Musical Memory I first noticed it last summer at the ballpark during the National Anthem.  The crowd stands; I put hand on heart and look to read their lips and sing along. I stammer, then draw a blank. How does it go? I know every word, of course; but I can’t sing it. I forget the melody—jeez, even to The Star Spangled Banner! . It was a cruel realization—my memory of musical melodies was fading away.  Two years ago, I was stricken deaf at the age of 48 and external song was suddenly denied.  Then, as weeks of silence became months, I began to forget the sound of sound.  Within a year, I could rarely play a tune in my head anymore. Sadly, all music—external and internal—were effectively gone. 

I gave this presentation on Tuesday April 10, 2012 @ 7pm at the Clarke School for Hearing and Speech in Bryn Mawr, PA.  This lecture was sponsored by the Gen X of Delaware Valley, Montgomery County Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America. The group kindly asked me for copies of the slides, which I am happy to share with the world below.  You can download the presentation from SlideShare. 

Lifelines Lifelines for People with Hearing Loss is a worthy read in the New York Times which did well to raise awareness about the extraordinary challenges faced by millions of people who are hard of hearing.  It parlayed to new medical evidence correlating progressive hearing loss and dementia; and it theorized that those who suffer gradual auditory decline may have diminished "cognitive reserve" due to "overworked brains" as they struggle to accommodate. . I was fascinated. I could relate, for example, how my mind goes into overdrive attempting to interpret visual cues all day. This new way of “listening” to you takes considerable mental effort to ascertain even a fraction of your abundant vocal eloquence now denied.

Last week was a great one for presentations, including a terrific stint with fellow Alumni at Cabrini College.  The topic was Perseverance and Jobs: Job Success in Any Economy.  I was kindly invited by Rachel McCarter,  Director of Alumni Relations, to meet and greet with fellow Cabrini graduates from all walks.  The occasion was the first in a Cavaliers in Transition ("C.I.T.")  series, a networking and career building program for Alumni who are in all stages of their careers. Joining the esteemed group were Cabrini's best-of-best Career-guiders, Nancy Hutchison, Director, Cooperative Education and Career Services, and, Samantha Gil, Assistant Director, Cooperative Education & Career Services-- whew!  That's a lot of alumni and career expertise in one small room!

New inspirational blog by deaf  author 'resonates'   Lansdale, Pennsylvania - Brian Patrick Jensen is a Montgomery County, Pennsylvania resident, proud Father of two teenage daughters and a successful business executive. “I have been blessed in every way.” Jensen observes with smile.  “Sure I had some auditory loss for a few years, but with hearing aids I was fine.” That all changed in June 2010, when Jensen, who is now 50, suffered sudden dramatic hearing loss that left him profoundly and permanently deaf.  “It was cold, dark, silence.” Jensen stoically recalls.  His steely choice of words gives pause.