Washington State Hearing Loss News
Giving Tuesday: Thank You for Your Generosity
So many of you opened your hearts to us this holiday season!
THANK YOU for your kind donations.
Because of your support, we can continue to improve the lives of people with hearing loss all across our state. We’re deeply grateful that you’re part of our community.
The Board of Hearing and Speech Needs New Members
The Washington State Board of Hearing and Speech is looking for new members. This Board, which is part of the Washington State Department of Health, now needs two hearing aid specialists and one public member. Members are appointed by the governor and can receive up to $250 a day by performing specific duties or attending a meeting.
Interested? Read more here.
National Hearing Loss News
Baseball, a Parenting Track, a Walk4Hearing, and More at the 2025 Convention
The program is shaping up for the 2025 HLAA convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, June 11-14, 2025. The closing program is a minor league baseball game at Victory Field, next to the convention hotel. And the annual symposium will explore the stigma of hearing loss.
Online registration will open in January 2025.
Maybe He’s Not “the Hearing Aid Guy,” but This Comedian Does Have a Hearing Loss
He may not want to be known for his hearing loss, but comic D. J. Demers does acknowledge it in his comedy routines.
Read more about Demers in this NPR feature story.
A Sound Bubble Created by AI Headphones
Using artificial intelligence, researchers at the University of Washington created headphones that give you a sound bubble with a radius of 3-6 feet. Sounds outside the bubble would be much quieter, letting you hear better what’s close to you.
The researchers aim to make this technology work for hearing aids as well.
Find a Hearing Buddy for the Holidays
A hearing buddy can make the holidays better and easier when you’re dealing with a hearing loss. Someone who has sharper hearing can help you clarify what was said at social gatherings, repeat questions, and generally be an ally and friend.
Thank you to HLAA-Boulder for these excellent link suggestions.
New Study Will Look at Preserving Inner Ear Cells
Acquired hearing loss is common, and now, researchers are launching a big study to find out how we might be able to protect against it. The study will look at calcium overload in our mitochondria.
Join the Open-Caption Movie Club
The Open-Caption Movie Club is working to share movie screenings with open captions all across the country.
Sign up now to get notified when coverage is unlocked in your area.
Hearing Loops & Telecoils Spotlight
Paris’s Notre Dame Cathedral Has a Hearing Loop!
As if you needed another reason to go to Paris this spring. The newly repaired, spectacularly beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral has a hearing loop.
This is a good reminder that loops can be used in many different kinds of buildings, including very old (over 850 years old!) churches.
Hearing Loops at Loblaw Stores in Canada
Grocery stores are a good example of a transient space with lots of background noise that can make communication difficult. But talking with your cashier is about to get easier in Loblaw stores across Canada, thanks to hearing loops.
Closer to home, the Grocery Outlet in Springfield, Oregon also has loops at checkouts.
Hearing Loss Support Meetings & Hearing-Friendly Events
Get In-Person Support for Your Hearing Loss
- January 10, 2025, 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.
- January 18, 2025, Bellingham: Northwest Washington Chapter: Formerly known as HLAA-Whatcom County, this group meets the third Saturday of the month at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, 2600 Lakeway Drive, Bellingham. Everyone is welcome.
Virtual Hearing Loss Support Meeting
HOPE: Date Change for January Only January 8, 2025
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 November HOPE meeting here. The group talked about hearing technologies, what hearing access is like in New York City, and more.
HOPE meets the first Wednesday of each month at 4:00 pm (except January 2025, when we meet on the second Wednesday).
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 January 6, 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).
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.