HLAA-WA E-News, May 23, 2023

Washington State Hearing Loss News


a smiling woman with white hair and glasses poses with a river and a bridge in the backgrouond

Live Out Loud with Your Hearing Loss

In honor of Better Hearing & Speech Month, be a hearing ambassador. Whenever you say “I have a hearing loss” or “I need help hearing,” you’re helping not only yourself but others, too. And the best part is that all you have to do is talk. Find out more about becoming a hearing ambassador on our website.

Another action you can take: Share Governor Inslee’s proclamation for Better Hearing Month with your local city or county council, library, community center, or place of worship. Ask that they share the proclamation with their networks and take action to make their programs and services hearing-friendly. 


Slaying the Dragon at the Doctor’s Office

A lack of access in healthcare settings is one of the most upsetting—and all-too-common—experiences for people with hearing loss.

On our blog this week, Becky Montgomery shares her recent experience and offers some tips on how to make your next doctor visit easier. And you don’t have to break out into a Beyonce-inspired dance to get the receptionist’s attention.

photo of a woman checking in a doctor's office. the universal symbol for hearing access--a blue ear with a line--is in the corner

photo of a man and a woman sitting behind a table at a fair

We’re Connecting with the Community This Month in Federal Way

One way we fulfill our mission is by connecting and serving people with hearing loss out in the community. Thank you to these HLAA-WA leaders: Treasurer Rick Faunt, Board Member Sandra Bunning, Secretary Glenda Philio, and member Bev Ziarko for taking time to meet with interested seniors at the Federal Way Health and Senior Services Expo.

If you’re interested in us being part of your event, meeting, or conference—or you’d like to do outreach yourself—let us know: info@hearingloss-wa.org.


Reminder: Deaf & Hard of Hearing Expo in Washington State on June 1, 2023

Learn about resources, assistance, and services for Deaf and hard-of-hearing people at the Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing’s Expo on June 1, 2023, from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm at the Lacey Community Center, 6729 Pacific Avenue E, Lacey, Washington. Stop by and see us—we’ll be there.

Visit the ODHH website calendar for more information on this Expo and for other upcoming events that people who are hard-of-hearing or Deaf might be interested in.

a sign that says EXPO in rainbow colors with a glass building behind it

Next HOPE Meeting: Wednesday, June 7, 2023: A New Format To Better Serve You

To better serve our HOPE community, we’ll launch our new format at our June HOPE meeting.

With the goal of reaching everyone, we will be focusing more time on exchanging ideas. After creating an agenda at the top of the call, we will
address each question or concern before moving to the next topic. Our facilitators will ensure everyone has a chance to share and has a chance to talk and get support. We learn from each other’s experiences, and this new format will allow us to create a better flow of information and to spend more time talking about what’s most important.

Join us at our next HOPE meeting and let us know how the new format works for you.

Hearing Other People’s Experiences (HOPE) meetings are a safe, welcoming space where you can ask questions from your peers about anything and everything hearing loss and hearing tech.

Facilitated by a caring, compassionate HOPE Crew, these monthly virtual meetings are free, live-captioned, and open to everyone with hearing loss and to their friends and family. You’re welcome to relax, listen, and simply spend time with people who understand what it’s like to live with hearing loss.


woman with long blond hair is presenting to a group. group is blurred and we see her from the back

Final Reminder: Hearing-Accessible History Talks in Seattle This Spring and Summer

The Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) in Seattle is continuing its terrific series of hearing-friendly, in-person history talks.

Programs with both CART captioning and ASL Interpretation:  

History Café: A Decade of Gender Justice on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at 6:30pm.

Reflections on Art Practices in Seattle: 25 Years of the Neddy Artist Award on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at 7:00pm.

You can also visit our events webpage for more hearing-friendly entertainment ideas in the Seattle area.


