Hearing Loss Association of America 30th Birthday Celebration Banquet

By Cheryl Heppner

The HLAA convention program book had a two-page spread on the 30th birthday celebration with a photo and quote from Howard E. "Rocky" Stone, the organization's founder and a short bio of Rocky as well as brief highlights of the past 6 years.

As people arrived and mingled for the 30th Birthday Celebration on June 19, 2009, photos of highlights from HLAA history were shown on the big screen. This touching, inspiring, and sometimes surprising "Thirty Years in Pictures" program was produced by Richard McCollough of American Abilities Television Network. The project was coordinated by Hollace Goodman with help from Joan Kleinrock and Ann Liming.

The host for the evening was Ray Wathen of Houston, who had some great one-liners as well as two-liners, three-liners and beyond. In addition to the finery worn by some attendees, we had some added flash provided by the many people wearing hat or guitar magnets with colored lights on their clothing. These magnets were a reward given to people who had made donations of a certain amount to support HLAA during the conference. A couple at the table next to me went beyond just dressing up their clothing and attached the magnets to what appeared to be their cochlear implant magnets. One of them had a flashing magnet on each side of the head.

Toni Acton of AT&T, the corporate sponsor of the birthday celebration, gave a brief presentation. She recognized HLAA for its major role in both national and local level advocacy and said that the organization’s issues are important to AT&T. A gift from AT&T for each attendee had been placed at our seats. I opened the box with mine, and inside I found something sleek and cylindrical. Immediately I fantasized that we were receiving miniature light sabers. They turned out to be flashlights that could be attached to a lanyard. Given the weather we'd had earlier in the week, tit was an inspired choice, though Toni said she was not worried about tornadoes after having lived previously in Texas for four years.

Our host introduced of Ahme Stone, Rocky's widow, their son Michael, daughters Jolie and Melanie and others in the family. Tables 4, 10 and 19 on the left and 3, 11 and 18 on the right were the lucky tables that given the go-ahead to hit the buffet first to fill their plates. The buffet had some more unconventional choices such as fried green tomatoes and corn fritters, both of which I can assure you were delicious. A good-looking dessert is always a pleasure but the special celebration mousse which had the HLAA name and logo imprinted was definitely a highlight.


Rocky Stone Humanitarian Award

Following dinner, Ahme Stone was escorted to the stage by Colin Cantlie of Canada, both wearing country hats similar to the one Rocky always liked to wear. They presented the 2009 Rocky Stone Humanitarian Award to Ann Liming. In accepting the award, Ann said it had special meaning to her because she knew Rocky as a mentor, role model and best friend. The foundation he laid is still there, she believes, because Rocky didn't just talk; the values he brought to HLAA were how he lived.

"Whether you knew him or not, he impacts you personally,” Ann told us. She said that the people in HLAA helped mold and make her into the person she is today and all had earned the award with her.

Past winners of this prestigious award include some greats from our Metro area: Marjorie Boone, Joan Kleinrock, George Kosovich, Paul Hopler, and George DeVilbiss.


Tributes to Rocky

Ann Liming, with the Rocky Stone Remembrance Committee, had organized a tribute to for Rocky by people who had seen him through their eyes.

Colin Cantlie, whose ancestors are Scottish, said Rocky was a very magnanimous person who also loved to tease him. When asked by Colin to sign a copy of his book "The Invisible Condition" for Colin, Rocky wrote "To Colin, what can I say? You are a wonderful example of all that is Irish." On another occasion, Rocky remarked "That's great; Irish young adults are the future of our organization."

Marcia Finisdore reminisced about how she discovered HLAA and Rocky, and one week later a huge carton from him arrived on her doorstep. Among the qualities she valued in Rocky were his love of a good argument, his love of raising a glass often, and that though he was very, very smart she was a better gin player.

Richard Twitchell, who was "not originally from Chattanooga, but got there as fast as he could" started a chapter after his wife lost her hearing and recalled how his wife came back full of ideas after attending a convention in 1978. She also came back very impressed with Rocky. Years later Richard attended a conference and was equally impressed. Rocky, he said, made friends of everyone he met.

Claude Stout recalled Rocky’s challenge to the rest of us to understand that one size doesn’t fit all people with hearing loss. He lauded Executive Director Brenda Battat’s effective leadership “a shining example” where Rocky has excelled for HLAA's survival today. He also viewed the Stone family as an example in continuing to preserve the ideals and values that Rocky Stone envisioned, and he commended Mike Stone for stepping up to serve as HLAA President.

Barbara Hunter's attempts to set up a chapter with Rocky's encouragement brought just one person to the first meeting -- her husband. After more ideas and encouragement from Rocky, she held a second meeting. Two more people showed up and the rest is history. The chapter now has been in existence for 24 years.

Patrick Holkins arrived at HLAA in the fall of 2004, at a time he hadn't yet come to terms with his hearing loss. At HLAA he found the power of community and now 35 young adults are attending an HLAA convention for the first time. "Together we'll help grow the organization but never forget the man who made it all possible," he said.


Last Words

Julie Olson, representing the Milwaukee organizers who will be hosting the HLAA convention in 2010, promised us beer, brats and cheese, possibly with a polka band thrown in. She talked about the highlights we could look forward to in near proximity to the convention site in downtown Milwaukee.

Ray Wathen closed the program, joking that it had been fun to emcee with 15 sub-wives telling him what to do.

Following the program, Bruce and Kristi Cline and the Music City Wranglers provided music and the tables emptied as people hit the floor to do some line dancing.

See more of Cheryl Heppner reports of the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at NVRC.

