Heard in Fort Worthhearinglossfortworth.org/newsletters/Heard in Fort Worth... · 2017-02-26 ·...

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Heard In Fort Worth Hearing Loss Association of America - Fort Worth Chapter March 2017 HLAA Monthly Meeting Saturday, March 4, 9:30 a.m. Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Church, Arlington Special Date Special Place Special Program What Everyone with Hearing Loss Should Know about Hearing Aids and Hearing Loops Presenter: Richard McKinley Managing Director, Contacta, Inc. Why people with hearing loss say they can hear but can’t understand How hearing loops help you hear better in large public places How to get your favorite venue or church interested in a loop Hear for yourself. First Baptist Church Arlington’s Fellowship Hall is looped! Richard McKinley, managing director of Contacta, Inc, a leading hearing loop equipment manufacturer, is coming from Michigan to present the program. This is an informational and educational presentation intended to show the great benefits of this hearing technology in meeting rooms, churches, conference centers, professional offices, homes, and other venues. You will be amazed at the effectiveness of this system, which you can try with a telecoil in your hearing aid or a with a loop receiver. We are meeting at FBC Arlington because its fellowship hall is a large venue, looped, and centrally located in the DFW metroplex. If you think you know all about looping, you may be surprised. Hearing loops can be installed from the most intimate settings such as your living room or car to mid and large sized places like bank windows, libraries, and conference spaces to places of worship, theaters, museums, and airports. Invite and bring others to this special program. Join HLAA, Sertoma Clubs, and other organizations in a campaign to Loop America. This special program constitutes our chapter meeting for the month of March. We will NOT MEET this month on the second Saturday in Fort Worth as usual. We will resume our regular second Saturday a.m. meetings at the Southside Church of Christ, 2101 Hemphill Street, Fort Worth, 76110 on April 8 with a program on cochlear implants, presented by Cochlear America. MAP OF FIRST BAPTIST, ARLINGTON Church address is 300 S Center St., Arlington, but the Fellowship Hall and parking are on Pecan St. Photo Credit: The photograph of The Fort Worth Herd on our Heard In Fort Worth banner is used by permission of The Fort Worth Herd and its sponsor, the Fort Worth Parks and Community Services Department.

Transcript of Heard in Fort Worthhearinglossfortworth.org/newsletters/Heard in Fort Worth... · 2017-02-26 ·...

Page 1: Heard in Fort Worthhearinglossfortworth.org/newsletters/Heard in Fort Worth... · 2017-02-26 · Heard In Fort Worth Hearing Loss Association of America - Fort Worth Chapter March

Heard In Fort Worth Hearing Loss Association of America - Fort Worth Chapter March 2017

HLAA Monthly Meeting

Saturday, March 4, 9:30 a.m.

Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Church, Arlington

Special Date

Special Place

Special Program What Everyone with Hearing Loss

Should Know about Hearing Aids and

Hearing Loops Presenter: Richard McKinley Managing Director, Contacta, Inc.

Why people with hearing loss say they can

hear but can’t understand

How hearing loops help you hear better in

large public places

How to get your favorite venue or church

interested in a loop

Hear for yourself. First Baptist Church

Arlington’s Fellowship Hall is looped!

Richard McKinley, managing director of Contacta, Inc, a leading hearing loop equipment manufacturer, is coming from Michigan to present the program. This is an informational and educational presentation intended to show the great benefits of this hearing technology in meeting rooms, churches, conference centers, professional offices, homes, and other venues.

You will be amazed at the effectiveness of this system, which you can try with a telecoil in your hearing aid or a with a loop receiver.

We are meeting at FBC Arlington because its fellowship hall is a large venue, looped, and centrally located in the DFW metroplex.

If you think you know all about looping, you may be surprised. Hearing loops can be installed from the most intimate settings such as your living room or car to mid and large sized places like bank windows, libraries, and conference spaces to places of worship, theaters, museums, and airports.

Invite and bring others to this special program. Join HLAA, Sertoma Clubs, and other organizations in a campaign to Loop America.

This special program constitutes our chapter meeting for the month of March. We will NOT MEET this month on the second Saturday in Fort Worth as usual.

We will resume our regular second Saturday a.m. meetings at the Southside Church of Christ, 2101 Hemphill Street, Fort Worth, 76110 on April 8 with a program on cochlear implants, presented by Cochlear America.

