Hearing Loss Association of America (Official Page)

This summer, HLAA is spreading sunshine and celebrating our community's strength.

Check out a few of many quotes from our members who shared with us how HLAA impacted them. Our work holds meaning when we hear about the impact HLAA has on so many lives. You can make a difference in helping more people with hearing loss thrive. Share in the comments how our community inspires you!

Visit hearingloss.org/donate to give today and join our community.

BREAKING NEWS: Have you ever tried to turn on your closed captions, but it takes so long to find the right button, app or setting menu that half the TV show goes by before they’re set up? So frustrating! A new rule adopted today by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires manufacturers and multichannel video programming distributors to make those captioning display settings easier to access within two years.

This rule is the result of a multi-year effort by HLAA and other advocacy groups to help consumers with disabilities, including people who are or have , to easily find and customize caption size, font, color and other features—often a time-consuming, exasperating process.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/B5qB50SFErP


NCTA: The Internet and Television Association National Association of the Deaf - NAD TDIforAccess, Inc.

July is , generating awareness of and for all. The landmark (Americans with Disabilities Act) was passed on July 26, 1990, supported by and other organizations.

The Disability Pride flag was originally created in 2017 to represent people with a range of . Thanks to Hearing Loss Live for this helpful explainer graphic: Against a dark gray background are five diagonal stripes (which symbolize cutting through barriers) in five colors: red for physical disabilities, light gold for neurodivergence, light gray for invisible disabilities, light blue for mental illness and green for sensory disabilities. is considered both a sensory and an invisible disability.



National Disability Rights Network National Association of the Deaf - NAD National Black Deaf Advocates, Inc. (NBDA) Gallaudet University Hearing Health Foundation American Cochlear Implant Alliance Paralyzed Veterans of America American Council of the Blind National Federation of the Blind Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Muscular Dystrophy Association United Spinal Association Disability:IN American Association of People with Disabilities The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Better Hearing Disability Scoop Living With Hearing Loss

– Will someday be fully implantable, without any external components? A research collaboration between RLE at MIT - Research Laboratory of Electronics at MIT, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School and Columbia University, recently published in the Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering, is bringing that possibility one step closer to reality.

Thanks to advances in biocompatibility and miniaturization, the multidisciplinary team was able to develop a tiny implantable microphone prototype (pictured here) and low-noise amplifier, which together perform as well as external hearing aid microphones.

Read more: https://ow.ly/Zjbh50SCvu1

IOP Publishing National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Science Foundation (NSF) University of Basel, Switzerland

– In June, Executive Director Barbara Kelley and Director of Public Policy Neil Snyder spent two days discussing topics related to hearing health care accessibility and affordability at a working group hosted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) and the National Institute on Aging - NIH (NIA), in partnership with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

This meeting aimed to gather input from subject matter experts and partners about persistent hearing health care needs and new opportunities, such as the availability of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids among other, more general health care resources. It was co-chaired by HLAA Board Member Carrie Nieman, M.D., MPA, with Sumit Dhar, Ph.D., and past Board Member Ibrahim Dabo was a panelist.

Hey, what's up? It's ! For your viewing pleasure, here are a few of the fabulous who attended the Convention in Phoenix in June with their people.


The Sam Simon Foundation Canine Companions

We're celebrating our incredible community all summer long!

At the 2024 HLAA Convention, we asked people what the HLAA community means to them and we loved hearing your inspiring stories! Our summer campaign is all about spreading sunshine and introducing HLAA to more people who can be helped by our incredible work. You can empower others to live their best lives with hearing loss. Share in the comments what inspires you! 🌞

Join HLAA and donate at hearingloss.org/donate

We hope you're enjoying the summer and staying safe out there! 🌞 Whatever fun activities you choose, don't get sidelined by . Follow these helpful tips from Starkey Hearing, a leading Hear for Life partner, to protect your and processors and keep them working well all summer long.

Read the blog: https://ow.ly/mAS550SyXrz

from the Convention

This year's Research Symposium on June 29, The Emotional Side of Hearing Loss, touched on more than scientific findings. A powerful performance by longtime member, author and advocate Gael Hannan brought home the emotional impact of , when she acted out touching vignettes in the voice of various personas.

Our video of this event is in process and we'll be sharing when it's ready!

Last week, we honored military at the Convention with a special luncheon in appreciation of their service to our country. was founded in 1979 by Howard “Rocky” Stone, a retired CIA agent and veteran with , which is the most common service-related (including ).

We invite all veterans who experience hearing loss, and their caregivers, to join our Veterans Across America Virtual Chapter (VAAVC) at no cost. Members connect through an email group and online meetings every third Tuesday: hearingloss.org/veterans

U.S. Army U.S. Marine Corps U.S. Navy United States Air Force U.S. Coast Guard

Education is a key part of HLAA's mission, with convention-goers focused on learning, growing and connecting with experts and each other. in Phoenix last week offered 30+ workshops on a wide range of topics, including a sneak peek at Auracast (the next big technology frontier!), advocacy, health care, community building, parenting with, and of kids with plus many others. Stay tuned for more from HLAA parents in the summer Hearing Life magazine.

OTOjOY - If ears could smile. Bluetooth

WOW!!! 🤩 Our Convention was one of the best ever! Attendance returned to pre-pandemic levels, with 500+ enthusiastic people joining us from around the U.S. and the world at the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass resort in Phoenix. Dozens of first-time attendees and their friends are pictured here at the Newcomers Session on Thursday morning.

