Washington State Hearing Loss News
New Info on Our Financial Help for Hearing Aids Webpage
The most-visited page on our website is newly updated and designed with more readable info on how you can get help paying for your hearing aids.
We welcome your feedback. What are we missing? What’s most valuable to you? Let us know in comments, or at webmaster@hearingloss-wa.org.
What IS Audio Processing Disorder, Anyway?
Audio Processing Disorder (APD) isn’t hearing loss exactly, but it affects how your brain recognizes sounds. How do you recognize APD, and how can you treat it?
And if you have experiences with APD, we’d love to hear from you: webmaster@hearingloss-wa.org.
Do I Want to Do the Dishes, or Am I Hiding from My Hearing Loss? A Hearing Loss Story
It can take time to come to terms with your hearing loss. In fact, it can be a lifelong journey.
As part of our hearing loss stories series, Abha Sharma writes with vulnerability and engaging detail about her hearing loss journey, starting with how she often did the dishes at big gatherings.
Seattle LEADS the Way in Accessible Arts
The Kennedy Center has a special program to encourage disability access in the arts: Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD). Lucky for us, LEAD met in Seattle this summer, and we were able to attend.
Read more about LEAD, what we learned, and who we were excited to meet at this inspiring conference.
Help Us Test New Assistive Listening Systems
We’re helping the Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing by testing new assistive listening systems in Olympia this month.
- Thursday, September 19, 2024, 10:00 am, Olympia. We’re testing WiFi equipment from Listen Technologies.
- Wednesday, September 30th, 2024, 10:30 am, Lacey. We’re testing a different, new WiFi system.
Your input will help ODHH better service people with hearing loss in their offices and other government locations.
If you have a hearing loss and you’d like to be a tester, please email us: cheri.perazzoli@loopwashington.org.
Our Community Outreach Connects Us to the Folks at WA Cares Fund
You might recognize two of the speakers in this video of our Zoom presentation to the WA Cares Foundation. We shared information about hearing loss, hearing aids, and building hearing-friendly communities.
Start watching at the 4:47 mark, and turn on captions by clicking the CC icon.
National Hearing Loss News
A Local Olympian (!) Who Happens to Have a Hearing Loss
We’re fan-girling a little over Aaron Small. Who could blame us? This 2024 University of Washington graduate wears waterproof hearing aids (Phonak Audeo Life), and he trained at Green Lake in Seattle.
While Small didn’t medal, he and his teammate Jonas Ecker did us proud by finishing eighth. Read more about Small in this Seattle Times article and in this Today show national feature story.
No Need to Apologize for Your Hearing Loss
Do you start sentences with, “I’m sorry, I have a hearing loss.” Well, stop that.
Our friends at Hearing Loss LIVE suggest that being hard-of-hearing is not something you need to apologize for.
News From the Washington State Association of the Deaf
A gala luncheon on November 7, 2024, a quilt raffle, a research opportunity, and more news from the Washington State Association for the Deaf (WSAD).
Hearing Loops & Telecoils Spotlight
Telecoils: Do You Want One?
In our opinion, YES, you want a telecoil.
A telecoil connects you directly to hearing loop systems around the world–no need to check out additional equipment or ask for access. The loops are waiting for you in theaters, libraries, museums, tourist attractions, grocery stores, banks…the list goes on!
Telecoils add little to no extra cost to your hearing aid. Find out more from The Center for Hearing Access at The Shedd Institute.
Hearing Loss Support Meetings & Hearing-Friendly Events
Webinar with Cynthia Stewart
“Advocacy at the State Level”
Don’t miss this webinar on October 23, 2024, Noon – 1:00 Pacific time. Our award-winning legislative liaison Cynthia Stewart will address a national audience on this HLAA-hosted webinar. She’ll describe the strategies, the players, the pitfalls, and “how-to” steps toward achieving legislative attention — and victories — for people with hearing loss.
Virtual Hearing Loss Support Meeting
Find HOPE on October 2, 2024
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 August 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!
Get In-Person Support for Your Hearing Loss
- September 13, 2024, Renton: Our free Renton support group meets the second Friday 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.
- September 21, 2024, Northern Washington: Doug Sladen, audiologist and assistant professor at the University of British Columbia, will be the guest speaker. This group meets the 3rd Saturday at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, Bellingham, 9:30 – 11:30 am (Formerly Whatcom County) Click here to find out more.
- October 1, 2024, Lacey: The Panorama hearing loss support group, led by Carolyn Odio, usually meets the first day of the month. Contact carolyn@odio.com for more information.
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 twice a month, online via Zoom, the first and third Mondays from 6-7:15 pm Arizona time. Their next meeting is September 16, 2024. 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).
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.