Seminars

The USAWest Square Dance Conventions include a program of educational seminars as well as a full dance program. This page describes a few of the seminars that will be provided.

Hearing Enhancement Seminar

Over half of people greater than age 50 have a hearing loss significant enough to impact their understanding of speech, especially in a background of noise.  The average age of square and round dancers is increasing. Thus, the percentage of hearing impaired dancers is increasing! Background noise occurs at all dances, and may range from slight to extreme.  Noises such as heater or air conditioner fans, shuffling of feet on the floor, etc. all contribute to background noise.  If there is also conversation occurring on the sidelines, the background noise is increased.  Many halls have poor acoustics.  Dancers receive only auditory input of the call or cue.  There is no visual input to contribute to the dancers' ability to understand the command.  Rarely are the dancers in position to read the lips of the caller or cuer! Hearing aids are not always the answer.  Hearing aids increase all sounds, not specifically the sound that the dancer wishes to hear.  Hearing enhancement devices are designed to increase the dancers' ability to hear and understand the caller or cuer.  A dancer wears a wireless receiver that picks up the sound from a transmitter plugged into the amplifier.  Hearing enhancement units allow the dancer to hear "directly from the P.A.", without the sound passing through the air of the room.  This significantly reduces background noise, reverberation of the sound, etc., and provides the dancer with an increased ability to hear and understand the command.

To learn more about hearing enhancement you are invited to attend a seminar by Susan Healea on Friday and Saturday during the 9th USA West Square Dance Convention in Pendleton, Oregon.  Susan is an Audiologist. Audiologists specialize in the diagnosis and rehabilitation of hearing loss.  Susan has been involved in square and round dancing throughout her life.  She started round dance cueing in 1986, and is widely known for her round dance choreography.  Susan has written several articles regarding the use of hearing enhancement in dancing.  She has also made several previous presentations on the topic, including at the Washington State Leadership Seminar and ROUNDALAB.  To contact Susan Healea directly, SusanHealea@hotmail.com.