Category: E-News

HLAA-WA E-News, May 23, 2023

Posted on by HLAA WA

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.

Register for the june Hope Meeting here
read more about hope here
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!
Click here to register for the hlaa 2023 convention

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, May 9, 2023

Posted on by HLAA WA

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.

Register for the june Hope Meeting here
read more about hope here
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.
Register for the workplace and the law webinar here
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

Posted on by HLAA WA

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!

give big is open now!
Click here to donate

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.

Register for the May Hope Meeting here
read more about hope here
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.
Register for the workplace and the law webinar here
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.

give big is open now!
Click here to donate

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 11, 2023

Posted on by HLAA WA

Washington State Hearing Loss News

Legislative Update: Both Hearing Aid Bills PASSED!

It’s hard to believe, but it’s true: BOTH hearing aid insurance coverage bills passed the Washington State Legislature!

What Does That Mean?

The House will need to concur with a small change that the Senate made to HB 1222, or the House and Senate will need to negotiate changes that both chambers adopt. But we have no doubt, with the overwhelming support the House and Senate have shown, that this process will be completed before the end of the 2023 legislative session. Then HB 122 will make its way to the governor’s desk, where SB 5338 already awaits.

When both bills become law, hearing aids will be included under the State’s individual Essential Health Benefits (Obamacare) and under private insurance for employers, unions, and associations.

And THAT means that Washingtonians with hearing loss will have much more equity and fairness in their care, treatment, and medical equipment.

Many people deserve our enthusiastic gratitude for this victory. We’re especially grateful to HLAA-WA Legislative Liaison Cynthia Stewart for her considerable skills and effort in understanding the laws and providing testimony. Watch for a blog post coming soon with more details. But for now, know that YOU are a big reason these bills succeeded. Your testimonies, calls, emails, “PRO” votes, likes, and shares were able to reach our representatives’ hearts and minds.

Read more about the bills in this State of Reform article, and find out about this hearing loss advocacy movement, and the heroes — big and small — who led the way, on our blog.

color photo of a woman smiling. her arms are around two young boys wearing suit coats and button-down shirts. the washington state capitol is in the background.

Save the Date for GiveBIG 2023

The annual 48-hour giving event is May 2-3, 2023, with early giving kicking off on April 18.

Last year you helped us raise over $3,000. Our goal this year is $4,500.

Mark your calendars to give BIG during this statewide fundraising event and help us reach our goal!

Learn About Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids at the HLAA-Whatcom County Chapter Meeting


Our president Cheri Perazzoli will give a presentation, “OTC Hearing Aids: A Story of Ongoing Consumer Advocacy,” at HLAA-Whatcom County’s Saturday, April 15, 2023, meeting. Cheri will share the wins accomplished so far and the ongoing advocacy for better consumer information. Cheri is also a member of the HLAA Board of Directors.

Audiologist Pam Spencer will lead the Q&A following Cheri’s talk. Free, captioned, and open to everyone.

Cheri will be presenting via Zoom, but you can also come to the in-person meeting at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, 2600 Lakeway Drive in Bellingham.

To join the Zoom meeting directly from 9:30 am – 11:30 am, click here. The meeting ID is 889 352 2564, and the passcode is 17232103.

color photo of woman with straight brown hair and glasses. she is smiling and wearing a jean jacket and a black sweater.
woman with long blond hair talking behind podium.

Hearing-Accessible History Talks in Seattle This Spring

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

Programs with both CART captioning and ASL Interpretation:  

  1. History Café: Seattle’s Sephardic Jews in the 20th Century on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at 6:30pm
  2. Denny Lecture: Seattle History from the Margins  on Tuesday, May 09, 2023, at 7:00pm
  3. History Café: Tales from the Mountain on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at 6:30pm
  4. History Café: A Decade of Gender Justice on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at 6:30pm
  5. 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 at the following programs:

  1. Designing with Intention: Black Architects’ Visions for Seattle’s Future on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at 7:00pm
  2. 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.

Next HOPE Meeting: Wednesday, May 3, 2023, 4 pm Pacific

How can I travel safely and hear well when I’m in a tour group on vacation? Are there technologies that can help me in my hotel room? Travel is one of several topics we discussed at a recent HOPE meeting.

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.

Register for the May Hope Meeting here
read more about hope here

New Dates to Meet Earnest Covington III, ODHH Director, at Meetings 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 already held 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.

