HOHAudiologists : Message: Re: [HOHAudiologists] Re: AudiologyNOW 2008 proposal (and letter)

Brad,

I do see it from your point of view, and I do not think you are being negative about the situation. But merely pointing out the reality of the situation. I agree with your comments.

But yes, I am suggesting that the major manufacturers get on board. I see it from a marketing perspective - it's about the customer, and end user. With the increase of technology and services available now days to individuals with a hearing loss, they are going to see more and more audiologists with a hearing loss enter the profession. It is becoming increasing prevalent. If they fail to accommodate these audiologists, then they are failing to make two sets of clients happy - 1) their dispensers, and 2) the customer. If they are failing to make these sets of customers happy, then it impacts the numbers.

By failing to properly recognize and accommodate this group of individuals is going to create a gap in the market in a couple years down the line. It is my personal opinion that they need to strategically consider this for the future.

Furthermore, we can attribute the benefits of HAT and CART to even those who do not have a hearing loss. In reality, everyone benefits from improved listening accommodations; and with CART, copies of the speeches can be accessed via website, or offered at a charge for those in the profession who could not attend the session/conference but would like to gained the knowledge from the session.

Just my two cents!

Jayna

----- Original Message ----
From: "Brad Ingrao, AuD" <bingrao@...>
To: HOHAudiologists@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2007 8:50:11 AM
Subject: RE: [HOHAudiologists] Re: AudiologyNOW 2008 proposal (and letter)

Jayna,

I hate to be so negative, but AAA has been aware of this for many years. Also, I really don't see the manufacturers stepping up to the plate on this one. They are at that convention to sell their primary products: hearing aids and CI's. They do offer HAT compatibility (some, not all), but rarely, in my experience, actively promote it. Most Open and RITE products, which are the current flagships of almost everybody there, don't have any way to couple to HAT even if the manufacturer thought it was a good idea.

Think of it from their perspective: ABC hearing aid company is debuting their Zippity Doo Dah hearing aid with a bajillion channels of independent compression and super-dee-duper finest scale noise reduction and "Sniper Scope" directional microphones. Are you suggesting that they get on the band wagon with a bunch of HoH audiologists and students who, even with their top of the line "100th generation" digital products can't hear the lecture given by their own research audiologists and DSP designers?

With the exception of companies that have a specific interest in selling HAT, I really have not seen any manufacturers actively endorsing its use, in fact, quite the contrary. Look at all the claims of directional microphones and noise reduction that can only be valid in a room with a worst, a S/N of +/-0. How many manufacturers are actively promoting comprehensive speech in noise testing?

OK crawling back into my Curmudgeon Cave now...

Brad Ingrao, AuD

Owner

e-audiology. net

"Audiology for the 21st Century"

bingrao@e-audiology .net

From: HOHAudiologists@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:HOHAudiolog ists@yahoogroups .com] On Behalf Of Jayna Altman
Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2007 9:25 AM
To: HOHAudiologists@ yahoogroups. com
Subject: Re: [HOHAudiologists] Re: AudiologyNOW 2008 proposal (and letter)

Hi Suzanne, Brad, and Sam:

I can't directly comment on the accommodations last year since I was not involved, nor did I attend. However, I will be present this year.

Therefore, once you have your letter drafted, please let me know as I have connections to all of the organizations that Sam has listed. Additionally, I have served on the board of trustees for some of these organizations.

Furthermore, we should ask for support from the major hearing aid/cochlear implant companies. They have consumer advocacy, which we would fall under as well.

I don't agree with getting the media involved. It can create a negative impact to what we are trying to accomplish, which is increased communication and better accessibility for the hearing impaired at this convention.

To me, the key is creating a unified front sending a clear message - better accommodations. We are advocating for ourselves, and we are also advocating for our patients.

Out of curiosity, who is involved on the convention board at AAA? Does anyone know?

Jayna

----- Original Message ----
From: satchers <Samuel.Atcherson@ usd.edu>
To: HOHAudiologists@ yahoogroups. com
Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2007 9:54:08 PM
Subject: [HOHAudiologists] Re: AudiologyNOW 2008 proposal (and letter)

Hi Suzanne and Brad,

Which two list members are meeting with AAA this Fall? This comes as
new information to me, and it would be nice to have a group discussion
beforehand about what we want AAA to know.

As for the letter, the changing convention board has been part of the
problem and I agree. And I also agree that we need more teeth by
getting other professional groups involved and the public media. I can
think of a few professional organizations, but why don't you guys
start sending some names we can get involved. I'm thinking HLAA,
AGBell, NAD, AMPHL... audiology-related organizations too?

And for the discussion group??? Any takers?

Sam

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