With a record number of firsts, this 4th Conference of the Coalition for Global Hearing Health Conference at Vanderbilt University – Bill Wilkerson Center in Nashville, Tennessee was considered a resounding international success amongst the attendees. As in past conferences, multiple disciplines (this year representing 15 countries) around the globe conferred for two days (3 – 4 May) about global hearing health care concerns provided in lower-resourced regions.
The international attendees at the historic Travellers Rest
This year’s “FIRSTS” included: offering individual and organizational annual membership to the Coalition for Global Hearing Health; awarding a travel scholarship to an attendee; awarding 12 portable audiometers to humanitarian projects; and providing a poster session/reception during the conference. Once memberships were offered, 68 attendees made history as the first individual members of the coalition. Annual membership is now open for individuals at $25, and organizational memberships are set for $100 (for organizations with organizational and fiscal offices based in Hinari A and B Category countries) and $250 for organizations in the remaining countries.
Portable audiometers presented to some of the recipients (from L to R): Jack Scott, Michael Herren, Karin Joubert, Sara Mamo, Donna Carkette by Jackie Clark and Jim Saunders (Conference Organizers).Portable audiometers presented to some of the recipients (from L to R): Jack Scott, Michael Herren, Karin Joubert, Sara Mamo, Donna Carkette by Jackie Clark and Jim Saunders (Conference Organizers).
The first recipient of the Coalition for Global Hearing Health (CGHH) Travel Scholarship, Mr. Ned Carter of All Ears Cambodia based in Phnam Penh, attended the conference due to a generous donation by Bob and Jean Johnson. “I wouldn’t have been able to attend the conference if it weren’t for this travel scholarship, and I am most grateful”, Mr. Carter shared.
Another “first” of awarding portable audiometers to humanitarian programs was due to the generous donation of portable battery powered audiometers by Purdue Pharmaceuticals. Each humanitarian awardee completed an application found on the CGHH website. Those 12 recipients who received the portable audiometers during the conference include:
“Each of these recipients are actively engaged in humanitarian hearing health works serving the low resourced regions both abroad and within the United States”, said Dr. Karl White (one of the CGHH Board of Directors).
Yet another “first” of offering poster session/reception came about because of an abundance of quality submissions received during the Call for Papers. International representatives presented on topics either orally or through posters focused on: advocacy and media; impacting education and training in underserved regions; empowering families and communities; harnessing technology; and ensuring best practices. In fact, “. . . a listing of the presenters/attendees would look like a Who’s Who of the most notable and well respected Philanthropic Organizations, Academic Institutions, and Industry Owners/Representatives. Attendees come from a variety of interests, such as otolaryngologists, audiologists, deaf educators, speech pathologist, policy makers, philanthropic leaders, deaf and hard of hearing individuals and families seeking to work together” observed Drs. Jackie Clark and Jim Saunders, Co-organizers of the Conference.
Poster presentation session
Amongst the many highlights, this year’s conference keynote speech at the historical Travellers Rest Plantation, was made by Lady Jean Wilson, OBE, FRCOphth (Hon). Lady Jean Wilson founded and established the Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind with her husband, Sir John Wilson, and is currently the Chair of the Hearing Conservation Council; President of the UK Impact Foundation, and Vice President of Sightsavers International. “Her talk was inspiring when you look at all that she was accomplished”, said Joanne Travers (CGHH Board Member).
Past conferences have been hosted by the following world recognized facilities: EduPlex, South Africa (2012); House Ear Institute, Los Angeles (2011); American Academy of Otolaryngology, Washington D.C. (2010). Conference co-organizers, James E. Saunders, MD, (of Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical) and Jackie L. Clark, PhD (of University of Texas at Dallas) have long established roots on the International arenas as Humanitarian Committee Chairs within their professional organizations (American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head Neck Surgery Foundation and the International Society of Audiology, respectively. The Mission Statement of the CGHH proposes to “Promote and Enhance Hearing Health Services in Low-Resourced Communities”, with the stated purpose “To advocate for hearing health services and policies, to equip and empower hearing healthcare professionals, families, educators, communities and the hearing impaired, and to encourage and perpetuate best practices, especially with each annual conference.
Next year’s conference will be held at St. Catherine’s College, Oxford in the United Kingdom on July 25 – 26, 2014. For more details about the upcoming or past conferences, join us at the Coalition for Global Hearing Health website: https://coalitionforglobalhearinghealth.org/
