Washington State Hearing Loss News
Giving Tuesday Launches the Gift Season
As we begin this season of giving, will you include the million-plus people with hearing loss in Washington State?
Your kind support provides so much…
- Compassionate, caring peer support via our HOPE program for everyone experiencing hearing loss
- Information and education on hearing aids and hearing technologies
- Advocacy that gets more hearing aids in more ears and communication access in more places
Together, we’re empowering and helping one another. And in 2025, with your help, we can do even more. Every donation of every size makes a difference. Will you make a gift to HLAA-WA this season?
Ringing in Your Ears, Ringing in Your Mind
Understanding Tinnitus
Tinnitus is very common, but it can be frustrating and disruptive to your daily life. What causes it, and what can you do?
We’re Now on BlueSky
Due to….deteriorating conditions on Twitter, which we refuse to call X, we’ve joined BlueSky. We’re also on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
Please follow us on all our social media, and we’ll follow you back.
National Hearing Loss News
Get Revved Up for the 2025 HLAA Convention
Indianapolis, home of the Indy 500 car race, is also home to the 2025 HLAA Convention, June 11-14. Get ready!
Early bird registration opens in January 2025. Meanwhile, read more about the convention, which includes a symposium on stigma and hearing loss.
Have an idea for a workshop or presentation you’d like to give? Submit a proposal by December 13, 2024.
The Legendary Paul Simon Talks Hearing Loss, Cures, and Staying Creative
Paul Simon has just 6% of his hearing remaining in his left ear. There are songs he can no longer perform, like “Call Me Al.” But he’s changed how he records and plays music, and he’s sharing hopeful information from the Stanford Initiative to Cure Hearing Loss. Read and watch this CBS Mornings report.
Photo credit: “Paul Simon at the 9-30 Club (b)” by Matthew Straubmuller (imatty35) is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Study Participant Opportunity for Black Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Women
If you are a Black woman and you’re Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and you also were pregnant sometime between 1980 and 2010, you may qualify for a study.
Chisom Ofomata, a current senior at Yale University, is a Black deaf woman working on her senior thesis. By collecting oral histories, she’s studying how the maternal health experiences of Black d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing women evolved between 1980-2010.
If you would feel comfortable participating, fill out this Google form (https://forms.gle/Gis17Zz7gVoKDzwk9 ) or email chisom.ofomata@yale.edu.
Hearing Aids Linked to Lower Risk of Parkinson’s Disease
Another potential benefit of using your hearing aids early in your hearing loss diagnosis: Doing so may help reduce your risk of Parkinson’s disease, according to this study of veterans.
Holocaust Survivors Are Gifted with Hearing Aids
The Miracle Ear Foundation and several Jewish organizations are providing hearing aids to hundreds of people in Brooklyn who survived the Holocaust. The recipients are people who needed help hearing but couldn’t afford hearing aids.
Watch this uplifting video from PIX11 News on YouTube. Remember to turn on the captions.
Hearing Loops & Telecoils Spotlight
Hearing Loops Coming to the Arctic. Really!
No loop is too far away for us to appreciate. Well, this one is really far, but still, we’re excited. Check out the loops coming to the new airport in Nuuk, Greenland.
Hearing Loss Support Meetings & Hearing-Friendly Events
Get In-Person Support for Your Hearing Loss
- 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.
- December 14, 2024, Bellingham: Northern Washington (Whatcom County): Join the annual Christmas potluck and white elephant gift exchange, 11:30 am. Please bring a gift and treats to share. As always, we meet at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, 2600 Lakeway Drive, Bellingham. 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 November HOPE meeting here. The group talked about hearing technologies, what hearing access is like in New York City, and more.
HOPE meets the first Wednesday of each month at 4:00 pm. Exception: 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 December 16, 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.