Monday, October 9, 2017

Regular Chapter Meeting

6:30 Social Time 7:00 Program

H.O.P.E. Discussion 5:30 - 6:30

Our meeting facility is equipped with a hearing loop, and realtime captioning is provided.

October Program: Home Safety for People with Hearing Loss

Guest Presenter: Battalion Chief, Joseph Strauss

Joseph Strauss, Battalion Chief of Fire Prevention and Public Education, has been with the Ap-pleton Fire Department for 12 years. Prior to that, he worked for the State of Wisconsin Department of Justice as a Special Agent/Deputy Fire Marshall. The discussion this evening will focus on fire safety and prevention, with a specific emphasis on how people with hearing loss can remain safe.

Our nation has experienced several tragic national disas-ters recently. Preparedness is vital to our safety. Commu-nication difficulties make people with hearing loss ex-tremely vulnerable in many emergency situations. We look forward to hearing from Chief Strauss.

Fox Valley Chapter News Volume 32 Issue 8 ~ October 2017

HLAA-WI Annual State Membership Meeting & Workshop - In Madison.

Fri, October 27th 6PM - 9PM & Saturday 9AM - 3PM

Friday: HLAA members are encouraged to attend this

meeting to elect board members, review the year’s achieve-

ments, plan the 2018 agenda, and honor award recipients

from chapters. Katie Voss, from the Wisconsin Assn. of the

Deaf will explain WAD’s legislative agenda to replace the

Office for Deaf & Hard of Hearing (ODHH) with a Commis-

sion. HLAAWI is undecided about supporting this, and

wants input from its membership. Please try to be at this

meeting. It’s important for our members to be informed.

Saturday: Erin Mirante, from national HLAA will facili-

tate a workshop on how to grow HLAA in Wisconsin

through individual and chapter development. “Growing

Your Chapter & You” is for everyone who wants HLAA to

have an effective presence in Wisconsin. It is open to all. A

special raffle event will be held during the weekend to raise

funds for convention scholarships. We have received some

fantastic prizes from donors. You don’t want to miss it!

This workshop will be educational and social. A nice oppor-

tunity to meet HLAA folks in Wisconsin!

Registration info at: www.hlaawi.org

Greetings Everyone!

Almost three years ago I was asked to

take on the role of President of this amazing

organization. It was supposed to be a 2 year

commitment. I offered to continue as presi-

dent for one more year in 2017 when no one

offered to stand for election, and was hon-

ored to be asked. It is time now, for a change.

We have a dedicated board of directors, (some have

been with us for years), who are fully engaged in HLAA’s

mission. We also have a small core of outstanding volun-

teers who help in various ways. We are fortunate to have

‘Sponsors’ who provide financial support; many have done

so annually for years. The support we receive in all these

ways is what keeps Fox Valley Chapter running!

This chapter, which received the national ‘Chapter

on a Mission Award’ from the national HLAA organiza-

tion this year, offers two discussion groups; H.O.P.E. and

Cochlear Implant. We provide excellent educational pro-

grams on a variety of topics related to hearing loss at our

chapter meetings. We plan two social events each year.

Very few HLAA chapters do all that ours does. And still,

a huge challenge remains in recruiting new members to

the chapter’s board as officers. I would love for you to

offer to be a part of the team!

As I look outside, now, I see my favorite season; Au-

tumn. I love Autumn. The leaves change colors, the air

gets cooler. The colorful leaves remind me of the im-

portance of mixing things up. We need a bigger mix of

people to be involved. So what about the “cooler”

part? Well, you don’t have to be cool to join our

team. But I think it’s cool to realize you can do this!

To accomplish this change, I ask those of you who

enjoy HLAA regularly, to think about how you can be

more involved. What are you able to do? Whether it’s vol-

unteering to greet at the door, help in the kitchen, help

plan a social event or a fund raiser, work on the newslet-

ter, or serve on the chapter’s BOARD. You are needed.

We are here to help each other. If we all do our share and

take our turn this chapter will continue on it’s mission.

