Hear Better at Mariner Games at T-Mobile Park

The Mariners are winning, kind of, sometimes. But win or lose, you can hear better at Mariner games by streaming captions on your smartphone.

Read more in our blog post. And thank you to Kirsten Robbins for the information and her photo of the phone captions.

Getting Inspired by WWU’s Audiology and Hearing Clinic

At their recent fundraising event, our president Cheri Perazzoli toured Western Washington University’s audiology program and hearing clinic.

Read about what she found inspiring about this program and why we need more programs like it.

Smoke Detectors and Other Alerts for People with Hearing Loss

If you have a hearing loss, how can you hear a fire alarm? What if your carbon monoxide detector activates, but you can’t hear it?

Fortunately, there are safety devices that rely on visual cues like strobe lights and text rather than sound.

Read more about safety devices in this handout. You can also try the American Red Cross, the ODHH TED Program Pilot Project, or your local fire department and ask about devices for people with hearing loss.

Help Disability Rights Washington (DRW) Set Their 2027 Priorities

Disability Rights Washington (DRW) fights for people with disabilities all throughout our state. Hearing loss is a disability, too. So how can DRW help people with hearing loss?

We encourage you to join HLAA-WA in sharing your suggestions for DRW by filling out this short survey.

Considering a Cochlear Implant?
Attend This Educational Session
May 30, 2026, 10-Noon

Virginia Mason is hosting an in-person educational session about how cochlear implants help us hear better. This session can help those who already have a cochlear implant who are considering a second one.

The session is held in the Volney Auditorium in the Lindeman Pavillion, Level 1, 1100 9th Avenue in Seattle.

Click here to learn more and reserve your spot.

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.

Why Patience Is Needed When You Get New Hearing Aids

Tin-can voices, hearing things you don’t wanna hear, feeling overstimulated or overwhelmed, not sure you did the right thing? These are normal, temporary experiences when you first get new hearing aids.

This video from Timpanogos Hearing & Tinnitus explains why it takes time, effort, and partnership with your audiologist to ensure that over time, your hearing aids are doing their best work for you. We promise it’s worth it.

Reach out to us if we can be of help, too.

A Hearing Loop in a Hospital in Seoul, South Korea

Healthcare settings need hearing access and accommodations, but often, people with hearing loss struggle to get what they need to communicate clearly.

But at Seoul National University Hospital in South Korea, hearing loops are installed in five locations, including a pediatric and a nurse consultation room. Read more about these loops here.

Of course, we’re always working to improve hearing access in medical settings. If you have a hospital visit coming up, you can print and bring one of our hospital kits. And make sure you call and request access before your appointment, if you can.

A Brain-Controlled Hearing Aid?

It’s not as weird as it sounds, and the science is really interesting.

Researchers at Columbia University monitored the specific brain waves of people trying to isolate one conversation among many — the typical cocktail-party listening problem that’s especially challenging when you wear a hearing aid.

Then, researchers were able to adjust the volume based on the person’s brains.

Read more in this NPR article, or read the actual study here.