HAT in trial martial arts class?


Debra Pearson
 

I am taking a trial period to see if I want to join a martial arts class to learn self-defense. I have hearing aids with both blue tooth and tcoil. The dojo room makes voices sound hollow and it is sometimes hard to decode sounds into words. I am not yet real familiar with the class terminology so that makes fewer context clues. I thought of using a clip-on-microphone to pair with my phonak hearing aids as a HAT but the senseis' movements can be so very active and fast that I would think the mic would fall off or be accidentally knocked off, hitting someone in the process or get stepped on. Neither the local library nor my audiologist have clip on mics for loan. My audiologist will sell me one for $300.00 plus tax. My budget says that is too steep for a trial period. The senseis know I have some hearing loss and am a beginning student so they are patient with me. Does anybody have related experience and advise? - Debbie


Mary Jarrett
 

Every state has an AT (Assistive Technology) Act program. These programs loan out devices such as Roger mics for trial purposes exactly as you need one. In Florida its called FAAST and there are Regional Demo Centers around the state.

Also, Phonak also has its own mics which are much less than the Roger mics, as an option.


Mary Jarrett
 

Here is a link to find your local assistive technology loan program.

https://catada.info/state.html


D Brooks
 

Hi Debbie,

One idea that comes to mind that is cheap is to have a person that is standing by to repeat back to you via your mini mic what the Senseis says?  That's about the easiest solution I can think of where nothing will get damaged or dig into your pockets.  Or have the person giving the commands not be the person you are practicing with.  Ideally this person will be near by giving the commands and not placing the mini mic in any danger.

Another option that will cost some money is to lay a temporary room loop under the mat.  If the room already has a PA just tie the loop into that sound system and use the house portable mic.  If there is no PA system in the library or room you are in you will also need to spend more money on a Portable mic/transmitter and mix mixer.  You would be using your t-coil with this idea.

Last option I can think of that may be inexpensive is to use a bluetooth wireless 2 in 1 adapter by Aisidra.  Amazon has them for less than $40.  This would be an easy wireless solution especially if your mini mic happens to have a 3.5mm headphone jack like mine.  If so, what you do is buy two of these adapters and plug one in your mini mic in "receiving mode" and the other in a cheap wireless mic that has a 3.5mm output on it and put another adapter in that in "transmitter mode."  Pair the two adapters to each other prior to setting it up like I just said.  Doing this basically will make both devices bluetooth or "smart" and will communicate with each other.  (paired)  I added a link below so you can learn more about how it works. 

     
Best Always,
Dan

Daniel Brooks
HLAA New York State Association
Immediate Past President

"The mission of HLAA New York State Association is to make hearing loss a statewide concern, promoting self-help while addressing access, advocacy, and education."

HLAA Rochester Chapter 
Vice President

Healthy Living with Hearing Loss (HL2)
Co-Chair

Cell/text: 585-704-8191
HLAA NYSA Website: https://hearinglossnys.org/
HLAA Rochester Chapter Website: www.hearinglossrochester.org
HL2 Website: http://www.HL2.urmc.edu 



On Mon, Mar 7, 2022 at 3:55 PM Debra Pearson via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <pearsond12345=yahoo.com@...> wrote:

I am taking a trial period to see if I want to join a martial arts class to learn self-defense. I have hearing aids with both blue tooth and tcoil. The dojo room makes voices sound hollow and it is sometimes hard to decode sounds into words. I am not yet real familiar with the class terminology so that makes fewer context clues. I thought of using a clip-on-microphone to pair with my phonak hearing aids as a HAT but the senseis' movements can be so very active and fast that I would think the mic would fall off or be accidentally knocked off, hitting someone in the process or get stepped on. Neither the local library nor my audiologist have clip on mics for loan. My audiologist will sell me one for $300.00 plus tax. My budget says that is too steep for a trial period. The senseis know I have some hearing loss and am a beginning student so they are patient with me. Does anybody have related experience and advise? - Debbie


Louise Smith
 

Interesting.  Texas has NOTHING in the remote microphone category.
I cannot find ANYTHING with their search engine.