Cheryl Heppner - This and That

By Cheryl Heppner

• For those readers who don’t know the entire alphabet soup of acronyms particular to deaf and hard of hearing persons, HLAA stands for Hearing Loss Association of America. It was formerly known as Self Help for Hard of Hearing People. And please know that you’re not alone; new words and acronyms keep getting added all the time!

• “Tall Guy” found me and sent me an email! The man who gave me printed copies of slides for the Research Symposium is Richard Neely of Dallas, Texas. I sure hope he comes to Milwaukee next year.

• Gallaudet University was conducting two studies during the conference. One was on texting in live conversation and the second was to study video cell phones for lipreading. Don’t those sound exciting? I talked with Dr. Judy Harkins as she was recruiting people at a table in the registration area, and later spent some precious minutes with Paula Tucker during her lunch break. It’s awesome to reflect on the last 20 years and realize how instrumental Gallaudet’s research has been to advances in our telecommunications and media access.

• Elvis was in the building and lots of people spotted him. They’ll be able to prove it too, with the free picture they taken with him at the Sprint Relay Exhibit. I saw him again at the Cochlear exhibit, or were my eyes deceiving me?

• Speaking of pictures, Abbie Cranmer (waving)wrote an HLAA convention blog starting on June 17. There are lots of photos, exhibits and events she covered. The final blog is at http://hlaaconvention.blogspot.com/, and if you go to the end you can click on Older Posts for links that will take you to her previous entries.

• I discovered on this trip that airports are much more fun. Now that the new air travel access regulations are in effect, it was great to see captioning on most televisions as I walked through the terminals.

Thanks to everyone who has written to tell us how much they appreciate the conference reports. There’s more coming when we find time to do the writing.

See more of Cheryl Heppner reports of the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at NVRC.

CSD-DTV Help Center

By Cheryl Heppner

The CSD-TV Help Center for deaf, hard of hearing and deaf-blind individuals has been busy helping those who are encountering problems with the digital television transition. Their individual assistance has helped consumers seeking information, including assistance in obtaining coupons and converter boxes and installation. The switch to digital TV has caused consumers to have a lot of questions, and individuals who are able to see their programs but depend on captioning are still reporting widespread problems with the captions. These include captions that are garbled, are early or delayed, in the wrong place, flash on and off the screen, overlap each other, or fill up the entire screen.

CSD-DTV Help Center has been helping to document those problems. They appreciate consumers who have gone to their website to fill out a questionnaire so they have more information and data about the difficulties people are experiencing with captions. It’s at http://dtv.c-s-d.org/survey.

At the end of May the DTV Help Center got a 30-day contract renewal, and they’re hoping to get another extension so they can continue their work. They have done a truly remarkable job of making it easy to contact them with all these options:

Voice: 1-877-DTV-4YOU (1-877-388-4968)

TTY: 1-877-TTY-4CSD (1-877-889-4273)

Videophone IP Address: DTV03.CSD.TV; DTV05.CSD.TV

Videophone Number: 866-351-1950; 866-401-3519

AIM: DTVCSR07; DTVCSR008

Email: DTVHelp@c-s-d.org

Website: http://dtv.c-s-d.org

Their hours of operation are also lengthy: 7 am to 1 am CST, 18 hours a day and 7 days a week.

See more of Cheryl Heppner reports of the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at NVRC.

Wireless Hearing Solutions

By Cheryl Heppner

Brenda Felcoskie, the company’s Customer Service representative, shared information about the wireless products this new HLAA exhibitor carries. The company has a full-time audiologist and product engineer on staff. It offers inclusive trainings on induction loops.

Ten models of bedside clocks with or without a bed shaker were being advertised. I also picked up a brochure on their InLoop system for TV or home theater use. This system can be either wired or incorporated in a cushion that you sit on. The signal from the InLoop is picked up by a hearing aid or cochlear implant T-coil and the audio is sent directly to your hearing aid or cochlear implant. You do not need additional equipment or headphones.

InLoop information: www.inLoop.tv

Wireless Hearing Solutions: www.wirelesshs.com

Toll free: 888-224-4988

See more of Cheryl Heppner reports of the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at NVRC.

Hearingimpaired.net and MrPAWS

By Bonnie O’Leary

Hearingimpaired.net and MrPAWS by Snow make accessories and signage for people with hearing loss. I was very attracted to the variety of colorful, unique products imprinted with the hearingimpaired.net logo on display at this exhibit – bracelets, pins, desk and car decals, t-shirts, doorknob hangers, hospital packs, combo packs, and athlete’s safety vests. I was also drawn to the gorgeous, white German shepherd dog named Snow, sitting patiently behind the exhibit table, ears perked sharply upwards, wisely appearing as if he could answer questions about the display of service dog supplies such as coats, leashes, collars, and auto decals. He even looked smart enough to read the Law Card – a plastic coated copy of the Federal law permitting a service dog entrance to public places.

A Personal Story

Anne Wicklund, who co-owns this international company with her husband, Wayne, noticed how I was straining to understand her in the din of the exhibit area, so she suggested we move to a seat in the quieter hallway. I was very touched by her immediate and genuine concern for my struggle to listen. And it is this genuine concern for the frustrations of all people with hearing loss that inspired them to launch their company in 2001 when Wayne suddenly lost most of his hearing. The Wicklunds, who hail from Fountain Hills, Arizona, had previously owned other businesses, including a mobile check-cashing company, a real estate business, and a security dog company. In search of others who had hearing loss, they discovered the Sun Lakes chapter of what was then SHHH. They made “hearingimpaired” pins to take to the meeting to give away, and everyone wanted one! That was the first hearingimpaired.net product. It generated such a successful response that the Wicklunds created their website, and the idea took off from there.

