Volume 43 Issue 1

HOH-LD-News
Vol. 43, Issue 1
April 3, 2010

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Table of Contents
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- Article 1: Are Group Aural Rehabilitation (AR) Programs Effective? - Part Two

- Article 2: Consent Decree Reached in Service Dog Case

- Article 3: The Hearing Loss Association of America Hires Coordinator for States and Chapters

- Article 4: Short Takes

Our advertisers make it possible for us to provide HOH-LD-News as a free service. Please let them know you appreciate their support, and please mention that you saw their message in HOH-LD-News.

- Advertisers in this Issue
First Premium Placement:
YOUR AD HERE
Second Premium Placement:
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Third Premium Placement:
Hearing Aid Repairs and Reduced Price Hearing Aids from Hearing Haven
Classified Section:
One Online Store and four Employment Opportunities

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Contact information and disclaimers are at the end of this newsletter.
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- Article 1: Are Group Aural Rehabilitation (AR) Programs Effective? - Part Two
By Mark Ross
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Editor: You probably know that one of my hot buttons is the tendency of too many audiologists and hearing aid dispensers to treat their clients like a giant ear that needs a hearing aid shoved in it, rather than as a person who needs a complete range of services to help them deal with the effects of hearing loss. I've long believed that group aural rehabilitation programs should be a standard offering of everyone who dispenses hearing aids. But are they effective? Here's Mark Ross to weigh in on the subject.

This article originally appeared in Hearing Loss Magazine, and is reprinted with the author's kind permission.

This is part two of two parts.

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Two kinds of evidence have been offered to support the notion and effectiveness of group AR programs. Support for the first type of evidence is inherent in the content of the typical group AR program; sometimes this is labeled "face validity" but I prefer to call it "common sense" (which may not be all that "common"). Consider this brief outline of a fairly typical group four-session AR program:

* At the first meeting, asking each hearing-impaired person and SO [Significant Other] to note "the worst thing about having a hearing loss." At this point, these are just noted; possible solutions come later. People are surprised how often their problems are shared by others.

* Types of hearing loss; understanding the audiogram (basically this should be a review of the information covered during the hearing aid selection process).

* Using hearing aids effectively; introduction and explanation of special features.

* Overview of the various hearing assistive technologies other than hearing aids themselves (e.g., for telephones, TV listening, smoke alarms, special purpose devices).

* Introduction to speech reading and auditory relearning. Home training programs.

* And everything that comes up that relates to a hearing problem. Many of the issues that arise may require an individual appointment.

Most people who take this kind of program report that it is helpful. In one survey conducted at the Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, 307 patients were asked to rate the helpfulness of the program (from 1, "not helpful," to 6 "very helpful"); the average rating was 5.8 with 97% of the patients giving a score of 5 or 6. Another survey, conducted at a multi-center dispensing practice, found that hearing aid return rates were reduced from 9% to 3% for the people who had completed the program, compared to those who had not. While these surveys may not meet a strict definition of research, they clearly indicate that these AR programs have been helpful to lots of hearing aid users and their SOs. Certainly, this has been my experience when I conducted such programs myself.

What does count as research are the studies reviewed by Dr. David Hawkins in the Journal of the Academy of Audiology several years ago. After an intensive search of the literature, he found just twelve that met the criteria of a properly conducted research study. These were studies that employed both appropriate research conditions and recognized outcome measures. The typical program was conducted over a four week period and usually compared the performance of subjects who received a hearing aid but no AR to a group that received a hearing aid plus a short-term group AR program. It should be noted that these were counseling based studies, unlike those that focus directly on communication skills (such as speechreading and auditory training).

After carefully examining all of these studies, Hawkins concludes that there is "reasonably" good evidence that these programs will provide for, at the least, a short-term reduction in the self-perception of a hearing handicap as well as better use of communication strategies and hearing aids. As such, from a research perspective these programs are clearly worth doing. Even so, there is still some question whether these benefits persist over time, as well as whether or not the right kinds of "outcome" measures were employed. In my judgment people who take such a program can benefit from an occasional "booster" shot, whether in the form of another "review" short-term AR program, or perhaps by just being an active member of a Hearing Loss Association of America chapter. In short, in the same way we get booster shots to protect us against the flu each year, an occasional AR boost can also be beneficial.

