Welcome to our e-news!
Washington State Hearing Loss News
Our New Website Is Live!
We’re excited to share with you our new, dynamic website designed to serve people with hearing loss across Washington State.
Our accessible, reader-friendly website is designed to help people at every step of their hearing loss journey. You’ll find info on all aspects of hearing loss, details on our programs, help for family and friends, financial resources, information on hearing loss technologies, and much more. We’ll continue to add fresh content, and of course, our blog and e-news are updated regularly.
You’re encouraged to explore the site and let us know what you think about our content. What other information would be helpful to you? What do you need in order to thrive with your hearing loss? You can email webmaster@hearingloss-wa.org with your suggestions. And please feel free to share the website with anyone who would benefit from our community.
Everyday Advocacy: The Button that Changed Someone’s Day
This month, we launch our blog series on everyday advocacy–the small, easy things you can do to help people with hearing loss and other disabilities–with this post from Cheri Perazzoli about her experience wearing a “Face Me” button on an airplane.
Hearing Tech Equipment and Help Are Available at WATAP
Try out hearing-assistive equipment and tech, get more information and guidance, and even learn about financial help, all at a terrific program at the University of Washington: WATAP. Read more in our Q&A this week.
Save the Date for Our Annual Family Picnic September 17, 2022
Mark your calendars for our HLAA-WA annual family picnic on September 17, 2022, at Lake Boren Park in Newcastle, Washington, not far from Bellevue. We’ll be at the picnic site on the lower level, close to the parking lot and restrooms. Everyone is welcome, including newcomers and friends and family. Stay tuned for more details.
Meet the New ODHH Director Earnest Covington III
In case you missed it in the last issue, we’re welcoming the new director of Washington State’s Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH). Watch this auto-captioned, ASL video and get to know him.
How Well Do States Provide Accessible COVID-19 Briefings?
The National Association of the Deaf ranked U.S. states on how well they provided ASL interpreting for COVID-19 information briefings. Washington State fared well.
At HLAA-WA, we ensured that Governor Inslee’s COVID-19 press conferences were live-captioned on TVW Washington.
We encourage you to thank Governor Inslee for his compassionate, forward-thinking actions to include people who are Deaf or who have a hearing loss. You can reach him here.
Next HOPE Meeting September 7, 2022
Is paying for ear molds normal? Do PocketTalkers work in crowds or in noisy spaces? We discussed these questions and several others in our last HOPE meeting.
Our virtual (online) HOPE meetings provide caring, encouraging support to people with hearing loss and their loved ones. We empower one another by sharing information, self-advocacy skills, technologies, and techniques.
You’re warmly invited to attend and find hope. HOPE meetings are always free, captioned, and open to everyone.
National Hearing Loss News
Hearing Loops Are on Google Maps
You may have heard that businesses on Google Maps now have a place to indicate whether they have a hearing loop. This is a huge boon for hearing accesibility. Read more from Steve Frazier via the Hearing Health Foundation.
One Woman’s Path from Sudden Hearing Loss to Acceptance
When she lost her hearing while giving birth, Edda Collins Coleman didn’t know what to do. Read how she found her way to acceptance of her sudden hearing loss in this Washington Post article.
Thinking About a Cochlear Implant? Here’s the Lowdown.
Wondering if a cochlear implant would help you, or would you like to know more about how they work? Hearing Tracker has an excellent article written by Dr. Chad Ruffin.
You can also ask Dr. Ruffin questions directly at his “Ask Me Anything” webinar on August 18, 2022, 4:30 – 5:30 Pacific.
You Have New Hearing Aids. Now What?
New hearing aids can take some getting used to. Pro tip: Try your new device in different environments and situations. In Washington State, you have 30 days from purchase to return your hearing aid, provided your hearing aids are in the original condition. Be sure to read the contract and negotiate any recission fees. Your hearing health care provider may give your additional time – be sure to ask.
The Cleveland Clinic offers more tips on adjusting volume, testing your aids in different situations, asking for help, and more.
Why Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Aren’t Here Yet
Over-the-counter hearing aids are coming. But when? What’s taking so long? Senators Elizabeth Warren and Chuck Grassley have thoughts on that. Thank you to Carolyn Odio for this news tip!
Join HLAA and HLAA-WA
Member benefits include product discounts, reduced convention registration fees, help with the latest hearing loss tech, and HLAA’s award-winning quarterly magazine, Hearing Life. Your HLAA membership automatically includes HLAA-Washington. Dues start at $45 a year.
HLAA-WA does not endorse any technology, nor does exclusion suggest disapproval. We support the full spectrum of hearing technologies for everyone.