Louise Smith


On Mon, Mar 7, 2022 at 3:09 PM Mary Jarrett <mwjarrett@...> wrote:
Here is a link to find your local assistive technology loan program.

https://catada.info/state.html


Mary Jarrett
 

Try calling them. They may be willing to buy a Roger pen or lapel mic if you explain how many people with hearing loss would find trials of these devices would be helpful. since they provide AT for all types of disabilities, it can be difficult for their staff to know what each disability needs. Tell them Florida has the Roger Pen and it is in strong demand. (I’m on the Board of Directors).

On Mar 7, 2022, at 4:44 PM, Louise Smith <lsmith77025@...> wrote:

Interesting.  Texas has NOTHING in the remote microphone category.
I cannot find ANYTHING with their search engine.

Louise Smith


On Mon, Mar 7, 2022 at 3:09 PM Mary Jarrett <mwjarrett@...> wrote:
Here is a link to find your local assistive technology loan program.

https://catada.info/state.html



Mary Jarrett
(904) 635-6660 (call or text)




Carolyn McMahon
 

I noticed that the Texas ACT doesn’t really have too much equipment for people with hearing loss. I that it would be a great HLAA chapter advocacy project to contact the local ACT demonstration office and lobby for more useful assistive technology for people with hearing loss. What I would assume they usually do is buy technology that works for both Deaf and hard of hearing. We need to let them know that those groups are not the same group. 

Good luck, 




Louise Smith
 

GOOD LUCK!!  Would be a GREAT project if it could be accomplished.

Louise Smith


On Tue, Mar 8, 2022 at 2:48 PM Carolyn McMahon via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <ccolley2=yahoo.com@...> wrote:

I noticed that the Texas ACT doesn’t really have too much equipment for people with hearing loss. I that it would be a great HLAA chapter advocacy project to contact the local ACT demonstration office and lobby for more useful assistive technology for people with hearing loss. What I would assume they usually do is buy technology that works for both Deaf and hard of hearing. We need to let them know that those groups are not the same group. 

Good luck, 




Cheri Perazzoli WA
 


Hello Debbie and All,
What a great resource this group is! 

Wonderful ideas-

WATAP has the Washington state technology contract. https://watap.org/
Please check back for future updates and do not hesitate to contact us via 800-214-8731or watap@....

When I founded Loop Seattle, I saw they did not offer much in the way of hearing technology. I was told they do not receive many requests for hearing technology demonstrations. At my request, they upgraded their selection and included a few counter hearing loops. All this to say, I think it’s worth a call because they just might add Roger pens to the mix. 

Also, our local HSDC will set up a hearing loop for meetings. I’m not sure the martial arts class would qualify or that this type of loop would be appropriate for this setting. However, HSDC does offer other assistive technology and they might be willing to let you try a Roger pen. 
Also HSDC offers advocacy services and they may be willing to do a zoom call with you and your instructors. https://www.hsdc.org/

Cheri Perazzoli




On Mar 8, 2022, at 11:05 AM, Louise Smith via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <lsmith77025=gmail.com@...> wrote:


GOOD LUCK!!  Would be a GREAT project if it could be accomplished.

Louise Smith


On Tue, Mar 8, 2022 at 2:48 PM Carolyn McMahon via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <ccolley2=yahoo.com@...> wrote:
I noticed that the Texas ACT doesn’t really have too much equipment for people with hearing loss. I that it would be a great HLAA chapter advocacy project to contact the local ACT demonstration office and lobby for more useful assistive technology for people with hearing loss. What I would assume they usually do is buy technology that works for both Deaf and hard of hearing. We need to let them know that those groups are not the same group. 

