Dr. Wazen is the Director of Research for the Ear Research Foundation and is an expert in treating dizziness, balance and other disorders, as well as performs cochlear implant surgery.
 
         
For more information or support, contact info@hlas.org or 941-706-4312

President’s Message

MEETING UPDATES

Upcoming Chapter Meeting –
Wednesday, April 10th at Noon

Topic: “Communicate Easier on the Phone – At No Cost”
Don Ladimir, Title IX ADA Specialist, ClearCaptions

ClearCaptions is a FREE phone captioning service that provides near real-time call captions of phone conversations for anyone hard-of-hearing or with any form of hearing loss. You can read real-time written call captions of what callers say on your revolutionary home phone, mobile device, or your computer.

March Chapter Meeting Recap

“Why Should I Consider a Cochlear Implant?” was our topic and Virgi Mills, MED, a Consumer Engagement Manager for MED-EL was the presenter. A well-attended Chapter meeting learned about all the latest in advancement of cochlear implants, including bone conduction technology. As they say on Twitter, #bellsandwhistles.
 

St. Patrick’s Day was celebrated with a great raffle with the assistance of Doug Schuler in full Irish regalia.

New, Emerging Technologies & Treatments For Hearing Loss
                                   
Presenter: Dr. Jack Wazen, MD, ENT 
Silverstein Institute and Director of Research, Ear Research Foundation
 
Dr. Wazen is an expert who specializes in treating dizziness, balance and other disorders, as well as performs cochlear implant surgery. During his presentation, he will take us behind the scenes for the latest developments in hearing restoration.
Bring your questions!

Click here to view the Event Calendar for Upcoming Events

SCENE & HEARD

FARMERS MARKET

COME VISIT US AT THE SARASOTA FARMERS MARKET ON APRIL 27TH!

The Chapter educates and advocates for those with hearing loss at the Sarasota Farmers Market on the fourth Saturday of each month. We are generally set up at Main and Lemon.
 
Consider volunteering for a two-hour shift. On-the-job training is available at any Farmers Market day. Let Dave Donnelly know by contacting hla.sarasota@gmail.com.
 
The HLAA monthly information and support booth offers an opportunity for people to learn how to address their hearing loss.
 
There are FREE hearing screenings each month. If you have a friend who needs hearing help and cannot make one of our meetings, please suggest they visit us here.

SATURDAY, APRIL 27th

1,131 “LIKE” THE CHAPTER’S FACEBOOK PAGE!           

 

The Chapter’s Facebook site is limited to important medical, legal, and technical information about your hearing, and calendar reminders of upcoming events.  Visit  https://www.facebook.com/Hearing.Loss.Association.of.Sarasota
 
 ​

 

 

LOUD & CLEAR

ADVOCACY – HEARING LOOP UPDATES

Sarasota Airport – The airport looping project is nearly complete. The ceiling installations required additional amplifiers and have delayed the installation. A formal announcement of Florida’s first looped airport should be forthcoming in April. 

Note:                                                                                                                        
The project was on the front page of the March 27 Sarasota Herald Tribune: https://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20190326/sarasota-bradenton-airport-adds-assistive-listening-system . 

Note from Anne Taylor:

On behalf of the Sarasota/Manatee board, I would like to say a heartfelt THANK YOU to board member Richard Williams for bringing the hearing loop technology to the attention of the Sarasota airport board. Because of Richard’s initiative and passion for improving communication access, in the near future, many of us with hearing loss will have a more enjoyable experience when traveling to/from the SRQ airport. Thank you, Richard! 
Also, this month’s Hearing Life features a story about airport looping.

Read the article at https://www.hearingloss.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/HL_2019_2_Frazier.pdf.

Players Theatre – A meet and greet with the architect of the new Player’s Lakewood Ranch performing arts campus took place on March 21. The architect was proud to announce that the design includes a hearing loop as well as wider aisles. The new Player’s will be north of Fruitville Road just east of I-75.

    Member Ed Ogiba advocated for the addition of the loop at the Players ten years ago. Before that, member Frank Stocco prepared captions on PowerPoint. Frank and Artistic Director Jeffrey Kin were very pleased about announcement of the hearing loop in the new theatre. Groundbreaking is expected in October 2019.                                                             

HEARING TECH EXPO ANNOUNCED FOR 2020!

The date for the Eighth Hearing Tech Expo is Saturday, February 15, 2020
The time is from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
The place is the Manatee Technical Institute at 6305 State Route 70 in Bradenton
The theme is “For The Love of Hearing”

The Chapter plans to offer:
• A clinic featuring FREE hearing aid trials, supported by FREEhearing screenings and consultations 
• A pediatric program
• Expanded education program to feature 10 workshops 
• Over 50 exhibitors
• Guided tours
• Spanish translation support
• Silent auction
 
The Chapter Committee hopes to be able to:
• Expand the clinic services to children
• Offer a high-profile keynote speaker
• Offer a range of new technologies making their expo debut

CHAPTER BOARD BUSINESS

The Board met on March 19 and completed its Committee assignments, but have several committees that still need some members to step up and volunteers to assist the all-volunteer organization in its mission to the community. Publicity will be sent out on this.

Next board meeting is Monday, May 20, 2019 at 5:00 PM

Center for Arts and Humanities

1226 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

LIP-READING CLASSES FOR THE SPRING
 
The spring classes will be held at ACE (Adult Continuing Education) Suncoast Technical School.

