Recognizing Hearing Loss as we age
November 30, 2024
Hearing loss is very common as we age. Don’t be defensive, be proactive. You don’t have to be an old fuddy-duddy!
How turning my voice off created accessibility
October 15, 2024
Written by HLAA Board Member – Janna Rovniak – you can follow along with her hearing journey at www.hardofhearingmama.com Have you ever considered navigating a store or the airport without using your voice? I was
A Night of Hearing Conservation with the Sacramento Kings
October 15, 2024
We may be biased considering Sacramento is our hometown and that we have been fierce Kings fans our whole lives, but the Sacramento Kings have one of the most passionate and loyal fan bases in
California Author Eric Brody Publishes “Deaf People Can Do Anything Except Hear”
September 25, 2024
Eric Brody, a Deaf advocate from Santa Barbara, has dedicated much of his life to strengthening his local Deaf and hard of hearing community. Through his advocacy work, teaching sign language, and his deep belief
Why the month of October matters for your ears
September 23, 2024
October is a month dedicated to raising awareness about hearing loss and promoting the importance of protecting our hearing. Audiology Awareness Month and National Protect Your Hearing Month are both celebrated in October, making it
California Hands & Voices Introduction
September 13, 2024
HLAA of California has partnered with California Hands & Voices to spread awareness about their invaluable programs for parents of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) children. If you’re a parent in this community, you
Profiles in Hearing Loss – CCHAT Center (Children’s Choice for Hearing & Talking)
September 13, 2024
CCHAT opened its doors in 1996 with the singular mission of teaching children who are deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) to develop the necessary listening and spoken language (LSL) skills required for lifelong success.
Add Captions to your Live Phone Calls
August 22, 2024
Adding captions to your live phone calls is a built in feature on most iPhone and Android smartphones. Did you know you can turn it on easily? iPhone Operating System: Settings > Accessibility > Live
Husbands with Hearing Loss… and the Wives Who Love Them
August 22, 2024
Husbands with Hearing Loss… and the Wives Who Love Them Husband: I don’t enjoy going out anymore. People aren’t as much fun as they used to be. Wife: My husband is getting anti-social. Husband: I
Profiles in Hearing Loss – Betty Vosters Kemp
August 22, 2024
My name is Betty Vosters Kemp, I am a Licensed Hearing Healthcare Provider in the State of California. Since 1989, I have owned and operated Avalon Hearing Aid Centers, Inc. in Sacramento, CA, and has
2024 HLAA Convention in Phoenix, AZ (Recap)
July 31, 2024
Despite the scorching heat, the 2024 HLAA Convention in Phoenix was a success. It was wonderful to greet people I hadn’t seen since 2018. The workshops were great and I came home with ideas for
M3 Chips, Hearing aids and Perseverance
June 26, 2024
A series of unfortunate events happened to me last week. My Mac laptop bit the big one. I knew it was coming; so I prepared. I moved all my files to my external hard drive.
Profiles in Hearing Loss – Shari Eberts
May 22, 2024
LivingWithHearingLoss.com My hearing loss story began in my mid-20s when I was a graduate student. Fairly quickly into the first semester, I began to miss things in class — a comment that was made under
Top Smartphone Apps for Everyday Listening with Hearing Loss
May 22, 2024
Hearing loss can affect people of all ages, making communication and daily activities challenging. Fortunately, smartphone technology offers a range of innovative apps specifically designed to support those with hearing loss. These apps go beyond
Profiles in Hearing Loss – Sara Oser
April 23, 2024
I don’t know why I have hearing loss. I do have theories though. For more than forty years, I thought my hearing was very good and never had reason to question it. I studied languages
California Bills Could Add Hearing Aids as Health Coverage Benefit
April 15, 2024
HLAA-CA Board Member, Stuart Steene-Connolly with his two daughters, and Michelle Marciniak of Let CA Kids Hear, and Kasey Cain of CA Hands & Voices organization. Debate kicked off last week on proposed legislation to
Hearing loss and increased risk of falling
April 11, 2024
Falls are the leading cause of injury related death in adults 65 or older. In the United States, around $50 billion is spent annually on medical care related to falls in older adults. Data from
Profiles in Hearing Loss – Gail Dolson
March 12, 2024
My name is Gail Dolson and for all but four of my almost 77 years I have either been hard of hearing or deaf. I was born with normal hearing and had a happy life
OTC 101 – Webinar “How can over-the-counter hearing aids help?