One first-timer told us, "I am completely in awe of how amazing this experience was. I came in with high expectations and the convention blew those expectations out of the water."

We look forward to hearing more great feedback from participants in the coming days, and we'll continue to share more highlights from last week.

Ruri and her partner Andrew flew to the Convention all the way from Tokyo, Japan! We weren't the only ones who were excited to meet them...Ruri got a welcoming kiss from Bennie, a trained by the The Sam Simon Foundation.

Convention highlights from last night's General Session and this morning's Research Symposium, The Emotional Side of Hearing Loss.

Executive Director Barbara Kelley presented the National Access Award to leading Hear for Life partner Starkey Hearing accepted by Dave Fabry, Ph.D., Chief Hearing Health Officer, who was then interviewed by HLAA Board President Michael Meyer.

Keynote speaker Shanna Adamic, an acoustic neuroma survivor, inspired everyone present with her talk on Audacious Optimism.

For details about the Research Symposium, visit https://ow.ly/EoPj50Ssb0u and stay tuned for the recording, coming soon!

🌞You can brighten lives this summer!🌞

HLAA's Summer Campaign - Shine Bright with HLAA - is about coming together as a community, spreading sunshine and inspiring others. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of people with hearing loss.

Give and make an impact today, visit hearingloss.org/donate

Convention Day 1 – Many of our treasured Chapter Leaders gathered today in Phoenix to learn, share and connect with each other! These dedicated volunteers represent 120 HLAA Chapters and State Organizations across the U.S., which are the heart of our nationwide community of support for people with .

Through our chapters, people can find local resources, acceptance and connection with others who understand what it takes to live well with hearing loss. No one needs to be alone on this journey...find a chapter near you and join us today!

hearingloss.org/chapters

Hey, , we're on our way! See you soon! ✈️🌵☀️



HLAA West Valley AZ Chapter HLAA East Valley Chapter, Arizona Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass

Do you subscribe to our monthly Hearing Life e-News? The latest issue spills the tea on exciting events like our new Shine Bright summer campaign, the last spring Walk4Hearing weekend, Convention next week in Phoenix and other great content!

Read and sign up for free: https://ow.ly/b5KZ50SnvTq

🌞 Happy first day of summer! 🌞

Today, HLAA is kicking off its summer campaign to celebrate our vibrant community and make a difference in the lives of those with hearing loss.

Join us in spreading sunshine and supporting our mission to enhance education, advocacy, and support. Your support will help us shine bright this summer!

Donate today, https://www.hearingloss.org/donate/

Let’s make this summer unforgettable together!

In nine years, Courtney's Crew has raised more than $9,000 for through the New York City ...amazing! Now a college student at University of San Francisco, Courtney was born with atresia and microtia, malformations of the ear that can cause .

Read her story on our blog: https://ow.ly/Vphr50SlK0j

You can still register or donate to the final two Walks of the spring season in Connecticut and Nashville this weekend, and there are 13 more 2024 Walks coming in the fall! 💜

On this date in 1865, enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation reached Texas, officially ending slavery in the last of the confederate states.

Today, celebrates what is known as "America's second Independence Day" with our nationwide community, in honor of freedom and equity for all. Happy ! 💚🖤❤️

The Acoustic Neuroma Association is presenting a range of online educational events for Acoustic Neuroma (AN) Week and World Vestibular Schwannoma Awareness Day, sponsored by Akouos. See schedule at the link below.

Did you know that our Convention keynote speaker, Shanna Adamic, is an AN survivor and former NFL cheerleader who now leads the Oracle Health Foundation? She’ll be sharing her message of Audacious Optimism with us next week in Phoenix. Learn more and register: hearingloss.org/general-session


Pacific Neuroscience Institute UC San Diego Vanderbilt Health Lucky Brain Tumor Blog

ANAwareness Week - Acoustic Neuroma Association Acoustic Neuroma Awareness Week is an annual event designed to educate the public about acoustic neuroma, also known as vestibular schwannoma.

The first day of summer is coming and we have exciting news!

HLAA's Summer Campaign - Shine Bright with HLAA - is about coming together as a community by giving and inspiring others! Beginning June 20, let’s spread sunshine and create a brighter future for more people living with hearing loss.

Give early and inspire, visit hearingloss.org/donate

So, what's the big deal about Bluetooth® LE Audio and Auracast™? This explainer video from HearingTracker provides a great, easy-to-understand description of this exciting new audio streaming technology!

https://ow.ly/A3nn50Sle2e

Convention attendees will have a chance to experience an Auracast demo firsthand next week. It's not too late to register and join us in Phoenix, June 26-29—visit hearingloss.org/convention for details.

See y'all in Nashville on Saturday! 👣🎶

I'm supporting Hearing Loss Association of America! The mission of HLAA is to open the world of communication to people with hearing loss by providing information, education, support, and advocacy.

HLAA wishes a Happy Father's Day to all the incredible dads in our community. We hope your day is full of family, friends and great memories!

Here's a little fun to end a great week. These pups and others were the stars of last Sunday's Long Beach Walk4Hearing ... scroll through to see all the fuzzy cuteness! 🐶🌟🐕‍🦺

We can't wait to see our friends, partners, sponsors and alliance organizations in Wisconsin at the Milwaukee Walk4Hearing this Sunday! 👣🎉

HLAA-Wisconsin

I'm supporting Hearing Loss Association of America! The mission of HLAA is to open the world of communication to people with hearing loss by providing information, education, support, and advocacy.