Meeting with ODHH’s Earnest Covington III Is CANCELED

Due to budget limitations, the ODHH community meeting in Tacoma on June 10, 2023, has been canceled. Leaders at ODHH tell us they’re exploring options and hope to have an update in the fall. We look forward to seeing Earnest and the ODHH crew in the future.

National Hearing Loss News

color photo of a woman in a yellow raincoat walking down a path surrounded by fall trees. leaves are falling and she lifts up her arm toward the sun-filled sky

Rediscovering Lost Sounds with Help from Your Hearing Aids

Which lost sounds did you miss when you lost your hearing but were pleased to reclaim when you got your hearing aids?

The inimitable Gael Hannan shares the sounds she found again after receiving her cochlear implant: a clock ticking, rain on the roof, and leaves falling on pavement.


Dialogue Improvement Now Available in Amazon Prime Video

Hearing dialogue on your television, even with tech help, can be hard. But on Amazon Prime, you can now try their new dialogue boost, which “lets you increase the volume of dialogue relative to background music and effects.”

As always, tell us know how it works for you in the comments below.

high-tech television stacked upon one another in a dark room

color photo of a woman with white hair and bright blue eyes that match her bright blue top. an audiologist stands behind her placing headphones on her ears

Hearing Aids vs. Meaningful Hearing Care

Hearing aids can transform your life. But sometimes, you need tech help, support, and education to get the most out even the very best hearing aids.

Hearing loss advocate Stephen O. Frazier explains the difference between hearing aids and hearing care in this excellent article.


Meet Us in New Orleans at the Convention

Have you registered for the 2023 HLAA convention? Here’s what you’ll find….

  • A research symposium, “Joy of Music/Loving Your Ears”
  • A keynote from Dr. K. Renee Horton, NASA engineer
  • A Welcome Back Bash at the historic Presbytere
  • Educational workshops on OTC hearing aids, workplace accommodations, wireless resources, loop advocate tools, and more
  • An awards reception featuring several HLAA-WA award winners
  • More!

We’re Here for You

Thank you for your interest in HLAA-Washington State and in all things hearing health related. As always, let us know how we can help you: info@hearingloss-wa.org.

HLAA-WA does not endorse any technology, nor does exclusion suggest disapproval. We support the full spectrum of hearing technologies for everyone. As an all-volunteer run organization, 100% of every dollar donated is directed to our programs. HLAA-WA is an IRS non-profit 501(c)(3) organization; all donations are tax-deductible as allowed by relevant IRS code.


HLAA-WA Leaders Connect at the

Federal Way Health and Senior Services Expo

As part of our outreach, we visit health fairs, senior centers, and other places where people would benefit from learning about technologies to help hearing loss, find support for their hearing loss, and connect with people who are experiencing the same challenges.

This May, we connected with folks at the Federal Way Health and Senior Services Expo.

Thank you to HLAA-WA Treasurer Rick Faunt, HLAA-WA Board Member Sandra Bunning, HLAA-WA Secretary Glenda Philio, and HLAA -WA Member Bev Ziarko for taking time to meet with interested seniors.

We’re here for you. As always, please contact us if we can be part of your event, meeting, or fair: info@hearingloss-wa.org.

  • Color photo of a a man and woman sitting behind a table at a health fair.
  • Color photo of a a man and woman sitting behind a table at a health fair.

Slaying the Dragon at the Doctor’s Office

By Becky Montgomery

Hi all!

At the beginning of May, I Zoomed in to an HLAA-WA HOPE meeting.

I could rave on and on about how great these meetings are. This particular meeting, which focused on people’s experiences with getting medical care while dealing with a hearing loss, hit home for me. Normally, I’m pretty good with self-advocacy, but the doctor’s office turns me into quivering jelly.

A personal story

Last week, I went to see my doctor.

I approached the reception area where three people sat behind a tall counter, guarded by a plastic COVID screen, everyone talking at once, some even to a patient. Noise was everywhere. I prayed somebody would notice me soon, before I melted down and desperately pulled my Beyonce costume and drum set to get their attention. Thankfully, one of the receptionists finally pointed at me.

