Welcome to our September 30, 2025 issue.
Washington State Hearing Loss News
Leadership Opportunity
Join our Board of Directors
You can help shape the future of hearing loss support and policy in Washington State!
We’re looking for people who are passionate about hearing loss advocacy to serve on our board of directors.
You’ll play a key role in developing our new strategic plan, directing our policy work, and building hearing-friendly neighborhoods across Washington State. Plus, you’ll gain leadership skills, network with professionals and advocates, and make a meaningful impact on disability advocacy.
Directors serve a three-year term alongside an award-winning, caring, empowering team of fellow directors.
Interested? Read our job description and send us a note: hope@hearingloss-wa.org.
Seattle Waterfront is Accessible in
Groundbreaking Ways
The new Seattle Waterfront is accessible to people with disabilities–and it was designed that way from the start.
Our president Cheri Perazzoli learned about the accessibility options at a hearing-friendly tour this summer. Read more in this blog post.
Get Staffing and Services Updates from ODHH, October 23, 2025, 6 pm via Zoom
Get the latest on staffing changes, case management, DSHS, and program updates from the Washington State Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH) at this Community Leaders Roundtable.
Join the roundtable live via this link.
Reminder: Senior Lobby Conference
October 16, 2025
The Washington State Senior Lobby Fall Conference is coming up. This year, it’s online, and everyone is welcome. If you’re interested in attending, please contact Cheri Perazzoli: cperazzoli@hearingloss-wa.org.
As a member organization, HLAA-WA supports the Senior Lobby’s outstanding work, and the Senior Lobby, led by the inimitable Walt Bowen, has been key to supporting our work, including hearing loss legislation.
For decades, the Senior Lobby has been an excellent resource and a driving force for policies and laws that impact seniors. We’re grateful for them.
National Hearing Loss News
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.
One Million TEDx Talk Views!
Saluting Juliette Sterkens
Congratulations to hearing loss advocate Juliette Sterkens on one million views of her TEDx Oshkosh video, “What You Don’t Know About Hearing Aids.”
Very few TED talk videos earn this many views, and this is a testament to how powerful this video is and how many people need to hear the message. Juliette dispels hearing loss myths and tells it like it is, including the isolation and loneliness than can come with hearing loss.
Thank you to Juliette and TEDx Wisconsin for bringing this encouraging, empowering information to the world.
We encourage you to share this TED talk with friends and family or your audiologist, doctor, or senior center.
Juliette offers a discussion guide to her talk. The guide offers questions to explore, either for yourself or with a group.
Spotlight on Loops & Assistive Listening Systems
Small Meeting Room, Big Loop Impact
Even small meeting rooms need hearing access: assistive listening technology, roaming microphones, and announcements about hearing access are important steps toward including everyone.
Here’s an example of a hearing-friendly history talk in Colorado last week. The organizers used a hearing loop — and even announced the loop with a slide template from the Center for Hearing Access at the Shedd.
Wynne Whyman, Colorado hearing loss and loop advocate, shared her experience at this event: “Every word (from the presenter and audience questions with a roaming mic) and every song came thru clearly.”
Chicago is Getting Hearing-Friendly
Smartphone captioning at Wrigley Field, ASL and captioning at the Chicago Cultural Center, and more: Chicago is becoming a good place for people with hearing loss and people who are Deaf.
Hearing Loss Support Meetings & Hearing-Friendly Events
Get In-Person Support for Your Hearing Loss
- October 10, 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.
- 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.
Join Our Next HOPE Meeting
October 1, 2025
Special Guest: Cynthia Moynihan
Exploring the Invisible Tools to Empower Yourself and Others
This month, Cynthia Moynihan teaches us the interactive, hands-on practice of empowerment strategies for anyone dealing with hearing loss and their hearing family and friends. Navigating life with reduced hearing: Whether mild, moderate or profound, we all have our ups and downs. Emotional strain, social setbacks, communication breakdowns and more are common. Learn strategies for hearing health and coping with frustration, advocating for yourself or someone you know and how to do so effectively.
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 6, 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.