APRIL 2006 Hear Ye, Hear Ye
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HEARING LOSS ASSOCIATION OF FLORIDA NEWSLETTER, NO. 1 APRIL 2006 Hear Ye, Hear Ye HLA-FL to host 2006 National Convention in Orlando THE HEARING LOSS ASSOCIATION OF FLORIDA IS “HEAR” TO Lou Ferrigno and Michael Chorost SERVE YOU to be featured speakers With this premiere issue, we invite you to join us in The HLAA Annual making it a tool of Convention will be held communication among the at the Disney Coronado state organization, its chapters Spring Resort, in Orlando, and all people with a hearing Florida from June 29 – loss in Florida. July 2. This highly interactive convention In the months ahead, we program provides current plan to publish timely and and emerging innovation educational items of interest to for the people with the community. We welcome hearing loss. You will your ideas, articles and photos. have the opportunity to Hear Ye, Hear Ye will be learn and share with other accepting advertising from adults with hearing loss, interested parties as a way to parents of children who defray publishing and mailing are deaf or hard of costs. Please ask your local hearing and their family audiologists, hearing centers members. This year’s and ENTs to consider an ad to convention promises to be support us. Advertising rates a most memorable event. are listed on the back page. Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is one of the largest convention hotels at the Walt Disney World Resort with rich textures and vibrant colors bringing Northern Mexico and the American Southwest to life. Nestled around a 15-acre lake, this beautifully landscaped, cultural resort captures the warm and gracious spirit of its heritage. The featured speakers are Lou Ferrigno and Michael Chorost. Ferrigno is widely known for his portrayal of the Incredible Hulk, a television series that ran from 1978- 1982. His other acting credentials have been TV’s 1983 Trauma Center, along with several movies including Her- cules, Sinbad and Cage. Ferrigno also continues his recurring guest star role on King of Queens, airing Monday evenings at 8 o’clock on CBS. In February of this year, Ferrigno completed an extensive physical and academic training program and was commissioned as a Reserve Deputy for the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. Fans of TV in the 1970s, comic book fans, and deaf and hard of hearing people will remember Lou Fer- rigno's performances. This hard of hearing former sheet metal worker and body builder became an instant role –continued on page 4 PAGE 1 HEARING LOSS ASSOCIATION OF FLORIDA NEWSLETTER, NO. 1 APRIL 2006 BOARD OF TRUSTEES CONVENTION PROGRAM HEARING LOSS ASSOCIATION OF FLORIDA President: James Diaz, Oviedo HIGHLIGHTS [email protected] THURSDAY, JUNE 29 407-366-3024 8:30 a.m. Open Board/Business Meeting State Coordinator:Lynn Rousseau,Gainesville Come meet the HLAA Board members and [email protected] HLAA Florida Committee members 352-331-9808 11:00 a.m. Registration Opens Barbara Bavido, Orlando Exhibit Hall Opens [email protected] 1:00 p.m. First Time Attendees Meeting Francis Beecher, Sarasota HLAA would like to invite all first-time Attendees [email protected] to a special get-together. If you’re new to the 941-952-9011 HLAA Convention we want you to have the best Kathy Borzell, Tampa experience possible. To help you get off the [email protected] ground, you’re invited to attend the First-Time Attendee Program which will offer plenty of in- 813-832-6810 formation to help you navigate the conference. Alan Brown, Maitland 5:00 p.m. Opening Session [email protected] Begin your HLAA Convention experience with 407-644-0650 Lou Ferrigno, motivational speaker, two-time Mr. Carol Christopherson, Jacksonville Universe and TVs “The Hulk” followed by a re- [email protected] ception sponsored by Cochlear Americas. 904-771-7091 8:00 p.m. Get Acquainted Party Frank Corica, Venice Come celebrate with the HLAA Headquarter staff [email protected] and the HLAA Florida Committee with Tama 941-486-1068 Leao’s Polynesian Show. This Polynesian Show Merv Daniels, Winter Garden will be the Talk-of-the-town! Experience the ex- [email protected] otic setting of the South Pacific Islands without leaving your seats. 