18. January 2012 by Cape Cod Chapter HLAA Blog.

Cape Ears, January Newsletter of the Hearing Loss Association of America Cape Cod

“Hearing Loss 101″  January 28th Film Festival 

A good turnout attended our recent meeting to learn about types of hearing loss, available treatments, how to read an audiogram, use of hearing aids, cochlear implants and assistive devices and more through the Hearing Loss Association of America’s video series called “Learn About Hearing Loss.”  A discussion followed led by a board member who confessed to being “in denial”, and lots of informal sharing of ideas went on also.  The video series is available for viewing online at

 http://hearingloss.org/content/video-series-learn-about-hearing-loss

One member said that she just watched a wonderful webinar on the HLAA website that I heard  about a while ago and finally got around to watching. Very worthwhile and may be of interest to the membership–Bluffing 101.

All the webinars are at http://hearingloss.org/content/webinars

Another member shared her very discreet and economical ReSound microphone which can be put on a podium or given to another person to wear and transmits directly to her ReSound hearing aid.  She’s very happy with it and here’s the information she shared:

The ReSound Unite™ Mini Microphone, is an extraordinarily versatile device that transmits speech directly to your hearing aids. It is a discreet “clip-on” or “necklace” type microphone that helps you hear speech clearly. It allows you to enjoy one-on-one communication in difficult listening situations. I have used it at the Thanksgiving dinner table. I attend a lot of classes and workshops. The presenter attaches it to their clothing and the sound goes directly into my hearing aids. It has a range of 20’ to 30’.

ReSound Unite Mini Microphone also functions as a personal, portable audio streamer to help you listen to your iPod or laptop. Or as a travel companion when you’re away from home - just place it front of the speakers of the TV to stream directly to your ears. You can also connect it to your TV or DVD player, which then streams directly to your hearing devices. It comes with a plug in charger, no batteries!! It’s the ultimate, portable voice and sound streamer. Compatible with ReSound Alera® Hearing Instruments.   I know that Oticon offers a similar device. I do not know if other manufacturers offer such at this time. Contact your hearing aid dispenser and inquire.

Lions Help the Hearing Impaired

Saturday, March 24th at 10 am. Come early for coffee & conversation

Gretchen Olney, President of the Hearing Foundation of the Lions Club District 33S, and local Lions Club members will talk about How Lions Help the Hearing Impaired. She will focus on local resources like Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Sandwich and answer your questions about access to services and equipment. Gretchen says “Free and Low cost hearing aids are available to people who need them on the Cape!” 

She asks that anyone with hearing aids they no longer need, even analog hearing aids, to please bring them to the meeting.  The Lions refurbish them so they become new again, or get credit for the analog aids.

The Lions have done a wonderful job providing eyeglasses to those that need them, and we expect the hearing aid program to be equally helpful and perhaps our chapter can help as well. See the website for more information: www.district33s.org/hearing.htm

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29. December 2011 by Cape Cod Chapter HLAA Blog.

Dear Friends,
I hope you are enjoying the holiday season.  As the year comes to a close, I wanted to share some information with you about upcoming events, so you can write in your brand new calendar.

1.  The HLAA National Convention will be held in June 2012 in Providence and early bird registration, a 15% savings, will end on December 31st.  Complete details are on the website:  www.hearingloss.org
Scholarships are available for first time attendees, and volunteers are needed to help during the convention.  Contact event coordinator Nancy Macklin nmacklin@hearingloss.org for information on scholarships and volunteer opportunities.

2.  If you are not already a member of HLAA, you can join when you register for the convention.  If 5 new members mention the Cape Cod Chapter, and we will receive a free convention pass.

3.  Membership in the Cape Cod chapter for 2012 is only $10, and you can join or renew at any time.  Send your check made out to the Hearing Loss Association of America Cape Cod Chapter to:  Marita Cable, 7 Spruce Street, South Yarmouth, MA  02664

4.  Thanks to Marie McKay for organizing our very successful holiday luncheon at Oliver’s in Yarmouth Port.  It was a great start to the holiday season.

5.  The next HLAA webinar will be January 10, 2012, 7pm (EST) - Limitations of Ear-Level Technology (Brad Ingrao, Au.D.)This webinar reviews what factors will decrease your hearing device effectiveness and how to overcome them.  Register at the hearingloss.org website.  You can see and read the speaker’s talk, and participate by asking questions.  Older webinars are archived, and you can read the transcripts on a variety of interesting topics.

