In this issue, we announce our partnership with the Seattle Reads program, share a new hearing aid discount program from AARP, welcome back our Renton and HOPE support groups, and much more.
We’re Partnering with the Seattle Public Library for Seattle Reads
We’re excited to partner with the Seattle Public Library for a series of Seattle Reads events featuring bestselling author Sara Nović.
Register now to attend one of these author events.
- September 25, 11:00 am at Ballard Branch, 5614 22nd Ave. N.W.
- September 25, 7:00 pm at Hugo House, Lapis Theater, 1634 11th Ave
- September 26, 11:00 am at SouthEast Seattle Senior Center, 4655 S. Holly St.
- September 26, 3:00 pm at the Central Library, 1000 4th Ave
- September 27, 11:00 am at Central Library. This is a private event held in conjunction with Deaf Spotlight and designed for the Deaf community. It will take place completely in ASL.
All public programs will have ASL and CART live captioning. Venues do have assistive listening systems as well, though these systems aren’t hearing loops.
Sara is also an activist and instructor of Deaf studies and creative writing. Learn more about Sara and purchase their books on their website.
If you’d like to help us by volunteering to staff our table at one of these Seattle-area events, please contact Julie Johnson, our volunteer manager: jjohnson@hearingloss-wa.org.
Another Successful Picnic Thanks to You, Our Community
Our July 11 picnic was a winner. Thank you so much to everyone who attended, brought friends and family, shared treats, donated raffle items and helped set up, take down, demonstrate equipment, and create a welcoming, fun day.
See photos (courtesy of Kevin Pieczynski,) and read more details on our blog.
Do you have ideas for a social event for our hearing loss community? Let us know: webmaster@hearingloss-wa.org.
Hearing Loss and Falls Prevention
Did you know that hearing loss is associated with an increased risk of falls? The connection is important—and often overlooked.
Our HLAA-WA President Cheri Perazzoli recently presented to the King County Falls Prevention Coalition about how hearing loss can affect awareness of our surroundings, communication, balance, and cognitive load, and why addressing hearing loss should be part of a comprehensive approach to fall prevention.
Using hearing aids consistently can help reduce some of the challenges associated with hearing loss and may help reduce fall risk. Good hearing health, effective communication, and accessible environments also play a role in falls prevention.
HLAA-WA also encouraged the falls-prevention community to consider simple ways to incorporate hearing into their work, including adding a hearing question to falls assessments and identifying hearing-related action items in falls-prevention resources and programs.
Because this connection is so important, we’ve added a new Hearing Loss and Falls Prevention webpage to provide resources for people with hearing loss and for families, caregivers, and professionals.
You can also view Cheri’s presentation to the King County Falls Prevention Coalition.
Help for People Affected by Wildfires
Our hearts and minds are with people affected by the wildfires in Washington State and beyond this summer.
To help ensure that services and information are accessible to everyone, Deaf and hard-of-hearing leaders across the state are meeting daily and taking action. Thank you to Earnest Covington III, Jim House, Sue Pniewski, Simon Ramel McKay, Sandra Carr, Caroline Allen, and many others for their hard work.
For more information on what’s being done, how to get help, how to prepare for the long wildfire season, and how to apply to have your hearing aids replace if you’ve lost them due to the disasters, check out our blog post.
Rethinking Hearing Loss, Inclusion, and Performance
Including people with hearing loss at work and at school starts with understanding common hearing challenges and the accommodations that help.
In this thoughtful article in Organizational Dynamics, Brent Lyons and HLAA Board Director David Baldridge offer guidance to business leaders on how hearing loss can be successfully accommodated to boost an employee inclusion and performance.
Please share with your employer, manager, HR department, or anyone who’s building an inclusive, hearing-friendly workplace.
Provide Feedback on the Washington State’s Age- and Dementia-Friendly Action Plan
Healthy aging means healthy hearing. Let the Washington State Healthcare Authority know how you’d like to see our state be the best place in the country for seniors and people with dementia.
We encourage hearing loss testing, hearing aid coverage, staff training in hearing loss and communication strategies, and building hearing-friendly communities.
Read the draft Reimagining Aging & Memory Loss in Washington plan here.
Send your comments to olderadults@hca.wa.gov with the subject line “Action Plan Comments.”
Deadline for public comment is September 4, 2026.
Hearing-Friendly Entertainment
Village Theatre in Issaquah & Everett
Thinking about your fall entertainment? Get tickets now to see a hearing-friendly performance of Ragtime at Village Theatre.
Ragtime – a Tony award-winning musical that explores how three families from different backgrounds pursue the American dream at the turn of the century.
- Issaquah – September 15 – October 18, 2026
Open-caption show – October 17, 2026
ASL show – October 3, 2026 - Everett – October 24 – November 15, 2026
Open-caption show – November 14, 2026
ASL show – October 31, 2026
Both Village Theatre locations have hearing loops. Turn your hearing aid or CI to “T” or telecoil mode to hear sound directly, or ask an usher for headphones.