MAP OF FIRST BAPTIST, ARLINGTON Church address is 300 S Center St., Arlington, but the Fellowship Hall and parking are on Pecan St.

Photo Credit: The photograph of The Fort Worth Herd on our Heard In Fort Worth banner is used by permission of The Fort Worth Herd

and its sponsor, the Fort Worth Parks and Community Services Department.

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David’s Discussion

HLAA National Convention 2017

This summer on June 22-25 the national Hearing

Loss Association of America hold its annual

convention in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the Salt

Palace Convention Center and the Little America

Hotel. This conference is always a wonderful

educational experience. And this year it is being

held in one of the most beautiful cities in our

country.

You don’t want to miss this event, and if you

register before March 31, you can receive the

discounted early bird rate. As an additional

incentive, the chapter will pay our members’

registration fee for first-timers to a national

HLAA convention.

The HLAA 2017 keynote speaker is retired

Staff Sergeant Shilo Harris. He is known as an

inspirational speaker and author of Steel Will:

My Journey through Hell to Become the Man I

was Meant to Be. I am sure you will not want to

miss this opening session presentation held on

Thursday, June 22.

The Research Symposium on Friday, June 23, will

be moderated by Colin Driscoll, M.D., otolaryn-

gology chair at Mayo Clinic and chair of the board

of directors of the American Cochlear Implant

Alliance. The topic for this year’s symposium is

Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants: Merging

Technologies.

Sharon and I just returned from a cochlear implant

conference in Orlando, Florida, and heard exciting

details on a hybrid device that both works as a

hearing aid for low frequencies and a Cochlear

Implant for the full range of sound frequencies.

This device is the best of both worlds for those

who still have some good residual hearing in the

lower sound frequencies.

This year the convention will continue to have

several tracks of workshops to choose from, in

addition to two new tracks to provide something

interesting for everyone. These new tracks are:

Hearing Loops and Genealogy: Trace Your Family

Tree.

The Hearing Loop track is particularly well timed,

as many HLAA chapter organizations are starting

an advocacy push to provide information on why

hearing loops are so critical for those of us with

hearing deficiencies, allowing us to better under-

stand speech in all environments, from our home to

large public spaces.

As part of this hearing loop advocacy push, you

will want to see information in this newsletter

about our March meeting being held at First

Baptist Church in Arlington, which has looped

their fellowship hall where this presentation will be

held. They are also in the process of looping their

worship center so those with hearing difficulties

will be assisted with this important technology.

I hope all of you will make plans to attend both

events. Several of our members have attended the

national HLAA convention and found it a very

rewarding experience. With all the advancements

in the research of hearing technology, you don’t

want to miss what is now available and what will

be available soon. Also, our chapter meeting will

be held on March 4 in Arlington, so make sure you

take note of this and join all of us to see how this

technology can be so beneficial in public building

spaces.

See you in Arlington on March 4! Note the date

change to the first Saturday of March for our

chapter meeting and symposium on hearing loops.

– David Edmondson, Chapter President

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HIGHLIGHTS OF FEBRUARY 2017 PROGRAM:

Tinnitus: That Ringing Sound is Not the Telephone Presented by Marylyn Coble, Audiologist

Edited and excerpted by Darlene Liesner from the meeting transcript by Maribel Arredondo, CSR. This is merely an outline and a few highlights.

Audiologist Marylyn Koble, MS, CCC-A, offers complete

mobile audiology services to people in their home or

business and in visits to active senior living and assisted

senior living facilities. She also maintains limited office

hours.

At the February 11, 2017 meeting, Ms. Koble gave a

comprehensive overview of tinnitus, defining it, explaining

how tinnitus affects the sufferer, identifying forces at play

and aggravating factors, and reviewing various treatment

options.

Tinnitus is the perception of sound that is involuntary and

within the brain. It may sound like ringing, buzzing,

whooshing, humming, or other noises. It may be heard in

one ear, both ears or in the head. Approximately 50 million

people experience tinnitus. For most people it is a mild

irritant. For approximately two million people, it is

seriously debilitating. Approximately 75% to 80% of

people with hearing loss experience tinnitus.

Tinnitus may cause lack of sleep, depression, despair, loss

of concentration, confusion, headaches, muscle aches,

anxiety, stress, and anger. Tinnitus may be caused by

hearing loss, loud noise, earwax, middle ear disease, TMJ

problems, cardiovascular problems, Meneire’s disease,

medication, high blood pressure, or other factors. Hearing

loss is the most common cause of tinnitus – even mild

loss. Hearing aids are the number one treatment for

tinnitus.

