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Fox Valley Chapter News Volume 31 Issue 9 ~ December 2016
Greetings Everyone & Happy Holidays!!
At the November meeting you elected officers. Jo
Kintopf-Crabb will be the new chapter president
and Jane Young will remain as treasurer. I’ll
remain on the board as immediate past presi-
dent, and will assist Jo in many ways. Chapter
bylaws state that we elect a treasurer and presi-
dent for two year terms. I am now completing
my two years, and what an experience it has been for me!
When I reflect on the last two years, I think about all our
chapter offers. We offer HOPE in so many ways. We share
INFORMATION through our meetings & publications. We
EDUCATE via programs on many topics of interest. We pro-
mote ADVOCACY for communication access via hearing
loops, Realtime Captioning & other hearing assistive technol-
ogies. We provide PEER SUPPORT through our HOPE Dis-
cussion group, Cochlear Implant Support Group, social
events, and in many other ways. This chapter does a lot.
The biggest reward that I have received from our chapter is
having YOU come to our meetings and share your experiences
with us. I have made new friends, and I am just amazed at
all the caring people in our chapter who give of their time so
that all of us can live better with hearing loss.
We get together this month to celebrate this chapter’s birth-
day along with the holiday season at the Appleton Yacht Club.
I hope you’ll join us on Monday, December 12th.
The chapter will not meet in January or February, however,
both HOPE and the CI Group will meet in January. (See page
4.) Regular chapter meetings resume in March. Watch for the
March newsletter that will provide information about the
2017 programs. HLAA is the best resource to keep us up with
the latest information on hearing loss and its remedies.
I promise that 2017 will bring an exciting lineup of speakers
and topics of interest to all of us.
Thank you for allowing me to serve as your President. The
board, and its committees and I will continue to work to pro-
vide all that this chapter offers and more! I look forward to
seeing you at the December party, and in the New Year!
Regards,
Colleen Van Rooy , Chapter President 2014-2016
HLAA HOLIDAY
SOCIAL
AT
APPLETON
YACHT CLUB
1200 S. LUTZ
DR.
On the Fox River just
south of Prospect Ave
and Pierce Park
Join Us as we Celebrate the Season & the Fox Valley Chapter’s 33rd Birthday!
It’s Party Time!
Monday, December 12th.
.
5:30 PM - Cocktail Time!*
6:00 - Dinner Time!
7:00- Musical Entertainment Time!
The Chapter will provide shredded barbequed chicken sandwiches and dessert. Please bring a side dish that will serve at least 8 people.
Entertainment will be provided by vocalist, Wen-dy Bray, niece of Bobby Hendricks, of the Band “The Drifters”. She has promised us a variety of holiday songs we all know.
*Note: Yacht Club policy that comes with free usage of their facility, is that all beverages be purchased there.
We are grateful to Mary Fritch, our party planner.
HLAA Fox Valley Regional Chapter is an affiliate of the national Hear-
ing Loss Association of America, Inc. This chapter does not collect dues,
and is dependent on donations, sponsorships, and occasional fund raising
projects. We encourage you to become ‘members’ by paying dues to nation-
al HLAA. They are $35/year for an individual; $45/year for a family. Pay
online at: www.hearingloss.org/content/join HLAA’s office is in Bethesda
MD. HLAA at all levels is a 501c3 non-profit organization. By adding your name to HLAA membership roles, you help us help millions!
Happy
Holidays!
HLAA’s mission is to open the world of communication to people with hearing loss by providing information, education, support and advocacy.
Discounted “Early
Bird” Registration
Now Open!
Everyone who attends a na-
tional HLAA convention comes
home inspired! This year’s
convention is in Salt Lake City
The national HLAA website has information posted at:
www.hearingloss.org/content/convention
Fox Valley Chapter will provide stipends for a few active
members. Please let a board member know if you’d like to
attend the convention.
Are you a Thrivent Member with “Choice
Dollars” to Direct? Thrivent Choice, the member-advised chari-
table grant program from Thrivent Financial,
continues to be a welcome funding source for
nonprofit organizations nationwide. The Thrivent Choice program offers a way for
eligible members to recommend where Thrivent
Financial distributes some of its charitable grant
funds each year. Since 2010, more than $325
million has been distributed to churches and
nonprofits nationwide. HLAA-FV was recently added to the list of
charitable organizations to receive grant funding
from Thrivent Financial through this program.