Product Line Grows

When Wayne realized he hadn’t heard traffic honking at him from behind, he and Anne developed their second product, the hearingimpaired.net automobile window decal. Suggestions and requests for products poured in through their website. For instance, a marathon runner who is hard of hearing asked if Anne and Wayne could design a vest for her to wear in meets and trainings, and the bright orange hearingimpaired.net athletic vest was created and added to the product line. Anne told me they enjoy hearing from their website visitors, especially if they have an idea for a hearingimpaired.net product that should be created.

Snow

Not long after Wayne lost his hearing, Snow came into the Wicklund’s lives, and Wayne focused his training so Snow would alert him to sounds, dangers, people and situations. Having Snow with him all the time introduced Wayne to the challenges of access to public places with a dog, so the line of service dog products was created and added to the hearingimpaired.net catalogue.

To learn more about the range of products available, suggest new ones, or contact Anne and Wayne, visit www.hearingimpaired.net and www.MrPAWS.com.

See more of Bonnie O’Leary reports of the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at NVRC.

SafeAwake

By Cheryl Heppner

Timothy Shaffer, President and CEO of SafeAwake showed me the new pyramid-shaped SafeAwake and answered a barrage of my questions. SafeAwake was developed through a grant from the National Institutes of Health, through which Combustion Science & Engineering, Inc. found the technology to be effective at waking sleeping people in sleep tests. SafeAwake has a flashing white light, and a high decibel, low-frequency audible signal.

I held the round bed shaker in my hand as I listened to an explanation of how it vibrates intermittently, the most optimal way to alert from sleep. The bed shaker reminded me strongly of the quirky mouse that came with my first iMac computer.

Mr. Shaffer explained that the ShakeAwake was built like a medical device and that the final piece of UL approval is expected in October 2009. He wants to be able to sell the product commercially and believes it will also be a good choice for any heavy sleeper with or without hearing loss. Already the power supply for this low-voltage device has UL approval.

From the SafeAwake website: “Conventional home smoke alarms typically warn people to the danger of fire through sound. That leaves deaf and hard-of-hearing people at high risk – especially while sleeping, because ordinary smoke alarms may not be jarring enough to awaken them.”

The company has its headquarters in Columbia, Maryland.

See more of Cheryl Heppner reports of the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at NVRC.

Alternative Communication Services (ACS)

By Cheryl Heppner

Its website proclaims that Alternative Communications Services (ACS) exists to provide the highest quality voice-to-text services possible, delivering Onsite CART, Remote CART, Captioning, Closed Captioning and Text Interpreting services to consumers throughout the world, recognizing the unique strengths of each individual in the process.

I visited with Phil Hyssong to learn more about what ACS business is like these days. Phil said that 60% of their work is now done in education settings. What’s changed, though, is the source of those requests. At one time most of the demand came from higher education institutions which were providing accommodations for graduate students. Then there was a jump in the number of requests for undergraduate students. Now the company is seeing an increasing number of requests to accommodate high school students. Can grade school and the great potential to increase reading levels be next?

See more of Cheryl Heppner reports of the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at NVRC.

Hamilton Relay

By Cheryl Heppner

Hamilton Relay was featuring the new CapTel Model 800i, which is designed for people who have high speed Internet access, telephone service and standard electrical power. This phone has been eagerly awaited for some of its advances, particularly the ability to have a second phone line without paying the monthly charge for a land line. A major advantage of the second line is the ability for people to call you directly without having to first dial a toll-free number for the captioned telephone service.

Some of you may remember Hamilton’s Mitchell Levy from his days working for Virginia Relay. He was my guide in exploring this exciting new CapTel, walking me through feature after feature. Here are some things I found:

- The display screen is sharp with clear text, and you can choose from three sizes – small, medium or large.

- There are choices for color of both background and text, with the ability to preview what the choices will look like before you select them.

- Call History allows you to see a Caller ID for missed calls.

- You can save over 95 phone numbers and you can edit them whenever you want.

- You can choose to save a conversation, review it or delete it.

- There is an answering machine and voice mail capability.

- Ringer volume and pitch can be adjusted.

- You can select either tone or pulse dialing.

- When software upgrades are available, you can push a button to download them.

- A distinctive blue button can be pushed to connect with customer service at any time.

- You can mount the phone on the wall if you desire.

- There are speed dial keys for one-touch dialing of frequently called numbers

- Captions can be turned on or off at any time during a call.

- Volume can be adjusted up to 40 dB

And the best news: Hamilton Relay has a special offer right now. For $99 you can pre-order a CapTel 800i. Shipping is free and they even throw in a Starbucks gift certificate. To sign up: http://www.hamiltoncaptel.com/800i/index.html

See more of Cheryl Heppner reports of the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at NVRC.

Panasonic

By Cheryl Heppner

My first stop was with Panasonic, which has its booth located right inside the entrance to the Exhibit Hall. It was great to reconnect with Tony Jasionowski, Sr. Group Manager for the company’s Accessibility Technology Liaison and Alliance Group. Tony introduced me to some of the company’s newest line of digital cordless phones whose boxes all displayed the logo for meeting TIA standards for hearing aid compatibility.

The models on display included the KX-TG6441 with one handset at $69.95 retail and the 2-handset KX-TG6432 model at $79.95. Panasonic’s cordless line now has lots of options with features such as conference capability, Ringer ID, lighted handset keypad, speakerphone on handset, handset locator, handset intercom, and Call Waiting Caller ID. There are 27 different cordless phone choices. All have DECT 6.0 (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunication), which operates on the 1.9GHz frequency and is designed to offer excellent sound quality, reduced interference, long range and extended battery life.

