In this issue, we share exciting speakers and topics at our Community Day, terrific hearing-friendly live theater this spring, how to get cochlear implant care at home, and more.
Hearing Loss Community Day: Tech Workshops, Hands-On Help, and More
April 25, 2026, Town Hall Seattle
We’re excited to announce the presenters and workshops at our FREE Hearing Loss Community Day. This day is a hands-on, interactive way to learn about hearing technologies, community, and empowerment.
Our dear friend Ann Thomas from HLAA-Diablo Valley will share her best tech tips. We’ll also welcome Michael Fox from ODHH and audiologist Alexandra Alfieri. Our board directors and volunteers will share their experiences on the emotional impact of hearing loss, how to ask for the hearing access you’re entitled to, and much more.
Read our blog post for more details, or register directly below.
Make Your Voice Heard at an Age- and Dementia-Friendly Community Forum This April
The Age- and Dementia-Friendly Washington network is offering online community forums on several dates in April. They want to hear from you about how they can better support older adults and people living with memory loss or dementia. They’ll also share their framework and the latest aging and dementia data in Washington State.
Two of the forum sessions will include ASL and CART captioning:
April 2, 10-Noon
April 23, 1-3 pm
Other forum sessions tailored for specific groups, including one in Spanish, one for tribal members, one for people living with memory loss or dementia, and two for the general public.
Can’t Miss Hearing-Friendly Live Entertainment Coming Up Soon
At the Seattle Rep, Mary Jane runs until April 19, 2026. This play features a mom who advocates for her toddler Alex, who has cerebral palsy. The Rep says Mary Jane is a “love letter to caregivers and support systems of all kinds.”
The Seattle Rep has loops in all theaters, ticket windows, concierge, and concessions. You can borrow receivers and headphones at coat check, or turn your hearing aid to telecoil. Open-captioned shows are April 2 at 7:30 and April 8 at 2 pm.
Meanwhile, at Village Theatre Issaquah, Grease will be electrifyin’! The OC show is April 25, 2026 at 2 pm.
At the Village Theatre Everett, Grease OC performance of Grease is May 30, 2026, at 2 pm.
Both Village Theatre locations have hearing loops. For both theaters, use the QR code posted in the lobby to access the captions. Get 25% off your tickets with the discount code GREASE 25.
Funding Cuts for Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapy AVERTED
The Washington State House had proposed a budget that would have eliminated speech, occupational, and physical therapy for adults on Apple Health/Medicaid and would have cut some school-based services. But advocates from the Washington Speech-Language-Hearing Association and other groups mobilized and were able to stop those cuts.
Good news for kids and adults who can continue to recieve support and therapies they need to thrive.
National Hearing Loss News
Workplace Hearing Loss Diversity, Identity, and Disclosure
Webinar, April 22, 2026, 11 am Pacific
How does your hearing affect your identity, how you disclose your hearing loss at work, and the tech you can use to help? At this webinar led by Professor David C. Baldridge, the HLAA Task Force for Accessible, Inclusive Employment will share how they navigated these variables to succeed and feel confident at work.
Can You Get Cochlear Implant Care at Home?
Getting care and help when you have a CI may not require a trip to a clinic any longer. Remote system checks, online map backups, and telehealth visits are making CI support easier and more convenient.
Having a Hearing Loss Means Relying on Our Power to Predict Speech
Everyone’s brain often jumps a tiny bit ahead during a conversation to anticipate what’s next. This phenomenon is even more true for people with hearing loss–and it sometimes gives us an advantage.
Hearing Loss Can Impact Your Relationships. Here’s What You Can Do.
Hearing loss affects not just ourselves, but our friends and families, too. Frustration, embarrassment, and stress can impact our relationships, especially with our spouse or significant other.
But there’s lots you can do to make things better, including talking constructively with each other, educating yourself and others, getting tested, and getting hearing aids if you need them.
Research Panel at the HLAA Convention Explores AI
Interested in how AI is helping hearing health? Attend the HLAA Convention June 10-12, 2026, in Louisville, Kentucky, and catch the research symposium, “The AI Revolution in Hearing Health: Smarter Tech, Greater Access.”
Of course, there are workshops, keynotes, tech demos, fun, friendship, and much more. Registration starts at just $475.
Hearing Loss Support Meetings
Local, Online Support for Everyone with
Hearing Loss: April 1, 2026
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.
Local, In-Person Support for Hearing Loss
- April 10, 2026, 1:00 pm, Renton
Renton Support Group
Our Renton Hearing Loss Support Group meets the second Friday of each month at the Renton Senior Activity Center, 211 Burnett Avenue North. Looped, open to everyone, and free. Simply check in at the front desk. - April 18, 2026 9:30 – Noon, Bellingham
HLAA-Northwest Washington Chapter
This month: “BEWARE! Don’t Let Noise Insidiously Steal Your Hearing” with Neil Bauman, PhD, Founder, Center for Hearing Loss Help
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
April 21, 2026, 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.
National Online Support for Parents of Kids with Hearing Loss
April 15, 2026, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Pacific time
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.
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.