Category: News articles

Make Your Voice Heard: Urge California Lawmakers to Support Expanding Hearing Health Coverage

Advocacy, Help Us

A man getting his hearing checked by an audiologistAB 224 and SB 62 are proposed California bills that aim to review and update the state’s essential health benefits benchmark plan for the 2027 plan year. Key provisions would expand health insurance coverage for certain services, including hearing exams and durable equipment, such as hearing aids.

These bills will be considered in early September, so act today! Urge your State Assembly and Senate members to support hearing health care coverage and pass AB224 and SB62, using HLAA’s easy new Action Alert tool:

Please share with all your California friends and neighbors!

Hear Your Best with Telecoils and Auracast Presentation

Better Hearing, Events, Meetings

In this insightful and engaging session, audiologist and advocate Dr. Juliëtte Sterkens explores why assistive listening technology—like telecoils and Auracast Broadcast Audio—remains essential, even with the most advanced hearing aids and cochlear implants.

Discover how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) can support your hearing needs, and get access to practical templates for making effective accommodation requests. Learn how to engage your audiologist, use Google Maps to locate accessible venues, and advocate for broader hearing access in your community.

Presenter:

Juilette SterkensJuliëtte Sterkens, AuD

Juliëtte Sterkens, a Wisconsin-based audiologist with over 40 years of experience, is a nationally recognized advocate for assistive listening. Since 2012, she’s championed hearing accessibility through HLAA, earned top audiology awards, and serves on the board of HEAR-in-the-Fox Cities, supporting children in need.

Helpful Information:

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Bring Hearing Aid Insurance Coverage to California

Advocacy, Better Hearing

Act Now: California Bills AB 224 & SB 62

A man getting a hearing screening

California is considering AB 224 and SB 62 to modernize health insurance coverage for the 2027 plan year. These bills aim to expand essential health benefits, particularly for hearing exams and medical equipment like hearing aids, ensuring better accessibility for residents in need. By updating the state’s benchmark plan, lawmakers hope to remove financial barriers and support individuals with hearing-related challenges.

Act now by accessing an easy-to-fill-out action form on the HLAA site to send to your legislators!

Advocates and residents can voice support for these critical measures to ensure equitable healthcare access. Contact your representatives today to push for these essential updates and help improve health coverage for thousands of Californians.

DMHC Applies to Update California’s Benchmark Plan Which Includes Hearing Aids

Better Hearing, News

DMHC Press Release

The California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) has submitted an application to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking approval to update the state’s benchmark health plan. If approved, the revised plan would expand coverage requirements for essential health benefits (EHBs) in California’s individual and small group health insurance markets beginning in 2027.

Learn more about this important benchmark plan.

HOPE Meeting Brings New Faces and Heartfelt Stories: A Family of Support

Better Hearing, Events, Social Event

Jamie, Alison, and GeorgiaIt was standing-room only at our Hearing Other People’s Experiences (HOPE) meeting on February 22, where about 15 people gathered, including several new to HLAA. Attendees shared their heartfelt hearing loss stories and supported each other for two hours and many stayed afterwards to continue the conversation, while enjoying the brunch feast provided by our “hostess with the mostess” Georgia Fleischer. The theme of our sharing seemed to be “We are all family and never alone.”

Wendi and friend at the chapter HOPE meetingHLAA National even sent a photographer to shoot some photos for their upcoming magazine and other channels, with Communications representative and longtime HLAA-LA member Teri Breier present to relay the latest updates.

 

Participate in an Upcoming USC Cochlear Implant Study!

Better Hearing, Events, Research

USC Logo
The USC Bionic Ear Lab is conducting a new study supported by Advanced Bionics Corporation. We are looking for bilateral cochlear implant users that use Advanced Bionics devices. The study takes three hours for initial testing at Advanced Bionics headquarters in Valencia, CA. Participants will be compensated $100 for their time. We are primarily recruiting participants for the week of February 24th, but we can extend the testing window up till the week of March 10th.

If you are interested, please contact study coordinator, Matthew Ardis, at ma_559@usc.edu or study Principal Investigator, Ray Goldsworthy, at rgoldswo@usc.edu.

Save the Date – Learn About Wendi’s Lifelong Journey

Accessible Entertainment, Better Hearing, Events

Wendi Washington presenting

 

On Saturday, September 21 at 9 a.m. PT, our chapter president, Wendi Washington, will share a touching presentation. Wendi will chronicle and discuss lifelong discoveries from her own personal experience with hearing loss.

Please plan to join our friends from the Essex County Chapter in New Jersey led by our chapter friend and previous presenter, Dr. Latisha Porter-Vaughn.

Date: Saturday, September 21
Time: 9 a.m. PT
(On Zoom – join at the time of the presentation)

JOIN MEETING

Meeting ID: 820 5547 1466
Passcode: 084733

Could Apple’s new AirPods be Your Future Hearing Aid?

Better Hearing, News, Resources

Man wearing apple airpodsApple’s AirPods Pro 2 are poised to serve a dual purpose, not only as wireless earbuds but also as over-the-counter hearing aids. This new feature is designed for Americans suffering from mild to moderate hearing loss, providing a cost-effective alternative to traditional hearing aids, which often carry a stigma and high price tag. Experts are optimistic about the potential for AirPods to make hearing assistance more accessible, especially following FDA authorization of the Hearing Aid Feature (HAF) software. The AirPods Pro 2 will include features like hearing protection, a built-in hearing test, and hearing amplification, making it easier for users to manage their hearing health discreetly.

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New Tinnitus Developments Presentation Recap

Events, Meetings, News, Research

Exploring the Latest in Tinnitus Therapy: Insights from Dr. Cohen’s Engaging Session held on November 18, 2023

by Rizwana Jmari

The HLAA-LA community had the distinct opportunity to engage with Dr. Sharzad Cohen, a revered audiology expert, particularly in tinnitus. As a familiar and respected figure in our chapter, Dr. Cohen’s online presentation provided a comprehensive overview of the latest updates and advances in tinnitus therapy.

(You can view the presentation at the bottom of this article)

SharDr. Cohen detailed her professional journey with her deep-rooted experience and passion for audiology, highlighting her affiliations with prestigious organizations like the American Academy of Audiology and the American Tinnitus Association. Her extensive experience in the field, especially in managing tinnitus, added a rich context to her presentation.

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

Accessible Entertainment, Better Hearing, Events, HLAA, Social Event
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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