American Academy of Hearing Loss Support Specialists™ Marks its First Anniversary
An Online, Self-Paced, Distance Learning Program
By Christopher T. Sutton
In December 2005, the Hearing Loss Association of America launched its groundbreaking program, the American Academy of Hearing Loss Support Specialists. Hearing Loss Association established this program with a set of core knowledge and understanding for individuals (both lay and professional) who work with or wish to work with, people affected by hearing loss.
The online, self-paced, distance-learning program for adults was designed and written by the Hearing Loss Association of America, the Academy Advisory Board, and other leading experts in the field. A Certificate in Hearing Loss Support is issued on completion of the program.
What Was Important About September 18, 2006? By Brenda Battat
Monday, September 18, 2006, was the deadline by which you should be able to go into a phone store and purchase a wireless phone that is telecoil compatible for hearing aids and cochlear implants. According to Federal Communication Commission (FCC) requirements a percentage of wireless phones should be telecoil compatible by that date.
Donors to the Hearing Loss Association of America
Donations from January 1, 2006, to August 31, 2006
Thank you to all who gave in 2005. During this Thanksgiving season, the staff, board and members of the Hearing Loss Association of America are truly grateful.
Creating a national movement for hearing loss prevention, education and advocacy is impossible to do without the help of community. Hearing Loss Association of America is grateful for the continuing support and generosity of its many contributors. Financial contributions received via the Annual Fund, Convention donations, monthly Premier Club gifts, stock donations, tribute gifts, memorial gifts, the Rocky Stone Endowment Fund, and/or planned giving are critical to our determination to make hearing loss awareness a national concern, and to substantially reduce the negative impact untreated hearing loss has on our nation.
We urge you to renew your own financial support every year, as well as help build our community of supporters by encouraging your friends, family members, and employers to make financial gifts as well. For more information about individual gifts, sponsorships or planned gifts, contact
Several staff checked the list for accuracy. If there are any errors, we will make the correction. Please e-mail Toni Barrient (tbarrient@hearingloss.org). We value every donor and every gift.
The Greatest Gift of All
A Cochlear Implant Keeps on Giving…
By Suzanne Carol Fields
Among all the scientific and medical articles about cochlear implants, the personal narrative is perhaps one of the most helpful types of article to those thinking about an implant. At your request, we will share others’ experiences, as they are available to us.
During my lifetime, I have received numerous thoughtful and sometimes extravagant birthday gifts. They have ranged from clay plaques with handprints which my sons made in kindergarten, to lovely jewelry and sleek sports cars from my husband. No matter how big or small, I deeply treasured all of the presents.
However, the greatest birthday gift ever, arrived two days before I turned 57. It was a cochlear implant, surgically inserted into my right ear by otolaryngologist, Scott W. Thompson, M.D., medical director of The University of South Carolina Cochlear Implant Team and affiliate of Midland Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic of Columbia, South Carolina.
Jody Barrong is a 25-year-old model and lives in Gladstone, Oregon. She comes to us with a fresh face and a fresh look at life, not to mention a positive outlook about growing up with a hearing loss. She is a member of the Hearing Loss Association of America and we heard about her from Juanita Fournier, her vocational rehabilitation counselor.
Sit back, relax and enjoy the photos and the Q&A with Jody.
Jody Barrong Meets Vocational Rehabilitation By Barbara Kelley
Juanita Fournier is a Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) counselor for the state of Oregon. She has held this position for eight years since completing her master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling for deaf and hard of hearing people at Western Oregon University. She learned about the Hearing Loss Association of America when asked to do a presentation at a local Hearing Loss Association Chapter meeting in the area.
Counselor Juanita Fournier met Jody Barrong in April 2003 when Jody applied for support services with Vocational Rehabilitation. Jody wanted to be certified as a nursing assistant. VR was able to help her achieve that goal. Jody worked in that field for a while until she decided it wasn’t the vocation for her.
Recently Jody returned to VR for assistance to be employed as an independent model.
What's All This Noise? By Maurice H. Miller and Jerome D. Schein
Noise annoys, but it also destroys. Among the many causes of hearing loss, noise stands out as not only a significant factor, but also a preventable one.
In the current United States population, 33 million have significant sensorineural hearing loss, and experts predict that number will increase to 70 million by 2030. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recognizes noise as a major occupational hazard -- one that accounts for the second most frequently self-reported injury, and one for which NIOSH recommends noise-levels that should not be exceeded.
In 1999, the U. S. Veterans Administration expended about $300,000,000 to compensate about 50,000 veterans for noise-induced hearing loss, a number expected to rise significantly.
Although noise exposure in the workplace is an identifiable and manageable condition, now regulated by government organizations, the noise levels to which we voluntarily expose ourselves in the leisure and recreational environment require that individuals voluntarily protect themselves from such exposures. Even loud sounds, as distinguished from noise, can have a deleterious effect on hearing.
Message from the President of the Board By Anne T. Pope
Every Thanksgiving, I have many things to be thankful for. My list is long -- family, friends, good health, the good fortune to have been born in this country -- it goes on. But always near the top is the Hearing Loss Association of America (or, as it was known in the past, Self Help for Hard of Hearing People).
This organization has made it possible for me to thrive and enjoy life despite the sudden and severe hearing loss I suffered 25 years ago. It has done the same for millions of others with hearing loss as well.
When I look back, I can hardly believe the difference Hearing Loss Association advocacy efforts have made in that time. Today, I can walk into any hotel room in the country (or into anyone’s home or office for that matter) and make a telephone call. Twenty-five years ago, there were no amplified telephones in public places, and few in private ones.
“As the Hearing Loss Association of America marks its 27th anniversary this November (originally founded by Rocky Stone in 1979 as Self Help for Hard of Hearing People), we want to thank those who have generously given in 2005. We have listed your names starting on page X of this issue. On behalf of the board of trustees and the staff, I want to wish all our members, professionals, and family members who support us a happy holiday season and a great new year.
Supplement your Hearing Aids
Hearing Assistive Technologies (HAT) By Mark Ross
Mark Ross took a walk through the Exhibit Hall this past June at the Hearing Loss Association Convnetion. After all these years, he is still amazed at the new technology beyond hearing aids. He describes several new ones and tells us how to find them.