Good luck, 




Carolyn M. - Texas
 

That is definitely doable. The equipment that they have for people with hearing loss seems to either be "old" technology (ie ubi-duo) or it is technology designed for situations that do not require the person to move around (ie.Pocket talker and Conversor Pro). The thing is that we (hard of hearing) people need to contact them (as Mary suggested) and point out what devices people with hearing loss can actually use in their daily life. Find out how they are funded and do not take No for an answer. 

Possible approach to getting new equipment for your local ACT demonstration Center. 

You may want to get a guest speaker come to speak to your group on grassroots organizing/lobbying. 
Make initial contact with the demonstration center in your area
Find out if they have funding and how they are funded and how they decide what equipment to purchase
Ask them to send you a list of all the equipment that would help people with hearing loss
Decide on two or three pieces of equipment you would suggest for purchase. 
Plan on follow up visits to see if they really followed through. If they don't, then find out who the next higher person is to contact OR contact your local legislative rep. (if necessary). 

I hope you are successful in getting what you need for your class. 

regards, 
Carolyn McMahon

"You may never know what results come of your actions, but if you do nothing, there will be no results."  
                                                                                                                               Mahatma Gandhi 







On Tue, Mar 8, 2022 at 1:05 PM Louise Smith <lsmith77025@...> wrote:
GOOD LUCK!!  Would be a GREAT project if it could be accomplished.

Louise Smith


On Tue, Mar 8, 2022 at 2:48 PM Carolyn McMahon via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <ccolley2=yahoo.com@...> wrote:
I noticed that the Texas ACT doesn’t really have too much equipment for people with hearing loss. I that it would be a great HLAA chapter advocacy project to contact the local ACT demonstration office and lobby for more useful assistive technology for people with hearing loss. What I would assume they usually do is buy technology that works for both Deaf and hard of hearing. We need to let them know that those groups are not the same group. 

Good luck, 




 

Thanks Mary for the suggestion. I just requested that our Lending Library purchase a Roger Pen, for the Washington State program...as they also do not offer the Roger Pen for lending...and I did mention that Florida State had one (smile). Thanks for the suggestion!

I had purchased one and agree with Dr. Cliff Olson, "Best Hearing Accessary Ever" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gogi4sqzThg&t=11s


Carolyn J. Odio
HLAA Washington
Resident Council Rep & 
Hearing Loss Group at www.panorama.org

(703) 725-8292 iPhone/Text 
Residence: 1835 Circle LN SE, Apt 425, Lacey, WA 98503
 

 

 


 


I did write and request a Roger Pen to be added to the Lending Library...and I included Dr. Cliff's video on the Roger Pen.
I got such a nice reply that I need to share it with you all!
Here is Vance's reply!

I will pass this info on to our lending libraries throughout the US.

 

Vance Dhooge

Senior Application Developer

Illinois Assistive Technology Program

1020 S. Spring St.

Springfield, IL 62704

217-522-7985

vdhooge@...

 
Carolyn J. Odio
HLAA Washington
Resident Council Rep & 
Hearing Loss Group at www.panorama.org

(703) 725-8292 iPhone/Text 
Residence: 1835 Circle LN SE, Apt 425, Lacey, WA 98503
 

 

 


Louise Smith
 

WOW!!  Hope that works!!

Louise Smith


On Wed, Mar 9, 2022 at 2:55 PM Carolyn Odio <carolyn@...> wrote:

I did write and request a Roger Pen to be added to the Lending Library...and I included Dr. Cliff's video on the Roger Pen.
I got such a nice reply that I need to share it with you all!
Here is Vance's reply!

I will pass this info on to our lending libraries throughout the US.

 

Vance Dhooge

Senior Application Developer

Illinois Assistive Technology Program

1020 S. Spring St.

Springfield, IL 62704

217-522-7985

vdhooge@...

 
Carolyn J. Odio
HLAA Washington
Resident Council Rep & 
Hearing Loss Group at www.panorama.org

(703) 725-8292 iPhone/Text 
Residence: 1835 Circle LN SE, Apt 425, Lacey, WA 98503