Washington State Hearing Loss News
We Won the Hamilton Relay
Community Leader Award!
HLAA-WA is the proud recipient of the 20204 Hamilton Relay Community Leader Award! Thank you, Hamilton Relay!
Thank you also to Walt Bowen for nominating us, and to our dear friends, including Bob Leroy and Cathy Knight, who endorsed and recommended us.
This award recognizes strong leadership and volunteerism within the hearing loss and Deaf communities
We’re planning an award ceremony with Hamilton Relay’s Jhaynehl Fortaleza. Stay tuned for details.
Your Thoughts on Advocacy, Programs, and More from Our Survey
If you took the time to complete our survey, THANK YOU!
Some highlights of your replies…
- You’re making the ASK: Most of you (75%!) are taking charge of your hearing loss and asking for hearing accommodations. Congratulations!
- Insurance help is important: Only 30% of you say you have adequate insurance coverage for your hearing aids.
- You want to get social: You’d like to join other people with hearing loss at a movie, live theater, or music event — with captions and an assistive listening system, of course.
We’re Uniting to Improve Hearing Loss Programs and Services Across Washington
Our voices are louder when we come together, and that’s what we’re doing now and into 2025.
We’re working with other hearing loss and Deaf communities to help get more resources for people with hearing loss, get more community-based hearing care, and help solve the ASL interpreter shortage.
National Hearing Loss News
New Website, Chapter Portal from HLAA Headquarters
The folks at our national HLAA office have debuted a new website. We like the fresh colors, easy scrolling, and readable layout and text.
Chapter leaders and key volunteers, take note: The new website also features a chapter portal. You’ll find important news, updates, resources, and tools. Check the upper right-hand corner on the new site to register.
Need help using the new chapter portal? Register to attend this webinar on November 13, 2024, at Noon Pacific.
Join the Open Caption Movie Club
A new group aims to email you weekly updates of captions in your area. We aren’t sure when they’ll have Washington State ZIP codes ready, but we signed up anyway.
You can sign up here — it’s free.
More Captioned Movies Coming to the OTHER Washington
More open-caption movies are now available in Washington DC, thanks to the Open Movie Captioning Requirement Amendment Act of 2024.
The new rules are a little complicated. Essentially, theaters with three or more screens must offer captioning for three screenings in the first two weeks of a film’s release, including during peak weekend hours.
Do you think we can implement a similar law here in Washington State?
More on the New Air-Pods-As-Hearing-Aids Option
Will AirPods hearing aids be a real option for people who really need hearing help?
The New York Times explores that question and others too, including why sales are lower than expected for OTC hearing aids — even though good evidence shows they work well.
Barbara Kelley, HLAA Executive Director, is quoted in this article: “When Apple makes a splash, it pushes the idea of hearing health into the mainstream.”
This should come up for you as a gifted article, but you may need an NYT subscription to read it.
All Cell Phones Will Soon Be Hearing-Aid Compatible
Thanks to a new FCC requirement, all mobile phones sold in the U.S. will be hearing-aid compatible over the next two to three-and-a-half years.
HLAA has long advocated for the need for phone accessibility, and the national organization helped bring about this new regulation.
Read more about the rule and about advocates David and Reba Saks, who helped lead the way decades ago. They saw the need for change, and they took action to make it happen.
Enjoying Music When You Have a Hearing Loss
Music can sometimes sound different when you have a hearing loss and are using a hearing aid or CI. But there are things you can do to hear your favorite tunes more clearly and find joy in them once again.
Read how in this article from hearing loss advocate Shari Eberts in Psychology Today.
Hearing Loops & Telecoils Spotlight
Halifax and Portland Airports Improve Travel for People with Hearing Loss
Hearing loops are available at the Halifax, Nova Scotia airport and the Portland, Oregon International Airport (PDX)!
The PDX airport has counter loops at info booths and baggage claim podiums. These loops were funded through an AARP grant.
To use the hearing loops, turn your hearing aid or CI to T or telecoil mode.
Hearing Loss Support Meetings & Hearing-Friendly Events
Get In-Person Support for Your Hearing Loss
- November 16, 2024, Bellingham: Northern Washington (Whatcom County): This award-winning group meets the third Saturday of each month, 9:30 – Noon at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, 2600 Lakeway Drive, Bellingham. In November, Pastor Jana Schofield will discuss bridging hearing gaps within the church and hearing loss in her family. Everyone is welcome.
- December 1, 2024, Panorama Senior Living, Lacey. This group generally meets the first day of the month. Contact Carolyn Odio for confirmation and details: Carolynodio@gmail.com
- December 13, 2024, Renton: Our free Renton support group meets the second Friday at 1 pm at the Renton Senior Activity Center, 211 Burnett Avenue North, Renton. No need to register; simply check in at the front desk. This group is led by our award-winning HLAA-WA Secretary Glenda Philio. A hearing loop is available, and everyone is welcome.
Virtual Hearing Loss Support Meeting
HOPE, December 4, 2024
For this meeting, the HOPE crew will discuss communication challenges and solutions during the holiday season.
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 October HOPE meeting with guest speaker Dr. Larry Medwetsky here. Dr. Medwetsky talked about the latest advances in hearing aids and other devices, including split processing, streaming options, and feedback canceling.
HOPE meets the first Wednesday of each month at 4:00 pm. We hope you can join us!
Note: Our January 2025 meeting will be held January 8, not January 1.
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 November 18, 2024. 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).
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.