Noah Linder presenting to the chapter and on Zoom!
Our chapter held its July 2026 meeting for the first time in a hybrid format! Additionally, remote participants watched our feature presentation by Noah kinder, a fourth-year UCSB graduate researcher.
Noah shared current research focused on treating and potentially preventing age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) through regenerative medicine and stem cell technologies.
On May 31, 2026, the Long Beach Walk4Hearing enjoyed great energy and success as hundreds gathered for the event. Hosted as part of the nationwide effort by the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) to support people with hearing loss, the event was a major success—both in participation and fundraising.
This year’s Walk was especially meaningful for the Los Angeles chapter as our “LA Stars” was once again the top fundraising team!
The chapter gathered for an informational and engaging meeting filled with learning, connection, and a bit of humor. With CART captioning and a loop system in place, everyone could participate fully—asking questions, sharing experiences, and jumping into conversations. New faces were welcomed, familiar ones reconnected, and the relaxed tone made it easy for everyone to feel involved from the start.
Jeff presenting the latest and greatest news about hearing aids
March 28 marked something many of us had been waiting a long time for: our first in-person HLAA Los Angeles meeting since the pandemic.
Held at the HEAR Center in Pasadena, the morning felt more like a reunion. There were hugs, familiar faces reconnecting, new members being welcomed, and conversations that naturally stretched beyond the agenda. Coffee and donuts were shared, but more importantly, so were stories (including Michael sharing the thoughtful ASL gift from his niece), updates, and that sense of community that was hard to replicate in our Zoom meetings.
A special shoutout to the Director of the HEAR Center, Marisol Perez, for making this in-person gathering possible and providing the space for our chapter.
After six years of meeting online, we’re thrilled to announce that our chapter meetings are finally returning in person at the HEAR Center in Pasadena, starting Saturday, March 28!
The HEAR Center was a longtime meeting location for our HLAA Los Angeles Chapter, so we are excited to return there. Come and greet your fellow members and the new Steering Committee!
Where:
HEAR Center
301 E. Del Mar Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91101
When:
Saturday, March 28
10 a.m. – Noon PT
In January 2025, devastating fires hit the Los Angeles area. Going forward, emergency readiness remains a critical priority for everyone. In 2025, we discussed as a chapter the importance of being prepared for situations like these. In this presentation, we revisit that question with a focus on whether the hearing loss community is equipped for future emergencies.
Richard Pope, Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Los Angeles, presents an in‑depth session on practical preparedness. Watch to receive reliable information, actionable tips, and essential resources designed to support safety and communication during emergencies.
Laura, Teri, and Leslie enjoying the company
We had a wonderful time at the HLAA-LA Holiday Party! From delicious food and festive drinks to holiday karaoke carols and hilarious White Elephant hijinks, the joy was contagious. A special shout-out to Chris—our DJ, lead singer, and Santa all rolled into one. Triple threat indeed!
We are appreciative to our amazing steering committee members—Wendi, Tim, Paulette and Anna—who were helpful in making this event possible, and to new member Cassandra for welcoming us and finding us a meeting space for the event. Huge thanks to everyone who pitched in to set up and clean up. Your efforts made the afternoon shine even brighter.
In a moving and inspiring presentation at our September meeting, three African American women—Erika Jones, Vanessa Branch, and Nemiah Hobbs—shared their deeply personal journeys with hearing loss. Their stories and experiences, filled with resilience, advocacy, and transformation, illuminated the power of community and the importance of embracing one’s identity, even when it’s invisible to the world.
A group of chapter friends enjoyed an outing to a captioned movie, The Naked Gun. No complicated devices, no tech hiccups, just a smooth, relaxing experience where everyone could fully engage with the film. For many, it was the first time to truly feel included in a theater setting, where accessibility wasn’t an afterthought but simply part of the experience.
Moments like these remind us why this chapter matters. Sharing laughter, reactions, and the full experience was a powerful affirmation that inclusion can—and should—be effortless. This outing wasn’t just a movie night; it was a glimpse into what’s possible when accessibility meets connection. We’re already looking forward to the next one.
If you would like to learn more about this chapter and how it can help you or a loved one with hearing loss, please contact us at info@hlaa-la.org or use the contact us form. Don’t forget to join our chapter news email list. Just look for the “Subscribe to Chapter News” box on this page.
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:
Juliëtte 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.
