Category: News

Consumer Reports Articles to Figure Out Hearing Aids

Better Hearing, News, Resources

Consumer ReportsSee the below articles from Consumer Reports outlining advice and tips for hearing aids, including shopping for them. Over-the-counter hearing aids are not far away so now is the time to get yourself informed!

It’s Confusing and Difficult to Shop for Hearing Aids. Here’s How to Figure It Out.

If you buy a direct-to-consumer (DTC) hearing aid and it doesn’t work for you, don’t give up, urges Barbara Kelley, executive director of the Hearing Loss Association of America. “It might just not be a good device,” she says. Return it and try again—or consider consulting an audiologist. There’s almost surely something out there that can help.

It’s likely that just as with DTC hearing aids, some makers of PSAPs will seek approval for their products as OTC hearing aids once the FDA finalizes the rules, says Kelley.

Your Guide to Hearing Helpers

AMC to add Open Captions

Accessible Entertainment, News

AMC LogoBig news was announced by AMC that 240 of their locations will now offer open captions for their movies at selected times. Keep in mind this isn’t all their locations but it’s a step in the right direction.

Moviegoers at locations offering open captions will be able to search for showtimes via the AMC website or their mobile app. Interestingly, this announcement comes just before the release of Disney’s Eternals film set to debut on November 5. The movie features deaf actress Lauren Ridloff as the first Marvel deaf superhero.

The hope is as people experience and see more of these captioning options, it will gain momentum for more movies and theaters to offer captioning. Let’s see what happens.

Read the full article.

AVA Presents at our October Meeting

Events, Meetings, Resources

When: Saturday, October 23, 2021
Time: 10 a.m. PT – 11 a.m. PT (but we may continue beyond 11 a.m.)
Where: Zoom meeting
Presenter: Pieter Doevendans – co-founder of AVA

AVA Captioning Logo

Come and join us for our October meeting. Join others for an informative and engaging presentation about the powerful AVA captioning app that easily allows you to live in a fully accessible world. Imagine a day when we will live in a 24/7 accessible world. AVA can help us get there!

 

 

Presenter:

Pieter Doevendans headshotPieter Doevendans, a co-founder of AVA, will present so grab some coffee and morning snacks and join us! There will be time afterward for questions and answers.
Learn more about AVA and their mission.

 

Any questions? Just email us at info@hlaa-la.org.

 

Fun at the Beach!

Chapter, Events, Fundraising, Social Event

Volley 4 sound banner

The chapter received wonderful news recently when Volley4Sound decided to make our chapter one of the recipients of a donation from them. Special thanks go to Kelsey Brandin for making this happen for the chapter!

This event will take place at beautiful Hermosa Beach on Sunday, October 10, and should be a wonderful time for all who attend. But, we need your help! We have the unique opportunity to have a booth to set up and provide HOH/deaf information and awareness to those attending. We’ll have printed materials, buttons, candy and big smiles to share but need volunteers to join in the fun and help man the booth!

Please consider volunteering or learn more by emailing us at info@hlaa-la.org.
Date: Sunday, October 10, 2021
Where: Hermosa Beach Pier
Time: Festivities start at 9 a.m. with booth setup time TBD

September Presentation Recap with Katherine Bouton

Accessible Entertainment, Meetings, Social Event

We had a wonderful presentation and discussion with Katherine Bouton during our September chapter meeting. Learning about Katherine’s personal hearing loss journey and relating that to our own hearing struggles or with family members was so appreciated.

Many of you noted you wanted to attend but couldn’t so our chapter meeting presentation recording with Katherine is available below or on our chapter Youtube channel.

Katherine is a former HLAA board member and an advocate and educator for the deaf and hard of hearing. She is the author of “Smart Hearing“, “Shouting Won’t Help“, and “Living Better with Hearing Loss“. We may explore having a book club discussion with Katherine and her books so if you are interested, just email us at info@hlaa-la.org.

