HLAA 2009 Convention Opening Session - Part 1

By Cheryl Heppner

June 2009

Editor: It's that time of year again! The start of Hearing Loss Convention Season! As is normally the case, HLAA kicks off the activity in June. Char and I didn't attend this year, but super reporters extraordinaire Cheryl Heppner and Bonnie O'Leary from NVRC will be providing detailed coverage of the activities. Here's Cheryl's coverage of the opening session. This is part one of two parts.

More coverage of this great convention is at: http://www.hearinglossweb.com/res/hlorg/shhh/cn/2009/2009.htm

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Welcomes, Greetings and Thanks

The opening session was held on Thursday June 18 in the huge Tennessee CDE Ballroom with what had to be the longest stage in the history of HLAA conventions.

Capt. Mark Brogan, who was recently featured in Hearing Loss magazine, led the audience in the pledge of allegiance to officially begin the Opening Session.

President of the Board of Trustees Michael Stone recognized numerous groups and asked them to stand and be applauded, including fellow members of the Board of Trustees, chapter delegates, state chapter coordinators, and state leaders.

Kevin Colwell, representing opening session sponsor Ultratec on behalf of Founder/President Rob Engelke, shared Rob's regrets. It was the first time in 20 years that Rob has missed an HLAA convention. Colwell noted that for 35 years Ultratec has developed products for people with hearing loss, including its CapTel. He thanked the many HLAA attendees for their feedback, which he said has inspired the company in developing and improving its products. HLAA, he said, gives Ultratec the opportunity to learn from people who freely share their daily lives.

Michael Stone thanked the many volunteers from Nashville and introduced Jennifer Thorpe of the local host committee, who recognized committee chairs Jim and Kathy as well as Sherry and Karyn. Local volunteers at this conference are patient, smile easily, and can be identified by their red vests. Jennifer encouraged attendees to take advantage of local attractions such as the dinner cruises, shopping (there's a mall adjacent to the Gaylord), history sites, and features like the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Update on HLAA Activities

Executive Director Brenda Battat listed many of the organization's recent accomplishments such as:
- Working with the Obama administration
- Working on passage of the Hearing Aid Tax Credit
- Activating to get captioned telephone services mandated nationally
- Pushing the Department of Transportation for more accessible air travel
- Working with Consumer Reports to develop its articles on hearing aids
- Getting the National Fire Alarm Code to include mandatory low-frequency square wave alarms

Brenda recognized an alphabet soup of collaborators who have worked with HLAA toward common goals, including NTID, DRF, TDI, Gallaudet University, NVRC and NCRA

Brenda shared her delight at the number of young adults present and involved with HLAA. She thanked individuals who have kept HLAA afloat through their financial support. Three years ago volunteers began the Walk4Hearing, and this year there will be 22 walks across the U.S. Brenda thanked all the volunteers who participated, the sponsors, and the developers of HLAA website video about the walk.

Here's Part Two

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