Washington State Hearing Loss News
Mark Your Calendar: Our Annual Community Appreciation Meeting is April 26, 2025
We’re looking forward to bringing our community together again this spring. We’re planning awards, announcements, and more. Watch for more details.
Legislative Update: Help Get the Caption Bill on the Agenda for the Ways & Means Committee
The open-caption bill, SB 5486, passed the Senate Law & Justice Committee, and it now needs to be considered by the Ways & Means Committee.
You can help by sending an email to the Ways & Committee Chair, June Robinson, june.robinson@leg.wa.gov. Ask her to put SB 5486 on the committee’s agenda.
Thank you for your advocacy!
National Hearing Loss News
Young Contest Winner Helps Students with Hearing Loss to Take Notes
We LOVE everyday people who make the world a better place. Here’s a feel-good story about a 12-year-old girl who invented a way to help students with hearing loss.
Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Black Individuals We’d Like to Meet
During Black History Month (February), who would you like to meet? Here are some folks we’d like to honor this month.
- Eight notable African Americans with hearing loss (AudiologyAndHearing.com)
- Meet the drum major who turned his hearing loss Into a superpower (BlackDoctor.org)
World Hearing Day is March 3, 2025:
Empowering Yourself
On World Hearing Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) encourages us to empower ourselves and one another to make hearing care a reality for everyone.
We encourage you to tell your story and live out loud with your hearing loss. On her blog, Shari Eberts has ideas on what you can do, too.
The 2025 HLAA Convention Agenda Is Live
Check out the outstanding workshops and panels just announced for the HLAA Convention in Indianapolis this summer. Here’s a sampling:
- “Understanding the 2025 Hearing Loss Landscape” with Thomas Powers, PhD
- “The Latest from the Federal Trade Commission” with Joshua Mendelsohn
- “Let’s Reset Our Hearing Loss Goals” with Gael Hannan
A Complicated Relationship with Sound
Sounds can affect our mood and well-being. But when you have a hearing loss, your relationship with sounds can change.
Hearing loss advocate Shari Eberts explains why for hard-of-hearing people, sound can become a mixed bag.
Today is International Cochlear Implant Day
February 25, 2025, is International Cochlear Implant Day. To celebrate, join the CI Day Challenge.
On your social media, share a photo of yourself wearing your CI. Use the hashtags #ShowUsYourCI and #CIDay2025. Be sure to tag us by using @hearinglossassociation and @hlaaofwa.
To find out more about cochlear implants, visit the NIH or our CI information webpage.
An AI Tech Could Be the Bridge Between the Hearing and Deaf Worlds
An AI platform called OmniBridge can show real-time American Sign Language translation. Watch this TED Talk from the creator of OmniBridge, Adam Munder.
Hearing Loops & Telecoils Spotlight
In Canada, Airport Loops Are Making People Happy
Hearing in an airport is hard even for people with good hearing, but it can be downright impossible for people with hearing loss.
More and more airports are installing hearing loops. Here’s a look at the Winnipeg Airport, which is earning praise for its hearing loops. And at the Windsor International Airport, Contacta hearing loops are linked with the PA and flight information display systems.
When you’re at an airport with a loop, turn your hearing aid or CI to T or telecoil mode.
Hearing Loss Support Meetings & Hearing-Friendly Events
Get In-Person Support for Your Hearing Loss
- February 28, 2025, Lacey and online via Zoom: Presentation and demo by Heidi Crabtree on two smartphone apps to help you hear better: HeardThat and BigText. Homework: Download HeardThat and BigText before coming to the meeting. Panorama Senior Living, Quinault Auditorium, 10-11 am. Contact Carolyn Odio, codio@hearingloss-wa.org for the link to join via Zoom. Free.
- March 14, 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.
- March 15, 2025, Bellingham: HLAA-Northwest Washington Chapter monthly meeting, This amazing group 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: March 5, 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 February HOPE meeting here. The group talked about hearing better at home, in theaters, and on YouTube.
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 March 3, 2025. Everyone is welcome. A
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.