Panasonic is one of the companies I have pestered to make it easy to access captions on their line of televisions by having a caption button on the TV remote control, as well as one on the TV itself in case the remote is lost or the battery dies. Tony proudly showed me the remote for the sleek 42” Panasonic TV that the company has donated for a drawing here at HLAA, and even more proudly handed me the remote control. There in the top row of buttons was a clearly marked “cc”. Of course that merited a big hug! The cc button’s addition to the remote has now become a company standard. If you’re as delighted as I am, you can send your thanks to Tony at jasionowskit@us.panasonic.com.

See more of Cheryl Heppner reports of the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at NVRC.

Silent Call Communications

Silent Call Communications attended the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. The Silent Call wireless alerting system allows a deaf, deaf/blind, or any other user to be discreetly alerted to the activation of any one of a number of common household devices such as a doorbell, telephone ringer, smoke detector, sound monitor, door or window activity, etc. Use it whenever you cannot hear the doorbell. No need to miss a visitor because you were out gardening or could not hear the doorbell or phone.

A typical system consists of one or more transmitters and one or more receivers. There is no limit to the number of receivers and/or transmitters in a system. Transmitters are available that will interface to a doorbell, telephone ringer, smoke detector, fire and/or intrusion alarm panel, sound monitor, door or window activity, etc.

Basically, you would purchase a Sidekick II Signature Series that will detect a signal from doorbell, telephone ringer, smoke detector, CO detector, fire and/or intrusion alarm panel, sound monitor, door or window activity transmitters, it alerts you by flashing the strobe light and activating the bed vibrator (if used), the colored indicator light for that signal will illuminate and a symbol for that specific transmitter will display on the screen!

ZVRS LLC

ZVRS formally known as CSDVRS, the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. ZVRS is a nationally recognized Video Relay Service provider. Head over there and create a free account and get on the waiting list for the new wireless video phone!

The Z™ Model 340 is, quite possibly, the perfect videophone! It is small, lightweight, supports H.323, and delivers high-quality video over broadband or WiFi connections. With a stunning seven-inch screen that can be closed for safe traveling, this sleek videophone can be placed on your desk, mounted on a wall or connected to your television for larger screen viewing. The rechargeable external battery provides up to two hours of video; if you need more time — simply attach another battery!

ZVRS Services include:

ZVRS - Video relay service (VRS) allows deaf and hard of hearing individuals to have telephone conversations with hearing people. Using a videophone with real-time video connection, an interpreter relays the conversation between the two parties. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ZVRS calls may be placed anywhere within the U.S. and to over 45 countries around the world. (For Spanish-speaking individuals, we also offer HolaVRS.)

Z VCO - (I LOVE THIS!!!) Voice carry-over (VCO) users can place calls using single-line Z™ videophones without needing an additional landline or cellular telephone. Use your own voice to speak to the other party, and the video interpreter will translate what they are saying back to you using one of three communication options: American Sign Language, English-based sign language and English-based sign language with lip reading. Simply dial (888) 888-1116 to use Z VCO today!

Z Meeting - Introducing our brightest idea yet! Z Meeting is the solution for bringing multiple parties into the same telephone conversation — at no charge to anyone! Deaf, hard of hearing and hearing individuals can all participate equally in conference calls when using Z Meeting via video interpreters. The Z™ makes it easy to schedule telephone meetings through a simple sign-up form online, allowing you to meet with anyone, anywhere, any time — without travel! Conducting meetings from home or office has never been so simple! For more information, send an email to zmeetingATzvrs.com.

Lifetone

Lifetone Technology was at the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.

Standard fire alarms and smoke detectors may not wake up people with hearing loss. The first of its kind; the Lifetone HL™ Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock uses a 520 Hz square-wave sound pattern proven by the Fire Protection Research Foundation to be more effective at alerting and awakening people with hearing loss, seniors, children, and heavy sleepers than standard fire alarms. The Lifetone HL is both a state of the art fire alarm and an attractive and easy to use alarm clock. The patented Lifetone HL™ sensor listens for your existing smoke detectors (smoke alarms) and then broadcasts its low frequency, 520Hz square wave sound pattern. Be protected. The Lifetone HL™ helps ensure a life-saving environment for you and the ones you love.

Steve and Debbie Bottles getting drawn at the Lifetone Technology booth.

This next part is extremely important to note. The upcoming 2010 edition of NFPA 72® National Fire Alarm Code has made significant changes to the code especially concerning people who have mild to severe hearing loss. It has been shown that a low-frequency (520 Hz) square wave fire alarm effectively awaken and alerts people who have mild to moderately-severe hearing loss and should be installed in sleeping and guest rooms. If you have a profound loss, this new code requires the use of tactile or vibration in addition to high-intensity strobes in sleeping and guest rooms.

Now, I am one of those in the profound category which means without my cochlear implants, I can put a standard 3100 Hz pure tone sound of current smoke detector to either one of my ears and I can't hear it. Then again, a F-16 fighter jet can take off in my driveway and I wouldn't hear that either. So this is a very real concern for people in my position. When I did the demo of the Lifetone Fire Alarm, I could not hear obviously the low-frequency (520 Hz) square wave but people with a milder/moderate loss were able to hear it without hearing aids or cochlear implants. Thus people in my profound position, must rely on the high-intensity strobes and bed shaker as the new National Fire Alarm Code suggests. Lifetone lacks the strobes for me and it would be perfect if they did.

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) conducts and supports biomedical and behavioral research and research training in the normal and disordered processes of hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech and language. The Institute also conducts and supports research and research training related to disease prevention and health promotion; addresses special biomedical and behavioral problems associated with people who have communication impairments or disorders; and supports efforts to create devices which substitute for lost and impaired sensory and communication function.

Deafness Research Foundation

Deafness Research Foundation attended the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center and was the proud sponsor of the Research Symposium: An Update on the Latest Hair Cell Regeneration Research.