Me? I mouthed, pointing to myself. YES! My inner rock star started dancing.

I got to the counter, hoping to smoothly move on to see the doc and — guess what? — she’s wearing a mask. She said “Mmph?” then turned her face toward the computer screen.

I said, “I’m hard of hearing, can you say that again?”

She then said, “Mmph” louder.

I said, “I’m not sure what you asked.”

We looked at each other.

Finally, guessing what she needed, I gave her my name, date of birth, and the doctor’s name.

She said, “Mmph mmph.” I went on to the waiting room, anxiety beginning its familiar grip on my shoulders.

Joking aside, communicating with the staff at a medical office can be daunting. Even many so-called “help” articles actually coach hearing people on how to talk to people with hearing loss. It’s a bit odd, but the articles often mention that hard of hearing people get embarrassed about telling others that they’re hard of hearing. Embarrassed? I’m not embarrassed, I’m angry. Why don’t people simply respond better to us? It’s not rocket science, it’s just good manners to look at someone when you’re talking to them!

What’s worse is that my silly (mostly true) story of the reception desk is just the beginning. A visit to the doctor can turn into a gradual escalation of frustration and anxiety. It can leave you in tears, wondering if getting healthcare is worth the price you pay.

I’ve got good news. At the May 3, 2023, meeting of HLAA-WA’s Hearing Other Peoples’ Experience (HOPE), I heard stories that left me humbled and others that filled me with hope. One woman, who is Deaf, told a story about asking for a sign language interpreter when she made the appointment, only to arrive to find no interpreter and no offer of alternative help. Another person told us about missing an appointment entirely because she didn’t hear her name called in the waiting room. Since then, I’ve read many more similar stories: someone who, despite being traumatized by a new cancer diagnosis, struggled to write notes to an oncologist, and other people who had to schedule multiple appointments because clumsy communication takes much longer than the usual allotment of time for a single appointment.

On the bright side, I also heard success stories, such as one from two women (smart to go to the appointment together!) who asked a doctor to wear a clear face mask. To their delighted surprise, the doctor apologized and at once went to change his mask. Another person told about a provider who keeps tablet computers on hand for automatic voice-to-text transcription.

Hearing all these stories really, really helped. It isn’t just me; many of us find trying to communicate in a medical office horribly frustrating.

Here’s more good news: There are tips and strategies that can help you.

Tips for good communication at a medical office

To start, just pick one of these tips. Don’t get overwhelmed. If you’ve been doing these things for years, please feel free to add your own ideas in the comments below.

1. Think and plan ahead. When you make the appointment is the time to request captions, or an assistive listening system like a portable hearing loop, or ASL.

Imagine yourself going through the entire appointment experience.

  • At the reception desk
  • Walking back to the exam room
  • Meeting with your doctor
  • Going to a lab or imaging

And so on.

Picture yourself trying to communicate. What will it be like? What’s happening? What would help? Maybe a personal system such as a PocketTalker or a microphone that talks to your hearing aid or implant, such as a Roger device or Mini-Mic? A smartphone with a transcription app? Try to predict what you’ll need.

2. Right at the beginning of the appointment, remind the receptionist that you are hard of hearing and that you asked for communication support when you made the appointment. Ask if it was taken care of and remind them of what you need.

3. In the exam room, tell people that you are hard of hearing. They might not remember what you said, and they might not know what you want them to do. Tell them again. Repeat it as often as needed.

Ask people to:

  • Look directly at you when they speak (I tell them that I depend on lip reading).
  • Speak slowly (I tell them my hearing aids make words run together.)
  • Ask you if you understand.
  • Wear a clear mask, so you can easily see faces when people talk. If they say they don’t have any, ask them to double-check.

