Washington State Hearing Loss News

Our Annual Hearing Loss Community Picnic Is September 17, 2022
You and your friends and family are invited to our annual picnic at Lake Boren Park in Newcastle, Washington, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, with lunch at noon.
We’ll provide hot dogs, condiments, coleslaw, baked beans, water, coffee, cutlery, plates, and napkins. Window masks and hand sanitizers will be available. If you’d feel more comfortable, we don’t mind if you bring your own food or utensils. If you’d like to bring something to share, please bring dessesrt if your last name begins with A-L, or a salad if you’re in the M-Z group.
A hearing loop will be provided at the picnic shelter, and other technologies will be available for you to try. Getting there: From South 405, take Exit 10 to Coal Creek Parkway Southeast, just after the I-90 interchange. After four miles, turn right onto SE 84th Way (stoplight). From North 405, take Exit 5, turn right onto Highway 900 (NE Park Drive, which becomes Sunset Boulevard.) Go about 3 miles, then turn left onto Duvall Ave NE, which becomes Coal Creek Parkway SE. A mile later, turn left onto SE 84th Way (stoplight). The park entrance is on the right shortly after turning onto SE 84th Way. Follow it into the park and then park near the gray restroom building, which is the only buildng and parking lot in the park. We’ll be behind that building. Hope to see you there!

Get Involved with HLAA-WA
Our growing organization needs your help.
We’re looking for people to serve as board officers, board members, and volunteers. If you’re interested in serving your community locally, we’d welcome your leadership, technical, communication, fundraising, or other skills. Having a hearing loss is not required, but hearing loss will be accommodated to ensure everyone can participate fully.
Visit our webpage for more information, or contact Carolyn Odio directly, codio@hearingloss-wa.org.

Marlee Matlin
September 16, 2022
The Moore Theatre, Seattle
Do you love Marlee Matlin as much as we do? This Oscar-winning actress (Children of a Lesser God, CODA) is coming to Seattle, and we can’t wait. Marlee is an inspiring speaker and advocate for diversity and inclusion, and she’ll share her journey as an activist and as a Hollywood star. Prices start at just $29.50. The event will be open-captioned.
Read more about Marlee, and get your tickets directly here.

Meet ODHH Director Earnest Covington III in Your Neighborhood
Throughout September, the Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is hosting community meetings across the Washington State with Director Earnest Covington III. Meetings are in Bellingham, Vancouver, and Spokane. These meetings will be hearing accessible via hearing loops, captions, and ASL. Find out more here.

Whatcom County Chapter Spotlighted in National Hearing Life Magazine
Here in Washington State we’ve known that HLAA-Whatcom County chapter is a rock star chapter. Now the rest of the country knows it, too. Read their spotlight in the latest issue of Hearing Life magazine.

Hearing-Friendly Events Coming Up at MOHAI
Learn about Pacific Northwest history while having fun at these hearing-friendly events courtesy of the Museum of History and Industry.
Realtime captioning will be provided at these events:
History Café: Sidewalk Stories with Seattle Walk Report on Wednesday, September 21, 2022 at 6:30pm
Behind the Seams: World’s Fair Fashion on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at 11:00am and 1:00pm
ASL interpretation along with captions will be available at the following program:
Curators Fellowship Workshop on Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 1:00pm

Next HOPE Meeting
October 5, 2022
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.
Please share this information with someone who would benefit from a little hope.
National Hearing Loss News

Hearing Aids That “Hear” Through Masks?
Using radio frequency sensing and artificial intelligence, a Glasgow University-led team is working on a system that could “read” lips, even through a mask. Read more in The Engineer.

Online and In-Person Conference Hosted by HLAA-New York State
Recharge, reconnect, and reimagine your life with hearing loss at HLAA-New York State’s hybrid conference September 16–18, 2022. Justin Osmond is the keynote.

Meniere’s Online Support Group
Ménière’s disease can cause hearing loss, pain, dizziness, and other troubling symptoms. But there’s help.
Robert Hall and Laura Cohen of the HLAA-California Peninsula Chapter lead an online support group for people with Meniere’s. The leaders, who also have Meniere’s, focus on managing symptoms and finding ways to not let this disorder take over your life.
For more information, including how to join the Zoom support meetings, email info@hearinglosspen.org.

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.