April Join Us in St. Louis! Visit hlaa-fl.org to register today! 2015 Hearing Loss? Let's Connect! UPCOMING EVENTS CELEBRATE MAY HEARING LOSS AWARENESS MONTH! - LAKELAND CHAPTER: Recycled Hearing Aid Project - SARASOTA CHAPTER EXPO: - A Success! - FLORIDA SHARES: - Hearing Loss Stories - LOOPING FLORIDA- Looping Advocacy in Action - CRUISE SALE: Limited Time Only! - SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS: Read all about it! - HLAA-FL State Association Meeting and Social - CURRENT EVENTS: Visit hlaa-fl.org and Facebook today! _________ May 1, 2015 Monthly Chapter Meetings Statewide: click here: hlaa-fl.org calendar of events _______________ MAY 10, 2015 Mother's Day! ___________ May 15, 2015 Hearing Loss Stories Due! AND Joan Andrews Scholarship Deadline ______________ May 30, 2015 9:303:30 Hearing Loss Florida State Association Board Meeting ______________ May 30, 2015 4:30 pm Hearing Loss Florida State Association Social HEARING LOSS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA FLORIDA BOARD The purpose of this program is to collect new/used hearing aids, clean/repair them and offer them (at no cost) to those who are financially challenged in the Lakeland Community. HLAA-FL Mission: To open the world of communication to people with hearing loss by providing INFORMATION EDUCATION SUPPORT and ADVOCACY FRIEND ON FACEBOOK The Lakeland Chapter is in the process of launching a new program to offer a gift of hearing to Lakeland residents. This program will collect, inspect, clean, repair and provide hearing aids to those who are financially challenged. One difference between this program and others is that it offers additional supplies and services including: ear mold fitting, one year battery supply, and post-fitting, including Aural Rehabilitation services at no cost to the recipient. The program is in a "proof-of-concept" phase and is funded by the Lakeland Chapter. Should this program be successful, sponsorships/donations will be required to continue the program. The Hearing Aid Recycling Program is made possible through the cooperation and participation of local hearing professionals and hearing aid donors everywhere. For information on how to donate new/used hearing aids click: hla-lakeland.org/donate/hearing-aid-donation. *************************************************************** ***************************************************************** SARASOTA EXPO SUCCESS! A Story by Expo Attendee: John Prokop VISIT OUR WEBSITE! I thought the HLAA Expo was another successful event for the Sarasota/Bradenton hearing loss community. There were so many local vendors and professional organizations all under one roof, at the same time, to meet and converse with. The entire venue and purpose was "spot on" with its purpose to inform, advocate, increase awareness, educate and network with the others from hearing loss community and support systems. The classes in the looped auditorium provided the opportunity for me to experience the "loop technology." Any opportunity to experience this technology reinforces its importance, effectiveness and increases our awareness to lobby and promote, its continued growth and implementation successfully. Experiencing it makes you a believer and gives you the knowledge to articulate and advocate for its use. There were 2 loop vendors attending the expo, that had a looped area in front of their booths to try it out. That was impressive. The location was an excellent choice with ample parking and food trucks and vendors available right there on the parking lot. The expo area was spacious, well lit and ventilated, with an area for sitting, conversing and resting. The auditorium for presentations was comfortable and they provided services for Loop, CART and interpreters (The Mother lode Trifecta) for all presentations. There were also refreshments and snacks available from the vendors and the facility. How nice it was to see the collaboration of so many professional reps from local and national hearing loss advocates and organizations. My HLAA and ALDA friends were all there among others, to spread the word, advocate and support our cause. All vendors were friendly and excited to share their products, services, or their organization's information. Many had handouts and pamphlets to share what they were all about. So much technology, equipment from CapTel phones to personal hearing devices, and movie theatre listening and viewing devices were out and available, to educate and help all participants to see, touch, and learn what is available to improve our quality of life. In closing I just want to say, attending the Expo was a wonderful way to spend my Saturday. Attending made it so worthwhile. I am looking forward to the next event. ************************************************************************************* FLORIDA SHARES LET'S HEAR YOUR STORY! THIS IS ALL ABOUT YOU! This is your chance to share your own, unique story about your hearing loss experience! Every one of us either has hearing loss or knows someone who does. No two stories are the same, but we all know the impact hearing loss has on our lives. We want to hear from you about your journey or about someone you know who is faced with hearing loss. This is your chance to be heard! Stories must be submitted electronically to the attention of: hearinglossadvocate@gmail.com by midnight May 15, 2015. Visit the Hearing Loss Association of Florida facebook page, hlaa-fl.org website and/or our monthly newsletter to see if your story is posted! Stay tuned! Click on the picture to visit the facebook page! HEARING LOSS OUTREACH! **************************************************** Thank You, Florida Chapters, for Continuing to Support HLAA's 35th Year Celebration! **************************************************** LET YOUR HEARING LOSS AUDIENCE HEAR! The Villages, Lakeland, Sarasota, and Orlando Chapters are advocating for LET'S LOOP FLORIDA! Hearing aids or cochlear implants