407-656-9283 James Forstall, Tallahassee FRIDAY, JUNE 30 [email protected] 8:30 a.m. Awards Ceremony and Breakfast 888-292-1950 X230 Join us as we recognize our extraordinary and dedicated people and organization that helped Joan Haber, Sarasota us to advance to our mission, goals and values. [email protected] 10:30 a.m. Workshops, State meetings 941-921-9197 and Roundtable discussions Flo Innes, Sarasota 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. “Celebrate Technology” [email protected] Special Exposition Mexican buffet in the exhibit 941-349-3057 hall. Judy Martin, Jacksonville SATURDAY, JULY 1 [email protected] All Day Workshops and Presentations 904-778-2265 6:00 p.m. Banquet Reception Jane Motrinec, Naples 7:00 p.m. Association Banquet [email protected] Featuring Michael Chorost, author of “Rebuilt: 239-455-1870 TTD/V How Becoming Part Computer Made Me More Kerry Payne, Jacksonville Human” Sponsored by Advance Bionics Corpo- [email protected] ration 904-998-9888 SUNDAY, JULY 2 Andrea Wilson, Davie 8:00 a.m. Worship Service [email protected] 9:00 a.m. Research Symposium Hearing Aid Manufacturer's Forum 954-475-3125 PAGE 2 HEARING LOSS ASSOCIATION OF FLORIDA NEWSLETTER, NO. 1 APRIL 2006 PRESIDENT’S REPORT BY JIM DIAZ Though numbers fail to weigh the tremen- volume is loud and clear. I know my hearing aids dous motivation of our Hearing Loss Association aren't outdated because I can test some of the of Florida population, I can't help wonder why we newer models at the convention exhibit hall. have a 3 to 1 ratio of When the Florida rain catches me in the parking hearing aid specialists lot on the way to my car, I know my hearing aids and audiologists to our won’t be affected because they are enclosed by Florida membership water resistant hearing aid socks I purchased at count. This wonder the convention exhibit hall. especially rings true Each year, our Hearing Loss Association of when I look back at the America convention brings us news of cutting benefits I have person- edge technology, news of new products, and news ally received from be- of successful self advocacy. But, I must say, of ing a member of the most importance, I value the experience I have Hearing Loss Associa- meeting others who understand the invisible tion of Florida. In the past ten years I have at- struggles we all go through with hearing loss. tended nine of the ten Self-Help for Hard of Hear- For Floridians, it is a special year. The con- ing People (SHHH) conventions. Each time, my vention is at our doorstep. This year Orlando is life has improved tenfold. host to the Hearing Loss Association of America I have directional microphones sold in the Convention. I ask you to do yourself a favor. exhibit hall that make my hearing sharp and clear. Come to the convention. Please share the news As a result, I speak louder and have more control with your favorite audiologist or hearing aid spe- of my voice. This is all due to a product that cialist or doctor. Spread the news of the conven- many people do not have a clue even exists. tion like wildfire; it’s simply too much of a treas- Armed with product information, I’m able to ure to hoard. Maybe soon we can say we have wisely purchase a cell phone that does not cause thirty members per audiologist. my hearing aids to buzz or produce “snake rat- I look forward to seeing all of you this tles” from cell phone interference. To boot, the summer at the Coronado Resort in Orlando. Boca Raton Chapter The Boca Raton Chapter has to the program. In a communica- speech reading techniques; cochlear been in existence for over 11 years. tively accessible setting, members implants; the Americans with Dis- Our meetings are held the fourth of all ages and degrees of hearing abilities Act; and other educational Monday of every month from Sep- loss, along with their families, learn topics. Assistive listening devices tember through May from 7 to 9:30 about hearing loss and self help are available during the meetings. p.m. Meetings take place at the practices. To join our chapter, please James Rutherford Building in Patch Interesting speakers are in- send in membership application. For Reef Park, Boca Raton. Guests at- vited each month and cover such more information, please contact the tend meetings for a maximum of topics as: the latest in hearing aids Boca Raton Chapter President, Geri three times without charge. Annual and assistive listening devices; Young at [email protected] dues are just $15.00. where to find help for the hard of or by phone (561) 451-8494. Refreshments are served prior hearing; coping with hearing loss; Hearing Loss Association of America National Convention in Orlando June 29 - July 2, 200 6 PAGE 3 HEARING LOSS ASSOCIATION OF FLORIDA NEWSLETTER, NO. 1 APRIL 2006 Ferrigno and Chorost to worked at dot-coms and research News from the Board speak institutes as a technical writer. He taught academic writing at the Uni- of Trustees (continued from page 1) versity of San Francisco in 2005. model for deaf and hard of hearing –Kathy Borzell Chorost now earns his living as a youth. A winner of major body- freelance writer, speaker, and con- building titles when only in his early The Board of Trustees of the sultant in San Francisco touring the 20s, Ferrigno was motivated to be- Hearing Loss Association of Amer- USA and Europe on a regular basis.