For more than 50 years, DRF has worked to make hearing health possible for everyone through quality research and education. As the leading national source of private funding for research, our grants have resulted in treatments for hearing and balance related conditions helping those living with hearing loss and protecting those at risk.

Over 37 million adults and over 1 million children in the United States suffer from some degree of hearing loss. Of adults who suffer from hearing loss approximately:

* 55% are male
* 45% are female
* 8.4 million are between the ages of 18 – 44 years
* 14.3 million are between the ages of 45 – 64 years
* 6 million are between the ages of 65 – 74 years
* 8.3 million are 75 years and over

These numbers are increasing every year due to aging baby boomers (ages 41-59) and Generation Xers (ages 29-40).

In addition to being the leading national source of private funding for research in hearing and balance science, DRF also publishes Hearing Health magazine. Our publication has a circulation of approximately 30,000 and recently won an APEX 2008 Award of Excellence for Magazine & Journal Writing. This valuable consumer resource provides information on technology, treatment, research and issues affecting people with hearing loss.

Teltex

Teltex joined us at the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. Teltex is setting the mark when it comes to providing equipment for the deaf and hard of hearing. They specialize in amplified phones, TTY’s, unique notification and Smoke Detection Systems they provide extra support after the purchase answering any questions you may have.

National Technical Institute for the Deaf at the Rochester Institute of Technology

National Technical Institute for the Deaf at the Rochester Institute of Technology joined us at the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. The National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) is the world's first and largest technological college for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. It is one of eight colleges of Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), a privately endowed, coeducational university that is student centered and career focused. RIT was founded in 1829, and NTID was formally established by Congress in 1965. It became one of RIT's colleges in 1968. One of the unique features of RIT/NTID is that more than 1,100 deaf and hard of hearing students study, share residence halls and enjoy social life together with more than 14,000 hearing students.

NTID/RIT has a new initiative, Military Veterans with Hearing Loss Project, a program designed especially for veterans of OIF and OEF who have a hearing loss that HLAA is a partner of this project. HLAA is offering a free one-year membership for Veterans of OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom) and OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom) that you can contact the Membership Department to find out more information. HLAA offered free HLAA Convention 2009 Registration to Nashville to OIF and OEF Veterans as well. Since RIT/NTID is a designated Yellow Ribbon and Servicemembers Opportunity Consortium college with oncampus audiological services, note taking, captioning and other classroom technologies that can cater to our returning troops with a hearing loss to learn their best. This pilot program will be expanded over the next five years to over 200 career programs and majors.

Purple

Purple attended the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. Purple provides a variety of communication services tailored for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Video Relay: Hands On VRS® service is the nation's second largest video relay service, and has an unmatched track record for providing its users high-quality communication experiences. Available on videophone, and through customized software called VideoSign, Hands On VRS enables customers choose how and when they make a VRS call. Hands On VRS is also available in Spanish on a videophone through espanol.hovrs.tv.

Text Relay: Introduced in 2004, i711.com is relatively new to the relay industry. With its suite of enhanced calling tools such as a built-in phone book, one-click dialing and other conveniences, i711 quickly grew to be come the second largest text relay service. i711 blends its core communication services, with exclusive video and text content tailored to the interests of the deaf community. i711 provides a great call experience, and a great online gathering place for community content.

Community Interpreting: Purple Language Services combine industry-leading interpreting services, with video remote interpreting (VRI) and communication access real-time translation (CART) services. With convenient online scheduling and billing, and interpreting and translation services available nationwide, Purple Language Services is the ideal partner for your communication and accommodation needs.

Some happy Purple people!

Purple services!

Advanced Bionics

Advanced Bionics attended the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.

Advanced Bionics is dedicated to improving the quality of life for hearing impaired individuals from around the world. As the only American manufacturer of cochlear implants, AB has over 15 years of experience designing and producing high technology devices that enable adults and children with severe to profound hearing loss to hear. Advanced Bionics developed the Harmony™ HiResolution Bionic Ear System to help cochlear implant recipients maximize their hearing potential beyond words and to experience as much of the full spectrum of natural sound—and life—as possible. Click to learn more about AB and its revolutionary cochlear implant technology.

Clarity

Clarity®, a division of Plantronics, Inc., offers communications solutions to the world’s aging population. A leading innovator and provider of creative solutions, Clarity’s patented technologies, Clarity® Power™ and Digital Clarity Power™ provide customized solutions for customers who otherwise could not communicate easily and effectively with the outside world. As the world’s population grows older, Clarity will continue to provide effective technologies to allow seniors to age in place and maintain their dignity and independence.

Check out these phones from Clarity! There is something for everyone.

• Clarity Professional C2210™ Corded Amplified Telephone
• Clarity Professional C4205™ Cordless Amplified Telephone
• Clarity Professional XL50™ Corded Amplified Telephone
• Clarity Professional C4220HS™ Cordless Amplified Handset
• Clarity Professional C4220™ Cordless Amplified Telephone
• Clarity Professional C4230™ Cordless Amplified Telephone

Quick Caption

Quick Caption attended the at the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. QuickCaption offers reliable and high-quality real time captioning services nationwide, both onsite as well as remotely via the Internet, and is currently providing services to a number of HLAA chapters! Additionally, QuickCaption offers prompt and professional video/media captioning. If it can be captioned, we can caption it! Some of their services include Realtime Captioning, Video Captioning, Transcription, Stenography Related, and Proofreading.

Two happy little Quick Captioners :)

American Abilities Television Network

American Abilities Television Network joined us at the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. American Abilities Television Network (TM) is a television network devoted to creating, producing and distributing quality programming for and about the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

Special thanks to Richard McCollough of the American Abilities Television Network for producing “Thirty Years in Pictures.” We are forever grateful to Hollace Goodman who coordinated the project and to helpers, Joan Kleinrock and Ann Liming for their hard work. And,to the many others who submitted photographs - THANK YOU!