Classes will be held on Wednesdays, beginning May 1 and end June 5^th, which makes a total of 6 classes. 

The address is:
Suncoast Technical College
4748 Beneva Road, Sarasota

Sessions are from 10:00 AM to Noon in Room 205 at the Vocational Building and are FREE thanks to an anonymous grant.
 
All students must register at the ACE office either by phone, e-mail, or in person. 
 
Contact the ACE office at 941-361-6590.
 

HLAA WEBINAR
 
Educational webinars are generally held on the third Wednesday of the month from 8 PM – 9 PM EST. From time to time we will also have product/service showcase webinars, which are sponsored presentations featuring a company’s product of service, similar to an “infomercial.” All webinars are recorded and captioned.

Check the latest schedule at: https://www.hearingloss.org/programs-events/webinars/schedule-recordings/.  
 
On April 17 at 8:00 PM, Bill Barkelely will talk about “Life Without Limits”. It’s not just a saying or part of a title; it is how Bill lives his life. Every year since 2007, Bill has undertaken a significant deaf-blind adventure to embrace and promote the No Barriers Life Elements. He has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, led deaf student expeditions to the Amazon, Grand Canyon and Machu Picchu, run two Boston Marathons, competed in the Adventure Team Challenge and has hiked the Camino de Santiago from France into Spain. His adventures have fueled his advocacy for those with hearing and vision loss around the world.

Bill graduated from the University of Southern California in 1984 with a B.S. in Business Administration. For 25 years, Bill served as Director of Sales and Marketing at Steelcase, Inc., a Fortune 500 company. Bill currently travels the world as an adventurer and storyteller to promote education and awareness around hearing and vision loss. He is on the executive committee of the Hearing Loss Association of America (Grand Rapids chapter), serves on the board of directors of No Barriers USA and is a community ambassador for Hear the World.

You can view this and past webinars at any time. Link to:
http://www.hearingloss.org/online-community/webinars/transcripts-replay-webinars.

HAPPY HOUR
 
OUR NEXT “HAPPY HOUR” WILL BE AT BRAVO
FRIDAY, MAY 17 FROM 6:00 – 8:00 PM
 
Bravo Coastal Bar & Kitchen
Westfield Sarasota Mall
3501 S. Tamiami Trail
Between Siesta Drive & Bee Ridge
 
After Hours will begin at 5:00 PM and Happy Hour will follow around 6:00/6:30 PM.
 
Come for the opportunity to hear a nationally respected ENT and author, Dr. Jack Wazen. Following Dr. Wazen’s presentation, stay for social networking with hear care professionals, HLAA Chapter leaders, members and supporting spouses, while enjoying happy hour drinks and Bravo’s great menu. We have our own private meeting room!

MEMBERSHIP AND RENEWAL NOTES

As an HLAA member, you are part of an organization with a mission to provide information, education, support and advocacy to people with hearing loss.

Through our advocacy work at the federal level, we represent 48 million people with hearing loss in the United States – that includes you.

Chapter Members, please note: 
 
HLAA sends only one notice for renewal and many members have unknowingly not renewed. 
 
Please check whether your membership is current by logging in at:https://17291.thankyou4caring.org.

If your membership has expired, please renew (or join) by linking to:http://www.hearingloss.org/content/join

If you prefer to mail or fax your membership form, please download the membership form [PDF] for your convenience
– OR –
bring a $35 check made out to HLAA to the meeting and President Anne Taylor or Membership Chair Richard Williams will handle it for you.
 

THANK YOU!

CURTAIN TIME THEATRE CLUB – PLAYERS

The 89th season of the Players Theatre has drawn to a close. Stay tuned to Listen!Up for the Summer Sizzler tickets to be offered in our May issue still in negotiation.

 
Proving that a great show is always in fashion, Love, Loss, and What I Wore has become an international hit. The show uses clothing and accessories and the memories they trigger to tell funny and often poignant stories that all women can relate to, creating one of the most enduring theater-going experiences.
 
With its irresistible blend of hip-swiveling hits, eye-popping fashions and outrageous dance moves, SHOUT! The MOD Musical takes audiences back to the music, style and freedom of the 1960s. With classic tunes such as “To Sir with Love,” “Downtown,” “Son of a Preacher Man” and “Goldfinger.”
 
Making us laugh for the last 50 years on TV, film, and stage, Oscar and Felix, The Odd Couple, are making their way to the Players stage. No other American playwright has made as many people laugh as Mr. Neil Simon. Considered to be his very best play, come see our salute to an absolute American treasure!
 
The Players, located at 838 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, offers 25 FREE tickets to us, as this is a perk of your membership. Members only for this freebie!
 
               Remember, only the first 11 rows at Players are looped! 
 

838 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

Copyright © www.HLAS.org
Our mailing address is:
HLAS
PO Box 48643
Sarasota, FL 34230

Listen Up HLAA-S monthly newsletter offers Education, Advocacy and Support for the 145,000 people with hearing loss in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. For more information visit www.HLAS.org or call 941-706-4312.
For comments or suggestions, contact editor Richard N. Williams at RNW1976@aol.com.

Opinions expressed in “Listen!Up” are those of the Editor or Author. Mention of goods and services in articles or advertisements does not mean the Hearing Loss Association of America or the Hearing Loss Association of America-Sarasota/Manatee Chapter endorses same nor should exclusion suggest disapproval.