In this issue, we celebrate our community day, mourn the loss of a hearing loss star advocate, share a volunteer opportunity with the Washington State Patrol, and more.
Our Biggest Community Day Yet
In Town Hall Seattle last month, members and friends, new and old enjoyed a fantastic day of hands-on tech training, self-advocacy tips, and connection and encouragement.
Read more about the day, download presentations and handouts, and plan to join us next year.
In Memory of Cynthia Stewart
Our community lost a treasured member last month. We’ll miss Cynthia, and we hope to carry her spirit of advocacy forward.
You may visit here for more information on her memorial service on May 30, 2026, and how you can honor her legacy. Note the time change; the service is now at 2:30.
Help the Washington State Patrol to Work Better with People with Hearing Loss
The Washington State Patrol is looking for people with disabilities, including hearing loss, to help train their new cadets. The goal is to help cadets learn how to appropriately deal with communication issues and access. The training is on June 23 and 24, 2026, at the Washington State Patrol Academy in Shelton.
If you are Deaf, DeafBlind, hard-of-hearing, or speech-disabled, and you’re interested in volunteering, reach out to patrick.macgregor@wsp.wa.gov for more information.
Save the Date: Our Annual Picnic Is
July 11, 2026
Mark your calendars for our annual picnic on July 11, 2026, at Lake Boren Park in Newcastle. Rick Faunt will be back as grillmaster — yay!
More details soon — stay tuned.
Thank You for Giving BIG!
You gave BIG this year, and we are so grateful for you!
You gave almost $8,000 toward our $25,000 goal to support programs that build community, connect with vulnerable people, and create a world where everyone thrives, regardless of how well they hear.
Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity.
If you haven’t yet donated, there’s still time to help us reach our goal.
Let the Seattle Public Libraries Know How They Can Help Hard-of-Hearing Families
The Seattle Public Library system is hosting a Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Community Listening Session on Saturday, May 30, 2026, 3:00-4:30 at the Beacon Hill Library.
While ASL will be provided, the room may not have an assistive listening system. We encourage you to attend the session and let them know that captions and assistive listening systems are what people with hearing loss need to participate equally, as others do.
Hearing-Friendly Live Entertainment: Lincoln Theater, Mount Vernon
Heads up, north Washington folks: You’ve got a hearing-friendly theater in your neighborhood.
The Lincon Theater in Mount Vernon has a hearing loop. To hear best, you’ll want to sit in the center section – there’s a drawing on their website to help you find it.
The Lincoln also has closed captioning “gooseneck” units to check out, and most films at 2pm on Sundays open-captioned.
As a side note, the Lincoln folks have also done an amazing job for people who use wheelchairs or who need mobility access. They encourage you to call ahead for details and assistance: 360-336-8955.
Coming up this spring…
- May 15 – 24, 2026 – Live theater: “Always. . . Patsy Cline”
- May 16, 2026 – Beauty and the Beast movie, sensory-friendly screening. Personal closed captioning and assistive listening available.
- May 30, 2026, 10 am – The Met Live in HD: “El Ultimo Sueno De Frida Y Diego” (The Metropolitan Opera’s portrait of artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera)
- May 30, 2026, 7 pm – New Old Time Chautauqua, free for kids 12 and under.
National Hearing Loss News & Events
Take Action:
Support the Hearing Aid Tax Credit Act
While hearing aid insurance coverage has improved, especially here in Washington State, hearing aids are still out of reach for many people who would benefit from wearing them.
The Hearing Aid Tax Credit Act (HR 7700) would provide a tax credit of up to $1,000 to certain people who buy prescription or OTC hearing aids. HLAA supports this bill, and we do, too.
Tell your representatives to support this act by clicking here.
Research Symposium: AI and Hearing Health in Louisville
At the HLAA convention this summer, the research symposium focuses on the impact of AI on hearing health.
- How are hearing aids utilizing the promise of AI?
- Can AI be leveraged to screen and diagnose common causes of hearing loss?
- What are AI’s future global possibilities, particularly in underserved settings?
You can pre-register through May 18, and you can register for just the symposium only.
Webinar: Breaking the Silence – Hearing Loss, Mental Health, and Substance Use
May 14, 2026, 11:00 am Pacific
Hearing loss can sometimes heighten mental health challenges, including substance use. But there’s always hope.
This webinar features two public health experts, Kristel Scoresby and Michelle Niehaus.
Scientists Find the Tinnitus Switch in Our Brain
If you’d like to short-circuit your annoying tinnitus, this article provides some good news. OHSU scientists link serotonin brain circuit to tinnitus in new study – oregonlive.com
Hearing Technology Spotlights
How Your Hearing Aids Can Reduce Listening Fatigue
Listening fatigue is real, and it can really wear on us. Hearing aids help in very specific ways, including reducing background noise and allowing us to stream from our devices.
Telecoils Can Change Your Life, Says Consumer Reports Magazine
We agree with this Consumer Reports article: A telecoil in your hearing aid can change your life. A telecoil is a tiny-but-mighty feature that wirelessly connects you to hearing loops in Washington State and around the world. Read more about telecoils and loops on our website.
If you wondering if you still need a telecoil, given the advent of Auracast, the answer is YES. Hearing loops and Auracast will co-exist for many years, and Auracast isn’t widely available yet.
When you’re in a venue, look for a sign like the one to the right. Then turn your hearing aid to T or telecoil mode.
Hearing Loss Support Meetings
Local, Online Support for Everyone with
Hearing Loss: June 3, 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: Renton
June 12, 2026, 1:00 pm, Renton
Renton Support Group
This is our last meeting before our summer break. We’d love to see you.! Led by HLAA-WA Secretary, Glenda Philio, the Renton Support Group provides camaraderie, information, and support. This meeting and the June meeting will be held at the Renton Community Center, not the Renton Senior Activity Center.
Open to everyone, always free. Simply check in at the front desk.
Note: There will be no meeting in July or August.
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
May 19, 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
May 20, 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.