2008 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention
- Reno, NV
By Cheryl Heppner
- I call this "The B & B Year" at the HLAA Convention. The
two hot topics were Bilateral cochlear implants and
Bluetooth technology. I talked to at least eight people
who had either had a second cochlear implant or were implanted
for the first time with two. All of them were very
enthusiastic about it. As for Bluetooth, I think
the interest is due to the many people with declining hearing who
are looking for something to get more than they have
with their hearing aids. Bluetooth, like other hearing
assistive technologies, can help give them that edge
to hear better in some difficult situations.
- Spotted on the flight to Reno:
Brad Pitt! Ok,
so it was in a nearly full-page photo in People magazine,
but a delight nonetheless. Page 14 of the June 16,
2006 issue had a thrilling photo of him with his son Maddox
at the MotoGP motorcycling Grand Prix, "armed with track
must-haves -- shades and earplugs." Bright
orange ones you couldn't miss in both their ears! Seatmates
Lise Hamlin and George Kosovich were as tickled as
I was. HLAA, grab him to be a spokesperson for
hearing protection!
- I had a chance to talk with
Nanci Linke-Ellis on the first day of the conference while I scarfed down a
quick breakfast. Nanci was emphatic that she
is still totally committed to captioned movies and advocacy
for them despite announcement that InSight Cinema will
no longer be providing its previous services. Not that
I had any doubt.
- One of the best new things at
the HLAA convention is the spiral bound Convention Workbook.
It runs 247 pages, plus a few spare pages in the back
for notes. Inside are presentation slides or outlines
for many of the workshops, arranged in sections for each
day.
- At the Opening Session, Ahme
Stone was presented with a framed picture of Rocky and
the first set of Rocky Stone stamps. The stamps were
the brainchild of Virginia's Vic Matsui, a member of
the HLAA board of trustees, and Ann Liming chaired the
committee to develop the concept.
- Also at the Opening
Session, Ahme mentioned that Rocky had wanted Brenda
Battat to become Executive Director of what was then
Self Help for Hard of Hearing Persons way back in 1993.
- This was my Year of the Lost
Pens. I took a stash of my favorite Uniball Vision Elite
felt tip pens, the better for writing in my reporter's
notebook with. They
kept disappearing throughout the conference and I only
had one left by the time I came home. Not that I
would have gone pen-less, as pens were the most popular
exhibitor giveaway, but I do so love that smooth write
when my wrists are being beat up from computer work and
carrying the fully-loaded conference bag around.
