Executive Director's Report

Norah-Lynn McIntyre

Music to My Ears
Music to My Ears was a fitting theme for the 2009 Conference. We have cause for
celebration! First and foremost we can celebrate the fact that for the first time in
history, Deaf children born with severe and profound hearing losses are appreciating
listening to and playing music as a result of the tremendous advancements in hearing
technology.

Musician Richard Reed, the VOICE Conference 2009 keynote speaker literally set the tone for what many have described as a “fantastic” overall conference. Richard’s presentation was both entertaining and informative, as he described through his keyboarding skills, the affect of having lost and regained his ability to appreciate music with the benefit of cochlear implant technology following his sudden loss of hearing in adulthood.

Thank you to all of the wonderful speakers, generous sponsors and engaged exhibitors and to the tremendous VOICE volunteers and staff who supported this year’s conference. We know from the feedback from many of the over 250 conference delegates that your efforts were truly appreciated. Thanks also to the Ontario Barber-shoppers for their engaging lunchtime entertainment and for the support by the Harmonize for Speech Foundation of the VOICE Teen Leadership Workshop. This year’s Teen Workshop surpassed our expectations with over 20 participants! Save the date May 8 for VOICE Conference 2010.

An increased demand for the Auditory-Verbal option due to the provincial infant hearing program and cochlear implants and a shortage of professionals who are qualified in delivering the Auditory-Verbal option to children with hearing losses has resulted in a demand for professional training. VOICE is delighted with the increased support of the VOICE Mentorship Program through a training and mentorship grant from the Ontario Ministry of Education – learn more about this “music to our ears” in a feature article by VOICE’s Director of Therapy and Training Programs, Anita Bernstein. Anita was honoured at this year’s pre-conference reception in recognition of her 15 years of service with VOICE for Hearing Impaired Children. I know her colleagues and the families of VOICE join with me in thanking Anita for her long-time professional
dedication as a Certified Auditory-Verbal Therapist.

The 2009/10 year will feature a number of “musical” awareness raising events. Among them is the Cocktail Music Soiree held during May Speech and Hearing Month. Thank you to all the planning committee members and participants who contributed to its overwhelming success!
(See our photos found on pages 24 and 25 of this issue!)

A life without music is hard to fathom. How grateful we are that today, children born with hearing loss, can hear the music too. I invite
you to celebrate with us this year. Your participation by attending our events, contributing through volunteerism or through your generous financial giving will help VOICE assure that children with hearing loss can hear the music for life!