Washington State Hearing Loss News
Memorial Service for John Waldo, Legal Eagle and Hero for People with Hearing Loss
The memorial service for disability rights attorney and superstar hearing loss advocate John Waldo will be livestreamed on October 14, 2023, at 10:00 am Pacific Time/Noon Central Time. If you happen to be in Houston and you’d like to attend in person, John’s service is at Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church, 6221 Main Street, Houston, Texas. You can watch the livestream on the church website.
John Waldo’s service to people with hearing loss is legendary. His local Washington State work included helping get more open-captioned movie screenings, getting hearing aids covered under insurance, and co-founding the Washington State Communication Access Project (Wash-CAP).
On our blog, read more about John’s incredible work with us, and read this lovely obituary for more about his life.
Communication Strategies Class Offered in Seattle at HSDC
Learn how to communicate more effectively, manage your energy levels and anxiety, advocate for yourself, speech-read, and more at the Hearing, Speech & Deaf Center this fall.
Led by HLAA-WA member and HSDC Client Advocate Devin Myers, this free class runs every Monday from October 23, 2023 to November 27, 2023, from 6:00 – 7:00 in the evening. Classes are held at the Hearing, Speech & Deaf Center in Seattle, 1625 19th Avenue. Light refreshments, assistive listening devices, and real-time captions provided. Feel free to bring a communication partner with you. Note: This is an HSDC program.
To RSVP: deafservices@hsdc.org or 206-452-7967.
Chapter Leader Workshop Offered: Social Media for HLAA Chapters
We are proud to announce that JoAnne Dyer, HLAA-WA’s communications person, will be leading an online workshop on social media for HLAA chapter leaders. At this year’s HLAA convention, JoAnne won awards for her work on our social media and the new HLAA-WA website.
This online Zoom event will take place on October 26, 2023, at 11:00 am Pacific/2:00 pm Eastern. The webinar is free and will be live-captioned.
Register for Social Media for Chapters and State Organizations.
Hearing-Friendly Events at the Federal Way Performing Arts & Events Center
Check out the looped events coming up during the Federal Way Performing Arts & Event Center’s 2023-24 season: The 40 Fingers guitar quartet, the Federal Way Symphony, the United States Army Field Band & Soldiers’ Chorus, Late Night Catechism (comedy play), Jake Shimabukuro’s Christmas in Hawaii, and more.
Visit the FWPAEC events calendar for details and ticket information.
Next HOPE Meeting: Wednesday, November 1, 2023
How can you communicate better at an outdoor event such as a picnic? Can I use a hearing loop to hear my TV better? These are a couple of the questions we discussed at a recent HOPE meeting.
Our Hearing Other People’s Experiences (HOPE) meetings are a safe, welcoming space where you can ask questions from your peers about anything and everything hearing loss and hearing tech.
Facilitated by a caring, compassionate HOPE Crew, these monthly virtual meetings are free, live-captioned, and open to everyone with hearing loss and to their friends and family. You’re welcome to relax, listen, and simply spend time with people who understand what it’s like to live with hearing loss.
Note: If you can’t attend a meeting, you can read a summary from past meetings on our blog.
National Hearing Loss News
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month
All year long, but especially in October, we celebrate the careers and workplace accomplishments of people with disabilities such as hearing loss.
What can you do to advance equity and inclusion in the workplace? Watch this US Dept. of Labor video, join the HLAA workplace webinar (see below), read the Dept. of Labor’s blog post about what’s happening at the national level, and ask for the hearing access technology that you need.
Webinar: Accessibility in Space and Beyond
Disability inclusion in space? Yes! AstroAccess is working on just that: making space accessible for people with disabilities, including hearing loss. And in doing so, they’re also helping perpetuate disability inclusion in all workplaces.
You might not have a chance to go into space, but you need access here on earth. Join the AstroAccess team along with HLAA Board Member Larry Guterman at this HLAA webinar, “Mission Possible: The Sky’s the Limit for Disability Workplace Inclusion,” Thursday, October 19, 2023, 3:00 – 4:00 pm Eastern Time.
Find Cool Jewelry for Your Hearing Aid
The name “DEAFMETAL” might make you think of an ear-crushing rock band from the 70s, but this DEAFMETAL is actually something very different (and gentler): It’s a brand of jewelry for your hearing devices.
The artist behind the jewelry, Jenni Ahtiainen, wears hearing aids herself. She has an accessory-design background–U2’s lead singer Bono himself owns one of her scarves.
Jenni’s designs range from cute and appropriate for kids, to feminine, to sporty, to, well, kind of metal. We love how Jenni makes hearing aids stylish, fun, and even beautiful.
You can order DEAFMETAL jewelry from their US distributor, DEAFMETAL USA.
Doctor Learns to Live Well with Her Hearing Loss
We found encouragement and hope in this touching story of a grandmother–who happens to also be a doctor–rebuilding her relationships after she experiences a hearing loss.
A Seat at the Table Means Hearing Loss Advocacy Wins
Barbara Kelley, HLAA Executive Director, was recently named to the National Institutes of Health Council of Councils. This prestigious appointment is part of HLAA’s behind-the-scenes work that ensures hearing loss is part of conversations around public health, policy, research, and programs across the country and around the world.
Read HLAA’s blog post, “A Seat at Many Tables,” to learn more about this vital HLAA priority .
Buying Hearing Aids at Walgreens: What’s Available, How Much Do They Cost, and What Should You Know?
Forbes magazine weighs in on the latest news in over-the-counter hearing aids, which ones (and with which features) you can find at Walgreens, and things to consider when you think you might need a hearing aid.
Michele Michaels, HLAA Get in the Hearing Loop team member, is quoted in the article.
We’re Here for You
Thank you for your interest in HLAA-Washington State and in all things hearing health related. As always, let us know how we can help you: info@hearingloss-wa.org.
HLAA-WA does not endorse any technology, nor does exclusion suggest disapproval. We support the full spectrum of hearing technologies for everyone. 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.