The most recent research study (2009) on the effects of a short-term AR program, conducted by Drs. Jill Preminger and Suzanne Meeks, has an interesting twist. They provided an identical program to two groups, an experimental one in which their significant others were also provided with a separate AR program and a control group whose SOs received no such program (later rectified). Previous research had shown that the inclusion of SOs in the same classes as the persons with a hearing loss was beneficial to both parties. The researchers took this concept one step further, providing group classes designed specifically for SOs, in recognition of the fact that they also have a hearing "problem," just by living with someone with a hearing loss.

The basic question that the investigators asked was: Would the person with a hearing loss and the SO both judge the impact of the hearing loss on their quality of life (stress, affect, mood, marital communication, etc.) similarly after the SOs separate program compared to their previous pre-treatment ratings. It is surely a recipe for a tension filled marriage if the two parties see the impact of the hearing loss very differently. Pre-treatment, both groups of hearing-impaired subjects and their SOs were administered identical quality of life rating scales. Only about 50% of the couples, in both groups, rated the impact of the hearing loss similarly (termed "congruence"). For half the couples, then, there were significant differences in their perception of how the hearing loss affected their lives. Usually, it was the person with a hearing loss who felt the hearing loss had a greater effect than the SO. Obviously, it is not exactly a good omen for marital comity when couples have such disparate views of a condition that affects both their lives. After the study, however, the congruence score increased to 72% for the partners in the experimental group. Not perfect by any means, but clearly superior to the lack of congruence prior to the group program for SOs. No congruence change was noted for the control group, which remained at 50%.

As we consider, then, both the research literature and common sense, it is clear that there is value in a post-hearing aid fitting short-term AR program. Not as an add-on, but as an integral component of the hearing aid selection process. It should be routinely included in the hearing aid fitting process in much the same way that physical therapy is included following many surgical procedures. I can hear the many objections now (and have heard them repeatedly over the years), and some do have merit. But the basic question to ask is whether these group programs can be helpful, and the answer in my view, is an unambiguous yes. Given this observation, then, the challenge is how best to respond to these objections rather than offering excuses why AR follow-up can't be done. As it happens, it has and is being done is a few exemplary programs - but these are exceptions when they should be the rule.

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- Article 2: Consent Decree Reached in Service Dog Case
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Editor: It's hard to believe that a bunch of attorneys would refuse to allow a woman to enter their office with her service dog, but that's apparently just what happened. As my dad always used to tell me, education costs money, and this particular bit of education cost the attorneys $50,000! Here's the story from the US Department of Justice.

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The Justice Department today announced a federal court has approved a consent decree resolving an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) discrimination lawsuit against attorney Patric LeHouillier and his law firm, LeHouillier & Associates, P.C., based in Colorado Springs, Colo. The consent decree was approved by Judge Marcia S. Krieger in U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado.

In its November 2009 complaint, the Justice Department alleged that LeHouillier and his firm violated Title III of the ADA when they unlawfully barred a woman, her husband and her attorney from entering LeHouillier's law office for a deposition because the woman was accompanied by her service animal, an Australian Shepherd dog. The woman, who is a veterinarian, has a traumatic brain injury and other conditions that affect mobility and balance, and individually trained her service animal to provide disability-related assistance.

Under the terms of the consent decree, LeHouillier and his firm will:
* Adopt an ADA-compliant service animal policy and post the policy in a conspicuous location;
* Post a "Service Animals Welcome" sign;
* Self-report allegations of discrimination to the department;
* Undergo training and provide training to staff;
* Pay $30,000 to the complainant and $10,000 to her husband as a person associated with a person with a disability; and
* Pay a $10,000 civil penalty.

