As you can imagine I was very eager to attend the third International Induction Loop Conference organised by Hearing Link on 6 and 7 October 2013.
I did as much nosing about as I could and I did discover some facts that I could not have uncovered otherwise. One is that the Hearing Link system of volunteers is well organised and played a very positive part in the lives of Hearing Link members and prospective members.
These live all over the country and are the first point of contact between many hearing impaired people and organisations to assist them. I met many volunteers on 6 and 7 October.
Another very good feature of Hearing Link which I was able to appreciate more was their intensive rehabilitation and self management programmes. I met a few people whose lives had definitely been improved by these and that's very gratifying.
What I learned then was that it's not a good idea to get stuck behind a lot of hearing impaired people on their way to a buffet table. No doubt because of their hearing impairments they are not normally able to notice people trying to get by them. Similarly because of my sight problems I was reluctant to do anything that might be construed as barging. When volunteers or friendly fellow participants noticed that I was wasting away they came to help me. Otherwise, I fear that my bleached bones would only have been discovered midway through 2014.
I was very impressed by the clarity of speech from those who addressed the conference. I think that Hearing Link's CEO Lorraine Gaily set a very good example. There were two exceptions but I shan't make them blush by mentioning them by name. The problem with one of them was that he gabbled and the other spoke too near the microphone.
I have to say that the induction loop system for the plenary sessions and the workshops and the other sessions was exemplary. It is so wonderful to be at a function where people understand your hearing problems and cater for it.
One puzzle for me was the fact that the induction loop systems were bought in for the event and were not in situ. One would think that a premier conference venue in the town where Hearing Link was based would set a good example.
Incidentally, the weather for the whole weekend was glorious and I pay tribute to the organising ability of Hearing Link for arranging this although as a dutiful attender I wasn't much able to take advantage of it.