6.  Are you interested in learning Sign Language? Tom Driscoll is teaching American Sign Language on Mondays beginning January 9th for Harwich Adult Education and Wednesdays beginning January 18 in Orleans at http://nausetcommunityed.org/languages.html  He has taught at Cape Cod Community College for 15 years.

7.  Our next Cape Cod Chapter meeting is January 28th at Dennis Public Library.  Through short videos and group discussion, we will Learn About Hearing Loss and how to deal with it.  Members helping members is a great way to learn coping techniques and advocacy tips.
A program on winter birds will begin at the library at 1 pm, and members are invited to stay, and although there will be no CART transcription, a loop will make things easier for those with a telecoil, or available headsets.

8.  On March 24th, Gretchen Olney of the Lions Club and local Lions Club members will talk about How Lions Help the Hearing Impaired.  She will focus on local resources like Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Sandwich and answer your questions about access to services and equipment.  The Lions have done a wonderful job providing eyeglasses to those that need them, and we expect the hearing aid program to be equally helpful and perhaps our chapter can help as well.

Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season and a happy and healthy New Year.  Looking forward to seeing you soon.

Bobbie McDonnell, President, HLAACC

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9. July 2011 by Cape Cod Chapter HLAA Blog.

~~~~Please consider this update  the mid-summer edition of our newsletter.   The HLACC newsletter “Cape Ears” will be published in September. We do not share our email and member lists outside of our group.~~~~~

The chapter picnic in June was a lot of fun–Grey’s Beach is the perfect location for sun and shade.  The horseshoes were in use all day.  Thanks to everyone who helped and brought food, with a special shout out to Bob and Sal who volunteered to cook and even brought their own grill, and Marie who did such a wonderful job of organizing, as usual, and Marita who took care of details and keys.

Mark your calendar for our next chapter meetings, September 24th and October 22nd at Dennis Public Library, with a TIME CHANGE to 10 AM, coffee at 9:30.  We will be announcing the program details later in the summer.

Meanwhile, what to do on the few gray days of Cape Cod summer?  The Salt Pond Visitor’s Center at the Cape Cod National Seashore in Eastham shows captioned informational movies and also provides neck loops. The park is celebrating its 50th anniversary on August 7th.  A Senior LIFETIME Pass for ALL national parks is only $10–what a bargain if you have reached age 62.   Checking out the website first will give you details and movie schedules.  http://www.nps.gov/caco/index.htm

Some libraries have installed loops in the meeting room, notably Dennis Public Library and Brewster Ladies’ Library so you can hear the programs a little better.  You can always call a venue and ask if they have and use amplification of any kind.  Let them know you would like to attend IF they do.  How can program planners know the need is there if we don’t express it?

Foreign movies are a good source of captioning, and even if there are none playing at the movie theater, public libraries have great collections.  Have you discovered clamsnet.org ?  You can request items from any Cape library and even off Cape. I am looking forward to seeing every word of The King’s Speech that I missed in the movie theater!  Speaking of theaters, use www.captionfish.com  to search by zip code for local movie theaters showing captioned, rear window or descriptive audio films.

Libraries also have passes for reduced rates for attractions on and off Cape.  The new wing of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston does a wonderful job with assistive devices.  With the neckloop they provide on their free tours,  you feel like the docent is standing right next to you.

NOTE:  If you know someone who would benefit from free internet access and a computer, attend the Project Endeavor presentation at CORD, 106 Bassett Lane in Hyannis on Friday July 29th from 2-4 pm.  RSVP at 508-775-8300 or 1-800-541-0282.  Project Endeavor’s website explains the eligibility requirements. http://www.projectendeavor.com

If you know of other good places to visit on the Cape, especially quiet restaurants, please let us know!

Enjoy the summer and we will see you in the Fall.

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17. April 2011 by Cape Cod Chapter HLAA Blog.

Download the May 2011 Newsletter “Cape Ears”

On Saturday, May 28th, at 2 pm at Dennis Public Library, we will be playing games–cribbage, Boggle, cards and learning and using sign language to play Go Fish.  Suggestions are welcomed.  It’s a great chance to make friends and have some fun.  We’ll have refreshments and prizes, too.

And mark your calendars for our June 18th picnic at Grey’s Beach for members and guests.  Have you paid your dues for 2011 yet?

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