Mirusmedia.net produces television programming for Deaf & Hard of Hearing, this service is called (AATV) or American Abilities Television Network (on CW/13 WHAM Time Warner Cable Channel 16 in Rochester, New York) as well as on our website. Lastly we provide meteorological forecasting services for 103.9 WDKX-FM in Rochester, NY. This service is called Weatherfield and is located on the Weatherfied Farm page.

Phonak

Phonak showed up at the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. Phonak is a global leader in the development and manufacture of digital hearing systems. Using state-of-the-art technology, we strive to produce solutions for both adults and children with a hearing loss in the most challenging of listening environments. The ultimate goal of the experts at Phonak is to make a key contribution to the quality of life of those with a hearing impairment, their families, and their friends.

Phonak has a new hearing model called Naída. It is the innovative offering in the Power segment, designed for moderately-severe to profound hearing losses. All Naída models offer exceptional levels of audibility and clarity, an esthetically appealing design and are water-resistant. The complete PowerHearing solution includes SuperPower (13) and UltraPower (675) models, now at three price points. For more details please visit: www.naida.phonak.com.

Phonak FM System Even with the best hearing instruments, most hearing-impaired people notice that they have difficulty hearing in certain situations such as using a telephone, watching television, during a business meeting, or in a restaurant. Using an wireless communication system (FM system) makes communication in all these difficult situations much easier.

• Dialog - At home, in a busy street, at the shopping center, or in a restaurant.
• Group conversations - Family get-togethers, noisy restaurant, at business meetings or conferences.
• Making telephone calls - Phonak wireless systems provide access to all capabilities of modern telecommunication devices.
• Watching TV and listening to music - Phonak wireless systems provide access to the entire spectrum of today's information and entertainment technologies.
• Schools and further education - In classes at schools and universities, on outings and excursions, in lectures, or on museum tours.
• Transportation - Cars, trains, trams and buses.
• Sports - Cycling, playing golf, skiing, jogging or hiking.
• Events - Theater, in concerts, at the movies, in church services, or at community meetings.
  

Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA)

Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) was at the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. They are the leading trade association representing the global information and communications technology (ICT) industries through standards development, government affairs, business opportunities, market intelligence, certification and world-wide environmental regulatory compliance. With support from its 600 members, TIA enhances the business environment for companies involved in telecommunications, broadband, mobile wireless, information technology, networks, cable, satellite, unified communications, emergency communications and the greening of technology. TIA is accredited by ANSI.

This is TIA's logo that identifies for consumers telephones compliant with TIA's latest standard for reduced noise and interference when used with T-Coil-equipped hearing aids and cochlear implants!


So when shopping for a telephone and you use the telecoil feature on your hearing or cochlear implant, look for that logo and you will most likely experience less static and/or interference than a non-compliant TIA-1083 phone.

SoundAid Hearing Aid Warranty

SoundAid Hearing Aid Warranty joined us at the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center! SoundAid Hearing Aid Warranties knows how valuable hearing aids are to your quality of life and your ability to communicate. They also know from experience how fragile they can be. A hearing aid is just like any other highly specialized precision instrument that is operating in very difficult conditions. It will require repair! The fact is you can get a one year service warranty for less than you pay for a single repair. If you are a new user of hearing aids you know how expensive new hearing aids are. And if you are an experienced user you know how expensive repair can be. Why gamble? They feel very comfortable in saying "it is more expensive not to have a service warranty"

If your hearing aids have ever been damaged due to earwax, perspiration, climate or accident, and they were out of warranty, then you know how fragile these modern day wonders are. You also found out the hard way how expensive repair can be! Worse yet, what if you lost one and had to replace it? Did you know that it is more expensive not to have a service warranty? Our service warranties pick up right where the manufacturer left off, and cover Loss, Damage and/or Component Failure. So weather you need a warranty or repair, now or in the future, we have you covered. SoundAid would like to show you how necessary and affordable a service warranty is, so please visit their site to find out more.

Association of Late-Deafened Adults (ALDA)

Association of Late-Deafened Adults (ALDA) was at the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center! The mission of the Association of Late-Deafened Adults (ALDA) is to support the empowerment of late-deafened people. Late-Deafened Adults are people who have lost the ability to understand speech with or without hearing aids after acquiring spoken language. ALDA is committed to providing a support network and a sense of belonging by sharing our unique experiences, challenges and coping strategies, helping one another find practical solutions and emotional support, and working together with other organizations and service providers for our common good.

In ALDA, we find people who share the same experience and work together to find solutions to the everyday challenges of living with hearing loss. When ALDA members get together communication barriers disappear. ALDA's communication philosophy is "Whatever works, works!"

Geemarc Telecom

Geemarc Telecom is a world wide distributor of specialist communications equipment for the deaf who attended the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.

The Geemarc representative flashing his assorted array of telephones!

Geemarc identified a special needs market in 2001. This market targets hearing impaired phone users, to whom finding the right phone or compatible device is extremely important to maximize clarity, minimize feedback and increase usefulness. You can purchase Sound Alert products from them as well!

Hamilton Captel

Hamilton Captel came to visit us at the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. Hamilton Relay provides Traditional Relay and Captioned Telephone services in contracted states, as well as Web CapTel and Internet Relay services across the nation.

The CapTel 800i is the latest addition to the Hamilton CapTel family of solutions. Using your existing phone service and a high-speed Internet connection, the CapTel 800i delivers captions on all incoming and outgoing calls. For more information about the CapTel 800i you can download the CapTel 800i Brochure or simply complete the form here and we'll keep you up to date on all of the details.

