Page updated July 10, 2025
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HLAA Colorado - Your Voice for People
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Read About the HLAA Convention in Indianapolis from our Colorado State Chapter Coordinator, Debbie Mohney,
below the pictures
below the pictures
Convention Highlights - There were 27 individual sessions,such as:
Two keynote speakers sharing their personal stories of challenge dealing with the stigma of hearing loss
And... THE social outing of the convention - a night at the ballgame at Victory Field!
- mental health (impact on relationships, social isolation, managing emotions),
- technology (Auracast, AI in hearing devices, cybersecurity),
- situational management (health care, elder care, employment, parenting),
- communities resources (libraries, state grants), the arts ( dance, yoga, accessibility in cultural spaces),
Two keynote speakers sharing their personal stories of challenge dealing with the stigma of hearing loss
And... THE social outing of the convention - a night at the ballgame at Victory Field!
The 2025 HLAA Indianapolis Convention has officially wrapped up, and with that, I have brought home memories, new ideas, and ready for next years convention in Louisville, KY.
I have been attending the HLAA Conventions since 1999, only missing one in 2000. Every year is unique, and takes me to new places around the country. Some of those places are new to me, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to be a part of these conventions. While the conventions since Covid are smaller than the ones previous, they are still so much fun to attend, and be a part of.
Getting there is a part of the experience, and having a hearing loss adds its complexities to the trip. I flew on airplanes many times with a hearing loss before I went to my first convention, so I was better prepared than some. I plan well for my trips: registering for the convention, getting my plane reservations, booking the hotel, and look for transportation from the airport.
I used my TSA Precheck, which I have had for about seven years now, and it never fails to remind me that it’s the easiest way to get through security. It does cost at $85 for 5 years, but it has been completely worth it and saves a lot of stress on my part. I always take an empty refillable water bottle, and refill it once I’m checked through security.
I take wired earbuds with me instead of using the bluetooth in my hearing aids on the airplane because the engine noise through my hearing aids is so loud that I can hardly hear the bluetooth even at full volume. I am lucky that I do have residual hearing, so the earbuds work well for me. I have also developed a habit of letting the people sitting next to me know that I have a hearing loss. I sometimes also tell the flight attendant. I know that they will come around with snacks and drinks, so I’ll look at the card in the seat back to plan the drink I’m going to ask for. I just watch and let them know when they come to our row. I try hard not to stress out flying, and just go with the flow if something comes up. And again, I’ll remind people that I have a hearing loss.
I took uber from the airport to the hotel, and have for several years now. Most of the hotels no longer have transportation and most of the shuttles have given way to uber. Using the Uber app, I reserve when I find the pick up location, and I double check to make sure the car and driver match the app. If they don’t, I won’t get in. I got a very friendly driver this year, he told me some sights to see, and advice about restaurants downtown, and of course, that the Indiana Pacers basketball team was playing in the NBA finals the same time as our convention.
I attended the HLAA Leaders training on Wednesday before the convention started, and it was great to meet people I didn’t already know, and see the ones I do. We talked about the latest updates for chapter from national, ethics, finance for chapters, fundraising, and what other chapters are doing around the country. We were asked to sit at a table with people other than from our own chapters, and at lunch, board members came in and had lunch with us, and talked about ideas that we have for HLAA. It was interesting to share ideas, everyone has the same concerns about attracting new members, getting the word out, finding speakers, etc. The most important thing is to share information, educate about hearing loss, and be welcoming to all people with hearing loss. Hearing loss happens regardless of your ethnic background, financial status, age, etc. In other words, it is an equal opportunity disability.
I look forward to the opening session each year, this year former NBA basketball player, Lance Allred, the first player in NBA history with a hearing loss, who is an author of 5 books, TedX Star and international inspirational speaker. He talked about his hearing loss, and challenging upbringing, and overcoming to be where he is today.
The workshops are always hard for me to pick and choose which ones to attend.
I focused on various topics, but wanted the latest updates on auracast bluetooth. Everyone is anxiously awaiting this technology which will allow anyone with the auracast capability in their hearing aids/cochlear implant processor to connect to any publicly broadcast auracast signal. In large public spaces such as meetings, theaters, airports, restaurants/bars with tvs, etc. an auracast system will allow anyone with a device equipped with the auracast Bluetooth to connect like they would today with a telecoil or headset to a hearing loop, FM System, or Infrared. The transition period for auracast to become fully functional is an indeterminate amount of time. The takeaway message is that we still need the traditional systems, along with a telecoil in our hearing aids/cochlear implant processors to access public broadcasts, until Auracast Bluetooth is universally available to everyone with a hearing loss. It will take years for everyone to upgrade to capable devices.
I also attended: a comprehensive medical approach to hearing loss, Cybersecurity and Hearing Loss, Early Intervention in children. I am looking forward to reviewing the power points from these sessions, because there is so much information to take in and digest. These workshops were my choices out of so many available, each time slot has several competing workshops, so there are choices for everyone. Think of it as your local chapter meetings tripled and multiplied over the days of the convention.