4. Bring a device you like to use, if you have one. For example:

  • A smartphone with an automatic transcription app installed
  • A streaming device such as a PocketTalker or an FM system
  • A microphone that connects to your aid, such as a Phonak Roger device or a mini-mic (Cochlear LTD) or its equivalent for your implant

There are dozens of free speech-to-text apps that automatically transcribe captions for you. The apps are available for Apple and Android phones and tablets, and for PC-based tablets. For example, AVA is a widely used app available for both Android and Apple phones and tablets and also offers a web version you can use in a browser. There are also dozens of others. Some are free, some charge a subscription fee. Each has its own special flavor, and you might find you like having choices, using different ones in different circumstances. Choices are a good thing. Many of these technologies are free, so download a few and give them a try.

Apple and Android phones now have transcription/caption apps built in as an Accessibility feature. To start using either, you click a few settings (search on the web for instructions, often just two or three steps). Android devices have the well-loved “Google Live Transcribe.”  Apple recently downloaded a Beta version of a transcribe app for Apple 11 and later phones called “Live Captions (Beta).”

I hope your next adventure slaying the communication dragon at the doctor’s office leaves you feeling successful. If not, remind yourself that hearing skillfully is a road with no particular end, only rest stops along the way. At least we’re all on the journey together.


Becky Montgomery writes about living with hearing loss from a very personal place – she has progressive hearing loss. She managed with hearing aids for 20-odd years but now wears bilateral cochlear implants. “When you gain a disability as an adult, it opens up whole new ways of thinking about how we do what we do; it’s a great spark for creativity. How do people who can’t see or hear experience the world differently? How can we learn from each other, and learn how to help each other?”

Becky is now retired and works hard at catching up on her reading and movie watching. In the past, she worked at Microsoft, where she was deeply involved in the company’s Employee Resource Group for Disability. For pay, she also helped to make programs like Word more accessible for people who can’t see.

HLAA-WA E-News, May 9, 2023

Washington State Hearing Loss News

You Gave BIG, and Now We Can Give BIGGER

Our community rocks! A BIG thank you to everyone who gave to HLAA-WA through GiveBIG this year. Together, we set a record for our highest GiveBIG event ever: $5,700! That’s more than a thousand dollars over our goal.

Your generosity allows us to increase our programming to better support you and to raise greater awareness about the importance of hearing health and communications access across our state. Your support also lets us know that you believe in us and the work HLAA-WA volunteers do. That goes a long way to keep us motivated. We hope you’re feeling as good as we are.


Take Action During Better Hearing & Speech Month in May

The theme for this year’s Better Hearing & Speech Month is “take action.” Actions you can take….

Graphic with three color photos. photo on the left is a woman fitting a man with hearing aids. Photo in the middle is the side view of a construction worker with ear protection and a yellow hat. Right hand photo is two women with sunglasses smiling and posing with two grade-school-aged girls.

color photo of a glass building and a colorful sign that reads EXPO

Deaf & Hard of Hearing Expo in Washington State on June 1, 2023

Learn about resources, assistance, and services for Deaf and hard-of-hearing people at the Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing’s Expo on June 1, 2023, from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm at the Lacey Community Center, 6729 Pacific Avenue E, Lacey, Washington.

Visit the ODHH website calendar for more information on this Expo and for other upcoming events that people who are hard-of-hearing or Deaf might be interested in.


When You Have a Hearing Loss, You May Need a Different Alarm Clock

A regular alarm clock may not wake you up if you’ve experienced a hearing loss. On our Washington State Hearing Loss Blog this week, HLAA-WA President Cheri Perazzoli shares some ideas for bed shakers, light devices, and other alarm clocks designed for hard-of-hearing people and people who are Deaf.

black and white photo of an alarm clock with an external device shaped like a hockey puck

Next HOPE Meeting: Wednesday, June 7, 2023: A New Format To Better Serve You

To better serve our HOPE community, we’ll launch our new format at our June HOPE meeting.

