In our community survey and recent strategic planning meetings, mental health and the emotional challenges of hearing loss were raised again and again. We rarely talk about it, and clearly, most of us want to! So let’s get together and listen, share, and learn from each other.

The Emotional Impacts of Hearing Loss: Finding Support and Community

Hearing loss often packs an emotional punch: Fear, anxiety, anger, embarrassment, depression, loneliness, exhaustion—all normal emotional responses—and also feelings of profound grief for what has been lost. Whether mild, moderate, or severe, losing the ability to hear and interpret things clearly can make a person feel separate from the rest of the world.

Even so, hearing loss doesn’t have to define you or your mental health. The goal is to move from grief to acceptance to strength. But how? Surround yourself with knowledge and support. 

Please join us in coming together to talk as a community. With panelists with professional and lived experience, we will discuss the importance of acknowledging and managing the emotional side of hearing loss. You will have an opportunity to share your story or ask questions—we hope you will.

This rich discussion is the focus of the HLAA-WA Annual Community Meeting, April 26, 2025, at Town Hall Seattle.

The Emotional Impacts of Hearing Loss: Finding Support and Community
A Panel Discussion

Moderator

Jacqui Metzger holds a master’s degree in social work and is a retired mental health professional and licensed clinical social worker. Over 25 years, she consulted with businesses (Boeing, City of Seattle) and schools (Tyee and Edmonds High Schools) that had hard-of-hearing students, and she taught many “Coping Well with Hearing Loss” classes, thanks to Sam Trychin. With Lisa Illich, she taught a class called “Listening to Hearing Loss: Counseling Concepts” to graduate-level audiology students at the University of Washington. She presented at many HLAA and other professional meetings.

Panelists

Kimberly Parker leads our monthly HOPE meetings, helping people dealing with hearing loss voice their needs and find support. She recently received the Spirit of HLAA award for her leadership and service to HOPE. Kimberly is also a Gallaudet Peer Mentor, past board member, HLAA Convention presenter, retired drama teacher and writer, producer, and star of the one woman play, “Lost in Sound.”

Abha Sharma is an emerging artist, published author and research scientist at the University of Washington, Seattle. A recipient of the 2021 Grants for Artists’ Progress (GAP) Award from the Artist Trust, and the Artists Up Mentorly Scholarship from the state of Washington, she is currently finalizing her memoir of hearing loss experiences that have enriched her life. Abha joined the HLAA in 2010 and served as a member on the HLAA Chapter board, Fort Worth, Texas. Access to their quarterly publication, Hearing Life, was a life-changing event for Abha. It was then that she recognized and understood the many mysteries of her life, such as why she would often offer to wash dishes at social and family gatherings. 

Devin Myers has built an impressive career as a hearing loss and deaf advocate. Over the past 10 years, Devin has worked for ODHH and HSDC where he focused on helping people understand hearing loss, assistive technology, and their legal rights under the ADA. Devin is also a co-founder of our HOPE program.

Jayesh Unadkat is a computer software consultant and dedicated advocate for the hearing loss community. A long-time supporter of HLAA-WA, he has served as board trustee, vice president, and webmaster. Jayesh has presented at an HLAA national convention and completed the Peer Mentor Training Program at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC. He continues to champion accessibility, inclusion, and community support through both professional and volunteer work.

Please join us for this important discussion, as well as awards, welcoming new board members and an overview of our core programs and offerings. All this followed by a catered luncheon and conversation with friends. We hope to see you there.

HLAA-WA Annual Community Meeting
Happy Birthday HLAA-WA
Celebrating YOU and 35 Years of Bringing Hope to Hearing Loss

April 26, 2025, Town Hall Seattle
Doors open at 9:30 am, Lunch served at 1:30
Fully hearing accessible: ASL, live captions, and hearing loops
Free and open to all
A Zoom link will be sent to those who register to participate online