Washington State Hearing Loss News
Legislative Update 2025
The 2025 Washington State Legislature is now in session.
We’re working with legislators, particularly Sen. Tina Orwall, on Senate Bill 5486, which will help get more open-captioned movies in theaters. A grateful shout-out goes to the workgroup of theater owners and Deaf and hard-of-hearing advocates who worked with Senator Orwall over the last couple years to help us get here.
Send an email or call your legislators to urge them to support this bill. And stay tuned for updates.
Also our legislative liaison, Cynthia Stewart, gave the Washington Senior Lobby an outstanding update on the Washington State Legislature’s 2025 session. This year, the legislature is on a biennium, which means it has a long, 105-day session. Read Cynthia’s slides to find out about what’s going on in Olympia, including budget challenges, many new lawmakers, and uncertain federal revenue.
Caption Glasses for Better Hearing?
Thinking about trying caption glasses to hear better in conversations?
On our blog this week, here’s a rundown of the current options on the market. They’re not inexpensive, but some folks who have tried them are excited. What do you think? Fad or the future?
A Paid Research Opportunity for People with
Hearing Loss
AI Data Innovations (AIDI), a local research company, is looking for people with hearing loss to participate in their research. Find out more about these studies and how you might qualify to help.
“It was quick and easy, and I’m glad to know I’m doing something to help make truly innovative hearing technology possible,” says Cathy Sindelar, AIDI participant.
We warmly welcome our new sponsor, AI Data Innovations.
Progress on Getting More Sign Language
Interpreters in Washington State
Improvements to credentialing and support for training are coming! These moves should help boost the number of American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters in Washington State.
Watch this YouTube video from the Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for more details.
In addition, Senate Bill 5025, introduced this session, will help boost the quality of educational interpreters who serve Deaf and Deafblind students. The bill has ahearing scheduled for 8:00 AM on Tuesday, January 28th in the Senate K-12 and Early Learning Committee. There will be an opportunity to testify—you can click here to participate. You can also submit a written testimony, have your record noted here as PRO/CON, or make a comment on the bill.
Accessibility Learning Workshops Coming Up Online
Check out this workshop series, “Going Beyond Etiquette: How to Be an Ally in Everyday Life,” arranged by Elizabeth Ralston, Disability Consultant. Workshops are online via Zoom, and you can register for one, two, or all three. Note that these workshops do have a fee.
- Transforming Higher Education for People with Disabilities, March 5, 2025, Noon Pacific time
- Accessible Recreation: Making the Outdoors Accessible for All, April 2, 2025, Noon Pacific time
- Accessible Travel: Planning Considerations for People with Disabilities, May 7, 2025, Noon Pacific time
Please share these workshops with people in your community who will benefit from learning more about disability access.
National Hearing Loss News
Ready, Set, Go!
Registration Opens for the 2025 HLAA Convention in Indianapolis
You can register TODAY for the HLAA convention in Indianapolis this summer.
Early bird rates for an individual are just $425 and $175 for students.
The light is green. What are you waiting for?
Cool Hearing Tech Seen at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES)
A pair of glasses that’s also a hearing aid, plus lots of AI everywhere: That’s what the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas offered people with hearing loss this year. The folks at Hearing Review share their exciting hearing tech finds in this article.
Get Reading!
Reading is for everyone. And now, thanks to book clubs and accessible libraries, it’s easier for people with hearing loss to participate in literary events. This article in Hearing Life magazine explains, including a guide to starting a book club for people with hearing loss.
In Washington State, loops are available in Bellevue Library Meeting Room 1, the KCLS Service Center in Issaquah, and the Burlington, Anacortes, Ridgefield, and Everett libraries. Counter loops are available at the Auburn, Boulevard Park, Burien, Kingsgate, Mercer Island, and Redmond Libraries.
Test Your Hearing Loss with an App From Johns Hopkins
A new app from Johns Hopkins can give you your hearing number–that is, your 4-frequency pure tone average. You can track your hearing over time, much the way you might track your other health information.
Designed by hearing researcher Dr. Frank Lin, the app is part of a wider hearing loss public health campaign.
A Ballerina Can Hear the Music Once Again
It took ballerina Sara Mearns ten years ago to get her hearing aids. But now, she’s overjoyed to hear music again while she dances.
Read Sara’s story in the New York Times. You may need a paid subscription to access the article.
Hearing Loops & Telecoils Spotlight
Seattle Rep Theater is Super Loopy
The Seattle Rep is a flagship hearing-friendly venue treasured not only in Seattle, but across the country.
With hearing loops in all three theaters, ticket windows, the concierge, and concessions, people with hearing loss can hear everywhere they go at the Rep.
Open-caption, Spanish-open-caption, audio-described, sensory-friendly and ASL-interpreted performances are also available as part of the Rep’s commitment to accessibility.
Coming up at the Rep:
- Blues for an Alabama Sky, Jan. 30 – Feb. 23, 2025
OC performance: February 13, 7:30 pm
ASL & audio described: February 22, 2:00 pm
Hearing Loss Support Meetings & Hearing-Friendly Events
Get In-Person Support for Your Hearing Loss
- February 8, 2025, morning, Lacey and online via Zoom: “Eyeglasses that Caption” presentation and demo, Panorama Senior Living, Quinault Auditorium. Contact Carolyn Odio, codio@hearingloss-wa.org to ensure this program is a go. Free.
- February 15, 2025, Bellingham: HLAA-Northwest Washington Chapter monthly meeting, Western Washington University Students, “From Our Viewpoint.” This amazing group meets the third Saturday of the month, 9:30 – Noon, at Christ the Servant Church, 2600 Lakeway Drive, Bellingham, Washington. Looped and free.
- February 14, 2025, Renton: Our in-person monthly support group meets the second Friday of the month at 1pm at the Renton Senior Activity Center, 211 Burnett Avenue North. Looped and free.
Webinar: Explore Your Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Options
There’s still some consumer confusion around over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. Get clarity at this webinar on Wednesday, January 29, 11:00 am – Noon Pacific time. Representatives from Sony’s Hear team, Sonova, and HearAdvisor will join HLAA Executive Director Barbara Kelley to answer your questions.
Virtual Hearing Loss Support Meeting
HOPE: February 5, 2025
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 ask questions, and also to simply relax, listen, and spend time with people who understand what it’s like to live with hearing loss.
Read the notes from the January HOPE meeting here. The group talked about caption apps for smartphones, hearing rehabilitation, and more.
HOPE meets the first Wednesday of each month at 4:00 pm.
Toastmasters Online for People with Hearing Loss
Need a boost in confidence? Some friendly coaching to improve your speaking skills?
If so, you might like to join the Audible Talkers Toastmasters, which is specifically designed for people with hearing loss. This friendly group meets twice a month, online via Zoom, the first and third Mondays from 6-7:15 pm Arizona time. Their next meeting is February 3, 2025. Everyone is welcome.
Access the meeting at zoom.audibletalkerstoastmasters.com. Questions? Contact Christy Abrams (c.abrams@acdhh.az.gov) or Harry Wolfe (hwolfeaz@gmail.com).
Note: Harry Wolfe will be our guest speaker at our April HOPE meeting. Stay tuned for more details.
Stay Involved with HLAA and HLAA-WA
We’re glad you’re part of our community.
What more can you do to support people with hearing loss?
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.