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

*Note: Spokane Meeting Is Rescheduled*

Saturday, May 6th, 2023

1:00 to 3:00 pm

Spokane Public Library
Hillyard Branch
4110 N. Cook Street
Spokane, WA 99207

Saturday, May 20th, 2023

1:00 to 3:00 pm

Husky Union Building (HUB)
HUB 337
4001 E. Stevens Way NE
Seattle, WA 98195

Pay-by-Phone parking in lot N20 and N21. Go to the digital pay machine, input license plate number,
choose pre-arranged hourly, 3 hours, coupon number 110772.

Saturday, June 10th, 2023

1:00 to 3:00 pm

Tacoma Public Library
Anna Lemon Wheelock Branch
3722 North 26th Street
Tacoma, WA 98407
Free street parking and a small parking lot (5 spaces)

National Hearing Loss News

Get Your (Free!) Custom Loop Location List


Wondering where hearing loops are available in a given city, state, or province? Or are you interested in specific types of venues with loops, like museums or libraries?

The HLAA Get in the Hearing Loop program offers detailed, custom lists of hearing loops across America and Canada. You can use the lists to find looped venues that you and your loved ones can enjoy. And you can also draw on the list when you’re advocating for a hearing loop in a favorite location. For example, if you’re trying to loop your local library, you can provide that library with a list of other libraries that use hearing loops.

Email the GITHL team: loop.locations@hearingloss.org with your requests.

color photo of a man with white hair and glasses. he's wearing green headphones and smiling happily.

HLAA’s 2023 Convention Research Symposium Will Explore the Joy of Music

How do we perceive music? How can we make and enjoy music when we have a hearing loss?

This year’s convention research symposium, “Joy of Music/Loving Your Ears” will explore topics and more. The symposium is included in your general registration fee, and it’s held on June 30, 2023, 8:30 am – 10:30 am.

Register for the convention here. Note: You can also register for the symposium only.

New Tinnitus Treatment Approved by the FDA

The FDA recently approved a tinnitus treatment from Lenire called Neuromod.

Dr. Cliff Olson discusses how this auditory stimulus works, and HearingTracker explains more here.

Hint: The device involves headphones and your tongue. Really.

If you experience tinnitus and you try this new treatment, let us know how it works for you.

photo of a white electronic device.
Color photo of a bald man with a beard, he's wearing a black puffy coat and looking thoughtful.

Senator John Fetterman Has Hearing Aids, Spotlighting the Need for Hearing Help

To treat “mild-to-moderate” hearing loss, Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) is now wearing hearing aids.

When high-profile folks like Senator Fetterman talk about their hearing loss and their decision to treat it, we believe that the hearing loss stigma and shame can fade. Thank you, Senator.

Compare How Hearing Aids Sound Online on Soundly’s Website

Soundly allows you to pick several hearing aids from various manufacturers and hear how they sound in different environments.

Listen and compare and contrast here.

Color photo of blue hearing aids with a blue auxiliary device.
Color photo of two women in sunglasses and a man with glasses.

Get Involved with Us: Volunteer Today

If you have a hearing loss or you know someone who does, we need your help!

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.

HLAA-WA does not endorse any technology, nor does exclusion suggest disapproval. We support the full spectrum of hearing technologies for everyone.

HLAA-WA E-News March 28, 2023

Posted on by HLAA WA

Washington State Hearing Loss News

Welcome to our March 28, 2023 e-news.

Legislative Update: One Bill Passed, One More to Go!

Senate Bill 5338 passed the full legislature! Next stop: Governor Inslee’s desk. This is an exciting victory for many people with hearing loss in Washington State.

This bill aims to make hearing aids part of the State of Washington’s Essential Benefits Plan, so that Washington State Health Benefit Exchange insurance plans must provide coverage for hearing instruments and related care.

Next, House Bill 1222 is being sent for a full Senate vote.

If passed, HB 1222 will join 5338 on the governor’s desk. House Bill 1222 would mandate hearing aid insurance coverage by group health plans offered by employers, unions, and associations.

We need both bills to pass. Together, SB 5338 and HB 1222 help the largest number of people with hearing loss by providing equitable coverage for hearing instruments across all health insurance options.

What You Can Do Now: Help the Final Push for HB 1222

  • Please make sure your senator knows you’d like them to vote YES when 1222 comes for a full Senate vote.* If it’s helpful, cut and paste the following statement into your email:

    Please vote YES on HB 1222. This bill has received extraordinary bipartisan support throughout the legislative process. HB 1222 will help hundreds of thousands of children and adults living with hearing loss and will save Washington State billions of dollars in healthcare costs due to untreated hearing loss.

THANK YOU for staying committed to getting these bills passed. Your enthusiasm has helped all along the way. We’re almost there!

