Below is an inventory of our past presentations and many have links to corresponding recordings, PowerPoint presentations, and other materials.
May 16, 2023, in-person `Living With Hearing Loss` by Margaret Myatt.
We learned quite a few things from Margaret, VP of HLAA Downeast Chapter, and Debra Bare-Rogers of Disability Rights Maine during this 1 hour session. Handouts for various resources were made available at this meeting.
The slideshow is here and a bullet list summary is below.
Thanks to the Louis T Graves Memorial Public Library of Kennebunkport, ME, for providing space for this session.
Summary of slides (#32) :
- title + flier for this meeting;
• greeting and how to participate in this meeting;
• about Margaret;
• what is hearing? Simple ear diagram + amplitude aka loudness + frequency aka pitch;
• effects of hearing loss (2 slides) include major disruptions of what others are saying;
• simply amplifying sounds does not help (2 slides) and can make it worse;
• five things to do if you have hearing loss:
- get assessed;
- use technology;
- self advocate;
- don’t hide it from yourself or others;
- know that support is available from others in the same hearing boat;
- example of a blank audiogram, with placement of common sounds shown by icons and the letters of the alphabet;
• examples of actual audiograms showing current hearing loss status;
• hearing aids are programmable to improve hearing and reduce background noise;
• hearing aid technology is amazing due to recent advances;
• examples of styles for hearing aids;
• checklist for buying hearing aids;
• what to ask regarding OTC (Over-the-Counter) hearing aids;
• Maine requires insurers to cover much of the cost of hearing aids;
• examples of some typical assistive listening systems such as Bluetooth;
• smartphone apps;
• captioned landline phones are available for free;
• Maine Relay Services can be obtained via Disability Rights Maine;
• theaters provide various methods assistance – 2 examples in Portland were mentioned;
• personal safety devices are available;
• the Red Cross will install fire alarms, etc. (fyi link on slide redirects to here);
• behaivoral modifications are things you and those you listen to can do to improve how you hear;
• contact info for four places where you can get help for hearing issues;
• contact info for HLAA Downeast Chapter, which began in March 2023;
• many folks – including those without hearing loss – can benefit from things that improve communication;
• ** conclusion: get assessed + use technology + self advocate + be honest + support is available **;
• more contact info;
• Q&A period;
• reminder that the brain can make mistakes while trying to fill in missing info of any kind.
April 13, 2023, online G-Meet. `Cochlear Implant Candidacy and Support` presented by Carla White, AuD.
Topics included:
- what is a cochlear implant (c.i.) and its history,
- how to determine whether this hearing technology will help you, and
- how to get support if you get a c.i. (e.g., SayWhatClub).
The important takeaway is that a cochlear implant is a treatment rather than a cure, and getting a c.i. is a journey (often 6 months per ear) which differs for everyone.
Several questions came up about other things such as Bluetooth connections and where to get fire alarms/doorbells/etc. Check with Disability Rights Maine or diglo for those.
Carla will provide a link to her PowerPoint presentation in the near future.
We used G-Meet to try out a different method of interacting with folks online. This is very similar to Zoom. Due to limitations in Google’s free version, this meeting was not recorded. We are investigating getting a $ version of G-Meet for the future.
February 9, 2023 – Zoom meeting. ‘Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Hearing Aids’ presented by Larry Medwetsky, Ph.D.
- Click here for a summary of the presentation.
- About Larry Medwetsky, Ph.d.
- Click here for Larry’s PowerPoint presentation.
- Zoom meeting recording as posted with Gallaudet.
This requires a passcode. The passcode is 0j!k@VbR
December 15, 2022 – In-person meeting, Ellsworth, Maine. ‘Strategies For Dealing With the Holidays’ presented by Pat Dobbs.
December 8, 2022 – Zoom meeting. ‘Understanding Your Audiogram’ presented by Brad Ingrao.
- Click here for a summary of presentation.
- About Brad Ingrao.
- Brad’s PowerPoint Presentation.
- Zoom meeting recording as posted on YouTube.
October 6, 2022 – In-person meeting, Ellsworth, Maine. Open forum about living with hearing loss chaired by Pat Dobbs.
September 29, 2022 – Zoom meeting. 2022 HLAA Convention highlights presented by Margaret Myatt
June 17, 2022 – In-person meeting, Ellsworth, Maine. Introductions and open discussion chaired by Pat Dobbs.
May 26, 2022 – Zoom meeting. Introductions and open discussion chaired by Pat Dobbs. Well attended considering this was our very first public meeting.