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.
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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
Denise Portis
Frederick County SHHH
Frederick, MD
