In this issue, we share more picnic details, connect with our friends at Sound Generations, chuckle about a fictional folk duo, congratulate a longtime hearing loss advocate in her new role, and discover a new book on hearing loss.
Come Enjoy Our Annual Picnic on
July 11, 2026
Games, grilling, a raffle, friendship, fun: Our annual hearing loss community picnic is on your calendar already, right? Of course it is. And you need the details, which you’ll find in our blog post.
You can download and share a copy of our flyer, too.
Notes from the Inspire Positive Aging Awards, May 28, 2026
Congratulations to HLAA-WA Board Director Carolyn Odio (top photo, right), who was nominated for an Inspire Positive Aging Award from Sound Generations.
While Carolyn was unable to attend the ceremony, HLAA-WA Board President Cheri Perazzoli and Board Director Pamela Williams (bottom photo) did attend and cheer Carolyn and others on.
Congrats to all the inspiring nominees and winners, including the Senior Lobby’s Walt Bowen. And thank you to Sound Generations for a wonderful day.
News From the Washington State Association of the Deaf (WSAD)
Updates and events from our friends at WSAD…
- Webinar with updates on the ASL Interpreter Pathway Initiative, June 24, 6-7:30 pm
- Annual WSAD meeting details: September 19, 2026, in Spokane Valley.
- ASL chats & other events all across the state, including in Seattle, for people who are Deaf.
Our E-News Schedule for Summer
Summer means sunglasses and sprinklers and also that our newsletter becomes monthly rather than twice-monthly. Here’s our schedule for this summer.
- July 21, 2026 – deadline: July 15
- August 4, 2026 – deadline: July 30
We’ll resume our regular schedule in September.
Do you have a story idea for us? Or would you like to do a blog post or an article? We’d love to hear from you: webmaster@hearingloss-wa.org.
Hearing-Friendly Live Entertainment:
Village Theater Presents a Captioned Version of Hymon & Parfunkle
Hymon & Parfunkle never existed, but they have quite a musical catalog anyway. If you love folk music and parodies, you might enjoy this “bio-musical” at Village Theater Issaquah and Everett.
The captioned show performances are Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 2:00 pm in Issaquah and Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 2:00 pm in Everett. An ASL performance is available on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 2:00 pm in Everett.
All Village Theater spaces are equipped with a hearing loop assistive listening system, too.
National Hearing Loss News & Events
Hearing Loss Advocate Juliette Sterkens Joins the Center for Hearing Access
Congratulations to Juliette Sterkens, who’s joining the Center for Hearing Access at The Shedd Institute. (CHA).
Juliette is an audiologist, speaker, and longtime advocate for people with hearing loss and for a more accessible world. You may have seen her outstanding TEDx Talk, and you may have even met her in person here in Seattle.
We’re grateful to Juliette for her all her work on behalf of people with hearing loss. And we’re looking forward to working with her and CHA in the near future.
Improving Hearing Access in Medical Care
Here’s a terrific panel discussion from the virtual Future of Hearing Healthcare 2026 conference. Moderators Shari Eberts and Gael Hannan are joined by Tony Iacolucci and Peggy Ellertsen to talk about the barriers people with hearing loss experience in healthcare settings. And they discuss the initiative Healthcare with Hearing Loss, which is working toward removing these barriers.
For more info on the initiative, visit Healthcare with Hearing Loss (HCHL).
A Cochlear Implant at Age 12, Ice Hockey and Leadership Today
Danny was born deaf and received his cochlear implant at only 12 months old. He struggled to feel accepted as he grew up, but he found belonging and achievement in ice hockey and later in positions of leadership.
We wish we could meet Danny in person. What a cool kid.
New Book Chronicles Sixty-One Days of Hearing Loss
We LOVE the HearingLossLive! website and the people behind it, Chelle Wyatt and Julia Stepp. Now, we’re in for another treat: Chelle Wyatt has written a book called 61 Days of Hearing Loss. Her book explores her daily strategies, struggles, and triumphs as she navigates her hearing loss.
Read excerpts from her book here. You can also order it on Amazon, Apple Books, and Barnes & Noble.
Hearing Technology Spotlights
Hearing Loops Now Available at the Appleton, Wisconsin Airport
Airports are one of the most challenging places to hear clearly. When you’re traveling, your stress levels can be up, you might not have slept well, or you may be distracted.
So we especially appreciate hearing loops in airports. The Appleton Airport in Wisconsin has loops at every gate!
How to Improve the Clarity of Your Hearing Aids, Per Dr. Cliff Olson
Time and patience are needed as you adjust to your new hearing aids. But what else can you do to hear better now?
Audiologist Dr. Cliff Olson explains in this video why hearing aids are designed for first-fit acceptance, why they’re programmed the way they are, and what you can do to hear more clearly.
Hearing Loss Support Meetings
Please note: Our Renton Support Group and our HOPE virtual support group are on summer hiatus during July and August.
Both teams will be back in action in September.
Meanwhile, we hope to see you at our picnic on July 11!
Local, In-Person Support for Hearing Loss: Bellingham – Northwest Washington
June 20, 2026, 9:30 – Noon, Bellingham
HLAA-Northwest Washington Chapter
This month: WE are HLAA-NWWA — “Past, Present, and Future!”
The HLAA-NWWA chapter meets the third Saturday of the month at Christ the Servant Church, 2600 Lakeway Drive, Bellingham, Washington. Looped, captioned, and free. Open to all, including friends and family.
National Online Support for Veterans with Hearing Loss
June 16, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Pacific time
Veterans Across America Virtual Chapter Meeting
The national HLAA office has a virtual chapter dedicated to veterans with hearing loss. They meet online every third Tuesday of the month, and everyone is welcome.
Meet with veterans from across the county to talk about issues related to veterans and hearing loss. Caregivers and family members of veterans are welcome to attend. 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.