Stress is the main aggravating factor in tinnitus. Learn to

alleviate stress. Some foods, such as alcohol, caffeine, and

salt may aggravate it. Also lack of sleep and LOUD

NOISE.

Two forces are involved in tinnitus: the auditory system

and the brain. Damaged hair cells in the cochlea do not

transmit sound to the brain. As a result, the brain searches

for sound. In a person without hearing aids, the brain finds

and focuses on the tinnitus.

Treatment options: Although currently incurable, tinnitus

is manageable. The probable cause and the severity of the

tinnitus determine the treatment protocol. Treatment

should start with a medical evaluation by an ENT doctor.

Sometimes additional testing such as an MRI or CT scan is

necessary. A 25-question Tinnitus Handicap Inventory

may be given. The treatment should be specific to the

individual and comprehensive.

For the auditory system, the treatment is sound therapy.

For the brain it is counseling. Counseling may simply be

information, explaining about tinnitus and the results of the

testing. Counseling may be more formal. CBT (Cognitive

Behavior Therapy) is the most beneficial type of coun-

seling for patients with severe tinnitus. In a series of

sessions, a clinical psychologist identifies and modifies the

patient’s negative thoughts and behaviors related to

tinnitus. The psychologist helps the patient think

differently. CBT focuses on the individual’s emotional

reaction to tinnitus.

Sound therapy, for the auditory system, encompasses many

different devices. For people with mild tinnitus, basic

sound therapy such as environmental sounds, a fan, or an

air purifier may help. Music that the person likes may be

played at a reasonable level.

More sophisticated devices include the ITE (in the ear)

tinnitus masker. Fitting in the ear, ITE maskers generate

white noise. Neuromonics makes a small MP3 player type

device with headphones. The device is programmed by the

audiologist.

Resembling a bulky MP3 player, the Sound Cure is also

effective. The Sound Cure generates “s” tones (specific

low frequencies). Rather than covering up or masking the

tinnitus, the Sound Cure temporarily suppresses it.

Wearing the bulky device and headphones is a drawback.

Combo devices are hearing aids with a tinnitus feature.

Widex manufactures an aid which produces Zen (non-

predictive) tones. Zen tones sound somewhat like wind

chimes. Non-predictive tones do not get stuck in your

head, as familiar tunes sometimes do.

A sound pillow has speakers on either side of the ears. An

MP3 player plugged into the pillow plays relief sounds.

The bed partner is not disturbed.

With tinnitus treatment, the effect typically is not

immediate. When participating in sound therapy, use the

device consistently. Within thirty days the user should

know whether the device is helpful.

Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) involves sound

therapy plus counseling. The goal is habituation –

adaptation – getting the brain to the point that it no longer

fixates on the tinnitus. It learns to ignore it.

Other therapies: In that they help relieve stress, some

other therapies may be beneficial: antidepressants and

antianxiety medications, biofeedback, and hypnotherapy.

As for herbal and over-the-counter supplements, Ms.

Koble cautioned “buyer beware.”

Ms. Koble fielded questions, providing many helpful

answers and suggestions.

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HLAA Shifts Legislative Focus Since 2003, Hearing Loss Association of America

(HLAA) has supported legislation that would allow

consumers to receive a tax credit for the purchase of

hearing aids. Several iterations of the tax credit bill have

been introduced over the span of nearly 14 years, and

none has passed. HLAA has therefore decided to focus

its efforts and resources on initiatives that we believe

will have a more far-reaching impact.

Some of these current efforts include:

Working toward the implementation of the

recommendations contained in the National

Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and

Medicine report, Hearing Health Care for Adults:

Priorities for Improving Access and Affordability.

Supporting legislation that would ensure Medicare

coverage for the cost of hearing aids.

Providing input to the U.S. Food and Drug

Administration (FDA), which is currently working

on a rulemaking that would consider a new

category of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing

devices.

Supporting reintroduction of the Over-the-Counter

Hearing Aid Act of 2016, a bill introduced in

December 2016 by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-

Mass.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) to provide

for the regulation of OTC hearing aids.

While we are diligently working on these and many

other efforts to improve the lives of people with hearing

loss, we cannot do it alone. If ever there was a time in

the fight for more affordable and accessible hearing

health care for HLAA members to mobilize their

extensive grassroots efforts, now would be it. Whether

you call, write or visit your congressman, file a

complaint when you are denied access, or attend local

council meetings to advocate on behalf of those with

hearing loss, the importance of your efforts cannot be

overstated.

