SHHH 2004 Convention

The 2004 SHHH Convention was held in Omaha ,NE from June 10 to June 13, 2004. Char and I were unable to attend, but Cheryl Heppner of NVRC and Denise Portis of Frederick County SHHH were there and were gracious to share their articles. Thank you, Cheryl and Denise!

The Opening Session kicks of the official festivities and sets the tone for the entire event. Here's Cheryl's report on the Opening Session.

Always a favorite at  these conventions are the opportunities to hear it straight from the doctor's mouth. Here's Denise's report on the "Ask the Doctor" Workshop.

Have you ever thought about all the organizations that are working for folks with hearing loss? Do they work pretty closely together, or is it possible to encourage them to collaborate more? If you're of the second opinion, you're in good company. Here's Cheryl's article on Rocky Stones newest endeavor.

How about an article that provides a bit more of the flavor of the convention by discussing several events over a couple of days? If that sounds appealing to you, read Denise Portis' article discussing Wednesday's and Thursday's activities.

Interested in the latest and greatest stuff in the hearing loss world? If so, you'll love Cheryl Heppner's report from the Exhibit Floor.

Are you prepared for a disaster in your area? Have you thought about the special requirements for people with hearing loss? Here's Cheryl Heppner's report on Mary Clark's Disaster Preparedness Workshop from the Omaha SHHH Convention.

SHHH Convention: Ask the Doctor

Editor: As we mentioned last week, two of the SHHH convention reporters have graciously allowed us to share their information with you. Here's Denise Portis of Frederick County (MD) SHHH and wife of SHHH Executive Director Terry Portis with her report on the workshop entitled "Ask the Doctor". The presenters were Dr. Paul Hammerschlag and Dr. Edward Cohn

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An informal question/answer time with doctors who KNOW hearing loss. Dr. Hammerschlag is a member of the SHHH Board of Trustees, and specializes in hearing loss, cochlear implants, neuro-otology, otology, facial nerve problems and aural atresia. He is a clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology at the New York University School of Medicine. He has a congenital sensorineural hearing loss. (Otolaryngology? Try saying that fast 10 times! What a "mouth-full"!) Dr. Cohn, was a spur-of-the-moment replacement I gather, as his name was not on the original program. A very likeable professional who is an Associate Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology and Human Communication at Creighton University's School of Medicine, and staff Otolaryngologist at Boys Town National Research Hospital.

Tinnitus was discussed at length, as many attendees had questions about it. I even went up to the microphone to voice a question or two. My first, with tongue in cheek had me thinking back to a bhNews discussion. "Tinnitus with a long "i", or short "i"? Both doctors agreed that either pronunciation was correct. See? We at bhNews had already come to that conclusion! Aren't we smart? My second, and real question was: "I suffer from tinnitus," (of which I pronounced with a long "i", as it goes better with my southern twang.....) "and I have heard that cochlear implants eliminates tinnitus in some patients, but have also heard that some people suffer tinnitus for the very first time after having received an implant. What is your experience as to whether or not there is a connection between CI's and tinnitus?"

Dr. Hammerschlag answered my question. He said that as far as he knew there had not been a study to see if there was a connection. He, too, had heard that some people suffer a usually "temporary" tinnitus after having received a CI, but that he knew some no longer suffered with it after a CI. He did make sure all of us knew that CI's were not given in order to eliminate tinnitus. Tinnitus does not make a CI candidate.

One lady had a charming story/question. She suffers from what I know after having read enough of bhNews member "Neil Bauman's" posts, as auditory hallucinations. She only "hears" one song...... I believe she said it was "Shall We Gather at the River". The doctor's asked her additional questions, and through her story it seems she suffered a head injury prior to the "song" starting. When she is busy during the day amongst a great deal of noise, the song does not bother her like it does when she is in a quiet setting. Perhaps we'll all learn more when Neil comes out with his new book? I thought it very interesting, as the only auditory sound I hear is a ring............... I know some tinnitus sufferers hear a variety of rings and pitches. I only hear one. Am I boring or what? Earlier this month I joined the American Tinnitus Association. I received my first magazine from them while I was away at the SHHH convention. I look forward to reading it.

This session could have been much longer as I don't believe time allowed everyone who had questions to ask the ones they needed answers to. I hope SHHH continues to have this workshop, and perhaps every local chapter should invite a qualified otolaryngologist at least once a year to answer member questions.