"For almost two decades, the ADA has ensured that individuals with disabilities are guaranteed full and equal access to public accommodations, both large and small," said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. "The Justice Department is unrelenting in eradicating discrimination against people with disabilities and ensuring that owners and operators of public accommodations recognize their obligations to provide equal access."

A service animal is any animal individually trained to work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. Service animals - most commonly dogs - perform a wide variety of functions. Examples of these functions include guiding persons who are blind or have low vision; alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to sounds; warning persons about impending seizures or other medical conditions; performing a variety of tasks for persons with psychiatric disabilities and picking up items, opening doors, flipping switches, providing physical support and pulling wheelchairs for individuals with mobility disabilities.

More information about today's lawsuit, the ADA, rights and responsibilities under the ADA relating to service animals, and instructions on filing an ADA complaint with the Justice Department is available on the ADA home page at www.ada.gov. This information includes two publications specifically addressing service animal access: "ADA Business Brief: Service Animals" and "Commonly Asked Questions About Service Animals in Places of Business." Those interested in obtaining copies of these documents or additional information about the ADA can also call the Justice Department's toll-free ADA Information Line (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 (TTY).

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- Article 3: The Hearing Loss Association of America Hires Coordinator for States and Chapters
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Editor: Most of us probably know about HLAA mostly through our local chapter, and have very little interaction with the National organization. The folks at National have tried to improve communications with the state and local groups by naming a person to adopt that responsibility, but it's always been, if my memory serves me, something that was assigned in addition to the person's other responsibilities. It looks like that era has ended, as HLAA hires a full-time person to fulfill that responsibility. Here's the notice.

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The Hearing Loss Association of America(r) (HLAA) is pleased to announce that they have created and filled a full-time staff position solely charged with supporting and developing the network of HLAA affiliates throughout the United States. HLAA selected Elizabeth LeBarron to fill the position of HLAA chapter and state coordinator.

HLAA created the position after the Board of Trustees named states and chapter organizations as one of their key strategic priorities. Board members emphasized support for the existing state and chapter organizations as the grassroots network to reach people with hearing loss on a personal level.

Executive Director Brenda Battat commented, "Chapters are the grassroots of HLAA, where self-help thrives. We are delighted to have Elizabeth on board to focus on supporting our chapters and state organizations. She brings a wealth of experience in working with chapters and will bring a fresh look at how we can all work together as one organization to further our mission."

Ms. LeBarron brings a depth of experience in strengthening local organizations. From 1990 - 2001, she worked with 20-plus state chapters as membership manager at the National Glass Association in McLean, Virginia. During her tenure there she transformed the national-chapter relationship from adversarial to a partnership of mutual respect and cooperation.

From there Ms. LeBarron moved to the Association for Conflict Resolution in Washington, D.C., where she served for over a year as director of membership and development. Since then she has worked for the American Occupational Therapy Association and the American Gastroenterological Association in the membership and education fields, respectively.

"I am delighted to be working with HLAA staff and volunteers to reestablish the close ties between the national office and the local affiliates. I am looking forward to continuing Founder Rocky Stone's legacy in working with states and chapters. I appreciate the opportunity learning how our organizations can support each other as we help people with hearing loss."

Ms. LeBarron experienced hearing loss herself as a toddler when doctors discovered impacted wax in her ear canals. The surgery left her left eardrum loose and her hearing continued to decline when, in her mid-forties, she sought help from her primary care physician who referred her to an audiologist. Citing vanity and denial as the main reasons for not pursuing treatment previously, she was amazed how much she had not been hearing.

"When I could not understand what my toddler was saying to me from the back seat of the car, I decided to seek help. Right after getting my hearing aids, I could hear the turn signal tone in my car for the first time since buying the car months earlier." Ms. LeBarron then learned that her own father had sustained a hearing loss at the same point in his life. (At age 80 he wears two, in-the canal hearing aids, while Ms. LeBarron wears two, behind-the-ear hearing aids.)

