HLAA Exhibits #4
2008 Hearing Loss Association of America Conference - Reno,
NV
By Cheryl Heppner, 6/19/08
Serene Innovations, Inc.
I wondered what happened to George
F. Cheung since his Ameriphone days. You could have knocked
me over with a feather when I discovered he is President
of Serene Innovations, one of the newest stars in the
hearing assistive technology field. During the first
two days of the conference, their exhibit was always
jammed, but on early Saturday afternoon
it was my own little playground with Mr. Cheung and
Peter Lee.
The listening products had futuristic design touches. "Private
TV", Model TV100, is a black wireless device for TV watching.
It's hard to describe, but let me try: it looks like slim
plastic headband whose tips decided to grow and be
shapely. On second thought, you're going to need a
picture. It rests on your shoulders, not on your head like
headphones or from your ears like some other listening
systems. You can adjust it for tone control. A docking
station recharge its, and it gets about 20 hours per
charge. It's available as a set with either one device
or two. Look for it to hit the shelves in August.
The Universal Personal Listener,
UL100, looks very similar. This baby helps with one-to-one
or group conversations, phone calls (regular and cell),
iPod or MP3 players. If I understand correctly, it has a built in loop system.
This and the VibraQuartz vibrating alarm watch, VQ-100,
are expected out in August too. I liked the vibration
of the watch, though it was too man-size for my
wrist. The alarm sends pulses three times, five minutes
apart, if you don't shut it off sooner. It would
be a great mainstream product to remember to take medication
or check that odd pot bubbling on the stove. Operation
is simple with one knob to set the time and one to
set the alarm.
Serene Innovation has four telephones,
using proprietary technology which they call High Definition
Sound Technology. The intent is to eliminate distortion,
echo and squealing commonly found in other amplified
phones. Digital
Tone Enhancement gives the ability to select amplification
and enhance the speech frequencies you don't hear well. The
HD-60 has 55 dB of amplification and has a unique feature.
If accidentally left of the hook, it will flash to remind
you to return it to its home. The HD-60J is the same,
but with the addition of large numbers and a jumbo Braille
keypad. The HD-40P amplifies up to 26 decibels and
has no power adapter. It can be powered directly off your
phone line. It has a speaker phone and easy-setup
photo memory buttons. The HD-30P is the same but does
not have a speaker phone.
Also available is the PA-30 portable
phone amplifier that can be strapped onto any phone handset
anywhere, amplifies up to 30 dB, and the Super Loud Ringer
SR-105 that adjusts up to 105 dB of loudness, has selectable
ring tone, bright visual ring flasher and an optional
bed shaker. Surprise feature: it works for a cell phone
too, if placed next to it. And if you're not getting
the amplification you want from your current phone, the
Universal Phone Amplifier (UA-40 or UA-45) makes any
phone 40+ dB louder. It's got two jacks to allow use
of headphones.
The website -- www.sereneinnovations.com --
is showing products for keeping food fresh and cleaning
it to remove pesticides and chemicals. No hearing assistive
technology is up there, though you can find their products
being sold by some mail order companies. For more information,
contact George at g.cheung@sereneinnovations.com.
Verizon
Verizon was advertising its Verizon
Center for Customers with Disabilities. For Verizon
customers, this is the place to call for your FiOS, TV,
Internet or telephone needs.
Voice/TTY: 1-800-974-6006
Videophone: 800.974.6006
or 888.974.6006
Large print and Braille bills
can be provided. Some discounts may be available to eligible
individuals. This is also the number to call and ask
about accessible telephone equipment.
Verizon was also distributing a magazine with a guide
to plans, pricing, the latest phones and more.
The Gallaudet Leadership Institute, housed in Gallaudet
University's College of Professional Studies and Outreach,
has two new programs that may still have space available.
July 28-August 1, 2008
Eye Movement Integration: Theory and Practice
Eye Movement Integration is a
therapeutic technique that is effective for treating
phobias, post-traumatic stress, anxiety and negative
or self-limiting thoughts. This
course will provide instruction in the theory of eye movement
theories, as well as demonstration and practice in the
uses of EMI in clinical settings. The course, held at Gallaudet
University, includes face-to-face lecture, demonstration,
and practice.
Successful completion will lead to certification as a practitioner
of Eye Movement Integration.
Prerequisites: Completion of a graduate degree in a
mental health profession (counseling, social work, psychology
or psychiatry)
Are you interested in helping your organization pursue
opportunities in today's dynamic business environment?
If your answer is YES, this course is for you.
Project management principles are stepping out of their
traditional strongholds within the construction and information
technology fields into everyday business management situations.
Project managers have responsibility over a wide range
of employees from various departments within an organization.
Attendees of this course will be armed with substantive
practical project management knowledge and skills that
encompasses all project management stages. Philosophies,
principlesk and practices adopted by the Project Management
Institute (PMI) make up a large part of this course.
Some management experience encouraged but not required;
business majors also invited.
