Walk4Hearing 2024: Join Us for a Season of Hope and Action!

Scenes from Walk4Hearing

Are you ready to walk for a good cause? The Walk4Hearing season is here and there is exciting news for you!

This year, Walk4Hearing is launching a new online platform that will make it easier for you to register, fundraise, and connect with other walkers. We will walk again in Long Beach at the same location as last year and you will be part of a nationwide movement to raise awareness and funds for hearing loss.

By walking with us, you are supporting the chapter and Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) and our partner organizations, which provide vital services and advocacy for the 50 million Americans with hearing loss. Thanks to you, we can continue to support, educate and empower people with hearing loss and their families.

So join the “LASTARS” with our Walk Captain, Jackie Gayer, leading the way, so we can bring hope to even more people. See below for instructions and details.

Note: We are looking for individuals interested in volunteering. Any help is appreciated so please email us at info@hlaa-la.org.


Join our LASTARS Walk4Hearing team:

  1. Go to https://www.walk4hearing.org/event/longbeach
  2. Click the orange “Register” button.
  3. Fill in your name, email and create a password.
  4. Your Participant Type should remain as a “Walker”
  5. For Role, select “Join a Team”
  6. Click the Search button and type “LASTARS” (no space) or you may see the team already displayed.
  7. After selecting “LASTARS”, fill in your registration details.
    1. Note – if you have another person you sign up, you can add another participant at this stage.
  8. Select the “Continue to Confirmation” button.
  9. Review your details and confirm.
  10. Once completed, you can now fill in your personal page and start fundraising!
    1. Note – you can edit your profile at any time later.

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

Holiday Party Celebration!

Los Angeles chapter holiday banner

After four long years, friends and family of our chapter all had a wonderful time celebrating the holidays and each other. It was wonderful to see familiar faces and many new ones!

We are thankful for all who could join us to create lasting memories and sorry for those we’ll have to see for next time. There was a lot of gift stealing during our White Elephant event but luckily no fights! Check out our photo gallery of key moments during the party.

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Here, My Voice 3. An Experience Never to Forget!

Group shot of people from the los angeles chapter

Our chapter was well represented at the Here, My Voice 3 extraordinary event!

by Rizwana Jmari

The power of voice and self-expression took center stage Sunday, October 15, when the Hearing Loss Association of America Los Angeles Chapter (HLAA-LA) partnered with the University of Southern California for an uplifting concert event, as part of Juri Hwang’s research which combines sound art, art intervention, and neuroscience of hearing through trans-disciplinary work between Media Arts + Practice and the Keck School of Medicine’s Bionic Ear Lab.

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Join our Upcoming Chapter Gathering!

As we head into Fall, grab a coffee and snack and join us. This gathering promises to be a fun event, filled with celebration, hope, and a glimpse into the future.

One of the highlights of our meeting will be the celebration of our first Young Adult Ambassador (YAA) scholarship winner, Erin McClain. Erin’s dedication and passion have made her a shining example of the values and vision that our chapter upholds. We cannot wait for you to meet her and hear about her aspirations during this event.

We’ll also share what the chapter has been doing and, more importantly, our future plans. It’s a chance for all of us to come together, exchange ideas, and learn about the exciting initiatives we have in store for our hearing loss community.

REGISTER

Please check your email for details to join the meeting and don’t forget to set your calendar reminder!

Celebrating our First Young Adult Ambassador!

Wendi presenting to Erin the scholarship award.

Wendi presented Erin with the scholarship award.

A special celebration and milestone for our Los Angeles chapter just happened! Erin McClain became our chapter’s first Young Adult Ambassador (YAA) after accepting our $2500 college scholarship. Erin hails originally from Sacramento and is attending California State University Long Beach.

The chapter hosted a nice Sunday brunch to celebrate and learn about Erin’s hearing loss journey. Diagnosed with bilateral hearing loss at age two, Erin clearly understands the challenges people face with hearing loss daily. She spoke of many ways she is able to successfully advocate for accommodations needed in class and school. She has also been an inspiration to her college peers and teachers to help them better appreciate the hearing loss community.

