In this issue, find out how you can be a part of our new committees, read about new hearing loops in very cool places, and enjoy stories and local experiences from our hearing loss community on our blog.
Washington State Hearing Loss News
Volunteer Opportunities: Make a Difference on an HLAA-WA Committee
YOU are needed on our committees! You can help us expand our programs and outreach so people with hearing loss connect, live well, and thrive.
We’re looking for people passionate about hearing access, advocacy, and community engagement to join others who share our drive to make a difference. Opportunities include event planning, advocacy, presentations, outreach, communications, fundraising, and finance.
You’ll work with a caring, motivated team, develop your leadership and other skills, and make friends who understand. Your time commitment could be as little or as much as you’d like. Committees include Fundraising, Outreach, Communications, Access, and Finance/Governance.
Interested? Let’s chat: hope@hearingloss-wa.org.
To Wear or Not to Wear Hearing Aids?
A Hearing Loss Story
A young girl in India in 1970 meets an American doctor who diagnoses her hearing loss. His kind words resonate with her over the decades and across the miles, all the way to Seattle, as she wears, and sometimes doesn’t wear, her hearing aids.
Don’t miss Abha Sharma’s essay on our blog.
Hearing Right at the Play That Went Wrong
Hearing-friendly entertainment awaits you in Seattle. But where, and how?
On our blog this week, Kirsten Robbins shares her day seeing The Play That Went Wrong at the Seattle Rep and how well she could hear. Kirsten has cochlear implants and uses captions.
A Magic Sign?
Cheri Perazzoli Explains in This Video from the Kennedy Center
A few years back, our president, Cheri Perazzoli, saw a hearing loop sign while she was on vacation in Ireland. The sign let her know she could hear through a hearing loop for the first time.
And the rest is history — really, HERstory of hearing loss advocacy.
Watch Cheri in this short video interview from the Kennedy Center.
Advocate and Leader Laura Gramer Wins a
Big Award
Congratulations to Laura Gramer, winner of the Marilyn J. Smith Award from Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services (ADWAS) this month.
Laura is the Board President at Washington State Hands & Voices and former board chair at the Hearing Speech & Deaf Center. She’s a longtime, incredible advocate for Deaf and hard-of-hearing people, and we’re grateful for her work.
National Hearing Loss News
Encouragement and Strategies in Honor of Disability Employment Month
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. People with hearing loss, like many people with disabilities, face job-related disparities.
But there are ways to thrive at work with your hearing loss. In this HLAA blog post, four members of the HLAA Task Force for Accessible, Inclusive Employment share insights and strategies to help you get what you need to succeed.
You can also join the HLAA webinar on October 29, 2025, 11 am to Noon Pacific: “Tech Tips for Smart, Inclusive Employment.” Click here, or see below for more information.
Can Confidence Break the Hearing Loss Stigma?
We talk a lot about breaking the hearing loss stigma. Hearing aids should carry no shame or stigma — hearing aids help us connect to and navigate the world. And yes, they can bring us confidence.
What changes are needed so that confidence replaces stigma? Hearing loss advocate Shari Eberts has excellent suggestions for the hearing industry, including improving hearing aid imagery in the media.
A K-Pop Band with Hearing Loss: Meet the Three Stars in Big Ocean
Lights, vibration, AI, and even sign language help the Korean Pop band Big Ocean dance and sing together in sync.
In this interview with BBC World Service, the three band members, who are hard of hearing, share how they use metronome watch and even artificial intelligence. During vocal training, the notes are visualized on their phones.
Webinar: Tech Tips for Smart,
Inclusive Employment
October 29, 11-noon Pacific
Tech and a little know-how can really help you thrive at work with your hearing loss. But what are the most helpful tools? What are the best practices?
This HLAA webinar will help you become tech-savvy and confident in the workplace. Presenters: Tina Childress, Michael Noble, and Sarah Sable. Moderated by Dr. Kelly Tremblay.
Webinar: Is a Cochlear Implant
Right for You?
October 30, 2025, 1-2 pm Pacific
If you’re struggling to hear even with hearing aids, might a cochlear implant be a solution for you?
Find out at this webinar from the Michigan Ear Institute. Two MDs, an audiologist, and a cochlear implant recipient will be presenting.
Hearing Access Technology Spotlights
A New Loop in Our Nation’s Capital
At the National Cathedral in Washington, DC, you can now tune into the hearing loop to hear better.
Hearing loss advocate Dr. David Myers worked with cathedral staff to make sure the loops happened. Dr. Myers reports that the loop works beautifully.
The National Cathedral is the world’s 6th-largest Gothic cathedral, hosting not just religious services, but also concerts and other national events. Next time you’re in DC, sign up for a tour, either self-guided or guided.
Loopy in Santa Fe: Meow Wolf Museum Offers Weirdness, Hearing Loops
Meow Wolf Santa Fe is an immersive, interactive museum like few others. And it’s hearing friendly, too.
Hearing Loss Support Meetings & Hearing-Friendly Events
Get In-Person Support for Your Hearing Loss
- October 18, 2025, Bellingham: HLAA-Northwest Washington Chapter monthly meeting: “When Hearing Aids Aren’t Enough” with Nichole Grimes from Cochlear Americas. 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.
- November 14, 2025, Renton: 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.
Join Our Next HOPE Meeting
November 5, 2025
Need HOPE and support for your hearing loss? You’re warmly invited to come an online hearing loss support meeting.
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.
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 October 20, 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.