The research symposium is always so interesting and again, so much important information. This year, the presentation was on Stigma: Making the Invisible Visible. Too often, we hide our hearing loss because of the perceptions that people have about hearing loss and hearing aids or cochlear implants. The stigma can cause hearing loss to go untreated, or break relationships, cause depression, etc. Even perceptions that someone with a hearing loss is not smart, or somehow less than a hearing person, can create bad situations with those around us, at home, work, socially, and organizations. It’s important to learn about your hearing loss, to learn how to cope with it, avail ourselves of technology, and help other people with hearing loss to do the same.
I haven’t even touched on the exhibit hall yet, where you can go learn about new technology, captioned telephones, captioned glasses, latest cochlear implant information, talk to other people about their experiences, hearing dogs, T-Mobile accessibility, local commission for deaf and hard of hearing and deaf-blind, Hearing dogs, captioning quality, and on and on.
Last but not least, I continue to make new friends from around the country, and miss those who I’ve met over the years who are no longer with us, or don’t happen to attend the convention that year. But, I am so grateful for the opportunity to meet new people and learn from everyone.
That is the reason, I don’t miss going to the conventions. I come back inspired, ready to sit down and work with our local chapters and share ideas.
I have been attending the HLAA Conventions since 1999, only missing one in 2000. Every year is unique, and takes me to new places around the country. Some of those places are new to me, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to be a part of these conventions. While the conventions since Covid are smaller than the ones previous, they are still so much fun to attend, and be a part of.
Getting there is a part of the experience, and having a hearing loss adds its complexities to the trip. I flew on airplanes many times with a hearing loss before I went to my first convention, so I was better prepared than some. I plan well for my trips: registering for the convention, getting my plane reservations, booking the hotel, and look for transportation from the airport.
I used my TSA Precheck, which I have had for about seven years now, and it never fails to remind me that it’s the easiest way to get through security. It does cost at $85 for 5 years, but it has been completely worth it and saves a lot of stress on my part. I always take an empty refillable water bottle, and refill it once I’m checked through security.
I take wired earbuds with me instead of using the bluetooth in my hearing aids on the airplane because the engine noise through my hearing aids is so loud that I can hardly hear the bluetooth even at full volume. I am lucky that I do have residual hearing, so the earbuds work well for me. I have also developed a habit of letting the people sitting next to me know that I have a hearing loss. I sometimes also tell the flight attendant. I know that they will come around with snacks and drinks, so I’ll look at the card in the seat back to plan the drink I’m going to ask for. I just watch and let them know when they come to our row. I try hard not to stress out flying, and just go with the flow if something comes up. And again, I’ll remind people that I have a hearing loss.
I took uber from the airport to the hotel, and have for several years now. Most of the hotels no longer have transportation and most of the shuttles have given way to uber. Using the Uber app, I reserve when I find the pick up location, and I double check to make sure the car and driver match the app. If they don’t, I won’t get in. I got a very friendly driver this year, he told me some sights to see, and advice about restaurants downtown, and of course, that the Indiana Pacers basketball team was playing in the NBA finals the same time as our convention.
I attended the HLAA Leaders training on Wednesday before the convention started, and it was great to meet people I didn’t already know, and see the ones I do. We talked about the latest updates for chapter from national, ethics, finance for chapters, fundraising, and what other chapters are doing around the country. We were asked to sit at a table with people other than from our own chapters, and at lunch, board members came in and had lunch with us, and talked about ideas that we have for HLAA. It was interesting to share ideas, everyone has the same concerns about attracting new members, getting the word out, finding speakers, etc. The most important thing is to share information, educate about hearing loss, and be welcoming to all people with hearing loss. Hearing loss happens regardless of your ethnic background, financial status, age, etc. In other words, it is an equal opportunity disability.
I look forward to the opening session each year, this year former NBA basketball player, Lance Allred, the first player in NBA history with a hearing loss, who is an author of 5 books, TedX Star and international inspirational speaker. He talked about his hearing loss, and challenging upbringing, and overcoming to be where he is today.
The workshops are always hard for me to pick and choose which ones to attend.
I focused on various topics, but wanted the latest updates on auracast bluetooth. Everyone is anxiously awaiting this technology which will allow anyone with the auracast capability in their hearing aids/cochlear implant processor to connect to any publicly broadcast auracast signal. In large public spaces such as meetings, theaters, airports, restaurants/bars with tvs, etc. an auracast system will allow anyone with a device equipped with the auracast Bluetooth to connect like they would today with a telecoil or headset to a hearing loop, FM System, or Infrared. The transition period for auracast to become fully functional is an indeterminate amount of time. The takeaway message is that we still need the traditional systems, along with a telecoil in our hearing aids/cochlear implant processors to access public broadcasts, until Auracast Bluetooth is universally available to everyone with a hearing loss. It will take years for everyone to upgrade to capable devices.
I also attended: a comprehensive medical approach to hearing loss, Cybersecurity and Hearing Loss, Early Intervention in children. I am looking forward to reviewing the power points from these sessions, because there is so much information to take in and digest. These workshops were my choices out of so many available, each time slot has several competing workshops, so there are choices for everyone. Think of it as your local chapter meetings tripled and multiplied over the days of the convention.
