Undoubtedly, the pandemic has put quite a strain on social connections and support. That’s why our first in-person chapter social event was so important as we slowly find our sense of normal again. A big thank you to Heather for hosting a successful event and more plans underway for gatherings in the coming months. It was wonderful to see some familiar faces again!
If you have any suggestions or questions, just email us at info@hlaa-la.org.
The masks are coming off and we can read lips again!
by Sandy Blake
HLAA-LA Steering Committee Member
Sharon Swerdlow has been the LA Chapter president since September 2019 and previously had served on the Steering Committee for one year. Sharon brought her finance expertise, tireless energy, gift for gab, good humor, one hearing aid and one cochlear implant, and dedication to the LA Chapter. We were all motivated to support Sharon in her leadership role and the meetings were filled with useful information, fun, supportive spirit, and refreshments. Sharon led an exhaustive search for a new meeting location, endlessly researching possibilities of venues, and basically turning the town upside down with her determination and focus.
Monday, February 7
Please join The Friends of the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA and the Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital Board of Advisors for a fascinating Open Mind program with Nina Kraus, PhD, author of the groundbreaking new book, OF SOUND MIND: How Our Brain Constructs a Meaningful Sonic World.
Dr. Nina Kraus, Northwestern University professor, neuroscientist, and director of the renowned Brainvolts Lab, uses her thirty years’ experience studying the interplay of the brain and sound to show for the first time that the processing of sound drives many of the brain’s core functions. She leads us through a fascinating exploration of sound’s surprisingly unrecognized role in both the healthy and hurting brain and brilliantly makes the case that the sounds of the world around us—and what sounds we’re exposed to throughout our lives—impact the development of our brains, the abilities and weaknesses we develop, and who we are as human beings.
Dr. Kraus is a scientist, inventor, and amateur musician who studies the biology of auditory learning and investigates the neural encoding of speech and music and its plasticity. She holds the Hugh S. Knowles Chair in Audiology at Northwestern University.
Mark Jude Tramo, MD, PhD, will join Dr. Kraus in discussion. Dr. Tramo is the Director of the Institute for Music & Brain Science, Co-Director of the University of California Multi-Campus Music Research Initiative, and both an Associate Clinical Professor of Neurology at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine and an Adjunct Professor in Ethnomusicology at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music.
To watch videos of our past Open Mind programs, please visit www.friendsofnpi.org/open-mind-videos or our YouTube Channel.
Alison Freeman, Ph.D.
A big thank you to Alison Freeman, Ph. D., for a wonderful presentation and discussion about dealing with the challenges of hearing loss and your mental health. We had a great turnout and honest and thoughtful questions throughout the presentation which just shows how impactful hearing loss can be to our mental well-being and health.
Please enjoy the presentation below or go to our YouTube channel to enjoy this and other video presentations. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Hearing loss is an invisible disability; its true disability is a communication disability. The primary disability of hearing loss is a communication disability rather than just not being able to hear. Struggling to understand conversations with lifelong friends and family, hearing music or professional meetings is a constant stress every day and can lead to depression and social withdrawal.
An essential part of dealing with hearing loss is recognizing that stress is inevitable so rather than avoiding it, learning more effective stress communication skills will be more productive and emotionally satisfying. Come learn new coping skills for keeping depression and anxiety at bay with Dr. Alison Freeman, who has a severe, bilateral sensorineural loss herself.
But like so many aspects of life, hearing health care was impacted by COVID, sometimes causing radical changes that could prove to be permanent. Four people deeply involved in the world of hearing health care—Sydlowski; Kate Carr, president of the Hearing Industries Association (HIA); Barbara Kelley, executive director of the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA); and Donna Sorkin, executive director of the American Cochlear Implant (ACI) Alliance—provided personal insights into these changes, as well as initial expectations, surprises, hopes for the future, and silver linings.
Kelley also hopes the heightened awareness of hearing caused by facial coverings will lead to more patients getting the care they need.
“I want to drive more people to hearing health care. Hearing health is part of overall wellness.”
The HLAA 2022 Convention is back in person and is now open for registration! The convention will be held in Tampa Florida, June 23-25 at the beautiful JW Marriott Tampa Water Street hotel.
As you may know, the last two conventions have been virtual so there is a lot of anticipation and excitement to finally meet in person. Please note that your safety and wellbeing are of the utmost importance so all Covid and vaccination protocols will be followed. You can learn more on the convention page link above.
Additionally, this three-day event includes a research symposium on cochlear implants and a variety of educational workshops, programs and events.
Hope to see you there!
The LA Chapter is looking for individuals who want to make a difference and shape the future of our organization by joining the steering committee. 2022 promises to be an exciting year of changes and opportunities. We really need your support!Please see below for many great options to sign up to stay updated on the latest hearing loss and chapter news!
LA Chapter email/newsletter subscription form.
See the right side of any page to submit your email.
HLAA Groups
Link below will take you to various groups you can join and follow.
https://hlaagroups.hearingloss.org/
HLAA Hearing Life e-News
Twice a month HLAA news stories and information to your inbox.
https://www.hearingloss.org/news-media/e-news/
HLAA News and Hear This! Blogs
