In this issue, we honor award winners, update you on open-captioned movies, start talking about the 2026 legislative session, cheer for our new videos, and much more. Thanks for reading!
Happy New Year and Thank You
To our many donors, volunteers, friends, and partners who made 2025 so meaningful and impactful: THANK YOU!
We have big plans for 2026….
- A revamped annual community gathering on April 25, 2026
- Expanded outreach and training to new individuals and groups
- New volunteer committees, such as advocacy, community outreach, and development
- Videos, new webpages, and updated educational materials
Your help and support are a huge part of our success. We can’t do it without you!
Would you like to volunteer with us in 2026? Contact jjohnson@hearingloss-wa.org.
Congrats to Bob Branigin, Invincible Award Winner
Bob Branigin, HLAA-WA member and dear friend to so many of us, is one of two people to have attended every HLAA convention up until 2025.
He recently received the HLAA Invincible Award. Read more about Bob and his award here.
The New Year Means More Open-Caption Movies in Washington State
You’ll find more open-caption movies in Washington State theaters in 2026.
Find out when, where, and why in our blog post.
Lobby Days in Olympia: Speak Up for Seniors
The Washington State Legislative session starts on Monday, January 12, 2026. Our lawmakers need to hear from YOU.
We encourage you to join one of these lobby days. We’ll share more information on how you can get involved soon, including beyond these specific days. Meanwhile, mark your calendars.
- Senior Lobby Day, February 19, 2026
- Senior Lobby VIRTUAL Day, Thursday, February 20, 2026
- Long-Term Care Ombuds Day, February 24, 2026
Catch News About Our President on KING-5 Television
That’s our award-winning president mentioned on New Day NW.
Watch them discuss Cheri Perazzoli’s Special Mention Andrus Award from AARP Washington here. The award was officially given by AARP State Director Marguerite Ro at the January HOPE meeting.
The Andrus Awards recognize outstanding volunteers 50+ years old who have dedicated their lives to serving others.
We Have Video, Thanks to Our Wonderful Volunteer
One of our wonderful volunteers, Muskaan Chaudry, has been making videos for us. Watch her latest, “How Loud Is Too Loud?” on Instagram and Facebook.
Check out Muskaan’s many reels on our main Instagram and Facebook pages. Please remember to like, link, follow, and share our content to help us reach more people on our socials.
What It’s Really Like to Wear Hearing Aids
In her helpful Substack article, Carolyn Odio shares what it’s really like to wear hearing aids – how it’s sometimes hard to tell where a sound is coming from and how visual information is still important for comprehension. And she shares tips and encouragement, too.
Carolyn Odio is an HLAA-WA board director who writes about hearing loss on Substack. Be sure to subscribe!
Hearing Aid Coverage Settlement is Finalized
The class action lawsuit against Regence BlueShield and Cambia Health solutions has been settled. You may be eligible to file a claim and receive a portion of the $3,000,000 settlement fund.
If you had Regence Blue Shield or Cambia anytime between October 30, 2014 and December 31, 2025, and you had to pay out of pocket for hearing aids or hearing services, you may qualify. Read more and file a claim via this website.
We Support Updated Accessibility Standards for Technology via the CVTA
Technology has changed and will continue to change quickly. To ensure true accessibility, we need to ensure that the laws keep up with technologies such as AI-driven tools and streaming and video conferencing.
The Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act (CVTA) aims to update federal accessibility standards for these and other new tools.
The national HLAA office is actively supporting the CVTA, and we do, too. Stay tuned for updates on this act in 2026.
National Hearing Loss News
Registration for the 2026 HLAA Convention is OPEN
You can register NOW for the 2026 HLAA convention in Louisville, Kentucky on June 10-12, 2026.
Early bird pricing starts at $200 a day or $175 for students.
Break Your Hearing Loss Bad Habits
Bluffing, avoidance, isolation: These behaviors are understandable as you navigate your hearing loss — but they’re also habits that you can break so that you can live better.
As we start the new year, we’re reading how hearing loss advocate Shari Eberts encourages us to walk down a different street and change our thinking about our hearing loss.
The Best Hearing Aids in Background Noise
Hearing clearly when you have noise in the background can be challenging.
In this video, audiologist Dr. Cliff Olson lists his top hearing aids for hearing conversations in noise, including the Oticon Intent and Starkey Omega AI.
Hearing Loss Diagnosis and Treatment in Your 50s? Yes, Sometimes.
We often hear stories from people about how getting hearing aids made their lives much better. Here’s a story of a writer in the UK who got hearing aids in his 50s. The hearing aids helped him a lot, and he wishes he’d gotten them sooner.
In the article, he describes being unable to hear well during a charity football quiz, even with his newer hearing aids. We wish they’d had a microphone, hearing loop, and captions to help him. If you’re reading this, Mr. Brown, we encourage you to ask for the assistive listening and captioning you need.
Hearing Access Technology Spotlights
Where Exactly Are All the Hearing Loops?
Need a list of hearing loops in your area?
The Center for Hearing Access at the Shedd Institute (CHA) provides lists of venues with hearing loops in each state, plus Canada and a few other countries.
While you’re on the CHA website, be sure to check out all the resources there, including graphics and signage, assistive listening system comparisons, ADA standards, and a good explanation of why hearing aids need to be ADA access ready.
When you arrive at a venue, look for the blue ear sign that shows a hearing loop or other assistive listening, like the one at the right.
Hearing Loss Support Meetings
Local, In-Person Support for Your Hearing Loss
- February 13, 2026, 1:00 pm, Renton
Our Renton Support Group meets the second Friday of each month at the Renton Senior Activity Center, 211 Burnett Avenue North. Looped, open to everyone, and free. Simply check in at the front desk. - January 17, 2026, 9:30 – 11:30, Bellingham
HLAA-Northwest Washington Chapter
At this meeting, a panel titled “Community Hearing Health Resources” will answer your questions. Then, the group will discuss their 2026 plans.
The HLAA-NWWA chapter meets the third Saturday of the month at Christ the Servant Church, 2600 Lakeway Drive, Bellingham, Washington. Looped, captioned, and free. Open to all, including friends and family.
Local, Online Support for Everyone with
Hearing Loss: February 4, 206
Need HOPE and support for your hearing loss? You’re warmly invited to come an online hearing loss support meeting.
At our February meeting, Megan Nightengale, Audiologist at Peninsula Hearing in Poulsbo, will join us. You can register to attend now, and stay tuned for more details on her presentation.
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.
National Online Support for Veterans and for Parents of Kids with Hearing Loss
These two programs are led by the HLAA national office.
- January 20, 2026, 5-6 pm Pacific
Veterans Across America Virtual Chapter Meeting Veterans and their friends and family are welcome to attend. Free and captioned.
- January 21, 2026, 5-6 pm Pacific
Hear Together: Parents of Children with Hearing Loss
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 January 19, 2026. 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.