HLAA's Toni Barrient, who previously served as chapter coordinator, will continue in her capacity as director of member services. In addition Ms. Barrient is also the national office's business manager to oversee its expanding technology and information systems operations. Lise Hamlin, who previously coordinated states, will continue to serve in her capacity as HLAA public policy director and advise states on advocacy issues.

Ms. LeBarron's first opportunity to meet with state and chapter leaders will be during the HLAA annual convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin June 17 - 20, 2011. Ms. LeBarron will oversee the chapter development tract and will conduct the chapter delegate meeting on Saturday, June 19 at 9a.m. She can be reached at Elebarron@hearingloss.org.

About Hearing Loss Association of America

The Hearing Loss Association of America(r) (HLAA), founded in 1979, opens the world of communication to people with hearing loss through information, education, advocacy and support. HLAA publishes the bimonthly Hearing Loss Magazine, holds annual conventions, produces the national Walk4Hearing(tm), hosts online learning with the Hearing Loss Academy, holds monthly webinars, and advocates for the rights of people with hearing loss. HLAA has more than 200 chapters and 14 state organizations. The national headquarters is located at 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 1200, Bethesda, MD 20814. Phone: 301.657.2248 or visit www.hearingloss.org.

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- Article 4: Short Takes
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Editor: Here are our picks of some additional stories that you may find interesting. For more, please point your browser to: http://www.hearinglossweb.com/news/curr.htm

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Oregon Shakespeare Festival captions 11 plays this year

Deaf actor Howie Seago knows how hard it can be for deaf audience members to experience plays at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. "I've had to hassle with reading scripts with a small light to follow the plays," Seago said in an e-mail sent in-between performances of "Hamlet," in which he plays the ghost of a murdered king. Seago said he is pleased by OSF's growing efforts to offer captioned plays for the deaf community. During the 2010 season, OSF is offering an all-time high of 11 captioned performances for deaf and hearing impaired audience members. The captions appear on a light emitting diode, or LED, board that is set up near the bottom of the stage to the audience's left. "There are more and more deaf people becoming interested in the OSF shows and it is great to offer them the flexibility of when to see them," Seago said. "I, myself, will be now able to easily access the other shows I'm not in."

http://tinyurl.com/ykkqr54

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Association of Late-Deafened Adults Convention

Are you frustrated due to adult onset hearing loss? Discouraged? Isolated? Are you curious about technology that might be helpful to you? Do you feel like you will never be able to enjoy a group activity again? Then come to ALDAcon 2010! It will change your life! This year the Association of Late-Deafened Adults (ALDA) will meet from September 1st through 5th in gorgeous Colorado Springs, Colorado. The convention will be held at the Antlers Hilton, within sight of Pikes Peak and just one block from downtown Colorado Springs. The hotel has an indoor pool, complimentary Internet access, coffee makers in each room and a complimentary daily newspaper.

http://tinyurl.com/ybnmpub

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Music class may benefit kids with cochlear implants

Music class may help improve certain types of sound perception in deaf children who have cochlear implants, a new study hints. [snip] For their study, the researchers assessed 27 children with cochlear implants for their ability to discern musical pitch -- how high or low a musical note is. Thirteen of the children had attended standard music classes at the Yamaha Music School, which has centers around the world. Overall, Chen's team found, the longer the children had taken music classes, the better their pitch perception.

http://tinyurl.com/yd9jbcz

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- Classifieds
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One Online Store and four Employment Opportunities appear in this issue. (Ads appear after this brief table of contents.)