HLAA’s commitment to advocating for more affordable

and accessible hearing health care for everyone with

hearing loss will not waiver. But we will be selective

about the issues and legislation we support. We seek to

support legislation that has a greater potential to impact

more people and provide tangible and significant

benefits. We will be sure to keep you updated on all

developments.

Source: http://www.hearingloss.org/content/hlaa-prioritizes-

legislative-and-advocacy-agenda-2017

Folk Artist Zoë Nutt Shares Her Hearing Loss Story in New Music Video

Bethesda, MD: Nashville folk

artist Zoë Nutt today announced

the release of the video for her

new single “Like You,” which

invites people to hear her story of

living with progressive hearing

loss and tinnitus.

Zoë is thrilled to partner with

the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA)

and HelloGiggles to unveil the emotionally-driven,

captioned video and to use her music as a means to

bring a positive message and inspire others for a greater

cause. “Like You” can be downloaded via NoiseTrade,

and all proceeds will be donated to HLAA. Describing

the video in her own words, Zoë said:

I am going deaf. And I want people to know. We are all dealing with issues in our lives, but we don’t have to be

defined by our problems. I’d rather define my life by

how I’m dealing with my problems. It’s a strange feeling to be releasing a music video about losing my

ability to hear, but it’s the hand I’ve been dealt and one that I plan to overcome. This music video represents the

start of my story and I’m very excited to write the next

chapter.

Go to HelloGiggles today to watch Zoë Nutt’s

compelling music video for “Like You” and download

the track via NoiseTrade to donate to the Hearing Loss

Association of America. Follow Zoë Nutt online to keep

up with new music, show dates, and more.

More at http://www.hearingloss.org/content/zoe-nutt-

shares-hearing-loss-story

HLAA Announces New Director of Chapter Development

HLAA Director of Chapter Development Valerie

Stafford-Mallis is retiring on March 31. She will be

replaced by her assistant Erin Mirante. Erin is a recent

graduate of the University of Maryland and has a degree

in social work. She has been a longtime volunteer with

several organizations, including HLAA.

Executive Director Barbara Kelly commented, “Valerie

has brought a strong sense of professionalism and

business sense to our chapter department as well as her

willingness to assist and train our chapters in many

positive ways.”

HLAA convention attendees can meet Erin there.

Source:http://www.hearingloss.org/sites/default/files/docs/TWIB

_2017_Feb17.pdf

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HLAA Hosts Veterans and National Court Reporters Foundation

The National Court Reporters Foundation (NCRF)

introduces a new initiative to preserve the

experiences of veterans with hearing loss for the

Library of Congress Veterans History Project through

the use of CART captioning. NCRF partnered with

HLAA to host an event at the HLAA national

headquarters on Saturday, February 18, interviewing

multiple veterans with profound hearing loss. NCRF

will also conduct interviews at the HLAA 2017

Convention in Salt Lake City. If you are a veteran

with hearing loss and interested in being interviewed

for this project, email April Weiner, foundation

manager, at [email protected].

For 2017: Support your Fort Worth chapter and newsletter.

We’ll acknowledge your donations in the newsletter each month this year.

Platinum = $400+; Gold = $200 to $399; Silver = $100 to $199; Bronze = $50 to $99; Friends = Up to $49

2017 Gold: Johnnie Carter. Friend: Emma Hill.

The Fort Worth Chapter is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization.

All contributions are tax-deductible.

Hearing Loss Association of America - Fort Worth Chapter

2017 NEWSLETTER POSTAL SUBSCRIPTION & CHAPTER DONATION FORM

Make checks payable to: HLAA - Fort Worth Chapter

Bring to the monthly meeting or mail to: HLAA – Fort Worth, PO Box 1310, Euless TX 76039.

Name:________________________________________________________________________

Address:________________________________________ City:_______________ Zip:________

Email address:__________________________________________________________________

Annual Chapter Newsletter Subscription Fee for Postal Delivery ($15) $__________ Donation to Fort Worth Chapter $__________

TOTAL $__________

The Hearing Loss Association America (HLAA), founded in 1979 by Rocky Stone, opens the world of communication to people with hearing loss through information, education, advocacy, and support. HLAA publishes the bimonthly Hearing Loss Magazine, holds annual conventions, produces Walk4Hearing®

events, hosts online learning, and more. HLAA has an extensive network of chapters and state organizations. Further information can be found at

www.hearingloss.org. The national headquarters is located at 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 1200, Bethesda, MD 20814. Telephone: 301-657-2248.

