Our History

Screen shot of a Zoom meeting with seven people each in a separate photo box.

2021

The virtual support program Hearing Other People’s Experiences (HOPE) for Washington State is born.

Color photo of the Washington State capitol dome. Clouds are in the background, and yellow trees suggesting autumn are in the foreground.

2019

HLAA-WA helps restore coverage of hearing aids for adults under Washington State Medicaid. The campaign began in 2016.

Color photo of a man in a suit signing a document. He's surrounded by other people dressed up and smiling. The State of Washington seal and the American and Washington State flags are behind them.

2018

HLAA-WA leads the passage of the Telecoil-Bluetooth Hearing Aid Consumer Education Bill (SB 5210).

Color photo of a woman listening to a man as they converse at an event. We are looking over his shoulder at her.

2017

Cheri Perazzoli receives an Oticon Focus on People Award and the HLAA Keystone Award.

2012

Let’s Loop Seattle, later renamed Loop Washington, is founded to bring hearing loops to everyone in Washington State. With the new loop at Virginia Mason Auditorium in Seattle, the loop movement in Washington State is launched. Loop pioneer Dr. David Myers is the keynote, and over 80 people representing health, architecture, library, arts, and government attend.

Color photo of a montage of cards, a pen, notepad, and small paper signs.

2011

Led by Judi Carr and Karen Utter, HLAA-WA begins Washington State’s first program to help people with hearing loss communicate at the hospital. Hospital kits are distributed to chapters, and a role-play “skit” is developed.

Color photo of the front of a gray building with Bellevue College lettered on the front. Students with backpacks are walking across the foreground.

2011

HLAA-WA hosts a statewide convention at Bellevue College.

2006

The Washington State Chapter (Association) of HLAA is born.

2005

Nationally, Self-Help for Hard-of-Hearing People (SHHH) changes its name to the
Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA).

Color photo of a very small park with park benches, a tree in the foreground, and a building with a mural on the bulkhead toward the back.

2005

Ben Gilbert, HLAA board member, donates $25,000 to establish the Hearing Loss Outreach Fund. A park in Tacoma would later be renamed for him in 2009.

2004

The Whatcom County Chapter of HLAA is born.

Color photo of trees and grass and a sign that reads Lake Boren Park.

2003

First annual HLAA-WA picnic is held. Now held each year at Lake Boren Park in Newcastle, Washington, with a temporary hearing loop so all can hear.

Beautiful color photo of the city of Seattle's skyline, including the Space Needle and Mount Rainier, during sunset. Green trees frame the peekaboo view.

2002

The HLAA convention is hosted in Seattle for the first time.

Old-timey sign with a green background and a white outline the shape of Washington State. The sign reads Welcome to Washington, the Evergreen State.

1990

The Washington State Association of Self-Help for Hard-of-Hearing People (SHHH) is established.

Color photo of President George HW Bush smiling and looking down at a paper he is signing. Four people surround him watching, one in a cowboy-type ht. Fountains are in the background.

1990

President George H.W. Bush signs the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), paving the way for equal access.

Slightly grainy color photo of Seattle's Kingdome, a white domed stadium. Blue waters of Puget Sound and the snow-capped Olympic mountain range are in the background.

1987

Seattle HEAR HERE Chapter of Self-Help for the Hard-of-Hearing (SHHH) is founded.

Color photo of an older man wearing a suit and a cowboy hat. He's speaking into a microphone.

1979

Self-Help for Hard of Hearing People (SHHH) is born, founded by the beloved Rocky Stone.