With the goal of reaching everyone, we will be focusing more time on exchanging ideas. After creating an agenda at the top of the call, we will
address each question or concern before moving to the next topic. Our facilitators will ensure everyone has a chance to share and has a chance to talk and get support. We learn from each other’s experiences, and this new format will allow us to create a better flow of information and to spend more time talking about what’s most important.

Join us at our next HOPE meeting and let us know how the new format works for you.

Hearing Other People’s Experiences (HOPE) meetings are a safe, welcoming space where you can ask questions from your peers about anything and everything hearing loss and hearing tech.

Facilitated by a caring, compassionate HOPE Crew, these monthly virtual meetings are free, live-captioned, and open to everyone with hearing loss and to their friends and family. You’re welcome to relax, listen, and simply spend time with people who understand what it’s like to live with hearing loss.


woman with long blond hair talking behind podium.

Reminder: Hearing-Accessible History Talks in Seattle This Spring and Summer

The Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) in Seattle is continuing its terrific series of hearing-friendly, in-person history talks.

Programs with both CART captioning and ASL Interpretation:  

History Café: Tales from the Mountain on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at 6:30pm

History Café: A Decade of Gender Justice on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at 6:30pm

Reflections on Art Practices in Seattle: 25 Years of the Neddy Artist Award on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at 7:00pm

CART captioning will also be available for:

Behind the Seams: Ugly Clothes on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at 11:00am, 1:00pm, and 2:00pm

You can also visit our events webpage for more hearing-friendly entertainment ideas in the Seattle area.

National Hearing Loss News

Reminder: Upcoming HLAA Webinar
The Workplace and The Law for People with Hearing Loss

At this HLAA Employment Webinar on May 18, 2023, attorney and hearing loss advocate John Waldo will help us understand the law and where it helps people with hearing loss–and where it may not. Free, captioned, and open to everyone.

graphic with text and small photo of smiling man in a suit. text reads: hlaa employment webinar, the workplace and the law, where it helps us, and where it doesn't, thursday, May 18, 6 pm ET 5 pm CT 4pm MT 3pm PT, presenter john Waldo, Esquire.

color photo of a pre-teen young girl with brown hair pulled back. she's smiling, holding a pen, and wearing an in-the-ear hearing aid.

Making Your Hearing Aids Last

Hearing aids are a big investment for most of us. How do you make sure that they last? How do you clean, store, and care for them?

Check out this article in the Miami Hearld for tips and advice. Did you know you could keep your hearing aid batteries in a dehumidifier to extend their shelf life, for example? Note that this is a sponsored article, but we found some good advice nonetheless.


The New York Times Talks Hearing Aids, OTCs, and a Changing Landscape

More powerful hearing aids, over-the-counter options, and people losing hearing at younger ages: The landscape for hearing aids and those who need them is changing. While the stigma of hearing loss may be fading, some consumers are navigating a confusing marketplace of hearing help options.

Read more in this New York Times article. Note that Zina Jawadi, HLAA board member and Employment Taskforce member, is quoted in the article.

photo of woman's hand holding hearing aid

cover of a magazine. text reads spring 2023 hearing life, the magazine for better hearing, mission impossible, the sky's the limit for disability inclusion, a publication of the hearing loss association of america. Color photo is three astronauts who appear to be floating.

The Sky’s the Limit in the Latest Issue of HLAA’s Hearing Life Magazine

Check out the latest issue of HLAA’s magazine and read about…

  • Accessibility being tested in space (really!)
  • The next step HLAA’s fight for communications accessibility
  • Health care communication access
  • Service to underserved communities with hearing loss
  • Improved hearing access in New York City
  • And more

We’re Here for You

Thank you for your interest in HLAA-Washington State and in all things hearing health related. As always, let us know how we can help you: info@hearingloss-wa.org.

