March 27, 2025
Washington State Hearing Loss News
Details Announced for Our
Annual Community Meeting
You’re warmly invited to join us at Town Hall Seattle on Saturday, April 26, 2025, 10 – 3, for our 35th birthday celebration and annual meeting.
Meet our new board members, find out about our new strategic plan, cheer for our award winners, and simply relax and enjoy the morning, followed by a light lunch. We’ll also have a panel led by retired social worker Jacqui Metzger. The panel will discuss the emotional impact of hearing loss.
Here’s more information on our blog, or you can RSVP directly. Everyone is welcome to attend in person or via Zoom. Fully hearing accessible and free.
Top Apps for Hearing Better on Your Phone
Sometimes, technology can turn your day around. But finding the right app to hear better on your phone can be overwhelming.
On our blog, here are some tips, tricks, and guidelines, including a downloadable guide from HLAA-WA Board Member Heidi Crabtree.
Come See Us at the
Burien Senior Health & Wellness Fair
We’ll be presenting at the Senior Health & Wellness Resource Fair on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, 11-1, at the Burien Community Center.
Come grab some handouts, learn about hearing loss, and say hello to our outreach team. Free to everyone, including lunch and beverages.
Sudden Hearing Loss: What You Should Do and What You Shouldn’t
It’s tempting to dismiss a sudden hearing loss. But in this heartfelt, personal blog post, Becky Montgomery explains why you shouldn’t ignore this issue — and what might happen if you do.
Open-Caption Movie Bill Gets Media Coverage and Honorary Name
The open-caption movie bill, SB 5486, is getting media attention: Here’s an article from KHQ Spokane featuring our friend Karen Atwood from Washington State Association of the Deaf.
You can watch Karen —and hearing loss advocate Cynthia Stewart — testify during the public hearing at the House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee on March 25 via TVW.
An amendment has been introduced to refer to the bill as “The John Waldo Act.” John Waldo was a beloved hearing loss advocate and attorney who passed away in 2023. His heartfelt work to expand movie captions lives on today.
Stay tuned for another call-to-action. Meanwhile, you can let your representatives know you support this bill.
Mark Your Calendars:
Deaf Conference on October 17-19, 2025
The Washington State Association of the Deaf and the Washington State Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf are hosting a conference this fall, tentatively planned at the University of Washington Tacoma. Stay tuned for more details.
National Hearing Loss News
Auracast and Hearing Loops: A Conundrum
Auracast holds great promise as emerging assistive listening system. But Auracast isn’t here yet, and we still need hearing loops today. So what do we do?
On the Loop Wisconsin blog, Richard Pocker explores this quandary.
Are Expressive Captions Helpful . . . or Distracting?
Some Android devices are now offering Expressive Captions, a program that conveys not just text, but also emotional cues, tone, and volume. The program uses AI.
What do you think: Is this ultimately a benefit, a hindrance, or perhaps both? Hearing loss advocate Shari Eberts shares her thoughts on her blog.
Realtime Captioning with No Internet
A new tool called Caption Companion provides real-time captioning for situations like lectures or conferences, or even just a conversation. It’s an eight-inch tablet that uses AI to translate speech to text. You don’t need an internet connection.
Find out more about this intriguing technology in this YouTube video.
Cool Workshops and Presentations at the HLAA Convention This Summer
We’re excited about the presentations and workshops at the 2025 HLAA convention in Indianapolis June 11-14, 2025. Here’s just a sampling.
- Understanding the 2025 hearing health landscape
- Resetting your hearing loss goals
- Relationships and hearing loss — a journey of dating, marriage, and divorce
- Confidently requesting workplace accommodations
- The rollercoaster ride of hearing loss
- Yoga for every soul
- Living with cochlear implants (with our dear friend Dr. Chad Ruffin)
A Thousand Hearing Aids for Ukraine
Free hearing aids have been delivered to help victims of the war in Ukraine. A group called Hearing Aid Recycling (HAR) and Ukraine’s Vidchui organization partnered on this compassionate work. ENT & Audiology News has the story.
Hearing Loops & Telecoils Spotlight
Hearing Loops Helping Students at Colorado State University
Students need to hear clearly in order to understand, participate, and succeed. At Colorado State University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), students with hearing loss can hear better thanks to hearing loops. The loops were installed under the carpet of several OLLI classrooms.
A huge thank you to Bob and Barbara Hoel for their generous donation to fund these loops.
Hearing Loss Support Meetings & Hearing-Friendly Events
Get In-Person Support for Your Hearing Loss
- April 11, 2025, Renton: Our in-person monthly support group meets the second Friday of the month at 1pm at the Renton Senior Activity Center, 211 Burnett Avenue North. Looped and free.
- April 19, 2025, Bellingham: HLAA-Northwest Washington Chapter monthly meeting featuring audiologist Pamala Spencer, “Before You Buy Hearing Aids.” This chapter meets the third Saturday of the month, 9:30 – Noon, at Christ the Servant Church, 2600 Lakeway Drive, Bellingham, Washington. Looped and free.
Virtual Hearing Loss Support Meeting
HOPE: April 2, 2025
Guest Speaker: Harry Wolfe, Audible Talkers
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.
Our April meeting features Harry Wolfe, founder of the Audible Talkers Toastmasters. This Toastmasters group is created for people with hearing loss (see below for more info on this group.)
Read the notes from the March HOPE meeting here. The group talked about telling others about your hearing loss, neckloops for traveling, and more.
HOPE meets the first Wednesday of each month at 4:00 pm.
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 specifically designed for people with hearing loss. This friendly group meets twice a month, online via Zoom, the first and third Mondays from 6-7:15 pm Arizona time. Their next meeting is April 7, 2025. Everyone is welcome.
Access the meeting at zoom.audibletalkerstoastmasters.com. Questions? Contact Christy Abrams (c.abrams@acdhh.az.gov) or Harry Wolfe (hwolfeaz@gmail.com).
Note: Harry Wolfe will be our guest speaker at our April HOPE meeting. Stay tuned for more details.
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.