Verizon

Even though someone was noticeably absent from the Verizon booth, they were at the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. They were the sponsor of the 2009 HLAA Convention Program Guide (<--- click to download the green version).

Verizon is a global leader in delivering innovation in communications, information and entertainment. We offer consumers, businesses and government first-in-class voice, data and video services over superior wireline and wireless networks. We believe that, by delivering the innovation customers want, we will win in the marketplace, create value for shareowners and make a positive impact.

If you happen to live in the northeast section of the United States, you can take advantage of the Verizon Wireless Accessibility Plan. It gives users unlimited domestic text messaging (including instant messaging) with 100 monthly voice minutes for $39.99 monthly access with a one- or two-year customer agreement. Customers can also subscribe to an optional feature for their BlackBerry or PDA/Smartphone that provides unlimited data usage on the company’s NationalAccess data network for an additional $40 monthly access.

Verizon customers who are deaf or hard of hearing and live in Delaware, New Jersey or Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C., Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island can now use American Sign Language and either a videophone or Web camera to communicate directly with the company about service-related issues.

ICantHearYou®

ICantHearYou®’s came to the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. Their goal is to improve safety and communications between the diverse deaf and hearing populations. ICantHearYou® is the one-stop resource for people who have questions about deafness, safety, cultural, and other related topics.

You can purchase different accommodation devices such as: Alarm Clocks, Doorbell, Door Signs, Safety Alarms, Signalers, Telephone, Headset for the Television, Watches. You can take a look at the variety of books, clothes and jewelry for you and your dog they have to offer!

HearUSA Care Network

HearUSA Care Network joined us at the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. HearUSA is a professional, independently accredited hearing services organization doing business as HEARx, the Hearing Care Network, and HearUSA. We promote consumer awareness, education and utilization of hearing care products and services. Our goal is to provide affordable access to quality hearing care across the country and to bring new standards of care and service in a professional setting.

HearUSA works with people like you — employers, managed care organizations, insurers, unions and other benefit sponsors — who understand the advantage of offering a hearing benefit to their members. If you are an employee, you might want to bring this information to the human resource department. They will help you select the hearing benefit program that best meets the needs of your organization and members. Your hearing care program can provide full or partial coverage for professional hearing services and hearing aid fittings.

HARC® Mercantile

HARC® Mercantile attended the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. They provide a wide variety of assistive listening, communications and alerting devices for the hard of hearing and deaf, including induction loop system, infrared TV listeners, and personal and wide area FM systems. On display are new cell phone solutions, telephones, personal amplifiers, and TV listening devices. consumer awareness, education and utilization of hearing care products and services. Our goal is to provide affordable access to quality hearing care across the country and to bring new standards of care and service in a professional setting.

Happy little HARC'ers :)

National Board for Certification In Hearing Instrument Science

The National Board for Certification In Hearing Instrument Science was at the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. They are an independent, non-profit, credentialing organization, established in 1981 to promote continuing competency assurance of hearing health professionals, and to provide a standard of excellence in hearing healthcare for the consumer. It is the only board certification program in the hearing healthcare industry accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

Panasonic - ideas for life.

Panasonic was at the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.

Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company (PCEC), a market and technology leader in High Definition television, is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. (NYSE: MC) and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic offers a complete suite of communication and networking solutions, including cordless phones, network cameras and photo and multi-function printers that provide convenience, style and ease-of-use.

Some lucky convention goer won that brand new spankin' TV - a Panasonic’s 42” Viera Plasma 1080p HDTV Model TC-P42S1 on Saturday, June 20 at 4 p.m. Lucky duck!

FYI: Panasonic manufactures hearing aid compatible cordless phones

Alternative Communications Services (ACS)

Alternative Communications Services (ACS) attended the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. They provide the highest quality voice-to-text services possible, delivering these Onsite CART, Remote CART, Captioning, Closed Captioning and Text Interpreting services to consumers throughout the world, recognizing the unique strengths of each individual in the process. They even provide services in Spanish! Read on!

Alternative Communications Services (ACS) booth!

Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) – The instantaneous translation of the spoken language into text and displayed in various forms. English text is produced with less than a two-second delay. For example, a CART writer sits next to a student in a classroom and listens to the professor, transcribing all that is heard, and the English text is being displayed on the computer screen so the student can read along.

• Onsite CART can be provided for meetings, classes, training sessions and special events. CART can also be provided REMOTELY.

• Remote CART is exactly the same as onsite CART except the provider is in a remote location and listens to an event through the use of a telephone or Voice Over IP (VoIP) connect.
  

Captioning - The instantaneous translation of the spoken language translated into text and merged with a video signal for broadcast or projection with less than a two-second delay. For example, the captioner's software dials via a phone line into the television station's encoder. The captioner then dials via a second phone line into an audio source at the television station. The captioner listens to the audio and transcribes what is heard.

• Closed captions are captions that can only be seen with a device called a "decoder," which is built in most televisions.
• Open captions are captions that can be seen all the time. The caption text becomes part of the video signal.

Text Interpreting – The electronic note-taking system that is designed to provide meaning-for-meaning transcription of spoken English into English text. The text interpreter listens to the professor, condenses text (meaning for meaning) and keys in the text via a short-hand method. The student and the text interpreter usually have their own laptops when the service is provided on site. This service is specifically designed for the educational setting. ACS offers Text Interpreting both onsite and remotely.

Sign Language Services -ACS is pleased to offer Sign Language services to our educational and convention planning customers. As the company that listens to you, we have heard that planners and coordinators desire a one-stop shop. We have listened to you.

Sprint Relay

There was over fifty vendors at the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, TN! I was running around snapping pictures of the different vendors and learning about the different services and products for the deaf and Hard of Hearing.