HLAA-WA does not endorse any technology, nor does exclusion suggest disapproval. We support the full spectrum of hearing technologies for everyone. As an all-volunteer run organization, 100% of every dollar donated is directed to our programs. HLAA-WA is an IRS non-profit 501(c)(3) organization; all donations are tax-deductible as allowed by relevant IRS code.


HLAA-WA E-News, April 26, 2023

Washington State Hearing Loss News

Let’s Continue our Winning Streak: Give BIG to Help HLAA-WA Keep Up Our Momentum

HLAA-Washington is participating in Give Big 2023. The annual 48-hour giving event is May 2nd and 3rd, with early giving open NOW.

We may be small, but we are mighty! We have accomplished much this past year, and people are taking notice. Read our Let’s Continue Our Winning Streak blog post to learn about our local impact and 2023 national awards.

We all have much to be proud of, and your donations help make it all possible.  

Thank you for your support!


Legislative Update: Governor Inslee Signs the Bill!

Governor Inslee (D-WA) signed Senate Bill 5338 into law on April 13, 2023, and he is expected to sign HB 1222 related to insurance coverage very soon!

As a result of SB 5338, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner will request hearing aid coverage as an essential health benefit for Washington, and if this is granted by the federal government, hearing aids will be covered for nearly everyone in Washington State.

These bills represent a huge victory for people all across Washington State who need help hearing. How well you hear should not depend on your age, income, work status, or insurance plan. Everyone has a right to hear.

This is a dream come true. Thank YOU for supporting the bill in ways big and small. We can’t do our work without you!

Color photo of grade-school kids with their arms in the air. They are celebrating, surrounded by a marble wall.
These young hearing loss advocates inspire us with their big hearts.
What will they do next? 

Hearing Loss and Dementia: Johns Hopkins Presenting to State Alzheimer’s Taskforce and Researchers

New research out of Johns Hopkins University suggests a connection between hearing loss and dementia in older adults; the more severe the hearing loss, the greater the potential risk. The good news is that findings also show hearing aids may decrease the risk of developing dementia. Learn more about this research from Johns Hopkins.

HLAA-WA leveraged this research in our advocacy efforts for the 2023 hearing aid insurance coverage legislation. We also connected the Johns Hopkins research team with the Washington State Dementia Action Collaborative (DAC).  We are excited to share that on May 19, 2023, at 9:00 am, study author Dr. Allison Huang will present the research to DAC policymakers and members of The Alzheimer’s Disease Research Network of Washington State. The virtual presentation will be hosted on Microsoft Teams. If you are interested in joining, contact Jamie Teuteberg at jamie.teuteberg@hca.wa.gov.

color photo of a woman looking down at an iphone in one hand and a hearing aid in the other

Next HOPE Meeting: Wednesday, May 3, 2023, 4 pm Pacific.
Special Guest: Joy Borkholder from the Everett Herald

Joy Borkholder from the Everett Herald will join us as our “guest author” at our May HOPE meeting. Before the meeting, we encourage you to read her article in the Everett Herald on health care access for people who are Deaf or hard-of-hearing

In the article, Borkholder interviews four people who have struggled to get hearing accommodations throughout our local healthcare systems. Please feel free to bring your questions for Borkholder, and if you’re comfortable, you can share your experiences seeking healthcare when you have a hearing loss.

Our Hearing Other People’s Experiences (HOPE) meetings are a safe, welcoming space where you can ask questions from your peers about anything and everything hearing loss and hearing tech.

Facilitated by a caring, compassionate HOPE Crew, these monthly virtual meetings are free, live-captioned, and open to everyone with hearing loss and to their friends and family. You’re welcome to relax, listen, and simply spend time with people who understand what it’s like to live with hearing loss.


woman with long blond hair talking behind podium.

Hearing-Accessible History Talks in Seattle This Spring and Summer

The Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) in Seattle is continuing its terrific series of hearing-friendly, in-person history talks.