February 19, 2024
Join HLAA for the second event in its OTC 101: Ask the Experts Webinar Series sharing important information about over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. This exciting new class of products may provide another pathway to treatment for some
Super Bowl Spotlight: Priscila Soares Scores with Representation of Children with Hearing Differences in Sports
February 11, 2024
As we come together for family, friends, and some football, the HLAA California State Association is proud to highlight an extraordinary Californian artist, Priscila Soares, who has created many beautiful mixed media art inspired by
Profiles in Hearing Loss – Nanci Linke-Ellis
January 26, 2024
In the Beginning… It’s hard to imagine the world of hearing loss without the internet, texting, cell phones, and assistive listening devices. But those of us who had to deal with it had to be
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids
October 25, 2023
Over-the-Counter (OTC) hearing aids are now available directly to consumers without a prescription. They are designed for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss only. What’s Your Hearing Health Experience? TAKE OUR OTC SURVEY Could
Hearing Health Matters: HLAA-LA Participates in Black Health Matters Summit
October 18, 2023
by Rizwana Jmari – HLAA Los Angeles Chapter Los Angeles, CA – October 8, 2023 – The Hearing Loss Association of America – Los Angeles Chapter (HLAA-LA) recently participated in the Black Health Matters Health
Grandma the Hearing Loss Advocate
July 10, 2023
By Katie Wright “Mom! Mom!” my daughter’s text read. “Connor didn’t pass his hearing screening! My heart dropped. My grandson was 4 years old, still in pre-school. He and his mom were at his physical
How Hearing Loss Led to a Newfound Passion
June 19, 2023
By Kasey Cain, B.S. I never imagined that someone else’s hearing loss would completely change my life. This happened with my first-born son. Everyone says that becoming a mother changes your life, but if you
Hearing Aid Insurance Coverage in Court
June 13, 2023
By John Waldo Most health-insurance policies exclude coverage for hearing aids. A case in federal court in Seattle may change that. In 2017, two hearing-aid users sued Kaiser in Seattle, asking that the exclusions be
Run out for Toothpaste, Come Home with a Hearing Aid.
March 11, 2023
By Heather Lehr One if the banes of living with hearing loss is the high cost of hearing aids. Advanced technology is great IF you can afford it. And so many of us can’t. Of
HLAA 2023 Convention – Register and Join the Fun!
March 10, 2023
The HLAA 2023 Convention is June 29 – July 1 in New Orleans, Louisiana! A timeless city with a unique way of life, New Orleans is steeped in European traditions and Caribbean influences. This picturesque
Hearing Aids Soon to be More Affordable
August 17, 2022
Frustrated with the high cost of hearing aids? You could get some relief in just a few weeks! As soon as this October, Americans with mild to moderate hearing loss will be able to buy
BART Installs Hearing Loop Technology
June 22, 2022
An Exciting Update!May, 2022 Thanks to the ongoing efforts of Janice Armigo Brown, BATF Vice Chair and HLAA-CA Director, the BART system in the Bay Area is nearing completion of its efforts to have all
The Case Against “Drive By” ADA Lawsuits
June 9, 2022
By John Waldo The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has opened the door to much of public life for people with all manner of disabilities, but unfortunately, ADA is too often portrayed as nothing more
Join Us at The Walk 4 Hearing!
May 10, 2022
We’d love to see you at our fun-filled, family (and dog!) friendly events in two beautiful California Locations. Bay Area Walk Alameda, CA Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach – Map It! Saturday, June 4th
See Ya Pandemic!
May 4, 2022
The Los Angeles Chapter gets together for their first meeting IRL Leave it to HLAA-LA to live up to its reputation as the party chapter! Just days before the full lifting of pandemic restrictions, the
Supreme Court to Decide if ADA is Enforceable
October 3, 2021
By John Waldo The U.S. Supreme Court will soon hear argument on a case called Cummings v. Premier Rehabilitation. The decision could significantly impact the interests of deaf and hard of hearing (D/HoH) people. A
The Emotional Side of Hearing Loss
June 23, 2021
By Dr. Alison Freeman When we talk to someone who is wearing glasses, we don’t give any thought to what it is that they need in order to see. Vision is easily measured in finite
Why Medicine?