2017 Board of Directors President: David Edmondson ([email protected]) Vice-President: Jack Wages ([email protected]) Secretary: Linda Marshall ([email protected]) Treasurer: Patricia Hindman ([email protected]) Newsletter Editor: Dan White ([email protected]) Librarian/Historian: Judy Oetting ([email protected]) Hospitality Chair: Jeannene Brown ([email protected]) Program Chair: Joyce Parlin ([email protected])

Heard In Fort Worth

This newsletter is published monthly by the Hearing Loss Association of America - Fort Worth Chapter

Mailing address: Box 1310, Euless TX 76039 Telephone 817-564-3764 or 817-228-8041

http://www.hearinglossfortworth.org http://www.hearingloss.org

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Hearing Evaluations * Hearing Devices

J. Thomas Roth, Au.D. CCC-A, FAAA Doctor of Audiology

Phone 817-332-8817 904 W. Pennsylvania

Fax 817-332-8827 Ft. Worth, TX 76104

ANTHONY HEARING AIDS

Physician-Based Hearing Solutions

Phillip F. Anthony, M.D., Otologist

Sandra Clarkson, MA, CCC-A, FAAA, Lead Audiologist

Julie Mistic, Au.D, CCC-A, FAAA, Audiologist

901 Hemphill, Fort Worth, Texas 76104

817/338-HEAR

Fonner Hearing Aid Center

315 Randol Mill Road, Arlington 76011 Call 817-277-8121 Fax — 817-277-8191

6647 Boulevard 26, Fort Worth 76180 Call 817-284-8584 Fax — 817-284-3253

www.Fonnerhearing.com

HEARING CARE CENTER

“Helping patients and families hear a difference”

Kurt Chappell, BBA

4736 Bryant Irvin Road, Suite 702 Fort Worth, TX 76132

(817) 263-1971 www.chappell-hearing-aids.com

This Ad Space is Available.

Email [email protected].

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Fonner Hearing Aid Center

Arlington 315 Randol Mill Road

Tel — 817-277-8121 Fax — 817-277-8191

Fort Worth 6647 Boulevard 26

Tel — 817-284-8584 Fax — 817-284-3253

www.texasears.com

HEALTHFIRST MEDICAL GROUP

SCOTT O’LEARY, M.S., CCC-A AUDIOLOGIST

Audiology/Hearing Aids

George Kostohryz, Jr. M.D.

Otolaryngology/ENT

4625 Boat Club Road, #257 Phone 817-346-6464

Fort Worth, Texas 76135 Fax 817-238-0054

Marylyn Koble, M.S., CCC-A, Audiologist

(817) 504-3644 [email protected]

Call for an in-home consultation

Audiology Associates of Arlington

Elizabeth Johnson, Au.D., FAAA

Comprehensive Audiological Evaluations Hearing Aids and Assistive Devices

3132 MATLOCK RD., STE 303 817-472-7720 ARLINGTON, TEXAS 76014 817-417-7280 FAX

NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

We are extremely grateful for the financial support we receive for our newsletter from our sponsors. Mention of goods and services does not imply HLAA endorsement, nor should omission suggest disapproval.

Advertising rates are $150 per year or $12.50 per month for a business card size ad.

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PO Box 1310

Euless TX 76039 E-mail [email protected]

or call 817-228-8041 to UNSUBSCRIBE

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

.

PLACE

POSTAGE STAMP HERE

Heard in Fort Worth HEARING LOSS NEWSLETTER

We normally meet on the second Saturday of each month.

OUR NEW HOME IS Southside Church of Christ

2101 Hemphill Street, Fort Worth 76110 Meeting entrance is from the south parking lot.

See page one for details.

MAIL: PO Box 1310, Euless, TX 76039

Telephone 817-228-8041 for further information.

All are welcome!

Informational Community Meeting

on Hearing Loops For anyone who lives with hearing loss

and their families

Saturday, March 4, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

First Baptist Church, Arlington in the Fellowship Hall on Pecan St.

See page one for map and details.

Sponsored by:

The Fort Worth Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America

Sertoma Club of Fort Worth

Southern Star Technologies