Thanks Harris Communications!

I had a lot of fun walking around in the exhibit hall at the convention looking at the different devices, services, and information useful for people who are deaf and hard of hearing. For the first time I bought a neck loop system from Harris Communications. I bought the ClearSounds Quattro Bluetooth Powered Neckloop after trying it out. I called my mother using the device with my cell phone. All I had to do was synchronize the blue tooth device with my cellphone and then choose the t-coil mode of my hearing aid. I was pleasantly surprised by how clear my mother's voice was as it went directly into my hearing aid while blocking out background noises. I could understand her better than before. Plus, it was nice that I did not have to hold my cell phone up to the microphone part of my hearing aid, which can be awkward and uncomfortable. I am really glad that I could try the product and learn how it works. I was so impressed with it, I ordered it. I can't wait to start using it when I get home!

(e

More Pictures From HLAA Convention

Sharon G. and Danielle Nicosia

Ronnie Adler and Danielle Nicosia

Roberta Alterman and Joan Haber

Cochlear America Group

Photographs contributed by Danielle Nicosia. Thank you Danielle!

(e

Big Thanks to 2011 HLAA Sponsors!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the wonderful sponsors of the 2011 HLAA Convention.

Gold Level, $25,000

• Audiotoniq: A Wicked Evening at the Kennedy Center 

• CTIA, The Wireless Association: A Wicked Evening at the Kennedy Center

• CapTel: Awards Breakfast and Ceremony 

Silver Level, $15,000

• Cochlear: Cochlear Americas 

• Oticon: Registration Bags

• Starkey: Young Adult Scholarships & Young Adult Scavenger Hunt

• T-Mobile: President and Executive Director's Reception 

Bronze Level, $10,000

• AT&T: Friday Afternoon Exhibit Hall Social 

• CaptionCall:  Get Acquainted Party 

• Hamilton CapTel: Saturday Afternoon Exhibit Hall Social

• MED-EL: Badge holders and Lanyards

Friend Level, $5,000

• Deafness Research Foundation: Research Symposium 

• BlackBerry: Communication Access for the Research Symposium

• RIT/NTID: Three Morning Breaks

• Tracfone Wireless, Inc.: Convention Blog

• Verizon: Convention Passport

 (e

Photos From HLAA Convention, Contributed by Laurie Pullins

Here are a couple photos from the convention. The first one is me (Laurie Pullins) with Lynn Rousseau in the Cochlear booth. Lynn was on the front cover of the recent HLAA magazine. We are both dancers and were striking a pose in the Cochlear booth where I was working. We had fun connecting through our dance stories.  

The second is me with Casey, the Cochlear bear.  :)

- Laurie Pullins

Laurie Pullins and Lynn Rousseau

Casey the Cochlear Bear and Laurie Pullins

Thank you Laurie for your photographs. Looks like you had fun!

(e

Recap: Sunday Awards Breakfast and Ceremony

I attended Sunday's HLAA Awards Breakfast and Ceremony sponsored by CapTel. The ceremony celebrated various HLAA members from around the country who have gone above and beyond their advocacy and outreach efforts. They honored scholarship recipients and gave out several awards for different achievements such as best state newsletter, best state website, organizing Walk4Hearing, community service, for being an outstanding young adult, and many more. Page 32 and 33 of the program includes a full list of the recipients. I sat with the young adults, where quite a few were recipients of scholarships and awards.

On a side note, I thought the bacon served at the ceremony was delicious, I would award it the best bacon I've had while in DC.

The only problem I had with the ceremony was that the loop system did not work properly. It was looping a conference that was happening next door. Unfortunately, we could not take advantage of the loop system during the ceremony. At least we had captions to help.

I was very inspired by everyone in the room. It makes me want to get involved more with my state HLAA chapter and to advocate more for the deaf and hard of hearing. There is so much more to be accomplished! I am especially interested in advocating for more hearing loop systems to be installed, after having such wonderful experiences with it at the HLAA Convention.

(e