Mr. Curtis
Dickinson:
Recipient of Better Hearing and Speech Month
award: "Outstanding and Dedicated Services to Individuals with Communication
Disorders".
Shortly after Curtis was born his
ears became infected. This led to three mastoid operatins that left him with a
bi-lateral conductive hearing loss in the 60 - 90 dB range across the audiogram. He
was given lip-reading classes while in public school. Between lip-reading
and two power BTE hearing aids he manages pretty well provided the environment
is relatively quiet. He is a strong advocate of telecoils in hearing aids used
in conjunction with Assistive Listening Devices. He is a strong advocate
for the option of purchasing Over-the-Counter hearing aids and
self-programming them. Too many people are without hearing aids because of the
current dispensing protocol for hearing aids. (If you would like to get involved
promoting OTC hearing aids, Email Warren Hanna at wthanna@aol.com)
Curtis uses Assistive Listening Devices
on a daily basis. To list some; an amplified cordless phone, a doorbell that
flashes lamps throughout the house plus shakes the bed. A telephone ring alert
that flashes lamps throughout the house and shakes the bed. A wake-up alarm that
flashes lights throughout the house and shakes the bed. A LOOP system to hear
the TV at normal volume. For public use he may bring along a portable FM system (CONVERSOR), or a portable
amplifier . Either
of these two systems are connected to his hearing aids via telecoil either
through built-in telecoil headsets or a silhouette-style telecoil
inductor.
Some accomplishments:
- He started the central Massachusetts Hard
of Hearing Support Group--Now defunct through burn-out
- Began and ended the Hard of Hearing
Digest--a newsletter with over 100 local subscribers.
- Is an Advocate for Hard of Hearing
issues.
- Founder of The Hearing Loss Help Co.
a company specializing in Assistive Listening Devices.
- Strong supporter of and contributer to:
www.HOHAdvocates.org. (Check out their Bulletin Board)
Curtis wishes to express
a sincere and grateful Thank You to the following who believed in him enough to
keep encouraging him even when harsh truth was neccessary. To them I owe who I am
today:
- Warren Hanna--Director of Hard of Hearing
Advocates
- Ron Ordway--Silver-haired
Legislators
- Gene Karels- printer and member of the
SayWhatClub
- Bob Elkins--Co-founder of the
SayWhatClub
- Susan D--a sweet and dear friend for life
I would be remiss not to mention Larry
Siverston who always knew a good thing when he saw it. Check out his wonderful
website at www.hearinglossweb.com |