Choice Dollars received will help us continue
offering free regular chapter meetings, print and
distribute the chapter newsletter, & purchase
additional assistive hearing technology for the
chapter's H.O.P.E. Chest. If you are eligible to participate in Choice Dol-
lars, or are uncertain about your eligibility, visit
Thrivent.com/thriventchoice. Choice Dollars
designated to eligible benefit members in 2016
must be directed by March 31, 2017.
HLAA would be delighted to be your desig-
nated non-profit!
Nearly 100 people attended the Hearing Loop EXPO in Milwaukee on
November 5th. A variety of presenters shared information on why loops
are important and how to advocate for them. Several members of Fox Val-
ley Chapter attended the event.
At the annual meeting prior to the EXPO, Fox Valley Chapter was
honored with 2 awards; one for the chapter’s innovative programs, pro-
jects and longevity, and the other for the development of the HOPE pro-
gram. Nancy & Dave Gilbertson, chapter members who have been the
leaders of HOPE are pictured below as they receive the award from
HLAA-WI State President, Jerry Lapidakis.
Congratulations to Nancy &
Dave Gilbertson and to
HLAA Fox Valley Chapter.
Both HOPE and the chapter
were featured in the Septem-
ber-October edition of the
national HLAA Magazine.
We are proud of our chapter!
Thanks to all who make it so
special!
If you have ever gone for a medical procedure where
you’ve had to remove your personal hearing devices, you
know how difficult it is to communicate with the medical
staff. HLAA-WI has assembled special “Hospital Kits”
that can be helpful in these situations. The kits include
information that helps staff know how to communicate
with you.
Kits include a variety of materials that will identify
your unique needs. There’s an ID card, stickers that can
be placed on your ID bracelets and charts, information on
your rights as a patient with a hearing loss/disability,
and much more. Hearing aids can easily be lost in a hos-
pital setting when they are not being worn. The kits also
include a bag to hold your hearing personal devices when
you are not using them. A pad of paper and a pen are
included along with other materials that will assist with
non-verbal communication, if necessary.
Having a hospital kit to use when/if needed will give
you peace of mind. They sell for $5 apiece, and are well
worth having. Get one now; don’t wait until you need it!
Kits are available at HLAA meetings and events, or
can be ordered by contacting Chris Prust.
Special Hospital
Kits Available for
Patients with
Hearing Loss
Did you attend the Hearing Loop EXPO? The chapter
offered to refund the $25 registration fee for Fox Valley
Chapter attendees who are also national members.
Let Jane Young, chapter treasurer, know if you want the re-
fund. Her e-mail address is: [email protected] You can
fill out a request form at the December social. Slips were avail-
able at the November meeting, but few people picked them up.
2016 Chapter Sponsors
Platinum Level ($200 or More)
About Better Care Audiology – Stephanie Long AuD Anonymous X 2 Audiology & Hearing Aid Center of ENT Specialists of WI - Audiologists; Mark Conradt, Erin Krueger, Holly Rush-Clothier, Tricia Roh, Tammy Mischka, Katie Armatoski & Cathy Dreifuerst Audiology and Hearing Services – Michael Thelen AuD Ear Nose & Throat Surgical Associates - Kristin Borgen AuD, Beth Gabavics AuD & Nicole Maxam CCC-A Fox Valley Hearing Center, Inc. - Bria Anderson AuD, Melissa Dintelman AuD, & Candy McGinnis AuD Haviland Hearing Aids, Inc. Peter Zellmer AuD, CCC-A Kyle Martel AuD
Rural Audiology Services, Inc. Cari J. Kramer, AuD,
Becky L. Franz, M.S., CCC-A
Ray & Betty Smith - Char & Bob Van Asten
Gold Level ($100 - $199)
Anonymous, Joe & Barb Bach, Judy & Larry Benish, Jim Cuene, Betsy Foley, Kevin Gossins, Doug Grant MD, Hear-ing Clinics of Wisconsin Inc.; Robert Broeckert MS-CCC-A, Jo Kintopf-Crabb, Christine Klessig, Mike Landreman, Barbara Merry, Thomas & Linda O’Connor, Marge & Vern Parker, Howard & Charlene Porter, Julie Reisinger, Juli-ette Sterkens & Max Maxfield, Julianna Turoski (in memory of Victor Turoski), Walt & Phyllis Ziemke Seeing the Word - Margo Lucas, CRC, RPR, CRI