To hear a little from the Broadway production of Ragtime, here’s a beautiful live performance of “Wheels of a Dream” on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
National Hearing Loss News & Events
A New Hearing Aid Discount Program Is Available from AARP and Soundly
The folks at AARP and Soundly have announced a new hearing care and hearing aid discount program.
Members of AARP can save up to 50% on prescription hearing aids, and the program includes unbundled pricing and access to a nationwide provider network. You can find out more and start the process with Soundly here.
If you try it, let us know how this program works for you: webmaster@hearingloss-wa.org.
Webinar: “The Information We Carry: Genetics and Hearing Loss”
August 26, 2026 | Noon Pacific
Genetic hearing loss affects people of all ages. Find out how genetics plays a role in our hearing, what genetic testing can do, and how advances in research are shaping the future of hearing healthcare.
Free and captioned, as always.
HLAA National Online Meeting:
Artificial Intelligence and Hearing Loss
September 16, 2026 | 4:00 pm Pacific
At this meeting, Dr. Jan Blustein will share highlights and key insights from the 2026 HLAA Research Symposium, “The AI Revolution in Hearing Health – Smarter Tech, Greater Access.”
Afterward, participants can connect in virtual breakout sessions to discuss the theme “The Silver Lining of Hearing Loss.” Shari Eberts, Holly Cohen, and Roxana Rotundo will moderate these small group discussions.
Lawsuit Filed to Address Lack of Disability Access at a Denver Convention
A civil rights discrimination lawsuit has been filed in Denver, with the plaintiffs claiming that no assistive listening systems were provided during the American Psychological Association’s convention at the Colorado Convention Center in August 2025.
The Center for Hearing Access has more details in a press release; though CHA is not a plaintiff in the lawsuit, they help explain it. You can also read the case document itself.
Research Study Opportunity: Do You Use Captions for Voice Phone Calls?
If you’re over 50, have a hearing loss, and use captions for phone calls, you may qualify for an ICAAT research study. This study aims to improve captioned telephone services.
Participants will receive an Amazon gift card.
Hearing Technology News
Video: Why Assistive Listening Matters
Hearing aids are powerful ways to hear people close to us. But in many settings, hearing aids aren’t enough. That’s where assistive listening systems come in: these systems are the bridge between audio and our hearing aids or CIs.
This excellent video from Hearing Health & Technology Matters features hearing loss advocate Shari Eberts along with Juliette Sterkens and Wynne Whyman from the Center for Hearing Access. This trio of hearing loss stars discuss how assistive listening works, why it matters, and how venues can choose the best system for the venue and their listeners.
Auracast Comes to Albuquerque, New Mexico
Grace Lutheran Church and Albuquerque Hearing and Balance are using Auracast assistive listening systems to help people with hearing loss. In both places, Auracast supplements the hearing loop systems they already had, giving listeners another way to hear better.
Read more in this Hearing Health & Technology Matters article.
Hearing Loss Support Meetings
Our Renton and HOPE Support Groups Are BACK!
Local, In-Person Support for Hearing Loss: Renton, Washington
September 11, 2026 | 1:00 pm
Our Renton Support Group meets the second Friday of each month. We’re meeting temporarily at the Renton Community Center until we can resume meeting at the Renton Senior Center, which is currently closed for renovations.
No registration necessary. Free.
Local, Online Support for Everyone with Hearing Loss: HOPE
September 2, 2026 | 4:00 pm Pacific
Need HOPE and support for your hearing loss? You’re warmly invited to come our online hearing loss support meeting: HOPE Hearing Other People’s Experiences.
Facilitated by a caring, compassionate team, these monthly virtual meetings are free, live-captioned, and open to everyone with hearing loss and to their friends and family.
HOPE meets the first Wednesday of each month at 4:00 pm.
National Online Support for Parents of Kids with Hearing Loss
September 16, 2026 | 5:00 pm Pacific
Hear Together: Parents of Children with Hearing Loss
Led by a speech-language pathologist and an audiologist, this virtual national parents’ support group is designed to connect families and provide resources and support. The group meets regularly on the third Wednesday of the month, with the meeting moved to the fourth Wednesday in February only.
National Online Support for Veterans with Hearing Loss
September 15, 2026 | 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Pacific time
The national HLAA office has a virtual chapter dedicated to veterans with hearing loss: the Veterans Across America Virtual Chapter Meeting (VVAVC) They meet online every third Tuesday of the month, and everyone is welcome, including friends, family, and caregivers of veterans.
Free and captioned.
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?
The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) and HLAA-WA do not endorse specific products or services,
but educate and advocate for a range of assistive technology options to help people with
hearing loss understand, connect, and stay engaged in their lives.
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.