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Sertoma ClubMarch 18, 2010
About My Hearing LossHearing loss first detected about age 12Father, uncle and 2 sisters also had hearing
lossLoss was progressive over the yearsFirst set of hearing aids at age 19By age 35, loss was profoundContinued to be fit with “power” aidsLast set of aids purchased in 2007Progressive, bi-lateral, hereditary,
sensorineural hearing loss
Effect of My Hearing LossBegan playing violin in fifth gradeCollege degree in Music EducationTaught school two yearsReturned to college for degrees in businessFairly good career progression, but some
limitationsDifficulty with phones, meetings, noisy locationsBy my 40’s, I became more open about my hearing
lossExperienced some feelings of isolation and
depression
Decision for Cochlear ImplantsHighly recommended by Randy SmithMet and discussed implants with other usersMy personal situation allowed for the time offSeeing current aided scores against the
count-the-dotsAccessing only 15% of speech sounds with
hearing aidsEffect of hearing loss on family life, especially
spouse
Simultaneous Cochlear ImplantsPeople who had a single implant were having
secondProgression of technologyDifficulty selecting a single earOnly one surgical and adaptive processI’m accustomed to hearing bi-laterally and did
not want to be single-sided or have different sounds with an implant and a hearing aid
I had confidence in the surgeon and the audiological team to provide excellent services
After the ImplantsAlmost normal hearing; in some cases betterCan use the phone and conference phoneBirds! Meetings! Bells! Wind! Plastic bags!Music, TV, and radioConversations from another room,
restaurantsFrequent mapping sessions at firstAdaptive process can take years…It will be a great journey!
Hearing Loss Association of AmericaAccording to the National Center for Health Statistics 36 million (17%) American adults have some degree of hearing loss making it a public health issue third in line after heart disease and arthritis.
Hearing Loss Association of AmericaHLAA provides assistance and resources
for people with hearing loss and their families to learn how to adjust to living with hearing loss.
HLAA is working to eradicate the stigma associated with hearing loss.
Raise public awareness about the need for prevention and the importance of regular hearing screenings throughout life.
Hearing Loss Association of AmericaInformation: Magazine, Web Site
www.hearingloss.orgEducation: Webinars, ConferencesSupport: State/local Chapter, Young
Adults, MilitaryAdvocacy: ADA, Airports, FCC, PhonesSelf-Help: Self-Identify
(Formerly know as Self Help for Hard of Hearing People (SHHH)
HLAA and SertomaHLAA, the American Academy of
Audiology (AAA) and Sertoma/Hearing Charities of America have agreed to collaborate on an educational campaign “Get in the Hearing Loop.”
The purpose of the campaign is to educate both consumers and professionals on a national and state level about the benefits of telecoils and hearing loops.
Walk4Hearing.orgLargest walk of its kind in the countryIn 2009, held in 21 cities with over 4500
participantsSince 2006, has raised more than $2
millionGoals:
Increase awarenessMinimize stigmaRaise funds
ColoradoWalk4Hearing-4th yearMay 22, 2010 at Clement Park, LittletonAlmost $60,000 raised in Colorado for
first three yearsKickoff event is Saturday, April 10, at the
Ken-Caryl Ranch house, 11:00 – 2:00For more info for participation or
sponsorship:[email protected]
