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Saturday March 21, 2020 – 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Topic: Beyond My Hearing Aid or Cochlear Implant

Speaker: Informal Rap Session with Participants

This “meeting” will be an informal rap session where we can learn from each other.  We had a session last year called “Living With Hearing Loss” that provided an excellent exchange of ideas.

This year we will focus on “Beyond the Hearing Aid/CI.”  For those of us who use hearing aids and/or cochlear implants, we find ourselves in situations where that technology is just not enough.  Some people use technology (assistive devices, smart phone apps), clever non-technical strategies, and other techniques to supplement the hearing aid and/or CI.

We all participate in a range of activities and events outside the chapter meeting.  This is an opportunity to share things that work and learn new tricks.

The session will be held at the Northborough Library from 2:00 – 4:00 pm. There will be CART (computer aided real time captioning).

Light refreshments, free admission, everyone welcome!

Ample library parking off Patty Lane.

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Topic: Uh Oh, I Think I Need a New Hearing Aid

Speaker:  Beth Wilson

Franklin Senior Center – February 12th, 1:00 – 2:00 pm

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Beth Wilson recently completed a transition to a new hearing aid and tried to capture all the steps and decisions she went through along the way.  She will describe a generic process of exploring hearing aid technology as a potential means to address hearing loss.  She will then map her own steps to identify available hearing aid options to address her new communication scenarios.  People who are new to hearing aids and people who have worn hearing aids for years will find useful information in this presentation.

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About the Speaker: Dr. Beth Wilson was born with a hearing loss and is a member of the local Hearing Loss Association of America Central Massachusetts chapter.  Beth has a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering with research in speech processing, so she actually understands how things work!  She has had much experience in explaining her own hearing loss in a way that makes everyone comfortable (and a bit entertained).

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Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street, Franklin, MA

(508) 520-4945

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Please save the following dates for our upcoming meetings:

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Saturday March 21, 2020 – 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Topic: Beyond My Hearing Aid or Cochlear Implant

Speaker: Informal Rap Session with Participants

This “meeting” will be an informal rap session where we can learn from each other.  We had a session last year called “Living With Hearing Loss” that provided an excellent exchange of ideas.  This year we will focus on “Beyond the Hearing Aid/CI.”  For those of us who use hearing aids and/or cochlear implants, we find ourselves in situations where that technology is just not enough.  Some people use technology (assistive devices, smart phone apps), clever non-technical strategies, and other techniques to supplement the hearing aid and/or CI.  We participate in a range of activities and events outside the chapter meeting.  This is an opportunity to share things that work and learn new tricks..

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Saturday, May 2, 2020 – 2:00 – 4:00 pm.

Topic: Introduction to Cochlear Implants

Speaker: Caitlin Agreda, Au.D., CCC-A Audiologist UMass Memorial Medical Center

Topic: How to Choose a Cochlear Implant Vendor

Speaker: Ellen Perkins and Barbara Johnson

This program is designed for people who are curious about cochlear implants as a potential solution or just interested in learning what they are about.  Caitlin will present an introduction to cochlear implants focusing on what a cochlear implant is, how it works, and what the process is. Ellen and Barbara will then reprise their popular presentation on how to navigate the vendor promotional fluff and understand the offerings of the 3 cochlear implant manufacturers.

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Saturday, September 12th from 2:00 – 4:00 pm.

.Topic: Convention Recap and Update on National Efforts

Speakers: Beth Wilson and Margaret Myatt

Beth and Margaret will be attending the HLAA convention and will provide highlights from the workshops and exhibit hall.  They expect to be able to report the latest news on Over the Counter (OTC) hearing aids, Medicare coverage for hearing aids, rules and regulations related to captioning, and other national policy activity to benefit all of us with hearing loss.

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Saturday, November 7th from 2:00 – 4:00 pm
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Topic: Are You Listening?

