CHHC Sponsors “0 to 3” Event
The Congressional Hearing Health Caucus (CHHC) convened on Capitol Hill on May 5, Hearing Healthy Kids Day, and focused on hearing loss in children from birth to age 3. House members, congressional staff, hearing health professionals and educators gathered to learn about and emphasize the importance of early hearing screening, intervention, language development and insurance coverage for hearing aids, cochlear implants and hearing healthcare services for our youngest hearing-impaired citizens.
In opening remarks, Armand D’Amato, chairman of the board of Deafness Research Foundation (DRF), shared his heartfelt belief that early detection is imperative:
“My daughter was born deaf. It’s a necessity for parents to know as early as possible about their newborn’s hearing loss so they can intervene immediately.” Rep. Jim Ryun reported briefly on progress of the Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act while other speakers focused on early intervention support for children with hearing loss and their families and increasing training and research funding for hearing health services.
What Have YOU Been Missing?
Chicago area residents had a lively and informative time at a Citizens Hearing Health and Research Conference hosted by DRF’s World Council on Hearing Health (WCHH) in May. The theme was “Listen and Hear: What Have You Been Missing?” and the educational forum covered the latest in research and technology and practical solutions for people with hearing loss. Alan Micco, M.D., Fienberg School of Medicine, spoke on cochlear implants vs. hearing aids; Susan Rogan, Au.D., on hearing aid technology; and Advanced Bionics’ Teresa Webb, Au.D., offered advocacy tips. Comedian Kathy Buckley gave an inspiring and entertaining keynote address. Her take on her own hearing loss and advocacy efforts for others who are deaf or hard-of-hearing is always uplifting.
The next WCHH Citizens Conference will be on Oct. 9 in Ft. Lauderdale at Nova Southern University. The keynote speaker will be Heather Whitestone McCallum, Miss America 1995. Registration: $15 per person, $25 for two. For more info, contact April Parreco, aparreco@drf.org.
Nationwide Tour Launches WCHH
Right on schedule, WCHH launched at the beginning of May, Better Speech & Hearing Month. Hearing Healthy Vans made stops in NYC, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Tampa and Washington, D.C. Crowds of people turned out at each local event for free hearing screenings and information.
Future HH Van stops are in the planning stages; one firm date is the NEMO Conference in Boston, Oct. 1-2. It’s even possible the tour will end the year back in NYC, offering free tests to folks in tuxes and party dresses outside the elegant and entertaining “Celebration of Hearing Health,” DRF’s annual gala, on Dec. 6 at Bridgewaters at South Street Seaport.
Raising the Bar on Research
DRF’s Advanced Clinical Research Conference, July 22-25, was an exceptional, one-of-a-kind opportunity for outstanding professionals in the hearing health field to mentor new researchers and for practitioners to collaborate on their diverse areas of interest. The annual event took place in D.C. at the Bolger Center on the Potomac and percolated with innovative ideas, some of which are sure to lead to discoveries in hearing science and treatment.