Before I go, I want everyone to know how lucky we

are to have such a committed and energized board of di-

rectors, Rhonda, Julie, Nancy, Jo, Jane and Christine are

all doing a bang-up job and are a pleasure to work

with. Julie, Jo, Rhonda and I have all served as presi-

dents. Our newest board member, Rick has rock-star tal-

ents and I look forward to what changes and new ideas

he will bring.

I will retire as chapter president in December. I will

stay involved but I will not be President.

The question now, is: Who will be?

Colleen Van Rooy, Outgoing President

http://www.hlaawi.org/

Cochlear Implant Discussion Group Meeting Monday, October 16th at 6:00 PM

The CI support/discussion group meets quar-terly at Festival Foods in Neenah. The meeting room is upstairs in the back of the store, over the deli department. It is accessible by elevator and stairs. Address: 647 S. Green Bay Road in Neenah. A hearing loop is in use for our meetings. If you have a CI, are considering one, or want information from those who have CIs, join us. You can get on the CI mailing list to receive meeting notices by contacting Rhonda Clancey, CI Group Chairperson rclancey@hotmail.com

September Program Summary….

We are grateful to Dr. Susan McFadden PhD for the excellent pro-

gram she presented at our September Chapter meeting. Dr. McFad-

den, a recognized expert in dementia studies, has been active in the

Fox Valley to start and sustain Memory Cafes at several venues.

Her knowledge and emphasis on our aging population today and

15 years into the future is telling! We need to pay

attention.

She has been studying the correlation between

dementia and aging and more recently on demen-

tia and hearing loss through access to peer-

reviewed documentation from recent studies that

link hearing loss to cognitive decline. Yes, the

signs of Dementia and behavior of persons with age related hear-

ing loss often coincide. Think about it. Isolation, depression, lone-

liness, and losing the will to participate socially are typical hear-

ing loss symptoms. They are also symptoms of dementia. Thank-

fully, studies also show that unaided hearing loss is more likely to

be a problem. Dr. McFadden’s presentation was poignant and

well presented. It was suggested that she be recruited to speak at

the HLAA National Convention in Minneapolis next summer.

Yes, it was that good! Thank you Dr. McFadden

Unexpected Noise Can Damage Hearing! Many of us have noise induced hearing loss. We try to make the effort to use hearing protection when exposed to anticipated loud noise like rock concerts, when hunting, while using power equipment, etc. We

have the wisdom to keep sound down when using headphones with our audio devices. But here’s one you’ve probably never thought of….Balloons!! Research shows that noise generated by a popped balloon, at its highest level, can be compared to a high-powered shotgun going off next to someone’s ear. However, not all bursts had the same impact. Researchers measured the noise effects by bursting balloons three different ways: popping them with a pin, blowing them up until they ruptured and crushing them until they burst. The loudest was the ruptured balloon at almost 168 decibels, four decibels louder than a 12-gauge shotgun. Simply one exposure could be considered unsafe to hearing for both children and adults.

HLAA National Convention 2018

Minneapolis Minnesota

June 21—24

Let us know….if you want to go!

We are planning projects for scholarships.

Contact Chris: bommaklessig@gmail.com

Influenza Is Already Making the Rounds In Wisconsin

State health officials say the flu season is getting an early start in Wiscon-sin, and it's not too early to protect yourself and people around you by getting a flu shot. From September 1- September 22, 2017, there have been

19 confirmed cases of influenza in Wisconsin and 8 hospitalizations, compared to 5 confirmed cases and two hospitalizations during the same period in 2016. The flu shot is safe and effective for people six months old and older. However, there are certain people who are at a greater risk of getting the flu

and could have serious health complications if they do come down with the virus; including: People 65 years old and older, people with chronic health issues like heart disease and diabetes, pregnant women and people who are around other people at work or school. State Health Officer Karen McKeown says, “By protecting ourselves with a flu shot, we are also helping to protect our family, friends, co-workers and the rest of the community”. She advises getting your flu shot as soon as possible.

Bring your questions. Bring your

assistive technology. Join us to

share and learn!

See You At a Chapter Meeting!

