Author: Tim Browning

Join our Upcoming Chapter Gathering!

Accessible Entertainment, Chapter, News, Social Event

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!

Chapter, News, Social Event
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

 

Raising Hearing Loss Awareness with the University of La Verne ULV Team!

Events, Fundraising, News

Picture of the La Verne University team

Steering Committee member Jackie Gayer holding check with the La Verne ULV team

In the fall of 2022, HLAA-LA chapter was approached by students at the University of La Verne business class about being the recipient of their business project, which consisted of selling a cleaning drive for smartphones. The proceeds of which would be donated to a charity of their choice. They chose HLAA-LA in order to increase awareness for hearing loss as several students on the team had family members or friends with some form of hearing loss. After ten weeks of the semester, the team sold all of their product and was able to raise almost $6000! They took first place in their class by raising the most funds for their selected charity. We are very grateful to this team of students who chose the Los Angeles Chapter to be the recipient of their hard work and generosity. Thank you to Hannah and the ULV team!

Generosity finds the LA Chapter!

Chapter, Fundraising, News

 

The Orange County Basketball League, headed by Mr. Ziko Pepic, is an organization that believes in sports and charity. Each season adult teams play basketball and compete for the title of champions. At the end of the season the winners receive trophies, bragging rights and they get to choose a charitable organization to receive a $500 donation. This year, Team Rocognize chose HLAA-LA to be the recipient of this generous gesture. Our chapter is honored and grateful to accept this donation. Many thanks to Ziko and Team Recognize!

Seven players from a orange county basketball team donating to the LA Chapter

Number 24 is our very own Chad Washington

Having a Blast at Walk4Hearing!

Events, Fundraising, Social Event, 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.

» Read more

Our First HOPE Support Gathering

Accessible Entertainment, Better Hearing, Social Event

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!

Hearing Aids and Your Hearing – Learn the Latest

Accessible Entertainment, Better Hearing, Meetings

We had an engaging and wonderful conversation with audiologist, Jeff Grama, M.A. With 48 years of experience, Jeff provided important information about the latest developments with hearing aids, his personal observations about the over-the-counter hearing aids, and Q&A addressing many questions you may have yourself.

Please enjoy the recorded conversation below and make sure to join our Los Angeles Chapter YouTube channel!


» Read more

Spring Fling Party Connects Guests from Across SoCal

Chapter, Events, Social Event
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.

» Read more

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

Accessible Entertainment, Research, Social Event

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.

RSVP and Join our Spring Fling Party!

Events, Social Event

Hello fellow chapter members and friends! You may now RSVP for our party.

We were unable to have our party last December. However, we are making arrangements to have a fun-filled “Spring Fling” party!

Please mark your calendar for the afternoon of Sunday, March 26 for this event. Please invite your family and friends and share this news with others.

When: Sunday, March 26

Time: 1 – 4 p.m.

RSVP TODAY!

More information will be emailed to you after you RSVP.

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

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