Program areas at HLAA
Education and outreach: with 50 million people in the u.s. having some level of Hearing Loss, our work impacts millions through a broad-based outreach strategy that includes both print and digital media. The website, hearingloss.org, social media channels and facebook groups enable us to reach a large, diverse audience. Hearing life magazine is distributed in print and available digitally free to the public. Hlaa's publications include meaningful stories showcasing our impact, programs and resources. In the past year, hlaa had an unprecedented number of media appearances in major news outlets resulting in awareness about Hearing Loss and Hearing health. Hlaa staff/board/leaders speak at conferences, both to consumers and professionals, to educate about communication access and promote a person-centered approach to Hearing health care.
Convention and peer support: the hlaa convention and exhibit hall, held annually, provides people with opportunities for hands-on experience, in-depth learning, and personal connection and support. Attendees exchange ideas, engage in meaningful dialogue and take what they learn home to their chapters, family and communities. An exhibit hall and demo room showcase the latest in Hearing technology. Renowned speakers and policymakers engage with participants in a communication-accessible environment where's it's okay not to hear well. The research symposium is where scientific topics are presented to a lay audience. We also showcase hlaa public policy and programs and attendees can be present at the hlaa board of directors meeting for a year-in-review presentation. Hlaa chapters have a focused workshop track for training.
Walk4hearing/hlaa chapters: hlaa chapters meet the needs of people with Hearing Loss and their families where they live. With the dedication and creativity of chapter volunteers, we are making strides in accessibility, inclusion and empowerment. Local chapters provide peer support, educational programs, and advocacy for communication access across the county. Advocacy successes of chapters include installing Hearing loops in public places, promoting captioning at movies and live theater, and work on state Hearing aid coverage legislation. Walk4hearing raises awareness about Hearing health (protection, screening and treatment) and draws the community. Both chapters and the walk expand our reach to people with all levels of Hearing Loss and diversity, especially those underrepresented in Hearing health care.
Hlaa is the leading advocacy organization fighting to improve accessible communication, to broaden access to Hearing care and treatment, and to ensure the rights of people with Hearing Loss. We work with our members, chapters and professional and industry allies before congress, the executive branch, and regulatory agencies, pursuing positive change that improves the lives of millions every day. Hlaa's unique position as representing consumers is key to many positive outcomes.advocacy work includes, but not limited to: co-chaired the task force that filed a comprehensive report to the fcc resulting in the fcc issuing regulations for 100% compatiibilyt with cell phones and Hearing aids and cochlear implants; mobilized local support for legislation that will broaden access for video, communication, and emerging technologies; filed multiple comments with the fcc in support of creating quality metrics for captioned phones; partnered with the department of transportation to ensure that consumers know their rights under the air carrier access act (acaa) and saw the reasuthorization of the faa legislation to inlcude communications access in airports and in-flight; advocated with the u. s. preventive services taskforce to recommend Hearing screening in adults ages 50+ in medical exams; filed comments on updating the regulations on the older americans act. Our continued work on accessible telehealth with captions and medical access and support for legislation such as medicare and the communications, video, and technology accessibility act, will continue to broaden Hearing access for millions with Hearing Loss. Advocate for congressionally mandated funds for Hearing research.hlaa represents the consumer perspective on a variety of global and national committees, such as the fcc's disability advisory committee, national insititues of health council of councils, national institute on deafness and other communication disorders advisory council (nih), friends of the congressional Hearing health caucus, tsa's disability and medical condition coalition, Hearing restoration research program (cdmrp), Hearing health care collaborate, cochlear implant international community of action, and others.