You’re invited to our free Hearing Loss Community Day at Town Hall Seattle on April 25, 2026, 9:30 – 3:00.

We’re excited to welcome Ann Thomas, HLAA-Diablo Valley President. Her hands-on workshop, “Hearing Technology Can Be Your Friend,” will show to use your smartphone as a remote control app for your hearing aids, how to use caption and other apps on your smartphone, and how to use personal safety devices such as visual alarms.

Then, at our “Check Out the Tech” session, you can try out Pocketalkers, Auracast, caption glasses, personal microphones, neckloops, and hearing loops. Our volunteers will help you! These easy technologies can help you hear better at home, at appointments and meetings, or in public venues. We’ll also have alarm, safety, and alert devices.

In the afternoon, Greg Bawden, HLAA-WA Board Director, will share tips on self-advocacy during his presentation, “Speak Up: Ask for What You Need.” He’ll give real-world examples of places where you’re entitled by law to hear, but where you may have to request access. He’ll show you how to get what you need to hear better and participate equally.

Finally, we’ll conclude the day with a panel: “Hearing Loss is a Journey: We’re Here to Help” with panelists Jacqui Metzger, Kimberly Parker, and Cheri Perazzoli. Audiologist Alexandra Alfieri will moderate as panelists explore what a hearing loss community really does to help us. We’ll talk about how to reduce the emotional impacts of hearing loss, why peer support is so powerful in our hearing loss journey, and how strength in numbers helps us on the legislative side. Then, volunteers, including Board Directors Heidi Crabtree and Carolyn Odio, will share how they’ve benefited from joining our community and helping themselves and others. Before you leave for the day, you’ll find out how to join our community by donating or signing up as a volunteer.

Registration is required, but free. Lunch is included at no charge.

A hearing loop and CART live captioning will be provided throughout the meeting.

We’d love to see you there!