In this issue, we salute our veterans with hearing loss, congratulate our president on another award, and much more.
Washington State Hearing Loss News
Washington State AARP Honors Our President with an Award
Another award for our talented leadership? Yep!
Washington State AARP has honored HLAA-WA President Cheri Perazzoli with a Special Mention for its Andrus Community Service Award.
The Andrus Award is AARP’s tribute to outstanding volunteers aged 50 and older. Named after AARP founder Ethel Percy Andrus, the award recognizes people serving their communities in ways consistent with AARP’s purpose and vision. Stay tuned for details on the awards ceremony and festivities to come.
The Andrus award includes a $1,000 gift, which will be given to HLAA-WA.
Congratulations, Cheri! We’re proud and grateful for your leadership.
Learn More About Hearing Loss from Our Own Carolyn Odio
Our Board Director Carolyn Odio has launched a Substack where she’ll share more tips and tricks and information to help you with your hearing loss.
We encourage you to subscribe by clicking here.
Did You Know You Can Text 911?
Every county in Washington State now allows you to text 911 in an emergency. This can be very helpful for people who are Deaf or who have a hearing loss.
Call if you can. Text if you can’t.
Survey: Help Build an Age-Friendly Washington
Help build a more inclusive and age- and dementia-friendly future for Washington State by completing this survey.
The Washington Age- and Dementia-Friendly Washington Initiative hopes to improve health equity and address the emerging needs of a more diverse aging population.
When you fill out the survey, you might want to include the treatment and care for hearing loss as a part of healthy aging.
Advocacy for Healthy Aging in a
Changing Policy Landscape
Policies to support older adults are changing — and so are the advocacy and programs aimed at helping them.
Find out more about the shifting landscape for senior services in this AgeWise King County article, “Advocacy in a Time of Change.” The article shares insights from two senior conferences held this fall.
National Hearing Loss News
Honoring Our for Veterans, Today and Always
All year long, but especially on Veterans Day, we salute our veterans.
Veterans often experience hearing loss due to explosions and gunfire, prolonged exposure to aviation and other noises, ototoxic chemicals, or even traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
To help these veterans, HLAA hosts a virtual (online) chapter dedicated to veterans with hearing loss. They meet the third Tuesday of the month. At their November 18, 2025, meeting, Wynne Whyman and Jim Rau are the guest speakers. Topic: “No One Size Fits All: Real-World Tips & Tools for Navigating Hearing Loss.” These meetings are always free.
If you’re a veteran with hearing loss, or you know someone who is, please let them know that HLAA is here to help.
Staying Sane with Your Hearing Loss During the Holidays
The holidays can be stressful for everyone, but people with hearing loss often have specific challenges and worries, such as communicating at big family gatherings and hearing when we travel or attend holiday events.
But there are strategies we can use to help ourselves and others to relax and enjoy the holidays.
Shari Eberts offers this excellent hearing loss holiday survival guide.
More tips can be found here, in this helpful article from American Hearing + Audiology. For example, before you go, remember to clean and charge your hearing aids, and inform your hosts ahead of time that you have a hearing loss.
Dr. Cliff Olson Shares the Five Best
Hearing Loss Apps
There are a lot of apps to help you with your hearing loss. Which ones should you try first?
Dr. Cliff Olson, audiologist and YouTube creator, offers his five favorite ones in this video. He includes LaceAI Pro, an auditory training app that he recommends to all patients that he fits with hearing aids.
Hearing Aid Innovations: What’s New and Improved in 2025
Hearing aid technology has taken some big leaps forward in 2025. New features include 3D ear scanning, easier Bluetooth pairing and connectivity, AI-driven enhancements, more personalization, and more.
Read more in this article from the Audiology and Hearing Aid Center in Wisconsin.
A Club You Really Want to Join:
The Open-Caption Movie Club
Upcoming open-caption movies in your area delivered right to your inbox? Yes, if you sign up for the Open Caption Movie Club. It’s free, and several folks have told us they find it super helpful.
Hearing Access Technology Spotlights
Making a Hearing-Accessible Art Tour
Staff training in best practices. Ongoing commitment. And CART on a cart (we really like this concept!). This is how you make a hearing-friendly museum and art tour.
Read about how InnoCaption helped the Laguna Art Museum give hearing-friendly docent tours.
Hearing Loss Support Meetings & Hearing-Friendly Events
Get In-Person Support for Your Hearing Loss
- November 14, 2025, Renton: Special guest this month: Nichole Grimes from Cochlear. Our Renton support group meets 1-2 pm the second Friday of the month at the Renton Senior Activity Center, 211 Burnett Avenue North. A hearing loop is available. No need to register; simply check in at the desk. Free.
- November 15, 2025, Bellingham: HLAA-Northwest Washington Chapter monthly meeting: “Don’t Let Ototoxic Drugs Flip Your World Upside Down,” with Dr. Neil Bauman, Center for Hearing Loss Help. The HLAA-NWWA chapter meets the third Saturday of the month, 9:30 – Noon, at Christ the Servant Church, 2600 Lakeway Drive, Bellingham, Washington. Looped and free, open to all.
Join Our Next HOPE Meeting
December 3, 2025
Need HOPE and support for your hearing loss? You’re warmly invited to come an online hearing loss support meeting. This December, we’ll share strategies for enjoying the holidays with a hearing loss.
Facilitated by a caring, compassionate team, these monthly virtual meetings are free, live-captioned, and open to everyone with hearing loss and to their friends and family.
HOPE meets the first Wednesday of each month at 4:00 pm.
Legislative and Grant Writing
Training from ODHH
The Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing offers two valuable online training classes coming up soon.
- Legislative training: Saturday, November 15, 2025, 9:30 am – 11:30 am
- Introduction to grant writing: Saturday, December 6, 2025, 9:30 am – 11:30 am
Questions? Contact Elizabeth Luttrell, elizabeth.luttrell@dshs.wa.gov.
A Fun Career Event Dedicated to Hard-of-Hearing and Deaf Youth, March 11, 2026
BizTown is an annual event that focuses on career readiness, financial literacy, and community resources for Deaf and hard-of-hearing youth in grades 6-12. The event is sponsored by the Washington Center for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Youth (CDHY) and is held at the Junior Achievement of Washington office in Auburn, Washington.
All communication modes are welcome.
Please share with youth who you think would benefit.
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 17, 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).
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?
The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) and HLAA-WA do not endorse specific products or services,
but educate and advocate for a range of assistive technology options to help people with
hearing loss understand, connect, and stay engaged in their lives.
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.