Washington State Hearing Loss News
Come See Us at an Outreach Event
We’re coming to an event near you. Stop by, say hi, and grab some swag.
- September 26, 10:30 am – 1:00 pm, Burien. Falls Prevention Day, Burien Community Center, 14700 6th Ave SW, Burien. We have a presentation and an exhibit table.
- September 26, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, Auburn. Auburn Wellness Fair, 808 9th St. SE, Auburn.
- September 27, 9:00 am – 1:0 pm, Renton. Renton Senior Resource Expo. Renton Senior Center, 211 Burnett Ave N, Renton.
A Small Button with a BIG Impact on Your Self-Advocacy
What happens when you wear a “Face Me, I Have a Hearing Loss” button?
It could turn your day around. And it could be the first step toward self-advocacy.
Follow Us on LinkedIn
We’re moving away from Twitter and building up our other social media, including LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. Please follow us on all our social media for timely updates and shares. And share, like, link, and comment!
National Hearing Loss News
There’s Realtime AI in Phonak’s New Hearing Aid, the Infinio
Artificial intelligence is everywhere, and now it’s in these new Phonak Adueo Sphere Infinio hearing aids. Phonak claims that its real-time technology can reduce listening effort and fatigue.
Read more in The Hearing Review, and watch Dr. Cliff Olson’s video, where Dr. Olson explains why he thinks this hearing aid series is a big step forward.
As always, let us know if you try them and what you think.
Audiobooks Can Help You Adapt to Your Hearing Aids
We’re old enough to remember books on tape. But now, you can stream audiobooks from your computer, tablet, or phone. And some people report that their favorite mystery novel can also be a form of auditory training.
Read more from HelpMeHear and the Hopkins Hearing Institute.
Did You Know There Are Tax Benefits for Businesses Who Accommodate Deaf and Hard of Hearing People?
Disabled access credits, work opportunity credits, and more tax help is sometimes available to businesses that provide access to people with disabilities. In honor of October as Disability Employment Month, why not share this information with a local business that you visit?
Hat-tip to Deaf-Friendly Consulting for this excellent resource.
Hearing Loops & Telecoils Spotlight
In Madison, Wisconsin, a New Loop in a Beautiful Old Church
At St. Bernard Church in Madison, a hearing loop will be part of the building’s extensive renovations. The loops are being placed into the concrete both around the perimeter and down the center aisle of the sanctuary. That way, people with hearing loss can sit anywhere to hear better.
Thank you, St. Bernard!
Hearing Loss Support Meetings & Hearing-Friendly Events
Webinar with Cynthia Stewart
“Advocacy at the State Level”
Don’t miss this webinar on October 23, 2024, Noon – 1:00 Pacific time. Our award-winning legislative liaison Cynthia Stewart will address a national audience on this HLAA-hosted webinar. She’ll describe the strategies, the players, the pitfalls, and “how-to” steps toward achieving legislative attention — and victories — for people with hearing loss.
Webinar: Better Virtual Meetings for People with Hearing Loss
New research has found some strategies that can help people with hearing loss during virtual meetings. This HLAA webinar on October 28, 2024, 1pm Pacific, will feature practical strategies to help you understand and participate more effectively when you find yourself at a work or another type of meeting online.
Deaf Lit Fest Coming in October
Check out this cool new event that features Deaf writers, literary talks, and writing workshops.
The organizers, DeafSpotlight, are looking for volunteers for will call tickets, book signing support, and set up/clean up. Note that the event will be primarily in ASL, so if you need an interpreter or other accommodation, email the organizers: info@deafspotlight.org.
Get tickets for all or part of the event here.
Learn About Medicare Changes — and Basics, Too — at Two Upcoming Webinars
Medicare benefits are changing. Find out how they might impact you at these two webinars, “Medicare Basics with Klaus Medicare.” The webinars are organized by the Washington State Office of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing.
- Wednesday, October 9, 2024, 6 pm
- Wednesday, October 16, 2024, 6 pm
Details, including the Zoom meeting link and login information, are on this flyer.
Reminder: Free Webinars on the ADA
Coming Up
The Southeast ADA Center offers free webinars on the ADA and how it works in different settings. Two live webinars are coming up:
- September 26, 2024 – Polling Place Accessibility and the ADA
- October 24, 2024 – Courtrooms and the ADA
Past webinars on topics like healthcare and education are also available to watch for free.
The ADA can be a tool to help you get hearing access. If you’re new to asking for access, or you need more help, check out our webpage, “How to Ask for Hearing Help.”
Virtual Hearing Loss Support Meeting
HOPE with Guest Speaker, Dr. Larry Medwetsky
October 2, 2024
Join us for our next HOPE meeting on October 2nd. We’ll change our regular agenda to warmly welcome Dr. Larry Medwetsky, who will talk to us about the latest hearing tech advances.
Dr. Medwetsky recently retired as a full professor from the Gallaudet University doctoral audiology program, and he was a founding board member of the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association. He’s also a professional advisor to HLAA.
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 September HOPE meeting here. The group talked about telecoils and hearing loops, finding an audiologist, and more.
HOPE meets the first Wednesday of each month at 4:00 pm. We hope you can join us!
Get In-Person Support for Your Hearing Loss
- October 1, 2024, Lacey: The Panorama hearing loss support group, led by Carolyn Odio, usually meets the first day of the month. Contact carolyn@odio.com for more information.
- October 11, 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.
- October 19, 2024: Northern Washington (Whatcom County): Nivole Grimes (Engagement Manager, Cochlear Americas) discusses whether cochlear implants might be your next step. This group meets the 3rd Saturday, 9:30 – 11:30, at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Bellingham. Everyone is welcome. Click here to find out more.
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 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 October 7, 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.