Silver Level ($50 - $99) Jim & Rhonda Bartelt Suzanne Brown,Dave & Nancy Gil-bertson, Liz Ginke, Mary Ginke, Charlie & Betsy Hansen, Elizabeth Keggi, Ione Muehlenbein (in memory of Paul Muehlenbein), Chris Prust, Joyce Rudolph, Stevie Schmidt, Karen & Thomas Schuppe, Lyle & Phyllis Sconzert, Carol Smokovich, Barb & Russ Soderberg, Gene & “T” Van Asten, Mike & Lois Vande Loo, Jerry & Phyllis Van Handel, Jan & Diane Veenedaal, Earl & Shirley Younk, Paul & Harriet Zuiker Bronze Level ($25 - $49)
Affinity Medical Group Audiology; Debra Engebos AuD Carol Burns, Rich & Janet Erickson, Donald Kunde, Janice Liebscher, Fred Lilly, Raymond R. Morris, Alice Reimer-McKee, Sharon Salm, Mary Walter, Katie Weber (in memory of ‘Butts’ Weber), Dick & Mary Wilkenson, Anony-mous X 2
We are grateful to these Sponsors for their gen-erosity and support of HLAA Fox Valley Chap-ter. Their support allows us to print & circulate this newsletter, to hold regular meetings, to pro-vide information & materials to those who at-tend our meetings & much more.
Our meetings are open to the public.
Tax deductible donations can be sent to: HLAA-FVC Treasurer, P.O. Box 25, Menasha WI 54952-0025. The chapter is a registered 501(c)3 non profit. NOTE: Substantial in-kind donations & services are provided by: Lorna Hamilton, Julie & John Olson, Gene & ‘T’ Van Asten, Colleen Van Rooy, & others. who contribute time, energy & mileage.
From National HLAA…. 11/18/2016
An Update on the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NAS) Report “Hearing Health Care for Adults: Priorities for Improving Access and Affordability”
Recommendation #7 of the NAS report is to “Implement a New Food and Drug Administra-tion Device Category for Over-the-Counter (OTC) Wearable Hearing Devices” for adults with mild hearing loss. HLAA supports this rec-ommendation because are many people with mild and even moderate hearing loss who won’t seek hearing health care because the system is confusing and cost prohibitive. Peo-ple who have more severe-to-profound hearing loss need more complex fittings and thus should seek the care of an audiologist. The OTC model would not apply to this group of people.
Hearing technologies are evolving at ever-increasing rates, care is moving into a variety of retail and online settings, and the pricing structures for hearing aids and associated ser-vices are being re-examined. OTC hearing de-vices (they are not calling them “hearing aids”) will offer people a wider range of options. The hope is that people will be more likely to enter the hearing health care system and be more willing to visit a hearing health care profession-al sooner rather than later should their hearing
loss progress.
HLAA wants clear labeling on products that in-cludes red-flag warnings about when to see a doctor along with clear expectations, resulting in safer and more effective devices with stand-ards.
November Program Summary….
“Let’s Make it Clear”, facilitated by Julie Olson,
featured a video that shared pertinent infor-
mation about how hard of hearing people react
in difficult and awkward situations. Actress
Gael Hannan, an HLAA member herself, hits
the nail on the head with scenes in a noisy restaurant, a doctor’s
office, etc. She shows negative as well as positive coping strate-
gies. Bluffing, for example, gets us through some situations, but
can also get us in big trouble! Interactive discussion on coping
skills followed the program. Thank you to Julie & to everyone
who shared their own experiences in the discussion. You will
find the video at the link below. It’s worth watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=8WnHiwmdLTE&feature=share
When you accept a blessing from someone,
you are giving a blessing in return.
Happy New Year to All!
