UTAH STATE OFFICE OF REHABILITATION Russell J. Thelm Executive Director Marilyn Call, Division Director ROBERT G. SANDERSON COMMUNITY CENTER OF THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING 5709 South 1500 West Taylorsville, UT 84123-5217 Phone: Fax: 801.263.4860 (Voice) 801.657.5200 (Videophone) 801.263.4862 (TTY) 1.800.860.4860 (Voice/TTY) 801.263.4865 Marriott-Slaterville Senior Center ATTN: Senior Center Director 1570 West 400 North Slaterville UT 84404 Dear Senior Center Director: The attached flyer is to invite you to our Loop Utah workshop on May 3 rd Our main speaker, Dr. Juliette Sterkens has over 30 years' experience as an audiologist. She is currently on sabbatical from her position as owner and managing partner of Fox Valley Hearing Center in Wisconsin to take on the role of Hearing Loop Advocate for the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA). Dr. Sterkens' advocacy efforts have resulted in the installation of more than 200 hearing loop systems across the U. S. She has been the recipient of many awards recognizing her contributions to the field of audiology. Last year, I attended a conference where Juliette spoke about Loop technology. When I first entered the dark room, I was ushered to sit specific chair. As I sat down, I saw a sign indicating "Hearing Loop available, switch hearing aid to T-coil." Before turning on my telecoil, I was not able to hear or understand anything Juliette was saying. I was astounded! Then like magic, after turning on my telecoil, I was able to hear and UNDERSTAND every word she said! I even noticed Juliette's Dutch accent. The room I was in has been looped with a wire that sent the signal directly to my hearing aid and cochlear implant. I was in tears because I was so happy. As I've worn hearing aids all of my life, I was never able to understand people very well and hated assistive listening devices. This new technology has changed my life! Just imagine how much better the life of a hard of hearing person could be if this technology was more readily available! As Dr. Juliette Sterkens stated so eloquently, "the better you hear the speech sounds the less hard your brain has to work on just plain listening and you can devote your brain power to understand and process the sound. You won't get confused by sounds being loud enough with sounds being clearer," I hope to see you there! It will be well worth it! Please pass this on to your seniors who have hearing aids. They will benefit to hear better. Sincerely, Robin Traveller Hard of Hearing Specialist/Supervisor rtraveller@utah. gov 250 East 500 South P.O. Box 144200 Salt Lake City, UT84114-4200 Voice: (801) 538-7500 Fax: (801) 538-7769 Martell Menlove. Ph.D., State Superintendent of Public Instruction