Social Time & Light Refreshments

6:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Educational Program at 7:00 PM

mailto:rclancey@hotmail.commailto:bommaklessig@gmail.com

The Sponsor Program is Fox Valley Chapter’s main fundraiser. Letters were sent to previous & potential donors in February. Donations received prior to July 20th, when this edition went to press, are credited below. Donors will be added as they are received. Thank you to everyone who has support-ed Fox Valley Chapter this way. NOTE: If your name or busi-ness is not listed correctly, please let us know immediately.

Thank you ! 2017 Chapter Sponsors

Platinum Level ($200 or More) Anonymous X 2 About Better Care Audiology – Stephanie Long AuD Ear Nose & Throat Specialists of Wisconsin, S.C Katie Armatoski Au.D, Mark Conradt AuD, Erin Krueger

AuD, Cathy Dreifuerst, AuD, Tamara Mischka AuD,

Tricia Roh AuD, Holly Rusch-Clothier AuD

Fox Valley Hearing Center, Inc. Candy McGinnis AuD, Melissa Dintelman AuD, Jody Jedlicka AuD Haviland Hearing Aids Inc. Peter J. Zellmer, AuD & Kyle Martell, AuD Hearing Clinics of Wisconsin, Inc. Robert Broeckert MS-CCC-A Rural Audiology Services Kari Kramer AuD & Becky Franz MS CCC-A Judy & Larry Benish - Andrew Hetzel Doris Krop - Tom & Linda O’Connor Ray & Betty Smith - Stan & Jane Whiteman Gold Level ($100 - $199) Russell Brodtke, James Cuene, Betsy Foley, Lorna Hamil-ton, Christine Klessig, Michael & Susan Landreman, Bar-bara Merry, Julie Reisinger, Ear, Nose & Throat Surgi-cal Associates; (Kristin Borgen AuD, Beth Gabavics AuD & Nicole Mazam CCC-A), Juliette Sterkens & LeRoy Maxfield, Walt & Phyllis Ziemke, Grace Zurovitch, Silver Level ($50 - $99) Anonymous, Jim & Rhonda Bartelt, O.C. & Pat Boldt, Suzane Brown,/ Jo Kintopf-Crabb, Ascension Health Sys-tem; Debra Engebos AuD, Nancy & Dave Gilbertson, Eliza-beth Ginke, Mary Ginke, Charlie & Betsy Hansen, Jay Hu-guet, Alice Riemer-McKee, Ione Muehlenbein (in memory of Paul Muehlenbein), Julie & John Olson, Chris Prust, Stevie Schmidt, Karen & Tom Schuppe, Lyle & Phyllis Sconzert, Carol Smokovich, Russ & Barb Soderberg, Mike & Lois Vande Loo, Jerry & Phyllis Van Handel, Gene & ‘T’ Van Asten, Jan & Diane Veenendaal, Shirley & Earl Younk, Paul & Harriet Zuiker Bronze Level ($25 - $49)

David Achtner, Mike & Nancy Cohen, Mary Fritsch, Kevin Gossens, Lorna Hamilton, Donald & Lois Kunde, James Hemmen, Myrtle & Raymond Morris, Sharon Salm, George Van Amber Jr., Mary & Kenneth Walter, Katie Weber

We are grateful to these Sponsors for their generosity and

support of HLAA Fox Valley Chapter. Their support allows us to print & circulate this newsletter, to hold regular

meetings, to provide information & materials to those who attend our meetings, do outreach programs when asked,

educate ourselves on new technology & so much more.

Our meetings are open to the public.

Tax deductible donations can be sent to: HLAA-FVC Treas-urer, P.O. Box 25, Menasha WI 54952-0025. The chapter is a

registered 501(c)3 non profit. NOTE: We are also grateful to the members who contribute

personal resources of time, energy, mileage & much more.

An Evening with Mandy Harvey

Many of you may have heard or seen Mandy Harvey on America’s Got Talent this season. Mandy is an award win-ning singer, songwriter and motivational speaker who has a hearing loss. Her appearance on America’s Got Talent got her the “golden buzzer” from Simon Cowell to pass to the next round. She made it to the final 3! The emotion-

al video of her performance went viral, touching people all over the world.

We are elated to announce that YOU get to experience an Evening with Mandy Harvey at the HLAA2018 Conven-tion! Mandy and her band will be performing on Friday, June 22, 2018.

