Reporter: Vicky Pitt
Following the singing of O Canada, Jimmy “Appleseed” Force
sang Grace “Oh the earth is good to me…”
Tav introduced the guests:
- Jacquie Bird, the Sergeant at Arms from the Penticton Club.
- Marcus Ludwig, a guest of Don O’Coffey
- Sandy Currie, whose host did not sign them in (tsk tsk)
- Erin Wright, our speaker.
- Michelle LeSage, who Tav forgot to introduce, but when that was pointed out, he welcomed her warmly as well.
Announcements:
Barrie Mutter told us that he has three member referrals and that
he is looking for three more ... so ... “Who do you know who might wish to join our
club?” Several members helped him meet
his request.
Perry updated us on the Car Raffle. A total of
$7,000 in tickets were sold the day of the draw (at the Oak Bay Car Show). $77,000 in tickets were sold in
total for a net gain of approximately $50,000. As our club members did 12.5% of the shifts, our club
should make something around $4,000 to $4,500. Perry thanked everyone who helped out, and especially acknowledged Lynn
who did 8 shifts and Wendy who did 7.
The car was won by Christina Martinez and the cruise by Eileen
Beddlington, both of whom purchased their tickets in May, so it pays to be
early! Peter commented that as we had hoped to raise about $3,000 -
$3,500, we have done really well.
Jim reminded everyone of the Flag Committee meeting
immediately following the club meeting.
There are about 10 flags available for the September weekend at a cost of $20
for the one weekend. Renewals for next
year are $50 and can be purchased now - contact Jim.
Jacquie Bird presented us with a banner from her club and
complimented us on our method of banner display. Unfortunately our club banners have yet to surface since the move, so we
will owe her one.
President Peter reminded everyone that Heather has Thrifty Smile Cards if anyone needs a new one. This year the money raised will go to Macaulay
School.
Lesley has started the countdown – it is 118 days - to
Merrython. Watch for more info about the event as it gets closer!
John Jordan will be having a plant sale in support of the
Rwanda project on August 24th and 25th. Watch for more details next week.
Eugen jumped the cue for the Sgt. to brag about his wife’s
glowing reviews for “My Fair Lady” (that was $1) before leaving early (another
$2) for a meeting of the Blue Bridge.
Brian levied fines for those sitting at a table with no
guest, as well as early leavers, and Cory, Giles, Mary, Mark, John E, Neil M, and Bob S - all
for not signing in and making Lynn’s job of tracking attendance harder. Lorna was fined a dollar for staying at home and leaving all the travel agents
wondering where their profits have gone.
Tav was fined, as Jim Laing’s
sponsor, for not educating Jim as to proper decorum in the club leading to Jim’s
disclosures last April regarding his “arousal” which Brian maintained is not a
topic of public Rotarian discussion. Brian then fined everyone else for not
following Jim’s groundbreaking lead.
Around town:
Pablo’s and Peter’s tables were fined for not knowing what
event was coming to the Saanich Fairgrounds on Aug 17/18, but Lorna knew and
saved her table from a fine - it’s the RCMP Musical Ride. Mark’s table did know that the Dragon boats will be in the
harbour - running away from the RCMP, according to Mark.
Birthdays this week – Cory, John E, and Don O’Coffey – Cory
would not embarrass us by telling us his age but he threw $40 in the pot.
Wedding anniversaries – Len and Dallas (Is that why they are
away on a cruise?)
Club anniversaries – Lynn (13 years) and Don O’Coffey (12
years)
Brian threw in a happy dollar for overhearing a couple of people talking about the water park and correctly working out that it is a (our) Rotary project.
Lynn was happy to announce that Ola (who was an exchange
student of our club) is expecting her first child on November 1st
and also that Lynn’s nephew is travelling to Bogata. Batya was happy to be at the meeting. Anne was happy that Greg would be home today from the Arctic
after 6 weeks and noted Vicky’s husband would be back the same day (Brian asked
if Vicky was not happy too but she was too busy taking the notes for this
bulletin to say anything. (Yes, she is - Ed.)Lorna won the draw but pulled a black marble.
Lori, after getting the rowdier members of the club to hush up, introduced our speaker, Dr Erin Wright, an Audiologist who has recently opened a new location in Oak Bay. Erin began by asking if we could hear her!
Her talk was about new developments in hearing aids. First she explained that many clinics have been bought out by various
manufacturers (who have also been buying out other manufacturers) and that it
is a good idea to deal with an audiologist who is independent. Each company has its strengths and weaknesses
and the manufacturer who owns a particular clinic may emphasize its hearing
aids in preference to the aids of a different manufacturer, whose product may be
a better fit for a particular patient. Being able to select the right hearing aid from across all the companies
is what attracted her into independent
practice.
The changes/developments in hearing aids include:
1)
Disposability – there is a small comfortable aid
that fits 4 mm from the ear drum. It will last for about 4 months but then
requires changing. These are purchased by subscription and are about 4 times
more expensive than conventional aids but they work well for someone who has
difficulty with putting their aids in.
2)
Bi-aural synchronization. This means the aids in
each ear are synced to work together, which is more natural/comfortable than
having them working independently and can help with recognizing the location of
a sound (birdsong for example).
3)
Waterproof aids. These are good for people engaged in water
sports and for children.
4)
Stereo zoom. This has to do with how the 2 or
more microphones in the aid work and helps with directional focus in noisy
areas.
5)
Duo phone. The sound from a telephone is
transmitted to both ears.
6)
Bling – colours or rhinestones.
7)
Personalization. This refers to tweaking the aid to reflect the
particular experience and requirements of the patient, as two people with the
same hearing loss may experience the loss differently. For example, an adjustment can be done
specifically for soft high-frequency sounds.
8)
Rechargeable – this is a new technology that has a way
to go yet because the recharged batteries will lose strength during the day, especially with the higher performing aids which require more power. [Battery
life/power is a major limiting factor on the development of hearing aids at
this point.]
9)
Frequency transposition. If you cannot hear high
sounds, the hearing aid shifts the sounds to a lower frequency where you can
hear them better.
10) Tinnitus
masking. This is a way of allowing ringing in the ears to be less noticeable to your
brain. Erin is taking part in a Beta trial of an aid dealing with this. If you know
someone with severe tinnitus who would be interested in being in the trial, have
them contact her ASAP.
11) Remote
control – you can even use an IPhone to turn the aid up or down.
12) Connectivity
– to cell phone, land line, music, computer
directly.
13) Remote
microphones – sends the sound directly to the hearing aid via Bluetooth - you
can use this for listening to CBC if you direct stream the station from your
computer.
Different options come from
different manufacturers, and different activities require different
features. Erin recommends dealing with
an independent audiologist and that you make sure he or she understands what
sorts of activities you are involved with so that she/he can recommend the best
aid for your situation. And yes, with the advent of music directly to the ear, hearing loss is more
noticeable among the young now. Here's a short ABC News clip on earbuds and hearing loss.
Lorna thanked Erin for her highly informative talk and commented on watching many elderly ladies struggle with their hearing aids. Lorna loved the idea of aids with bling and was glad that so many options were now involved, that Apple would get a piece of the pie, and that Erin was there to help people manage the maze of options and devices now available.
Tom then played, and we sang, and
the meeting was done for another week.
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