HLAA-Fox Valley Chapter
P.O. Box 25
Menasha WI 54952-0025
2016 HLAA-Fox Valley Chapter Board
President: Colleen Van Rooy: [email protected]
Treasurer: Jane Young: [email protected]
Secretary: Christine Klessig [email protected]
Programs & Cochlear Implant Group Chair: Rhonda
Clancey: [email protected]
Newsletter Editor: Julie Olson: [email protected]
H.O.P.E. Chair: Nancy Gilbertson
Member at Large: Jo Kintopf-Crabb
Phone Contact: ‘T’ Van Asten 920-420-8462 (Use 920 if not using cell phone.)
Support Crew: Bob Opsteen - Room Set-up, ‘’T” &
Gene Van Asten - Outreach & Fund Raising, Lorna Ham-
ilton - Newsletter Preparation - Chapter e-mail:
Chapter Calendar
*December 12—Annual Holiday Party at Appleton Yacht Club. (See page 1 for information.)
January 9—HOPE Group meets at UUF at 1:00 PM
January 16—Cochlear Implant Support Group Meets at 6:00 PM at Festival Foods in Neenah
This monthly newsletter serves as our meeting notice.
Please sign up to receive it. “T” 920-420-8462 or
[email protected] It can come via regular mail or e-mail.
* HOPE discussion is held each month at 5:30 PM, except
during the month of February.
Meetings are open to all who want to learn more about how
to remain in the hearing mainstream in spite of having
hearing loss. Our regular meetings are captioned, and the
meeting room has a hearing loop. Join us in a place where we all CAN hear & participate!
Hear Other People’s Experiences at
H.O.P.E. Discussion Group… By Nancy Gilbertson
Communication Is What Makes Us Human December brings the HLAA-FV Holiday Social. Social: a party, a gathering, a get-together. How many holiday socials do you attend? Do you attend as few as possible because your hearing loss causes you great frustration, feelings of being ignored, left out, isolated, bone tired trying to hear?
Helen Keller is credited with noting that blindness cuts us off from things, but deafness cuts us off from people. Hearing loss cuts us off from people unless we use our determination to learn all we can about our hearing loss; learn what we can do to help ourselves live far better with our hearing loss.
We will hold H.O.P.E. for about 45 minutes before the Holiday Social begins. Do consider coming. Come ask us the simple question, “What can I do to help myself?” Everyone's hearing loss is different, but the common denominator is we all have some degree of hearing loss & understand what you are going through. Hope to see you at the chapter’s Holiday So-cial and birthday party.
Please mark your calendar for Monday, January 9, 2017, H.O.P.E. will meet at UUF, at 1 p.m., weather permitting.
H.O.P.E, will not be meeting in February. March 13, 2017, H.O.P.E will begin its third year meet-ing monthly at UUF at 5:30 pm.
We know hearing loss can happen to anyone at anytime. Also, changes in hearing loss can happen at anytime. Peer support is very helpful, very important at such times. Reach out to help yourself. Do not hesi-tate to contact us. Our Email is monitored daily. Email us at: [email protected] or contact me at: [email protected]
The CI Support Group
will meet on January
16th in Festival Foods
meeting room in Neenah.
Contact Rhonda for further information. It’s a good idea to get
on the unique CI e-mail list for this group. Let Rhonda know
how to reach you in case there is a change of any kind.
Disclaimer—HLAA does not endorse products or services. Mention of such
is intended to provide readers & those who attend meetings with infor-
mation on products or services that might be of interest, & is not a rec-
ommendation or endorsement.
HOLIDAY BEAN SOUP BAGS
We’ll have more bean soup in holiday themed
bags available for sale at the party. Great gift
idea! Thank you to Phyllis Sconzert for making
these awesome bags! Great stocking stuffers! $5/bag.
“SMART 911” Could Save Your Life!
Smart 911 is an online resource consumers can sign up for. You create a profile, add relevant information such as address, phone number plus optional information. You can add additional phone numbers that are associated with your household, cell or landline, etc. Most important-ly, you can include information about your medical condi-tion, disability, etc. Once a profile is submitted, Smart 911 forwards that information to the appropriate PSAP (public safety answering point) which is the local 911 call center that services the phone numbers associated with your profile. When a 911 call is placed from any of those num-bers, all submitted information (including medical, disabil-ity or access and special needs) is displayed on the screen at the 911 center and will be communicated to the responding agencies. This service is free of charge. For more information go to www.smart911.com
