Welcome to our June news! Our next newsletter arrives July 9, 2024. Until then, we’ll see you in Phoenix at the HLAA convention!
Washington State Hearing Loss News
What’s a BAHA Hearing Aid, Anyway?
In this three-part blog series, “The Things We Do When We Have a Hearing Loss,” Rick Faunt writes with humor and wisdom about his hearing loss journey. In the third and final post, he discusses his surgery and recovery, and why a BAHA was a good solution for his hearing loss.
Local Hearing Loss Advocates Receive National Awards
Four Washington State advocates will receive national HLAA awards this month at the HLAA convention in Phoenix.
Find out who in this blog post.
We’re beaming with pride and gratitude.
We’re Looking for a New Treasurer. Is It You?
Our longtime treasurer and board member Rick Faunt is stepping down this year. That means you have an opportunity to join our board.
Read more about what’s involved with the role and find out how to apply on our website.
Reminder: Our Annual Picnic Is July 20
We’re returning once again to Lake Boren Park for our picnic on July 20, 2024, in Newcastle, Washington. Everyone is welcome. A hearing loop and PA system are provided. We’ll have a raffle and perhaps some open mic and sharing.
Stay tuned for more details.
You Want to Talk to My Caregiver?
Stories from Life with Hearing Loss
In a recent trip to a “Buy-A-Lot-Co” store, hearing loss advocate Greg Bawden encountered a strange reaction from a staff member when he pointed out that staff needed training in communicating with hard-of-hearing folks.
Greg describes what happened and what he did next in an article on his LinkedIn page.
Whatcom County Chapter Announces 2024
Scholarship Winners
Congratulations to Jace Stanley and Jesse Stewart winners of HLAA-Whatcom County’s Founders Fund scholarships. Both Jace and Jesse attend Lynden High School, and each is now eligible to receive $500 a year for up to 4 years of post-secondary education.
News from the Washington State Association of the Deaf: Emergency Planning, Community Art, and More
- Community Meeting with the Everett Police Department – Learn about how the Everett police plan to better serve the Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at 2:00 pm at the Everett Police office, 1121 SE Everett Mall Way. Captions and ASL provided.
- The Coalition on Inclusive Emergency Planning is working on distribution of ASL emergency alerts, interpreter availability, and ASL classes for the Emergency Management Division.
- Deaf Spotlight is showcasing a community art exhibit, “Summer Solstice,” June 1 – 30th, 2024. The exhibit also features a reception on June 22, 2024.
Local Classes Aim to Help You Prevent Falls
Hearing loss is linked to an increased risk of falling. Beyond getting hearing aids, what else can you do to reduce the risk of a tumble?
Several different types of falls prevention classes are available not only in King County, but across the state. Project Enhance Fitness, Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL), Otago, and a Matter of Balance (MOB) classes are available, and in long-term care facilities, a program called STEADI is being tested.
For more information, check out your local senior and community centers. You can also check these resources for more classes, home safety checklists, videos, and more about preventing falls.
National Hearing Loss News
Telehealth Accessibility Is Long Overdue
Telehealth can be a huge help in getting care, especially if you have a disability, live in a rural area, or have barriers to getting to a doctor’s office.
One barrier that needs to be addressed to ensure equal access: telehealth accessibility. Telehealth captions are needed for millions of people who have a hearing loss.
Airport Hearing Accessibility Improvements Arriving Soon
Few places can be more frustrating than airports, especially if you’re trying to hear announcements, talk to a gate agent, or find your way around.
Good news: Flying while you have a hearing loss is about to get easier.
Hearing Loops & Telecoils Spotlight
Airport Loops Await You in Phoenix, Memphis
If you’re headed to the HLAA convention in Phoenix this month, be sure to use the hearing loops at the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. Thank you to the wonderful hearing loss advocates in Arizona (Michele Michaels!) who made that happen.
If you trip takes you through Memphis, we’ve learned that there are loops throughout the Memphis airport, too. Ditto for the Albuquerque and Grand Rapids airports.
We encourage you to turn your hearing aid to T or telecoil mode and tune into the airport loops to make your trip easier and more comfortable.
Hearing Loss Events
Renton Hearing Loss Support Group
Friday, June 14, 2024
Our Renton support group meets the second Friday of each month (except July and August) 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. Always free.
HLAA-Whatcom County Meeting
Saturday, June 15, 2024
The award-winning HLAA-Whatcom County Chapter meets the third Saturday of every month at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, 2600 Lakeway Drive, Bellingham, Washington. Social time starts at 9:30 am and the meeting runs from 10:00 – 11:30 am. Live CART and a hearing loop provided. Everyone is welcome.
For more information on in-person hearing loss support, visit our website.
Virtual Hearing Loss Support Meeting
Find HOPE on July 3, 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 June 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!
Learn About ODHH’s Case Management Services at Meetings Across the State
Understand your rights, find out how case managers can help you, and discover new resources and services at three community meetings coming up in June with the Washington State Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH).
- Tuesday, June 11, 10 – 11 am, Bellingham DSHS, 2219 Rimland Drive, Suite 419, Bellingham
- Tuesday, June 11, 2 – 3 pm, Seattle DSHS, 1700 East Cherry Street, Suite 200, Seattle.
- Wednesday, June 12, 10 – 11 am, Tacoma DSHS Centennial Building, 1949 S State Street, Tacoma.
Captioning and ASL provided. Free.
Last Chance to Register for the HLAA Convention
Celebrate with friends old and new at the Welcome Back Bash and the Awards Ceremony, learn about new technologies, and soak up some Arizona sunshine at the 2024 HLAA convention, June 26-29, 2024 at the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse in Phoenix.
We’ll be there. Will you?
Happy Pride Month
At HLAA-WA, we wish our friends and members in the LGBTQ+ community a very Happy Pride Month in June.
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.