Winter 2022


Table of Contents

In this issue of Hearing Life, for our cover feature, Get to Know Ibrahim Dabo, Carrie Johnson interviews HLAA’s newest member of the board of directors, Ibrahim (Ib) Dabo. Psychologist Michael Harvey explores the issue of communication in The Emotional Side of Hearing Loss. Four people with hearing loss share their experiences with the emotional side of this invisible disability. Lise Hamlin writes about air travel in Flying Again with TSA and shares valuable information in The Workplace, COVID-19 and Hearing Loss. Read about the highlights of the upcoming in-person HLAA 2022 Convention in Tampa, FL. And finally, Jon Taylor relays his experience as a professional musician going back to music camp as an adult in Music Camp with a Hearing Aid and a Cochlear Implant.


The Pain Point

By HLAA Executive Director Barbara Kelley

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Cochlear Foundation Launches Global Partnership with Malala Fund to Raise Awareness of Hearing Loss and Remove it as a Barrier to Education

By HLAA Senior Communications Manager Carrie Johnson

Malala Fund and Cochlear Foundation are inviting children and young people with hearing loss to share their stories of personal achievement as part of the ‘Achieve anything program.’

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Serving on the HLAA Board of Directors

By Kevin Franck

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Get to Know Ibrahim Dabo

By HLAA Senior Communications Manager Carrie Johnson

Ibrahim Dabo’s friends call him Ib (pronounced Eeb) or I-B. Ib is the newest member of the HLAA Board of Directors. He was born in Sierra Leone, where he lived until he was a teenager. Like most, he experienced a grieving period when he was diagnosed with hearing loss as a young adult and has a fascinating story to share, and his encouragement and positivity are infectious.

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The Emotional Side of Hearing Loss

By Michael Harvey

Perhaps the three most important words for understanding the frustrations of hearing loss are communication, communication and communication. It’s an invisible disability that creates often impenetrable communication barriers. It’s also a physical condition with psychological repercussions. In this feature, psychologist Michael Harvey and four people with hearing loss explore the emotional side of this invisible disability.

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An Emotional Ride with Hearing Loss

By Darleen Wilson

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Hearing Challenges in the Time of COVID-19

By Ena Brown

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Becoming an Ambassador for Hearing Loss

By Gail Weiss

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Finding Peace and Acceptance with Hearing Loss

By Mary Bristow

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Power of Community

By HLAA Walk4Hearing Manager Ann Rancourt

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Flying Again with TSA

By HLAA Director of Public Policy Lise Hamlin

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Patient Handout: The Workplace, COVID-19 and Hearing Loss

By HLAA Director of Public Policy Lise Hamlin

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HLAA 2022 Convention is Back In-Person!

By HLAA Meeting Planner Amanda Watson

HLAA is very excited to once again host an in-person Convention in beautiful Tampa, Florida! You are sure to be busy with all the exhibitors to see in the exhibit hall, a riveting opening session, more than 30 workshops to attend, demo presentations, social events, a symposium presented by top researchers in the field—and more!

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Music Camp with a Hearing Aid and a Cochlear Implant

By Jon Taylor

For more than 20 years Jon Taylor enjoyed a career as a professional musician in New York City. By 1997, with his hearing loss progressing, he made the difficult decision to retire. This past summer, he enrolled in a week-long adult band camp at the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan and rediscovered his love of performing as part of an ensemble.

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Joan Kleinrock Leaves a Legacy of Support in HLAA Chapters

By HLAA Chapter and Membership Coordinator Carla Beyer-Smolin

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Book Nook

Review by Larry Herbert

Padapillo
By Valerie James Abbott

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Health Care Communication Access

By Catherine V. Palmer

An Interventional Audiology Program Improving Access, Raising Awareness

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