WCI. Your Single Source for Assistive Technology
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Employment Opportunity 1
Exciting Career Opportunities at GLAD
Various Southern California Locations

Employment Opportunity 2
Various Positions at GSD
Georgia School for the Deaf
Cave Spring, GA

Employment Opportunity 3
Instructor of the Deaf and Hearing Impaired
Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind
Department of Human Resources, 1450 Main St, Gooding, ID 83330

Employment Opportunity 4
Certified Rehabilitation Counselor
Georgia Department of Labor, Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Cave Spring, GA

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Employment Opportunity 1
Exciting Career Opportunities at GLAD
Various Southern California Locations
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Exciting Career Opportunities at GLAD

GLAD is an Affirmative Action Employer with equal opportunity for men, women and people with disabilities. For more information on the following positions, please go to: www.gladinc.org. The status of all positions is: Regular, Full-time, Non-Exempt, Full Fringe Benefits unless otherwise noted. All positions are open until filled.

* Community Advocate -- Riverside, CA

* Community Interpreter - Los Angeles, CA

If interested for any of these positions then please submit resume and application to:

Jeff Fetterman
Human Resources Specialist
Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness, Inc.
2222 Laverna Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90041
V/TDD: (323) 550-4207
Fax #: (323)550-4204
E-mail: jfetterman@gladinc.org

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Employment Opportunity 2
Various Positions at GSD
Georgia School for the Deaf
Cave Spring, GA
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Currently accepting applications for the following positions:
Assistant Director for Instruction
Graduation Coach *10 Month Position
Teacher-High School Math *10 Month Position
Teacher-High School Language Arts *10 Month Position
Literacy Content Specialist *10 Month Position
Substitute Teachers (hourly paid, based on credentials)
Support Services Worker-Library Aide (hourly paid)

* 10 month employees work 200 days (10 months) but receive payroll checks during each of the 12 months of the year.

For more information about these positions, visit the Georgia Department of Education web site at http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/pea_hr_jobsearch.aspx

Download Job Applications at:
http://www.spa.ga.gov/word/jobinfo/stateapp-emp.doc

Completed applications may be mailed, e-mailed, or faxed to:
Denise Clark, Personnel Office
Georgia School for the Deaf
232 Perry Farm Rd. SW
Cave Spring, Georgia 30124
denise.clark@doe.k12.ga.us
Fax: (706) 777-2240

For more information about these positions, contact Denise Clark, Personnel Office, denise.clark@doe.k12.ga.us or visit the Department of Education web site at www.doe.k12.ga.us

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Employment Opportunity 3
Instructor of the Deaf and Hearing Impaired
Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind
Department of Human Resources, 1450 Main St, Gooding, ID 83330
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Begin Date: August 2010
Closing Date: Open until filled.
Location: ISDB campus in Gooding.

Nature of Work:
Provide academic programs for elementary and/or middle/high school students and other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:
Idaho Standard Exceptional Child Certification with a Hearing Impaired Endorsement or ability to obtain; excellent receptive and expressive skills in American Sign Language; Bachelor's degree acceptable, Master's degree preferred; Desired Math, Science or Language Arts Certification.

Salary: Commensurate with education and experience

Benefits: Comprehensive fringe benefit package included

To Apply:
Interested persons are to submit a letter of application, resume, official transcripts, copies of certification and three letters of recommendations to:
Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind
Attn: Human Resources
1450 Main St
Gooding, ID 83330

Successful candidate will be required to submit a completed ten finger fingerprint card or scan to the Idaho State Dept. of Education no later than five days after the employees' first day of employment with the school or unsupervised contact with students in a K-12 setting, whichever is sooner per Idaho Code 33-130 & 33-512.

Hiring is done without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age or disability. In addition, preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulation.

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Employment Opportunity 4
Certified Rehabilitation Counselor
Georgia Department of Labor, Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Cave Spring, GA
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The Georgia Department of Labor, Vocational Rehabilitation Services - Deafness and Hard of Hearing Program is looking for a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor to join our team at Cave Spring Rehabilitation Center and serve our clients who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing and late Deafened.

To formally apply and for additional details regarding this position, please click on the URL below.

Certified Rehabilitation Counselor for Deaf Services / Cave Spring
http://tinyurl.com/yzqtx8p

Please visit the Georgia Department of Labor website frequently for additional openings now and in the near future:
http://www.dol.state.ga.us/Access/Service/GDOLJobSearch

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