Programs with both CART captioning and ASL Interpretation:  

Denny Lecture: Seattle History from the Margins  on Tuesday, May 09, 2023, at 7:00pm

History Café: Tales from the Mountain on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at 6:30pm

History Café: A Decade of Gender Justice on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at 6:30pm

Reflections on Art Practices in Seattle: 25 Years of the Neddy Artist Award on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at 7:00pm

CART captioning will also be available for:

Behind the Seams: Ugly Clothes on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at 11:00am, 1:00pm, and 2:00pm

You can also visit our events webpage for more hearing-friendly entertainment ideas in the Seattle area.


You Can Still Meet Earnest Covington III, ODHH Director, Around Washington State

The Washington State Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is hosting meetings around Washington State. Join one of the in-person meetings below and get to know Earnest, plus find out how ODHH might help you and others with hearing loss. Carolyn Odio attended the meeting in Olympia and shared this blog post with us.

Deaf interpreters, American Sign Language interpreters, a hearing loop system, and CART (live captions) are provided. For a list of dates and places for the community meetings, visit ODHH’s events calendar.

color photo of a smiling man in a gray suit, white shirt, and black tie.

Color photo of two women in glasses, smiling.

We’re Looking for a Volunteer-Volunteer Coordinator. Is It You?

We need a volunteer to help onboard volunteers and coordinate their time and service. Can you help us out? If so, please email us: webmaster@hearingloss-wa.org.

Volunteering with your peers can be powerful and rewarding. You can learn more about advocacy and self-advocacy, built enduring friendships, and yes, even change the world. Your lived experience with hearing loss is a resource for others to learn from and be inspired by.

We have lots of different volunteer opportunities. Check out our webpage to find out ways you can serve the hearing loss community, then drop us a line.

National Hearing Loss News

woman in a blue sweater and glasses. she is gesturing to a large sign that's twice her size. the sign is in bright orange and purple and it reads We Need Bluetooth plus telecoils. Do you know why?

Connecting with National Audiologists

What have we been up to here in Seattle? Talking loops, telecoils, and Bluetooth with audiologists at their national American Academy of Audiology conference last week. Our president, Cheri Perazzoli, was there on behalf of the national Get in the Hearing Loop program, which she chairs.

Get the scoop on our blog this week.


Webinar: The Workplace and The Law for People with Hearing Loss

In the working world, what accommodations must be offered? What can employers ask you, and what do you have to disclose?

At this HLAA Employment Webinar on May 18, 2023, attorney and hearing loss advocate John Waldo will help us understand the law and where it helps people with hearing loss–and where it may not. Free, captioned, and open to everyone.

graphic with text and small photo of smiling man in a suit. text reads: hlaa employment webinar, the workplace and the law, where it helps us, and where it doesn't, thursday, May 18, 6 pm ET 5 pm CT 4pm MT 3pm PT, presenter john Waldo, Esquire.

color photo of woman in blue scrubs. She's blurred in the background but her hand in sharp focus. She's holding a tan hearing aid.

Here’s What a Happens During a Fitting for Hearing Aids

Hearing aids might not work perfectly right away, but they shouldn’t hurt, and they absolutely should help you hear better in the ways you need them to.

A hearing aid fitting by your audiologist or dispenser can help make sure your hearing aid is comfortable. The fitting should also include a sound test, and you should receive instructions on how to care and use your hearing aids.

If your hearing aid has a telecoil component, be sure your hearing health provider programs this feature and shows you how to connect it to assistive listening systems like
hearing loops.

Read more about what to expect at a hearing aid fitting in this HearingDirectory.ca article.



HLAA-WA does not endorse any technology, nor does exclusion suggest disapproval. We support the full spectrum of hearing technologies for everyone. As an all-volunteer run organization, 100% of every dollar donated is directed to our programs. HLAA-WA is an IRS non-profit 501(c)(3) organization; all donations are tax-deductible as allowed by relevant IRS code.