Read more about this hearing loss advocacy movement, and the heroes — big and small — who are leading the way, on our blog.

right side: color photo of man with dark hair and beard putting a hearing aid in his ear. Left side reads support hearing aid insurance coverage in Washington State, HB 1222, SSB 5338
Three-part photo that shows fire safety equipment for people with hearing loss. One photo reads safe awake, one reads FIRE.

Free Emergency Alerting Devices from the American Red Cross

Residents of Washington and Idaho can receive free bed shakers, strobes, and fire alarms from the American Red Cross. These safety devices are designed people who are Deaf or hard-of-hearing.

Simply request the bed shaker and strobe along when you request a fire alarm at the American Red Cross website.

Thank you to the American Red Cross for this terrific program, and kudos to Jim House for the news tip.

More Open-Captioned Shows at Seattle Film Festival Theaters

All Tuesday showtimes and Sunday matinee shows at Seattle’s year-round SIFF Cinema Uptown and SIFF Cinema Egyptian will now have open captions. Thank you, SIFF.

Assistive listening devices will be available when open captioning is not. See the venue manager for help.

color photo of a movie theater with red seats, taken from below. the words open caption run across the photo.
Graphic with five headshots in circles, four women and one man. Text reads HSDC, we miss you

Open House at the Hearing, Speech & Deaf Center (HSDC), March 30, 2023

Meet the staff at HSDC, take a tour, and find out how they can help you on March 30, 2023, 4-6pm.

HSDC offers audiology services, classes, interpretive services, meeting space, and much more. The open house is at their Seattle office at 1625 19th Avenue. You can RSVP at rsvp@hsdc.org or 206-323-5770.

At HSDC, providers don’t bundle their services with available hearing aids for sale. This model is unique among audiology clinics and can save you money on purchasing hearing instruments. HSDC also occasionally provides low-cost, refurbished hearing aids to community members in need.

We’re happy to partner with HSDC to support people with hearing loss across Washington State.

Watch Our Empowerment Series Webinar

The video of our March 15 webinar, “Ask for the Hearing Access You Need,” is now on our YouTube Channel. When you watch the video, be sure to “like” it, leave an encouraging comment, and subscribe to our channel.

Thank you to star presenter Ann Thomas and to tech wizard Alan Katsura for their help.

Three-part graphic. Right side is line drawing of two people with a tangled string between them, signifying a communication breakdown. Left side reads communication access, everyone gets the message. Bottom reads know your rights, ask for what you need.

Next HOPE Meeting: Wednesday, April 5, 2023, 4 pm Pacific

How can I gently (indirectly?) encourage my spouse to get a hearing exam? Can I still listen to loud music when I have a hearing loss? These are two of the questions we talked about at our March 2023 HOPE meeting.

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.

Register here
read more about hope here
Color photo of a smiling man in a gray suit, white shirt, and black tie

Meet Earnest Covington III, ODHH Director, at Meetings Around Washington State

The 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.

Saturday, April 8th, 2023

1:00 – 3:00 pm

Olympia Senior Center
Multipurpose Room B
222 Columbia Street NW
Olympia, Washington 98501

Saturday, June 10th, 2023

1:00 to 3:00 pm

Tacoma Public Library
Anna Lemon Wheelock Branch
3722 North 26th Street
Tacoma, WA 98407

Deaf interpreters, American Sign Language interpreters, a hearing loop system, and CART (live captions) will be provided.

National Hearing Loss News

Mary Louise Kelly, NPR Reporter, Is Not Shy About Her Hearing Loss


In this Washington Post interview, NPR reporter Mary Louise Kelly opens up about her hearing loss, including her frustrations, how she copes, and the grace she brings to her job and her life.

Kelly also has a new book, It. Goes. So. Fast: The Year of No-Do-Overs, coming out in April. In her book, she talks about the challenges of parenting while dealing with a hearing loss.

color photo of a smiling woman with blonde hair and blue eyes. she is looking up and to the right
Color photo of the Presbytere in New Orleans at dusk.

Don’t Miss the Lineup of Fun Events at the 2023 HLAA Convention

Connect with old friends, make new ones, and enjoy yourself at several informal, relaxed 2023 HLAA convention events: a Welcome Back Bash at The Presbytere (photo, left) on June 29 and an Awards Ceremony and Reception on June 30. Those events are in addition to the convention’s workshops, a research symposium, exhibits, and more.

Register for the convention here. Early bird registration, which ends March 31, starts at just $375.

Get Involved with Us: Volunteer Today

If you have a hearing loss or you know someone who does, we need your help!

Volunteering with your peers can be powerful. 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.

HLAA-WA does not endorse any technology, nor does exclusion suggest disapproval. We support the full spectrum of hearing technologies for everyone.