March 14, 2021
Los Angeles has a special place in my heart. It is where I had my first internship at the former House Ear Institute (AKA House Research Institute, now part of UCLA). It is where I
Discrimination Against Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Job Applicants
March 13, 2021
By Trevor Finneman In an emerging trend in employment disability rights cases, there has been a sizeable uptick in discrimination cases involving Deaf and hard-of-hearing (D/HoH) job applicants over the past few years. For example,
Non-Profit Spotlight: SDSU Audiology Clinic
January 11, 2021
The Audiology Clinic at San Diego State University, operating as part of the School of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, serves children and adults who have hearing problems and communication disorders due to hearing
Are Your Hearing Aids Surviving Social Distancing?
January 10, 2021
By Katherine Bouton Mine are getting a workout. And the batteries are showing it…I have an Oticon Made for iPhone hearing aid, which means that whatever I hear via the phone is channeled by Bluetooth
Arranging Accommodations
January 2, 2021
By Zina Jawadi Throughout my life, I have found that proactive self-advocacy has been crucial to success in any academic program. My approach to accommodations did not change after I was accepted to medical school.
President’s Message: An Open Letter to Gail Morrison and Lynne Kinsey
January 2, 2021
with the many frustrating technology challenges and stepped up to participate in online meetin
Non-Profit Spotlight: CSUS Maryjane Rees Language, Speech & Hearing Center
August 11, 2020
A California Nonprofit that Supports the Hearing Loss Community The Maryjane Rees Language, Speech and Hearing Center (MRLSHC) is part of the the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Sacramento State University. According to
And Yet, She Persisted
November 8, 2019
Ten Years of HLAA-DV Advocacy Effort in Walnut Creek In 2010, Ann Thomas, president of the HLAA Diablo Valley Chapter, began advocating for communication access for people with hearing loss in the Contra Costa County
Young Champion in the Community
August 1, 2019
When John Butchko was an eighth grader in Santa Monica, he needed a community service project for school. A chance meeting with Nanci Linke-Ellis, former HLAA-CA SoCal Chapter Coordinator, gave him the inspiration to advocate
Partners
May 27, 2019
Melissa Billingsley first encountered hearing assistance dogs while working at her family’s veterinary hospital where she is a registered veterinary technician and practice manager. Lee G, one of her regular clients, had a hearing loss.
Hearing Loop Success
May 8, 2019
A few years ago, during the early days of the Get In The Hearing Loop campaign, the HLAA-Santa Barbara Chapter was meeting in the library at Wood Glen Hall Retirement Community. At that time, a
We Got a Hearing Loop for our Church!
January 8, 2019
By Lou and Joy Shaup Because of Lou’s severe hearing loss, he could not hear what was being said during services and other functions at our church, First United Methodist in Upland, California (www.uplandfumc.org). It
The Joy of Dancing
January 7, 2019
By Lynn Rousseau and Debbie Mohney Have you ever watched people on the dance floor having a great time and pictured yourself out there with them? And then you thought, “But wait, I’m not like
Non-Profit Spotlight: Providence Speech and Hearing Center
August 24, 2018
Providence Speech and Hearing Center (PSHC) is the leading service provider to those with speech and hearing impairments in Orange County, CA, and beyond. Since 1965, this regionally renowned non-profit has assisted hundreds of thousands
HEAR Center Provides Free Screenings in L.A.
May 21, 2018
By Teri Breier As the only nonprofit 501(c)3 audiological and speech therapy clinic of its kind in the greater Los Angeles region, HEAR Center provides state-of-the-art speech and hearing services for anyone who needs it, regardless of the
Cochlear Implants – A Patient Roundtable
April 8, 2018
A group of cochlear implant users offered insights about their CI journeys—what went well and what could have made their experiences much better. Some received implants more than a decade ago, some have only had
Hearing and Speech Center Celebrates 100 Years
February 20, 2018
Hearing and Speech Center of Northern California (HSC) celebrated its 100-year anniversary in May, 2017. Situated in downtown San Francisco, the building is home to an extensive range of services created to address communication challenges
Hearing Loops Expand Access
February 8, 2018
By David G. Myers In 1999, I had an amazing experience while worshiping at Scotland’s Iona Abbey. As a person with hearing loss, I could understand virtually none of the spoken word as it reverberated
Hearing Research at the University of Southern California
August 14, 2017
By Dr. Ray Goldsworthy I am fortunate to conduct hearing research at the University of Southern California (USC) where the various professional schools provide a rich environment for multidisciplinary research. Hearing research combines expertise from