Heard In Fort Worth Hearing Loss Association of America - Fort Worth Chapter December 2016

Fort Worth HLAA

Christmas Party December 10, 2016, 10:00 a.m. to noon Goodrich Center, 2500 Lipscomb Street

We’ll have a marvelous meal, a gift exchange, and a music performance with Christmas carol sing-along and dramatic readings by entertainer Carl Johnson. Carl is a theater professional with 40 years of experience as performer, musician, conduc-tor, and director. He has performed as vocalist and narrator with the Dallas Winds and with symphonies in Dallas, Fort Worth, Allen, and Irving. He is a former voice faculty member at Texas Christian University. We’ll enjoy the program. The chapter will provide meat selections for the meal. Bring the dish you signed up for at the November meeting. If you did not sign up, please bring either a vegetable dish, a salad, or a dessert – enough to serve 10 - 12. To participate in the gift exchange, please bring a wrapped gift worth $10 or less for a person of your gender. Please do not put a name tag on your gift. The “Chinese Auction” exchange is great fun. As always, the meeting will be captioned and the assistive listening systems will be on for communication access.

You’re invited! Bring guests.

Scenes from Last Year’s Party

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.

David’s Discussion

Holiday Season and Hearing Loss

The holiday season is here and our chapter Christmas

party will be held on Saturday, December 10. We

have had a great year as we reached out to the

community to let them know what resources are

available to folks with hearing loss. As a result we

continue to welcome new members to our chapter

this year. I look forward to coming together at this

party, mixing our loyal longtime members in with

these new members. This will be a time when we can

get to know each other and share in the joys of the

holiday season.

This time of year, however, can be very stressful for

those of us with hearing loss. With many large group

gatherings being held, including family gatherings, it

can be a very difficult time of the year. With these

large holiday family gatherings, laughing and

conversing, it’s easy for someone with a hearing loss

to feel left out, isolated, bewildered, and sad. Hearing

aids and cochlear implants have limitations in these

types of environments, but there are things we can do

to make these experiences more enjoyable for all. As

I have done in the past, I’m offering some ideas that

could make this season more enjoyable for all.

Most important is to be patient with yourself. For

many of us, the large dinner table with everyone

talking and laughing at once is probably one of the

most difficult settings we can ever encounter.

Understand this and be patient with yourself and

focus on what you can do and not the negatives of

what is difficult. Getting flustered and upset will only

make the situation worse. Even those with perfect

hearing have difficulty in these types of situations.

If this is a family gathering, you can seek out other

things that you may do. Find someone to talk to one

on one, away from the larger number of friends and

family. It is easier for us to understand in quieter

environments. You may also want to seek out

assisting the host in doing other things in the kitchen

to help out. By volunteering to help you will be doing

something besides trying to hear. I enjoy cooking, so

a strategy that I use is to help cook or prepare

something for the meal. The kitchen usually has

fewer people and the noise is not as bad as in other

areas.

Find a suitable place to sit, maybe next to someone

who understands your hearing difficulties and can

help you understand what is being said. If you can

hear better on one side than on the other, then find a

seat where the majority of people are on that side of

you. Look for a place where you can clearly see the

others’ faces and away from the background noises,

like a TV football game, if possible. Even so, it will

be inevitable that you will not be able to understand

all that is being said, with many people talking and

laughing at once. Start a conversation with friends on

either side of you. This way, you will know the topic

and will more easily follow the conversation. Ask

people to repeat the part you missed. Maintaining a

positive attitude can benefit you in not getting

flustered at all the things you are missing.

There are assistive listening devices, such as personal

amplifiers and auxiliary microphones that can help

you hear in noisy environments. These can work

either in conjunction with your hearing aid or

cochlear implant or directly into your ears. There are

many new devices like this being developed

continually. Keep up with this type of technology. It

can play a large role in your being able better to

understand what is being said.

Most importantly, I want to wish each and every one

of you a Merry and stress-free Christmas season.

David Edmondson, Chapter President

Airport Travel Tips

The holiday season is a hectic time at airports, and noisy

crowds make it especially difficult for passengers with

hearing loss. Lawrence Rolon, Disability Coordinator at

Los Angeles International Airport, offered tips to make

travel easier and less stressful.

At least three days before your flight, contact the

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at TSA

Cares: 855-787-2227. TSA can arrange for special security

screenings to accommodate specific disabilities, including

deafness and hearing loss. This will ensure that specialized

TSA personnel are available to assist you through the

screening process. You can print a TSA Cares notification

card which allows you discreetly to identify yourself at the

screening location.