alone will not ensure you can hear in public setting, but looping will. A hearing loop transmits sound through an electromagnetic signal that is picked up by a telecoil in the hearing aid or cochlear implant. This simple, easy to use technology reduces background noise and enables individuals with hearing loss to effectively understand what is being communicated. With support from consumers, audiologists and audio engineers can we make looping happen and increase communication access for those with hearing loss. Publix Makes Hearing Loop Technology Available to ALL Stores! After two years of testing, Publix Supermarkets officially endorsed Hearing Loop solutions for any of their 1,098 stores in the southeastern United States who wish to add the system. Publix tested hearing loops with great success in 4 locations inside their stores: pharmacy drop-off, pharmacy pick–up, customer service desk, and a checkout register. Installation of the system is at the discretion of the store manager. People with hearing loss can alert their local PUBLIX to the benefits of hearing loops and request they take advantage of the Loop Program instituted by Publix management. Florida Publix stores with this important technology already installed include: Sun City Longboat Key Venice The Villages Ft Myers Leesburg Lady Lake HOW CAN YOU HELP? 1) Talk directly with your Publix store manager about the benefits of hearing loops 2) Leave your comments at www.pubix.com (go to "About" on the bottom of the landing page and click on "Contact Us") ***************************************************************** Time is running out! BOOK A CRUISE OR CHANCE IT TAKE YOUR PICK! "Win a Cruise 4 Two" The Allure departs from Ft. Lauderdale November 8, 2015, for an 8 day/7 night Eastern Caribbean Cruise Win by raffle? Odds are 1:500 chance of winning! A $10 donation per raffle ticket (6 for $50). Contact your local Chapter for tickets today or contact our designated Cruise Team representative, Lynn Rousseaue at: Lynnrousseau50@gmail.com. This is your opportunity to “Win a Cruise 4 Two,” and to support our Florida Hearing Loss Outreach Statewide. Booking a Cruise? Contact Barbara Maher Barbaram@gotravel.com or call 800-800-7703 Extension:112 . Simply mention HLAA-Florida for the group rate. A refundable deposit of $250 per person reserves your cabin with full payment due August of 2015. This is a Florida Fun Fundraiser to help local chapters and the HLAA Florida State Association continued hearing loss outreach events. Join us for CART captioning moments of fun at sea, and be a hearing loss advocate to thousands aboard. See you there! Questions? Contact our designated Cruise Team representative, Lynn Rousseaue, Gainseville Chapter President at: Lynnrousseau50@gmail.com. Submitted by: Gainesville Chapter (FL) HLAGainesville@aol.com. ANNOUNCING OUR 2015 HLAA CONVENTION SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS! HLAA-FL STATE SCHOLARSHIP: On behalf of the HLAA-Florida State Association, we are pleased to announce HLAA Florida and Lakeland Chapter member, Lauren Giordano, is the winner of the 2015 Convention Scholarship donated by Advocates for Better Hearing in memory of Bud and Katie Seegar! NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP: National HLAA is proud to announce a fellow Florida HLAA and Orlando Chapter member the winner! Dee Boleman has been awarded a 2015 Convention Scholarship from the Bob Branigin Scholarship Fund. This Scholarship was established four years ago to honor Bob Branigin, one of two HLAA members who has attended every Convention (this will be the 30th!). YOUR CHANCE TO WIN! $300.00! APPLY TODAY FOR THE JOAN ANDREWS SCHOLARSHIP FOR 2015 First time HLAA Convention attendees are welcome to apply for a $300.00 Scholarship by May 15th, 2015! This HLAAFL scholarship became available for a second time when our original 2015 winner, Dee Boleman, won the National Scholarship! Please respond directly to this email to request additional information on how to apply. All applicants must be received by May 15, 2015. HLAA-FLORIDA STATE ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETING Saturday, May 30 9:30am - 3:30pm Village Walk 8109 Camminare Way Sarasota, FL Social to follow at 4:30pm Anyone wishing to attend the meeting or social, please RSVP to hearinglossadvocate@gmail.com ******************************************** HLAA- FLORIDA GROUP GATHERINGS "Finding People Like Myself" Chapters throughout the state meet monthly to assist those in the local community who are impacted by hearing loss, including hearing family and friends. Come socialize, listen to a variety of guest speakers and stay informed about the latest assisted listening device technology. There is no membership and/or hearing loss requirements to attend a meeting. All you need is a desire to learn more about hearing loss. Join us! CHAPTERS ARE LOCATED IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: Clearwater Coral Springs Fort Myers Gainesville Jacksonville Lakeland Miami Orlando Sarasota Sun City Chapter South Palm Beach Tampa Treasure Coast Vero Beach The Villages Simply click on the location above for meeting dates, times and contact information, or visit the Florida State Board website at hlaa-fl.org. THANK YOU FLORIDA STATE CHAPTERS AND VOLUNTEERS WHO ADVOCATE FOR THOSE IMPACTED BY HEARING LOSS! *********************************************************** Editor: Cynthia Moynihan Date: April 28, 2015 IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS/COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS OR WOULD LIKE TO INCLUDE A STORY AND/OR INFORMATION IN OUR MONTHLY NEWSLETTER, PLEASE CONTACT US AT: hearinglossadvocate@gmail.com Update Subscription Preferences UnsubscribeUnsubscribe from this list : http://hlafl.us3.list-manage.com/unsubscribe? u=f1e8f75bc33b693fa108d8055&id=e75980917c&e= [UNIQID]&c=0eea836c54 Forward to a Friend
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