If you missed our January 2025 HOPE support meeting, here are the notes. This month, we focused on hearing at events and on airplanes, finding the right audiologist and hearing aid features, transcription programs for smartphones, hearing rehabilitation, books that empower us, and insurance coverage for hearing aids.
For more information on our free, online HOPE program to help people with hearing loss, visit our HOPE page.
Mini Microphones for Hearing Better at Events
One participant shared how she was able to hear better during her son’s wedding. The wedding was in a church built in the late 1800s, and it had no hearing accessibility. She gave her mini-mic to the officiant, who clipped it on his lapel, and the participant was able to hear everything, including the bride and the groom. Though the participant had anxiety about being able to hear, her solutions worked beautifully, and the wedding was wonderful for her.
Connecting a Hearing Aid to Airline Audio Systems
A participant found it difficult to connect her hearing aids to an airline’s audio systems. Many products, even some Bluetooth ones, don’t work for her. She’d like something wireless that works directly with her hearing aids, so she doesn’t get tangled up in wires.
One participant said that when possible, she plugs a telecoil neck loop into the monitor, and she can hear the movie, but not the announcements. Adding a Bluetooth transmitter such as AirFly may help, too–it’s available on Amazon. Some Bluetooth dongles work and are inexpensive, but they require a certain Bluetooth protocol in your hearing aids. One participant mentioned she flies often, and she’s working with Boeing to make hearing accessibility better, especially with regard to captioning announcements.
Finding the Right Audiologist and Hearing Aid Features
One participant felt frustrated picking the hearing aid with the features she needs–telecoil or Auracast-ready? She also didn’t feel her audiologist was very helpful or knowledgeable in answering these concerns. One participant suggested Bluetooth, especially in professional settings. Another participant stressed how helpful telecoils are not only for public venues but at home, such as for televisions. Participants suggested getting second opinions from audiologists at larger institutions like Washington State University. Another participant mentioned how important it is to pressure manufacturers to reintegrate telecoil features in hearing aids.
Transcription Programs for Smartphones
A participant asked about the best live transcription programs for his iPhone, so that he can watch speech-to-text captions while keeping his hearing aids in. Several suggestion for Iphones:
- LiveListen, free with iPhones
- InnoCaption for phone calls, both incoming and outgoing. You have to register with InnoCaption.
- CaptionCall, an app for phone calls. You can call someone back using CaptionCall–the captioning is very quick and up to date.
Other options for captioning on your mobile phone
- LiveCaptions – for Google Pixel phones
- Nagish
- ClearCaptions
If you’d like speech-to-text while you’re having an in-person conversation:
- Big Text
- Ava
- Otter
- Live Caption – Apple
- Live Transcribe, Android, (video) and here (website)
In comparing these options, here are some questions to ask:
- Does the captioning include both sides of the conversation?
- Can I save and send a transcript of the call?
- To receive calls, do I need to give out my assigned new cellphone number, or can I forward the new assigned number to my normal cellphone number?
- Is 3-way calling available?
- What languages are supported?
Hearing Aid Insurance Coverage Update
Many people in Washington State are covered by the new hearing aid legislation. But people who work for large, self-insured companies are not. HLAA-WA is working to address that.
HLAA-WA has connected with the new insurance commissioner to help create fact sheets and videos educating consumers about recent insurance legislation. The Essential Health Benefits legislation takes effect in 2026, which will help people buying individual health insurance plans.
HLAA-WA President Cheri Perazzoli will attend a reception on World Hearing Day in March, when she hopes to share the importance of hearing aids, hearing legislation, research, and accessibility.
Books to Empower People with Hearing Loss
A participant recommended a book that really helped her with her hearing loss: Becoming Hearing Empowered by Katherine Rybak. She and other participants shared the emotional struggles and trauma around hearing loss–and also how shifting your mindset and reframing things can help you empower yourself. Kimberly Parker, HOPE Crew leader, suggested a book club to read and share Rybak’s book.
Hearing Rehabilitation
A participant mentioned he was plateauing with his CI and hearing aids, but he wanted to keep making progress. Participants suggested ways to train your brain to hear better, such as Angel Sounds to help you with your CI. One participant said it took a year and half working with Angel Sounds, but she kept at it, and it eventually worked. You can take your hearing aid out so that you’re training your CI. One participant mentioned that Angel Sounds doesn’t work great with Apple products.