Contact the airline before your scheduled departure date

to arrange for any special accommodations you require

during the flight due to a disability.

When checking in at the ticket counter, request that your

reservation be flagged to indicate that you are deaf or hard

of hearing. This will alert airline staff that you may need

special assistance in the event of a situation requiring

terminal evacuation or other emergency.

At the TSA screening location, notify the Transportation

Security Officer (TSO) that you are deaf or hard of hearing

and indicate the best way to communicate with you. Let

the officer know if you have a hearing aid or cochlear

implant. (These devices do not need to be removed for

screening.)

If you need extra assistance or have any difficulty at TSA

screening, ask to speak to a Passenger Support Specialist.

The PSS is specially trained in accommodating persons

with disabilities.

Advise boarding gate staff about your hearing loss and

indicate where you will be sitting while waiting to board

the plane. This will allow staff to contact you individually

for boarding announcements or gate changes so that you

don’t miss your flight. Most airlines will preboard

passengers with disabilities—but they need to know who

you are.

Be mindful of your surroundings at the airport. Take

advantage of special seating for passengers with

disabilities. Identify the locations of message boards and

other informational signage.

Source: The Hearing Loss Californian, winter 2016-17 issue,

forwarded by Darlene Liesner

Help Us Help Others Beyond helping our members and guests, this chapter

exists to reach out and help others with hearing loss and

their families and friends to live more effectively and to

improve the quality of their lives.

One of our hopes in the year ahead is to assist HLAA’s

national Hearing Loop Advocate, Juliëtte Sterkens,

Au.D., in visiting our area and giving presentations to

hearing professionals and others in several locations.

We who have experienced the benefits of looping in our

chapter meetings can help to inform and inspire others.

Too many audiologists and other professionals are not

aware or are not convinced of the value of telecoils and

looping systems. The subject is not covered in most

audiology training programs. We want to change that. It’s

part of a national campaign by HLAA, Sertoma Clubs, and

others. We can do this. The visit is planned for March.

We can help by contacting possible venues at area

universities, assisting with arrangements, publicity, and

possibly registration. We can have a booth at each

presentation to inform attendees about HLAA and our

chapter.

If you will consider helping, contact Jeannene Brown by

email at rajean@sbcglobal.net or call her at 817-275-7320.

Member News Back in September, we reported on Karen Moulder and

her family being devastated by the flooding in Louisiana.

Karen had moved there to assist her mother, who was in

poor health. Several of us sent donations to help with their

needs. New we have learned that Karen’s mother Clarice

Ballard died this week. Her funeral service is scheduled for

Dec. 8 at Amite Baptist Church in Denham Springs, LA.

Karen contributed significantly through her terms as our

chapter president and at state and national HLAA levels.

In addition, she was a longtime and effective hearing loss

resource specialist contracted with DARS.

Ray Brown has had several back surgeries with compli-

cations and much pain. Jeannene has been busy driving

back and forth to the hospital and rehab center and caring

for Ray. She has requested that someone volunteer as

chapter hospitality co-chair during this difficult time.

Chapter Secretary Frank Brauer had emergency eye

surgery after suffering a massively torn retina. He cannot

do anything strenuous for a month, hoping avoiding a

recurrence. The possibility of losing vision is a scary

prospect for a person with severe hearing loss.

Please keep these members in your thoughts and prayers

and assist wherever you can.

HIGHLIGHTS OF NOVEMBER 2016 PROGRAM:

Hearing Loss Hacks and Useful Technology to Boot Presented by Robin Carson, Au.D., CCC-A, owner of Carson Hearing Care, Fort Worth

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

At the November meeting Dr. Robin Carson gave an

enthusiastic and informative presentation. A hearing aid

wearer herself, Dr. Carson understands what we go

through.

Dr. Carson discussed hearing loss and the parts of the ear

and explained how to read an audiogram, which shows the

degree and type of hearing loss. The audiogram reveals

how well the patient hears a range of pitches, especially

those most common in speech sounds. When people

cannot hear high frequency consonant sounds, i.e., “S,”

“T,” “CH,” and “SH,” they do not have clarity and speech

understanding.

The most important test she does in her office is the speech

discrimination test. Through a list of words presented loud

enough to overcome the patient’s hearing loss, she

determines how much speech the patient understands. A

typical score is 68%. Some people have better speech

discrimination than others.

Hearing loss may cause the people around the hard of

hearing person more difficulty than it does the affected

one. The person with the loss is living in a world in which

if they miss something, they may not know it. It takes the

people around these people to help them be successful, but

the person with the hearing loss must take ownership of

the loss, be assertive, and learn how to be an effective

communicator.

