Triad Hitchup

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Meeting Highlights 5/29/07

Triad HITCH-UP Meeting Highlights
May 29, 2007

Topic: Informal discussion: Growing up with hearing loss: What is it like from the other side of the hearing aids?

Guest Speaker: A small panel of people graciously agreed to discuss their experiences. Panel members included:
John Pendergraft, a 15 year old with a moderately-severe loss
Chase Chromer, a rising high school senior with a moderate hearing loss
Sarah Soltani, an 11 yo profound loss, using a CI and a hearing aid
Miriam Bradley, a 30 year old mother with severe to profound congenital hearing loss

Each member of the panel went through his/her personal story, discussing their hearing loss, age of diagnosis and devices used. We then had an informal group discussion. The panelists shared their social and academic experiences with school, what they felt were the most difficult times, using the FM system, and tutoring/ assistance in school. They discussed dealing with friends and sports, the cafeteria, swimming, and large group discussions. They discussed technology that they have found useful, such as vibrating bed alarms and wristwatch control of hearing aid settings. Sarah told us about what it was like when she first got her CI, and the differences she notices between her CI and HA (as she wears one of each). Each one described what they were able and not able to hear unaided and aided, given their various levels of loss. All panelists impressed us all with their impeccable speech! We also greatly appreciated the input of the moms, Terry Chromer, Martha Soltani, and Mary Pendergraft.

Parents Present:
Pam & Dan Bensimhon
Crystal & Chris Rierson
Rhonda and Kerry Shronts
Mary Pendergraft
Leigh & Marty Reeves
Loretta Slozer
Martha Soltani
Arthur Tastet

Children Present: (Thanks to Bizi Kidz, Rebecca & Laura Fleenor for childcare. Thank you!)
Eli & Zack Bensimhon
Chloe Rierson
Colin & Will Shronts
Angeleah Reeves


Thanks to Crystal Rierson for bringing the snacks for the children and adults to the May meeting. Rhonda Shronts is signed up to bring the snacks to the June 26, 2007 meeting.

Our next meeting is the usual time and place, Tuesday, June 26, 2007 from 6:30-8:30pm. Our speaker will be Debara Tucci, MD, MS, Director Duke Cochlear Implant Program. Dr. Tucci will present the impact of hearing loss on auditory processing and development in children. We hope that everyone can attend.


Upcoming Conferences and Events:

*AG Bell Talk for a Lifetime Summer Conference - Research and Application in Neurodevelopmental Research at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, VA
on July 27 & 28, 2007. Please see the web link below for more details.
http://www.agbell.org:80/DesktopDefault.aspx?p=Talk_for_a_Lifetime_Conference

*NC EHDI (Early Hearing Detection & Intervention) Conference on October 5 & 6, 2007 at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, NC – details to follow soon

Please also visit the NC AG Bell Website http://www.ncagbell.org/ , and the news section of triadhitchup.com, for a listing of conferences, articles, events, links and more great information.

Hope to see all of you June 26th!

Pam Bensimhon, Crystal Rierson, Rhonda Shronts
Co-leaders, Triad HITCH-UP

Local Events: Making the Connections: A Conference About Childhood Hearing Loss

Making the Connections: A Conference About Childhood Hearing Loss

October 5 and 6, 2007
At the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center
Greensboro, North Carolina

Register now at www.sph.unc.edu/oce or call 919-966-4032.

Kid playingDesigned for families and service providers working with children with hearing loss

The conference begins at 10:00 am on Friday, October 5 and ends at 1:30 pm on Saturday, October 6.
 

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