> > > > > > > >

The 2018 National HLAA Convention will be held at the Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis from June 21—24. For those of us in the upper Midwest, this is an opportunity to attend a national convention close to home. It only hap-pens once in a decade.

Basic information regarding the schedule and the re-search symposium are already posted on the HLAA web-site. Www.hearingloss.org/content/convention More will be added soon. Registration begins in January.

HLAA Fox Valley will have some scholarships available to chapter members who wish to attend. The amounts will depend on numbers interested, and on funds we have available or may be able to raise through projects.

If you are interested in attending the 2018 convention, please let Christine Klessig know. You name will go on a list that will be contacted as plans emerge. Since our chapter does not hold regular meetings in January or Feb-ruary, we’d like to know the interest level of our member-ship so we can plan and connect with those who express interest. We will take time to discuss this at the upcom-ing meetings of the chapter. Christine’s e-mail is: bom-maklessig@gmail.com

If you wish to attend the HLAAWI annual meeting and

“Growing Your Chapter and YOU” workshop in Madi-

son, ask others if they are going. We can do car pools, but

you have to initiate this. We’ve had excellent state meet-

ings over the years, and this one promises to be outstand-

ing. Who Wants to Go?

Talk it up at the Oct. meeting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKSWXzAnVe0http://www.hearingloss.org/content/conventionmailto:bommaklessig@gmail.commailto:bommaklessig@gmail.com

HLAA-Fox Valley Chapter

P.O. Box 25

Menasha WI 54952-0025

2017 HLAA-Fox Valley Chapter Board

Chair: Vacant Please consider how you can help.

Past Chair: Colleen Van Rooy: cvanrooy@yahoo.com

Vice President & H.O.P.E. Chair: Nancy Gilbertson

nancy.gilbertson2@gmail.com

Treasurer: Jane Young: YBLUEJAY@aol.com

Secretary: Christine Klessig bommaklessig@gmail.com

Corresponding Secretary: Jo Kintopf-Crabb:

jkjo@milwpc.com

Member-at Large: Rick Fahrenkrug rfahr@gmail.com

Programs & Cochlear Implant Group Chair: Rhonda

Clancey: rclancey@hotmail.com

Newsletter Editor: Julie Olson: julieo@athenet.net

Phone Contact: ‘T’ Van Asten 920-420-8462 (Use 920 if not using cell phone.)

Chapter e-mail: hlaafoxvalley@gmail.com

Support Crew: Dave Gilbertson & Bob Opsteen - Room

Set-up, ‘’T” Van Asten –Phone & Kitchen, Gene Van As-

ten-Outreach, Lorna Hamilton, Jane Young & Yvette

Sanpaka - Newsletter Preparation.

Chapter e-mail: hlaafoxvalley@gmail.com

Feel free to contact any of us.

2017 Chapter Calendar

October 9– Safety in our homes when we have hearing loss.

October 16—Cochlear Implant Support Group Meets

November 13—What are Cochlear Implants?

December 11—Holiday Social (Watch for more information)

This newsletter serves as our meeting notice. Please

sign up to receive it. “T” 920-420-8462 or hlaafoxval-

ley@gmail.com It can come via regular mail or e-mail.

* HOPE discussion group is held prior to each chapter meet-

ing at 5:30. Come Hear Other People’s Experiences!

Meetings are open to all who want to learn more about how

to remain in the hearing mainstream in spite of having

hearing loss. Our regular meetings are captioned, and the

meeting room has a hearing loop.

Join us in a place where we all CAN hear & participate!

Our newsletter is available by regular mail or e-mail.

Links are live in the e-mail version, which is in color.