The research symposium is always so interesting and again, so much important information. This year, the presentation was on Stigma: Making the Invisible Visible. Too often, we hide our hearing loss because of the perceptions that people have about hearing loss and hearing aids or cochlear implants. The stigma can cause hearing loss to go untreated, or break relationships, cause depression, etc. Even perceptions that someone with a hearing loss is not smart, or somehow less than a hearing person, can create bad situations with those around us, at home, work, socially, and organizations. It’s important to learn about your hearing loss, to learn how to cope with it, avail ourselves of technology, and help other people with hearing loss to do the same.
I haven’t even touched on the exhibit hall yet, where you can go learn about new technology, captioned telephones, captioned glasses, latest cochlear implant information, talk to other people about their experiences, hearing dogs, T-Mobile accessibility, local commission for deaf and hard of hearing and deaf-blind, Hearing dogs, captioning quality, and on and on.
Last but not least, I continue to make new friends from around the country, and miss those who I’ve met over the years who are no longer with us, or don’t happen to attend the convention that year. But, I am so grateful for the opportunity to meet new people and learn from everyone.
That is the reason, I don’t miss going to the conventions. I come back inspired, ready to sit down and work with our local chapters and share ideas.
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HLAA 2026 Convention will be in
Louisville, KY! June 10-12, 2026 |
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HLAA Colorado has three Chapters - Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Denver
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We work at the local and State level for communication access, public policy, research, public awareness, and service delivery for people with hearing loss |
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- We hold FREE monthly meetings and socials for the hearing loss community. Our meetings are free and open to the public. All are welcome to attend whether you have hearing loss or no hearing loss at all.
- Our meetings use Hearing Assistive Technology (HAT) that includes a professionally-installed hearing loop, assistive listening devices (ALDs), and live CART or automated speech-recognition (ASR) captioning.
Click here for monthly calendar of Colorado Chapter meetings and other events of interest to people with hearing loss.
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Upcoming Annual ALDA
National Convention for People with Hearing Loss in Denver, Colorado For more information about ALDA and to Register for the Convention, click here. Early bird rate until June 30th |
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New - A National Hearing Accessibility Resource
Based right here in Colorado!
Center for Hearing Access (CHA) is a National Nonprofit Center Focusing on Assistive Listening Systems for People
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The Mission is to pursue the understanding and adoption of those principles, practices, designs, and technologies that best realize a world in which seamless and simple hearing access is available to everyone with hearing loss so they can participate fully across all aspects of daily life.
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Find information on:
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New resource especially for:
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Let’s Loop Colorado! provides education, information, and no-cost presentations in the community about hearing loops, FM, and Infrared systems from a consumer perspective. Assistive Listening Systems provide clear speech for people with hearing loss and ADA communication access in public and private facilities. Consumers prefer hearing loops for their ease of use and convenience.
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Colorado Support Groups
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This is an open forum, peer-facilitated group for conversation and additional support from others coping with their own unique experience of hearing loss in a confidential setting.
Boulder Chapter - Contact Debbie Meetings will resume in the fall. ________________ Denver Chapter - Contact Jennifer (type “HLAA HOPE” in the subject line) Meets the third Wednesday of the month at 5:00 p.m. |
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Partner Support Group
Online peer support group for people who are partners of someone with hearing loss. For questions,email Deb Lamfers (type “HLAA Partners” in the subject line) |
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Tinnitus Support Group meets virtually on Zoom once per month. Sign up for their emails with Rich Marr at rmarr5275@gmail.
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HEY, Siri! ... What's New?
With Apple Intelligence, Siri can now make captioned cell phone calls with InnoCaption
(InnoCaption is the free, versatile smartphone captioning service for the deaf and hard of hearing community. InnoCaption offers the choice of automated speech recognition technology, or stenographers (CART) to provide faster and more accurate captioning on every call. For more information and to download the app, click here.)
No need to scroll through contacts. InnoCaption v4.1.17 now supports Siri, allowing you to make calls using voice commands for a hands-free experience.
To use this feature, make sure to update to the latest iOS version (iOS 18).
Please note that this feature may not work on all iPhone models.
(InnoCaption is the free, versatile smartphone captioning service for the deaf and hard of hearing community. InnoCaption offers the choice of automated speech recognition technology, or stenographers (CART) to provide faster and more accurate captioning on every call. For more information and to download the app, click here.)
No need to scroll through contacts. InnoCaption v4.1.17 now supports Siri, allowing you to make calls using voice commands for a hands-free experience.
To use this feature, make sure to update to the latest iOS version (iOS 18).
Please note that this feature may not work on all iPhone models.
How it Works:
Click here for a demonstration.
- Activate Siri by saying, "Hey Siri," or pressing the Side/Home button.
- Use voice commands like:
- "Hey Siri, call (contact) using InnoCaption"
- Siri will confirm and dial the call through InnoCaption.
Click here for a demonstration.
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