Erin will continue to connect with the chapter by updating us on how she is doing in school, attending a few events, and connecting on social media. Stay tuned for more information on how you can meet and learn more about Erin’s story!

 

Erin McClain. Our YAA scholarship award winner!

The LA Chapter Steering Committee with Erin

The LA Chapter Steering Committee with Erin

Erin and her friend Dulce

Erin and her friend Dulce

 

Having a Blast at Walk4Hearing!

It was a beautiful day to celebrate and experience Walk4Hearing in Long Beach. We had a great turnout and smiles as everyone got a chance to enjoy the festivities, catch up with people they haven’t seen in a while, make new friends, and get informed with technologies and services supporting the hearing loss community.

Scenes from Walk4Hearing

Marisa with her young niece Olivia.

A big highlight of the event was the Oticon hearing aids giveaway graciously set up by Zina Jawadi. Marissa Acosta ended up winning the hearing aids. She entered because her young niece, Olivia, who was just diagnosed with hearing loss, needed a pair of hearing aids! Marissa and family couldn’t believe it and felt truly blessed and plan to make the Walk an annual tradition! Sometimes the Walk isn’t just about walking, but the lifetime memories and stories that come from the event.

See our Walk4Hearing picture highlights below.

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Our First HOPE Support Gathering

Attendees at the first Los Angeles chapter HOPE meeting

Attendees at our first chapter HOPE gathering!

The chapter held its first in-person HOPE (Hearing Other People’s Experiences) support gathering. The event allowed participants to share their hearing loss journey, challenges, and hear words of encouragement and support from others. A truly rewarding experience for all who attended.

All those who attended would like to meet again soon so plans are already underway for our next HOPE gathering.

If you or someone you know is struggling with challenges with their hearing, please reach out to the chapter. We are here to get you going on the right path to embrace and succeed with your hearing loss!

Contact us at: info@hlaa-la.org

A special thank you to Sara Osher from the HLAA North Bay chapter for sharing and advising us to set up and run our HOPE meeting!

Spring Fling Party Connects Guests from Across SoCal

Group picture of everyone at the spring fling party

A wonderful Spring Fling turnout!

By Teri Breier

On a gorgeous spring Sunday with near-perfect weather, HLAA–Los Angeles held its largest in-person gathering in three years on March 26. The “Spring Fling” garden party, hosted by HLAA-CA Webmaster and past-chapter president Heather Lehr at her beautiful San Marino home, was attended by nearly 30 people with and without hearing loss—and not a mask in sight.

Guests included LA chapter members and their families, as well as attendees from southern California chapters like Long Beach/Lakewood, Orange County and Mission Viejo, as well as several brand-new attendees at their very first HLAA event. There were many others who couldn’t make it that were missed.

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Participate in a Vocal Program with USC’s “Here, My Voice”

Sandy Blake

Our own chapter member, Sandy Blake, taking part in Here, My Voice

Here, My Voice 3: Supporting the Power of Voice of Hard of Hearing People

Are you a cochlear implant or hearing aid user and interested in receiving personalized voice lessons with a professional vocal artist?

USC’s “Here, My Voice 3” program is looking for adults with hearing loss for a study focusing on improving vocal confidence and joy of self-expression. Participants can choose to work on vocal expressions such as singing or spoken words. The lessons will be held in person or on Zoom for one hour per week over a 12 week period. No prior music or singing experience is required. Individual voice lessons are provided to participants at no cost to them. If you agree to participate, you will be asked to fill out surveys and be part of individual interviews. Data will be anonymously collected. You will receive a $100 gift card as a token of gratitude for participating. Your participation is voluntary, and you can withdraw from the study at any time.

If you are interested, please contact Juri Hwang, at HEREMYVOICE-L@mymaillists.usc.edu, for more information or fill out an interest form below.

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