 

Join Our Upcoming Online Chapter Meeting with Katherine Bouton

Meetings, News, Social Event

Katherine Bouton

Katherine Bouton, a former HLAA board member, is an advocate and educator for the deaf and hard of hearing. She is the author of “Smart Hearing“, “Shouting Won’t Help“, as well as “Living Better with Hearing Loss“.
Date: Saturday, September 25, 2021
Time: 10 – 11:30 a.m. PT

During this meeting, she will share with us how she learned to navigate the maze of hearing loss on her own, after suddenly losing her hearing at age 30. In the rapidly changing world of hearing aids, how she got hers and the various lessons learned.

Want some practical advice for getting your life back with hearing loss? Join us with an open discussion afterward to share your experiences and ask questions!

REGISTER

Don’t Miss the “We Hear You” Documentary!

Accessible Entertainment, Better Hearing, Events, Social Event
HLAA is proud to host a Talkback with the filmmakers of the award-winning documentary, “We Hear You.” Executive produced by HLAA members Holly Cohen, Shari Eberts and Roxana Rotundo, and also featuring HLAA member Toni Iacolucci, “We Hear You” was named Best Film on Disability in the June 2021 awards of the Cannes World Film Festival.

Important Note: You must register for the event first and then you will receive a link two weeks prior to the talkback event to watch the documentary. The documentary will not be shown during the September 23 Zoom Event.

REGISTER

Panelists
Holly Cohen

Holly Cohen

Sheri Eberts

Sheri Eberts

Toni Iacolucci

Toni Iacolucci

Roxana Rotundo

Roxana Rotundo

Moderated By
Gael Hannan

Gael Hannan

The Talkback will provide a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the documentary and give the filmmakers the opportunity to hear from you—the hearing loss community. You will receive a link to the Zoom Event when you register. We look forward to a fun and lively conversation about the film.

Overcoming Hearing Loss

News
Barbara Kelley

Barbara Kelley Executive Director Hearing Loss Association of America.

Hearing loss is a common problem, but you don’t have to suffer in silence. New technology may offer options to help you hear better. Our very own Barbara Kelley, who is the executive director of the Hearing Loss Association of America, provides her insights in a June 2021 podcast. The podcast discusses what causes hearing loss, what you can do and overcoming the challenges faced.

VIEW PODCAST

July Meeting – Join us for Fun and Games!

Accessible Entertainment, Meetings, Social Event

We have not had a fun and games meeting, so this July meeting we will!
Let’s spark excitement, fun and laughter in our meeting.

Date: Saturday, July 24, 2021
Where: Online Zoom Meeting
Time: 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. PT (we may run over toward noon)

 

REGISTER

 

Let’s joke! Let’s play! Let’s laugh!

Bring your A-Game and the best joke you’ve ever heard! Make us roll on the Zoom floor!

PS: Did we say there are PRIZES to win?!!

Any questions? Just email us at info@hlaa-la.org.

Learning the California Legislative Process to Advocate for Hearing Loss!

Advocacy, News

California state legislative process

REGISTER

Remember when we asked you to support these bills that affected those of us with hearing loss?
AB 598 – Hearing Aids for Children
AB 5 – The “gig worker” bill affecting CART providers
AB435 – Locked Hearing Aids
So many of you contacted your representatives to garner their support for our hearing loss community …. but there were many questions about how to best go about that.
Join us this Saturday, June 19th to learn how to
effectively advocate for change at the State level.

The Legislative Process: How a Bill Becomes a Law

Saturday, June 19, 2021

10:00 a.m. PT

Assembly Member Kevin Mullin
Speaker pro Tempore of the California State Assembly

Join us as Mr. Mullin walks us through how to make a difference for hearing loss.
  • What is the process from beginning to end?
  • How can an individual make an issue go forward?
  • What is the role of the Representative or Senator?
  • What’s the best way to contact my representative?
  • What is effective: Petition? Email? Letters? Fax?
  • How do I keep track of a bill as it moves through the process?
Our virtual meetings are captioned.
Together we can do it!
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