2009 que that I found the resources and Girls” of the Downstate New York Doubletree Hotel Anaheim/ courage to choose this for myself.” Walk4Hearing in 2006 and 2007. This Orange County year, they were the 2008 Westchester/ With gratitude, Mid-Hudson Walk4Hearing co-chairs Celebrating the history and people Susie Kanefield for the Walk held in May in Yorktown who started SHHH/HLAA 30 years ago, Santa Fe, New Mexico Heights, New York, in FDR Park. Liz Pruyn of the planning committee In past years they were known for promises this will be an extraordinary Calling All Editors their famous cheer of “rah-rah, let’s event with Hollywood celebrities, lead- Judy Martin of Florida and Steve Frazier go walkers!” Now they are known for ing researchers, motivational speakers, of New Mexico have initiated an HLAA their collaborate efforts in forming a and exhibits. The keynote speaker will group for chapter and state newsletter dedicated hard-working committee be Richard Pimentel, subject of the editors. Whether you are new to the for the 2008 Walk4Hearing. award winning movie Music Within. job or have been at it for a long time, The duo says, “We spent months of The first annual Rocky Stone Media this group can be useful. thinking Walk4Hearing 24/7. It was not Awards (The Rocky’s) will be present- Judy and Steve write: “This is a an easy path but we didn’t do it alone. ed honoring people of hearing loss in list where we can talk about all the We had a truly wonderful hard-working film and television. Visithttp://www. things so dear to a newsletter editor’s hear2009.com to learn more. heart. Whether it’s giving hints on how to have a more effective front Letter to the Albuquerque page, making a choice to use either Chapter Editor the postal service or electronic mail, From Steve Frazier, editor of the Albu- efficiently managing use of space or querque newsletter: “I’m sure many of any of the other issues we face on a you have days when you ask yourself regular basis. We are here for each the same thing I asked this morning other, so please join us at http:// when I was working on the September groups.yahoo.com/group/HLAA_ newsletter—“Why do I do this? Why do Newsletter_Editors. I give all this time to HLAA?”The answer Please be sure to send a copy of came immediately when I checked my your newsletter to Chapter Develop- e-mail and read the following: ment at the HLAA office in Bethesda. Roberta Seidner, Bronx, and Pam Foody, “At the end of June I had a cochlear Save money—only one copy is neces- Circleville, co-chairs of the 2008 Westchester/ implant. Two weeks later, I met with sary. Your newsletters are circulated Mid-Hudson Walk4Hearing. the audiologist to activate my processor. among the staff.

42 Hearing Loss Magazine :_f`Z\jkf=`kPfliC`]\

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November/December 2008 43 Seven Tips to Better Communication continued from page 46 Index of Advertisers ADCO Hearing Products 15 • Offer to wash the dishes if you want to take time out from trying to hear Advanced Bionics 47 everyone, and you still want to feel useful. American Academy of Hearing Loss Support Specialists 40 6. To drink or not to drink? Comfort Audio, Inc. 23 Some people's lipreading skills tend to get worse when they drink. Some people's Dry & Store 44 lip-reading skills tend to get better when they drink because they're more relaxed. Hamilton Web CapTel 48 And, of course, there are pros and cons of drinking that impact on mood. Harris Communications 44 Be aware of what works best for you. And remember, if you do drink, do Med-El 15 so responsibly and never drink and drive. Oticon Inc. 2 Phonak 7 7. Assistive listening devices sComm 19 There are assistive listening devices, such as personal amplifiers and auxiliary Siemens 24 microphones that can help you hear in noisy environments. These can work either Sorenson SIPRelay 45 in conjunction with your hearing aid or cochlear implant, or directly into your SoundAid 40 ears. They have been particularly helpful for older relatives who are left out of the SoundBytes 45 loop in large family gatherings. If you need more information about these devices, Sound Clarity 40 please ask us! Teltex 43 Unitron 41 Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season! Verizon 5 Weitbrect Communications 43 Arlene Romoff is the author of the book Hear Again: Back to Life with a Cochlear Implant (League for the Hard of Hearing Publications, NYC) and president of the Opinions expressed in articles appearing in Hearing HLA-New Jersey State Association. This November she was honored by Theatre Resources Loss Magazine are those of the author. Mention of goods or services in advertisements does not mean Hearing Unlimited for her work in getting open captioning for live theater performances. She lives Loss Association of America endorsement, nor should in Saddle River, New Jersey, with her husband Ira. exclusion suggest disapproval.

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44 Hearing Loss Magazine November/December 2008 45 2-091275_cons-HrgLss_8.5x11-HiRzPage 1 1/31/08 3:58:04 PM

By Arlene Romoff Seven Tips to Better Communication

1. Realize that large social groups, especially around a large dining room table, are one of the most difficult environments for a person with a hearing loss. Be kind to yourself. Focus on the positive things that you can do, and not on the negatives of what you have difficulty doing. Think the glass is half full, not half empty.

2. It’s easier to talk with people one-on-one in a quiet environment than in a noisy living room. So: • Find a favorite friend or relative, and move the conversation into a quiet room, or a quieter corner. Or play a game or read a story to a child, if that’s an option. • Help out in the kitchen where there are usually less people gathered. And if you help with some preparations, you'll be doing something besides trying to hear.

3. When sitting down to dinner, make sure you choose a seat that is best for you! Here are some seating suggestions: • If you have a “better side,” seat yourself so that most people are on that side. • Seat yourself next to a person you usually have the least difficulty hearing or lipreading (avoid those folks with bushy mustaches and beards!) • Seat yourself next to someone who usually has the patience to clue you in on what the conversation is about, or the punch lines you'll miss. • Try not to seat yourself facing a window because the glare could make it Holiday difficult to see people's faces. C

• Ask your host to turn off any background music during dinner. And if a football M Madness game is blaring from a TV, turn it off or if that’s not an option, set it on mute. Y • Remember to be assertive about your needs! Pleasant and polite, but Communications assertive! CM Tips from Arlene MY 4. Conversation tips: CY

The holiday season can be very • It’s inevitable that you will not be able to hear the conversation with many CMY people talking and laughing at once. Content yourself with speaking with stressful for someone with a K the people on either side of you. hearing loss. With large family • If you start a conversation, then you’ll know what the topic is, so groups gathering, laughing it will be easier to follow. and conversing, it’s easy • If you miss something, try to ask only for the part you missed, instead for someone with a hearing of just saying “what?” loss to feel left out, isolated, • Expect that there will be jokes that you will not hear, so you will find yourself bewildered and sad. sitting at a table where everyone is laughing except you. Stay calm—you have a few options: Hearing aids and cochlear — ask the person next to you to tell you what was so funny implants have limitations in — ask the person next to you to remember what was so funny so they noisy environments like this, can tell you later. so here are a few tips to help — say “excuse me” to everyone at the table, and ask for the joke to be repeated so you can get it too. make this holiday more enjoyable for everyone. Remember that if you do this with a pleasant attitude, then people will usually want to help you out.

5. After–dinner strategies: • Volunteer to help out in the kitchen to get yourself away from that dining table with all the conversations and jokes you’re having trouble following. Do not offer to wash the dishes! This will put your back to everyone in the kitchen and you won't be able to lipread. Offer to dry the dishes or put food away. Or just keep everyone company.

continued on page 44 46 Hearing Loss Magazine 2-091275_cons-HrgLss_8.5x11-HiRzPage 1 1/31/08 3:58:04 PM

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