Welcome to our August news!
Our next newsletter arrives September 10, 2024.
Washington State Hearing Loss News
Sharing Experiences and Sunshine at Our Annual Picnic
It was warm, it was fun, and it was a lovely way to share experiences and support each other. Thank you to everyone who attended and to all who helped make the event a success.
Volunteer with Us!
Interested in sharing your time, talents, and energy with us at HLAA-WA?
We’re currently looking for a treasurer or assistant treasurer, committee chairs, and people to present to community groups about hearing loss topics. You’re never on your own — we help one another! — and we’re an easygoing, welcoming team.
When Getting Hearing Access Is . . . a Lot of Effort
Friend to HLAA-WA and fellow disability advocate Elizabeth Ralston eloquently shares her challenges in getting hearing access in this post on her blog.
Our dream is to remove the burden of the “access ask” that Elizabeth describes. We believe that people with hearing loss should be welcomed easily and automatically.
News from HLAA-Whatcom County:
A New Name, and a Scholarship Winner Graduates
- Our northern chapter, HLAA-Whatcom County, is changing its name to HLAA-Northwest Washington. The change has been submitted to the IRS, and now the waiting begins.
- The first Founders Fund Scholarship recipient, Jackie Benson, graduated from Western Washington University in June. That’s her photo on the right. And next, Jackie will pursue an AuD at Western. Congratulations, Jackie!
National Hearing Loss News
Empowering Millions to Thrive: Read About HLAA’s Many Wins in the 2023 Annual Report
In their annual report, HLAA shares their advocacy victories, impact, and gratitude. Here are some examples.
- HLAA’s advocacy has led to an FCC proposal to ensure wireless phones are 100% compatible with hearing aids and CIs.
- Staff and board were cited in dozens of local and national media stories, drawing attention to hearing loss and access.
- Walk4Hearing events in twenty cities raised over $800,000 in donations.
- HLAA worked with the Department of Transportation to include safety and accessibility provisions in the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act of 2023, helping airline passengers with disabilities.
Connect with the Hearing Loss Industry via This Accessibility Alliance
The HLAA Industry-Consumer Alliance for Accessible Technology (ICAAT) gives you a chance to test products, participate in research, ask questions, and provide feedback to industry folks. The goal of ICAAT is to help industry respond to what consumers really need.
It’s free to join. We encourage you to get involved and help shape the world of hearing technology.
Seeing Your TV Captions Is About to Get Easier
If you’ve tried repeatedly to figure out and customize captions on your television, clicking and re-clicking over and over until you’re ready to throw your remote across the room, this victory is for you.
The FCC has adopted a “readily accessible” requirement for caption control on televisions. Read about the four-factor requirement aimed at helping you control the font, size, and so on.
A Fully Internal Cochlear Implant Could Be on the Way
Thanks to a new 3-millimeter triangular sensor, a fully implantable microphone may be part of cochlear implants in the future.
Read more about this sensor, which targets the umbo in the middle ear.
Hearing Access is Better Across the Pond
Some things are better in Europe. Like croissants in France. Scones in Britain. Pizza in Naples.
And hearing access? Yes, it’s also better, says Shari Eberts in this article in Hearing Health & Technology Matters.
Learn American Sign Language Online
Want to learn American Sign Language?
Visually Speaking offers online classes and private lessons in basic and advanced ASL. Their next class, ASL Basics, starts August 21, 2024, and is only $89.
Visually Speaking was founded in Seattle.
Hearing Loops & Telecoils Spotlight
New Loops at Amtrak Stations Across America
Riding an Amtrak train this summer? You have 85(!) hearing loops waiting for you at stations across the country.
The loops are part of Amtrak’s $155 million investment in accessibility upgrades and other improvements. Read Amtrak’s press release and get ready to use those loops.
Hearing Loss Support Meetings & Hearing-Friendly Events
Pop on Over to Poulsbo to the Jewel Box Theater for Looped Performances
A new hearing loop is available at the Jewel Box Theater in Poulsbo. So hop on a Washington State Ferry boat and pop into the Jewel Box. Their 2024-2025 tickets are on sale now, starting with The Plot, Like Gravy, Thickens, which runs September 13-29, 2024.
The Jewel Box also offers book talks and music and improv shows, like the Seattle Rock Orchestra and the Amabile Choir of Bainbridge Island.
Virtual Hearing Loss Support Meeting
Find HOPE on August 7, 2024 *TOMORROW*
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 ask questions, and also to simply relax, listen, and spend time with people who understand what it’s like to live with hearing loss.
Read the notes from the July HOPE meeting here. The group talked about healthcare access, restaurant TV caption, and more.
HOPE meets the first Wednesday of each month at 4:00 pm. We hope you can join us!
NO Renton or Panorama Hearing Loss Support Group Meetings in August
Our Renton support group meets the second Friday of each month (except July and August) at 1 pm at the Renton Senior Activity Center, 211 Burnett Avenue North, Renton. No need to register; simply check in at the front desk. This group is led by our award-winning HLAA-WA Secretary Glenda Philio. A hearing loop is available, and everyone is welcome. Always free.
The Panorama hearing loss support group, led by Carolyn Odio, meets the first of every month (except July and August).
We’ll see you in September!
Toastmasters Online for People with Hearing Loss
Need a boost in confidence? Some friendly coaching to improve your speaking skills?
If so, you might like to join the Audible Talkers Toastmasters, which is designed for people with hearing loss. This friendly group meets online via Zoom the first and third Mondays from 6-7:15 pm Arizona time. Their next meeting is August 19, 2024, at 6 pm Arizona time. Everyone is welcome.
Access the meeting at zoom.audibletalkerstoastmasters.com. Questions? Contact Chirsty Abrams (c.abrams@acdhh.az.gov) or Harry Wolfe (hwolfeaz@gmail.com)
Stay Involved with HLAA and HLAA-WA
We’re glad you’re part of our community.
What more can you do to support people with hearing loss?
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.