The Senate said YES — 40–0!We are deeply grateful for every senator who voted for SB 331, for Senator Caroline Menjivar and for the community of families who have continued to show up along this journey. Thank
September 30 – Is the deadline for Newsome to sign this into law. Please let his office know what it means to you! August 31st: The Bill has
Thursday, May 1411 AM PT May is Better Hearing & Speech Month and Mental Health Awareness Month. Jump into both topics with us, as our expert panelists explore the intersection of hearing loss, mental health
If you weren’t able to join us for our most recent meeting, we truly missed you! The good news is that a recording is available, and we’d love for you to take a little time
In an on-going effort to share that hearing loss is best dealt with friends, we want to introduce members of our community. If you have a story to share, please reach out via our Contact
We are excited to invite you to participate in our Spring 2026 Aural Rehabilitation Educational Series! This interactive three-part seminar is designed for adults ages 55 and older who want to better understand their hearing and
These are uncertain times with the government shutdown. Hearing-related services could possibly be affected. Federal agency functions are slowed down or even stopped.
Did you know that October is National Protect Your Hearing Month? It’s the time to raise awareness about hearing conservation. Whether you’re using a blower on leaves in your yard or attending a loud football
By Katie Wright, President HLAA-CA The 2025 HLAA Convention in Indianapolis was packed full of information as usual. Cybersecurity and Hearing Loss, Hospital Safety and Communication Access Plans, Navigating relationships with hearing loss, an
Summer is here! It is a busy season of family vacations, road trips, and adventures abroad. However, exploring new places can mean new or unexpected challenges for those living with hearing loss. These challenges may
Open Caption Movie Club aka OCMovieClub is a new free service that makes it easy to find Open Caption Movies playing near you. Sign up is free, simply go to our website: www.OCMovieClub.com After you sign up,
Are you or someone you know interested in how hearing loss affects the enjoyment of music? A research team at Johns Hopkins University, led by Dr. Alexander Chern, is conducting a study to identify the
What if you could see everything people say, instantly, as live subtitles in front of your eyes? In this fascinating article, David Owen explores the rapid evolution of real-time transcription technologies — from smartphone apps
What you need to know: California applied to the federal government today to update the state’s benchmark plan, which would expand coverage requirements for essential health benefits (EHBs) like hearing aids and wheelchairs in the
The Newsom Administration has approved sending California’s updated Essential Health Benefits plan to the federal government—with hearing aids for kids and adults included. If approved in the fall, coverage would begin in 2027. Legislation to
Hearing is a crucial part of child development, especially as it impacts language, learning, and social interaction. Hearing loss can be present at birth or acquired later due to illness, injury, frequent ear infections, or
Before 1993, fewer than one in 10 newborns in the United States were screened for hearing loss. By 2025, thanks to decades of advocacy and public health efforts, an estimated 98% of all newborns receive
Whether you’re escaping winter’s chill with a tropical getaway or jetting off for business, your hearing aids are essential for making the most of every moment. From navigating busy airports to fully immersing in new
In this powerful episode of Starkey Sound Bites, Starkey’s Chief Hearing Health Officer Dave Fabry sits down with legendary singer-songwriter Paul Simon for an honest and moving conversation about his journey with hearing loss, how
For families of children with hearing loss, access to hearing aids isn’t just about sound—it’s about opportunity. Yet for decades, California’s private health insurance plans have failed to cover these critical devices, leaving thousands of kids without the
Hearing aid technology has come a long way. These devices are smaller and more powerful than before. Despite the advances and the benefits, however, many people are hesitant to try them. Outdated information and misconceptions
Explore the wide-reaching effects of hearing loss, a communication disability that can have profound effects on emotional well-being, personality traits, social connections, work interactions and more. A panel of mental health experts and hearing health
This HearingU: Hearing Loss at Work quarterly webinar is presented by the HLAA Task Force on Accessible, Inclusive Employment. Speaker: Retired cybersecurity professional, fraud prevention speaker and accessibility advocate Andy Chandler shares practical insights on
Two Free Webinars on Accessibility in Healthcare Our friends at the ADA National Network are hosting two important free webinars focused on accessibility in healthcare. One is designed for community members advocating for their rights, and the
Hearing loss doesn’t just affect our ears – it also impacts our emotional well-being and mental health. This effect is often overlooked despite research showing a connection between hearing loss and mental health. Hearing loss
Hearing Aid Coverage Added to EHB Proposal – Public Comments Needed! California is finalizing its new health insurance benchmark plan, and a proposal to add hearing aid coverage for kids and adults is now on
Public spaces are purposefully designed around bringing people together – a café, a lounge, or a local theater. For those with hearing loss, however, these spaces can be difficult to navigate. Factors like background noise,
The Department of Managed Health Care will hold a public meeting to share the Essential Health Benefit (EHB) analysis and cost estimates. There will be an opportunity for public comment on the analysis and the
Hearing loss is very common as we age. Don’t be defensive, be proactive. You don’t have to be an old fuddy-duddy!
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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 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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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,
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
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
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.
with the many frustrating technology challenges and stepped up to participate in online meetin
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
Stay informed on the latest events and news from HLAA of California.