About the Hearing Loss Association of America

The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), founded in 1979, opens the world of communication to people with hearing loss through information,

education, support and advocacy. HLAA holds annual conventions), produces Walk4Hearing events in 20 cities, publishes the bimonthly Hearing Loss Mag-

azine, advocates for the rights of people with hearing loss, and has an extensive network of chapters and state organizations across the country. HLAA Fox

Valley Chapter is an affiliate of the national organization. This chapter does not charge dues. Instead, we encourage you to pay dues to national HLAA and

to become ‘members’. Dues are $35/year for an individual; $45/year for a family. HLAA at all levels is a 501c3 non-profit organization. This chapter receives

a $10 rebate for national dues paid by people in our region. By adding your name to the HLAA membership roles, you help HLAA help millions of people

with hearing loss. Please do join our organization. The national headquarters is located at 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 1200, Bethesda, MD 20814.

Phone 301.657.2248 or visit hearingloss.org. Join HLAA and support advocacy & medical research. Numbers matter to HLAA’s success.

Disclaimer—HLAA does not endorse products

or services. Mention of such is intended to

provide readers & those who attend meetings

with information on products or services that

might be of interest, & is not a recommenda-

tion or endorsement.

While the internet holds thousands of articles, blogs and enticing market-ing strategies on how to cope with hearing loss, no written information is as powerful as meeting other people

who are also living with it. The Mission of HLAA is to open the world of communication to people with hearing loss by provid-ing information, education, support and advocacy. The HO.P.E. Group provides the peer support protion of the HLAA mission. It is often difficult to talk openly about our hearing loss, even with close family and friends. Many of us need mutual support and an opportunity to talk about our hearing loss frustrations with people who truly understand, because it affects them, too. Participating in the H.O.P.E. Group helps people realize they are not alone, and that their feelings are valid. By talking to other hard of hearing people, you are likely to gain insight and confidnece to live well in spite of your hearing difficulties. You will learn how other hard of hearing people cope in different situa-tions as they share their experiences. Those experienc-es will help you decide what will work best for you. Many with adult onset hearing loss suffer from anxiety, loneliness, isolation, and even depression. HLAA provides an opportunity to meet others, to so-cialize, to make friends and maybe even open a door for you to help others. Don't suffer in silence. Please join us.

Nancy Gilbertson, HOPE Chair

“Coming together is a beginning.

Staying together is progress.

Working together is success.”

….Henry Ford

mailto:cvanrooy@yahoo.commailto:nancy.gilbertson2@gmail.commailto:YBLUEJAY@aol.commailto:bommaklessig@gmail.commailto:jkjo@milwpc.commailto:rfahr@gmail.commailto:rclancey@hotmail.commailto:julieo@athenet.netmailto:hlaafoxvalley@gmail.commailto:hlaafoxvalley@gmail.commailto:hlaafoxvalley@gmail.commailto:hlaafoxvalley@gmail.comhttps://17291.thankyou4caring.org/page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fwww.hearingloss.org%2fcontent%2fconvention&srcid=35257&srctid=1&erid=9389135&trid=d5953bbf-7b96-4f92-a246-73f95e160a57https://17291.thankyou4caring.org/page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fwww.walk4hearing.org&srcid=35257&srctid=1&erid=9389135&trid=d5953bbf-7b96-4f92-a246-73f95e160a57https://17291.thankyou4caring.org/page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fwww.hearingloss.org%2fmembership%2fhearing-loss-magazine%2fcurrent-issue&srcid=35257&srctid=1&erid=9389135&trid=d5953bbf-7b96-4f92-a246-73f95e160a57https://17291.thankyou4caring.org/page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fwww.hearingloss.org%2fmembership%2fhearing-loss-magazine%2fcurrent-issue&srcid=35257&srctid=1&erid=9389135&trid=d5953bbf-7b96-4f92-a246-73f95e160a57https://17291.thankyou4caring.org/page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fwww.hearingloss.org%2fcontent%2fadvocacy-people-hearing-loss&srcid=35257&srctid=1&erid=9389135&trid=d5953bbf-7b96-4f92-a246-73f95e160a57https://17291.thankyou4caring.org/page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fwww.hearingloss.org%2fcontent%2fhlaa-chapters-and-state-organizations&srcid=35257&srctid=1&erid=9389135&trid=d5953bbf-7b96-4f92-a246-73f95e160a57https://17291.thankyou4caring.org/page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fwww.hearingloss.org&srcid=35257&srctid=1&erid=9389135&trid=d5953bbf-7b96-4f92-a246-73f95e160a57