The first one is Sprint Relay who just so happened to have sponsored this year Internet Cafe! The convention goers were able to stop by and check their email and update their status on Facebook or whatever. Since Elvis was in the building hanging out by the Sprint Relay booth, we were able to get a free picture printed a mousepad with Elvis.

Elvis and I.

These are some of the services that Sprint Relay provides:

Sprint Video Relay - A conversation is only as good as the technology it’s using. Which is why you won’t find better answering speed, video quality and ease-of-use than with Sprint Video Relay.

Sprint IP Relay - Sprint IP Relay makes communicating on-the-go easier than ever. So no matter where life takes you, with access to an internet connection and computer, you can stay in touch 24/7.

Sprint IP using AIM - Express yourself with Sprint Relay using AIM®. Place or receive calls on any wireless device or computer using AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) with internet access.

Dennis Selznik and a convention goer.

CapTel™ - Getting your point across is no more difficult than dialing a

phone number with Caption Telephone (CapTel™). You’re automatically connected to the captioning service the moment you dial.

WebCapTel® - This web-based service allows individuals who can speak, but have difficulty hearing, to read word-for-word captions on their computer screen.

Relay Conference Captioning - Be heard loud and clear on your next conference call. Sprint Relay Conference Captioning (RCC) combines real-time captioning and voice relay service through one internet connection.

Sprint Relay Service - Take traditional relay technology up a notch with Sprint Relay. Communicate comfortably and dependably using TTY to type your conversation to a Sprint Relay Operator.

Elvis in an intriguing discussion with a convention goer.

Ultratec

Ultratec was at the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. Ultratec is the sponsor of the Exhibit Hall Grand Opening and Reception and Opening Session and Keynote Speaker, Dr. Vinton Cerf, Ph.D.

See word-for-word captions during your phone calls with the CapTel Captioned Telephone from Ultratec, the world’s leading developer of text telecommunication technology for people with hearing loss. Now you can even get phone captions over the Internet! Come make a CapTel call and try it for yourself.

CapTel 800i - Coming Soon! - is a new option designed for people who use VOIP telephone service or who have high-speed Internet access. Learn more

WebCapTel - lets you enjoy telephone conversations with the convenience of online captions. You make / receive phone calls using any phone you want, while reading captions of the call in the Internet browser window on your computer. Learn more

USB Option for Large Print Captions - Now CapTel users can read conversation captions on their computer screen, at any size or font style they choose. The CapTel USB option lets you connect the CapTel phone to a computer to view captions on the computer monitor. Learn more

For more information, visit the CapTel site:

• CapTel website
• WebCapTel
• Features
• Where can I get one?
• User Guide
• Customer Support

HLAA Convention 2009 Survey

Thank you so much for attending Convention 2009 in Nashville. Please take a moment to give us some feedback and let us know how we are doing. Note that questions with an asterisk (*) are mandatory (the survey won’t continue until you answer that question).

Click on this link to get started: HLAA Convention 2009 Survey

Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete the survey.

Connections Unlimited

Connections Unlimited was at the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. They are distributors for AudioLink®, ChatterVox®, SchoolPhones™ and other fine listening and speech assisting products.

Cochlear Americas

Cochlear™ joined us at the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. Cochlear™ offers both cochlear and bone-anchored products. Nucleus® Freedom™ features water resistance and is backward compatible with even our earliest products. Our bone-anchored Baha is the industry’s only bone conduction implant system.

Hearing Loss Association of America

Hearing Loss Association of America was obviously present amongst the booths at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. You could have picked up a free copy of the Hearing Loss Magazine and found out more information about the Walk4 Hearing.

AT&T

AT&T Inc. was the proud sponsor the HLAA 30th Birthday Party at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. The food was wonderful, the people were fantastic, the music was marvelous.

They are a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world’s most advanced IPbased business communications services and the nation’s leading wireless, high speed Internet access and voice services.

AT&T Relay has more ways to get you connected and keep you connected with friends, family, co-workers, and everyone else you want to communicate with.

• TTY Relay Service
• IP Relay Service
  
• Video Relay Service (VRS)
  
• IM Relay Service

In addition to AT&T Relay, they offer Text Accessibility Plan’s (TAP) for the most popular phone - iPhone and iPhone 3G. These Text Accessibility Plans were developed for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, have a speech disability and/or hearing loss, and was designed with input from the community.

The TAP plan for original iPhone is $40.00 per month* and includes:

• Unlimited SMS messages
• Unlimited data usage (email and web)
• $.40 per minute pay-per-use voice
• Visual Voicemail

The TAP plan for iPhone 3G $50.00 per month* and includes:

• Unlimited SMS messages
• Unlimited data usage (email and web)
• $.40 per minute pay-per-use voice

To qualify you have to complete the "disability certification forms". New users activate their iPhones in the normal way through iTunes and then have to contact AT&T's National Center for Customers with Disabilities to change over the Text Accessibility Plan.

Oticon

Oticon joined us at the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center and was the proud sponsor of the fancy schmacy red and black registration bags.

Oticon is the worlds second largest hearing aid manufacturer. They have just released a solution called Oticon ConnectLineTM. With ConnectLine solutions Epoq users can finally talk on the phone, watch TV and listen to music with just as much ease as everyone else. ConnectLine delivers improved performance in terms of speech intelligibility and sound quality since sounds are streamed directly to the Epoq instruments via the user friendly Oticon Streamer.

Wireless Hearing Solutions

Wireless Hearing Solutions was at the 2009 Hearing Loss Association of America Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.

This company provides products, training and support for induction loops of all sizes and configurations from homes and autos to churches, teller windows, theaters and auditoriums. They provide cushion loops for chairs as well!