Our History
We began in 1990 as the Washington State chapter of Self Help for Hard of Hearing People (SHHH). The SHHH organization would later become the Hearing Loss Association of America in 2005.
2025
We helped pass the John Waldo Act, Senate Bill 5486, which ensures more open-caption movies at peak times across Washington State.
2025
The HLAA-Whatcom County Chapter gets a new name:
HLAA-Northwest Washington.
2024
We expanded our community outreach to include the Kennedy Center LEAD conference in Seattle and the King County Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy–with more to come.
2024
We hosted our first fully hearing-accessible hybrid meeting in March at Green River Community College. Hearing loops, live captions, and ASL were available. Rep. Tina Orwall was our guest speaker.
2023
At this year’s statewide GiveBIG event, HLAA-WA set a new record, thanks to our generous donors.
2023
Two bills to require hearing aid coverage under private insurance in Washington State are passed: House Bill 1222 and Senate Bill 5338. These bills are a huge step toward health equity and access to needed hearing devices — and an investment in the health of Washingtonians.
2021
The virtual support program Hearing Other People’s Experiences (HOPE) for Washington State is born.
2019
HLAA-WA helps restore coverage of hearing aids for adults under Washington State Medicaid. The campaign began in 2016.
2018
HLAA-WA leads the passage of the Telecoil-Bluetooth Hearing Aid Consumer Education Bill (SB 5210).
2017
Cheri Perazzoli receives an Oticon Focus on People Award and the HLAA Keystone Award.
2016
We made our first presentation to the Washington State Joint Legislative Executive Committee, sharing information from the National Academies of Engineering and Medicine. The results: We’re one step closer to Medicaid coverage of hearing aids, Senate Bill 5177 requiring hearing loss training for long-term care workers passes in 2017, and Senate Bill 5178 requiring hearing loss training for healthcare workers is introduced but fails due to healthcare industry opposition.
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.
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.
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).
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.
2003
First HLAA-WA picnic. Now held each year at Lake Boren Park in Newcastle, Washington, with a temporary hearing loop so all can hear.
2002
The HLAA convention is hosted in Seattle for the first time.
1990
The Washington State Association of Self-Help for Hard-of-Hearing People (SHHH) is established.
1990
President George H.W. Bush signs the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), paving the way for equal access.
1987
Seattle HEAR HERE Chapter of Self-Help for the Hard-of-Hearing (SHHH) is founded.
1979
Self-Help for Hard of Hearing People (SHHH) is born, founded by the beloved Rocky Stone.