Speaker: Darleen Wilson

On Nov. 7th, the guest speaker will be Ms. Darleen Wilson.  Ms. Wilson is a life-long musician and is actively dealing with the consequences of her own moderate-severe hearing loss. Convinced that there are better solutions for hearing technologies, Wilson undertook a Masters in Human Factors to expand her perspective on product design. She focuses her work on improving hearing products and services.  Wilson serves on the Audiology Leadership Advisory Council for Mass. Eye and Ear (a teaching hospital for Harvard Medical School).

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All meetings will be held at the Northborough Library. There will be CART (computer aided real time captioning).

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Stay tuned for more details as we  are in the process of contacting/confirming speakers for topics related to Cochlear Implant and Hearing Aid Technology, and Coping with Hearing Loss.

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If you have any suggestions for topics and speakers, please let us know.

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We are looking forward to seeing all of you!

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HLAA Central MA’s steering Committee

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Beth Wilson

Margaret Myatt

Gina Constantino

Gloria and Stan Radler

Tina Thompson

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This is a wonderful reference to use before you book a cruise. Which cruise companies provide what hearing assistive technologies.

Photo cred:  https://www.carnival.com/cruise-ships/carnival-sensation.aspx

In the dead heat of summer, my friend casually mentioned on a fb chat that she and her family were going to be celebrating New Year’s Eve on a cruise ship.  I was intrigued and then elated when I saw the “…” (indicating active typing) on our chat followed by “The invitation is there if y’all can go.”   A quick check with hubby and we (somewhat impulsively) decided that we would join them!

I hadn’t been on a cruise since I was 16 and my family had never gone so this would be an entirely new experience for us.  On the other hand, my friend, Lisa, had been on several cruises with different members of her family and was well-versed on the ins and outs of cruise life.  Lisa and I are both late-deafened – I am ASL-fluent and she knows a handful of signs.  We are…

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Our SPRING ASL CLASS REGISTRATION DEADLINE is now FEBRUARY 10th. Classes start February 18th.

For those who have thought about taking sign language classes. This is being offered by the Center for Working and Living in Worcester. This agency supports HLAA Central MA  as they advertised our group in their newsletter.

Ten week classes beginning in February.  Tuition is only $200 – that only $20 per class!!

Below are links to the promotional flyer and  sign up sheet.

      Please send your completed registration form to: Joan Philip.  Checks or money orders must be payable to: CLW.

      Any questions, please contact:

                Joan Philip,  jphilip@centerlw.org,       508-762-1165

Click here for sign-up sheet 

Spring ASL Class signup deadline is February 10^th!

Kim White, Staff Interpreter, Center for Living & Working, Inc.

484 Main Street, Suite 345, Worcester, MA 01608

Phone:       508-755-1042

Fax:              508-797-4015

VP:               508-283-1036

TTY:              508-755-1003

Public VP:  508-762-1164

kwhite@centerlw.org

www.centerlw.org

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My Journey as a Musician with Hearing Loss

A “Talk and Play” presentation
by Betty Hauck, viola and violin

Wednesday, January 8, 2020, 1:00 pm

Franklin, MA Senior Center

For 50 years, Betty enjoyed a rich and rewarding career as a professional violist—until the day she realized that she had to retire because of progressive hearing loss. For three years, she completely turned her back on music. In this “Talk & Play” presentation, she will tell the story of how various twists and turns led her back into sharing the joy of music while educating and advocating for those with hearing loss. Her talk will be punctuated by short musical selections on both violin and viola. This will be a short 20 minute presentation in lieu of the usual sermon.

Highlights of Betty’s career include performing for the Kennedys at the White House, playing in a string quartet with Yo-Yo Ma and, as a founding member of the Apple Hill Chamber Players, touring the Middle East annually, performing and teaching young Palestinian and Jewish music students.

Betty was recently featured in an NPR story about musicians and hearing loss:
http://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2018/04/17/classical-musicians-hearing-loss

 

Contact: bettiola@comcast.net

Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street, Franklin, MA

(508) 520-4945