As the severity of hearing loss increases, the necessity to

rely on coping strategies and people around you to help

you be successful becomes greater. Some ways family and

friends can help are:

1) Don’t talk from another room. Be mindful of the

distance from which we speak to somebody or begin to

speak with them.

2) Get their attention. Say their name.

3) Speak clearly and slowly. Don’t over enunciate.

4) Keep hands away from face.

5) Minimize background noise.

6) Don’t just repeat. Instead, reword or rephrase.

Part of the responsibility is on the hard of hearing person

to figure out how to get by in the world without expecting

everyone to accommodate them. The hard of hearing can

improve communications by improving their listening

skills. Active listening requires dedicating all of their

attention to the speaker and avoiding distraction.

Common sources of distraction are:

1) Stress – anxiety over missing important information or

coming up with an awkward response. The battle to hear

speech with a hearing loss in itself causes anxiety and

strain.

2) Lack of focus – Hearing loss removes the listener from

the present moment. While working to figure out what the

speaker just said, the hearing impaired person also loses

out on what the speaker is saying at the moment. Constant

catch-up guarantees never completely understanding the

message.

3) Misunderstanding – Stress and lack of focus can lead to

misreading the message which may lead to becoming upset

or annoyed with a message the speaker never meant to

send. The speaker who is persistently misunderstood is

also aggravated.

Dr. Carson demonstrated a remote microphone. The mic is

first paired with the hearing aids or cochlear implant

processor by pushing a button on the back of the mic. The

family member or friend wearing the microphone can then

speak from another room or from up to 80 feet away. In a

noisy restaurant, the hearing impaired person can use an

iPhone app to turn down/off the instrument’s microphones

and turn up the remote mic the other person is wearing. In

church, if the pastor wears the remote mic, the person with

the devices can sit in the back row. The remote mic can

also be placed by the television. Dr. Carson encouraged the

audience not to be afraid of smart phones and other

technology that can help in most environments.

Some providers sell hearing aids for a living, and some

help the hearing impaired for a living. Find a provider to

connect with, see at regular intervals, and build a

relationship with. The provider is as important as the

devices.

Other helpful articles and information may be found at

carsonhearing.com.

Thank You for supporting our Fort Worth chapter. During the past year, the people named below have contributed significantly to our chapter,

assisting with equipment, supplies, newsletter publication, and other expenses.

We’ll start the recognitions over again in January. Please join them.

Platinum: Johnnie Carter. Gold: Patricia Key. Silver: David Edmondson.

Bronze: Wanda Gibson, Georgia Leech, Oliver Jones, Fred & LaNeta Teryn.

Friends: Carmelita Clark, Don Fitz, Lanny & Jill DeMoss, Emma Hill,

Delton & Janice Parker, Joyce Parlin.

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

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

All contributions are tax-deductible.

Hearing Loss Association of America - Fort Worth Chapter

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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.

2016 Board of Directors President: David Edmondson (david_edmondson@att.net) Vice-President: Jack Wages (wages21@yahoo.com) Secretary: Frank Brauer (ss4hl.org@gmail.com) Treasurer: Patricia Hindman (patricia.hindman16@gmail.com) Newsletter Editor: Dan White (daniel.white761@gmail.com) Librarian/Historian: Judy Oetting (judyoetting@earthlink.net) Hospitality Chair: Jeannene Brown (rajean@sbcglobal.net) Program Chair: Joyce Parlin (kjparlin@hotmail.com)

Heard In Fort Worth

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

2500 Lipscomb Street, Fort Worth, TX 76110-2625 Telephone 817-564-3764 or 817-228-8041

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

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 Daniel.White761@gmail.com.

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 koblehearing@gmail.com

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

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Heard in Fort Worth HEARING LOSS NEWSLETTER

meets on the second Saturday of each month at the Goodrich Center for the Deaf

and Hard of Hearing

2500 Lipscomb Street Fort Worth, Texas 76110

Telephone 817-228-8041 for further information.

All are welcome!

Take this Hearing Loss and Healthcare Survey

Researchers from Duke University and the Medical

University of South Carolina in Charleston are

conducting a brief survey to find out how hearing

loss affects communication with people you

interact with during your health care visits. It

should take no more than ten minutes of your time,

and results will be kept confidential. No informa-

tion will be collected that can identify who is

responding. They would very much appreciate your

assistance. Your answers will help researchers

design and test the most appropriate strategies for

improving hearing health care for adults. If you

would like to get additional information or need

technical assistance, please contact Erika Juhlin

at: erika.juhlin@dm.duke.edu.

Source: www.hearingloss.org