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This page was updated February 19, 2023
Scroll Down to See Communication Access in Health Care Setting Webinar for Wednesday, February 22 at 6:30 p.m. |
Welcome to Our Website!
We are Colorado's Voice for People with Hearing Loss for Information, Education, Support, and Advocacy!
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The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA),
a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is the nation’s leading organization representing people with hearing loss. The Mission of HLAA is to open the world of communication for people with hearing loss by providing information, education, support and advocacy. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 48 million (20 percent) of Americans have some degree of hearing loss. It is the third most prevalent chronic health condition in older adults, after arthritis and heart disease, making it an issue of national concern. Have questions and need information about hearing loss? Click here!
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Colorado Has Four Chapters
Read February's e-News - click here
Facebook - click here
Facebook page - click here
All Chapters work at the local and State level for communication access, public policy, research, public awareness, and service delivery related to hearing loss Find out more of what's happening in chapters in Colorado as well as chapters across the country and HLAA. Scroll down to see calendar links. More information for each Chapter, their Facebook, website link, contact person or to sign up to receive any or each Chapters' newsletters, click here. |
UCHealth Northern Colorado ADA Coordinator, Wendy Sultzman, will share the improvements established within the UCHealth system, improving effective communication between medical care professionals and patients, patients’ companions and medical care professionals with hearing loss.
970-495-7379 wendy.sultzman@uchealth.org Learn, be inspired, and be motivated to advocate within your own healthcare system. Understanding the rewards of a pre-established relationship within their healthcare system now to advocate for effective communication can reduce stress rather than wait until an emergency strikes. One of the main objectives is to increase awareness across a diverse group of stakeholders about the impact of hearing loss on health care outcomes and patient satisfaction. Share Facebook Event and Event Flyer to Share |
The program consists of several projects focused on implementing communication best practices during health care experiences of people with hearing loss or as designated health care advocates for a hearing patient.
The HLAA Communication Access in Health Care coordinators hope to recruit all Colorado hospitals and medical providers by having them join this meeting. We need your help!
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NEW - In-Person Denver Chapter Meetings!
CART Captioning Provided
CART Captioning Provided
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WHEN: Third Saturday of the month
WHERE: Koelbel Library, Room B 5955 S Holly Street Littleton, CO 80121 TIME: 1:00 - 2:30pm! |
In This Issue of Hearing Life e-News Click on articles below |
REALLY BIG News!
What Could be Better than Public Venues that have
Hearing Loops Installed?
....Knowing Where They Are!!
Read how you can use Google Maps to find hearing loops here
What Could be Better than Public Venues that have
Hearing Loops Installed?
....Knowing Where They Are!!
Read how you can use Google Maps to find hearing loops here
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Hearing Aids Available Over-the-Counter
Directly to Consumers without a Prescription
Directly to Consumers without a Prescription
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Interview with Debbie Mohney, HLAA Colorado State Coordinator Click here for video By Katie Pelton, KKTV 11 News.Colorado Springs Used by Permission |
Over-the-counter hearing aids are now available! What you need to know.
The FDA recently approved over-the-counter hearing aids to be sold directly to consumers without them needing a medical exam or fitting...
In a historic move, you can now purchase over-the-counter hearing aids without a prescription! Experts tell 11 News this opens up so many more options for people dealing with some hearing loss, particularly those whose auditory issues weren’t considered severe enough in the past to qualify for hearing aids. ...Earlier this month, 11 News’ Katie Pelton sat down with Debbie Mohney, the president of the Boulder chapter of Hearing Loss Association of America, to discuss who is a good candidate for over-the-counter hearing aids and what people should know if considering getting them.
Below is their full conversation:
KATIE PELTON: TELL US ABOUT THE HEARING LOSS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA AND YOUR ROLE WITH THE BOULDER CHAPTER IN OUR STATE. YOU ARE ALSO THE COLORADO STATE CHAPTER COORDINATOR?
Debbie: “Hearing Loss Association of America, also known as HLAA, is a non-profit organization focused on consumers who have hearing loss. Their website has a wealth of information about hearing loss and technology to help people hear better, and they do a lot of advocacy to ensure that we have access to technology, including over-the-counter hearing aids. “I’m the President of the HLAA - Boulder chapter. I do have hearing loss; I’m a consumer. We have four chapters in Colorado: Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver and Western Colorado.”
PELTON: HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE ROLLOUT OF OVER-THE-COUNTER HEARING AIDS?
Debbie: “I’m excited because over-the-counter hearing aids mean adults with mild to moderate hearing loss will have more choices. They won’t have to see a doctor or hearing health care provider first. “In our chapter, I’ve had people come to us with mild hearing loss; they know they aren’t hearing well, but when they go to the audiologist, they don’t have enough hearing loss to qualify for hearing aids. Access to the over-the-counter hearing aids mean that they can start using hearing aids earlier and adjust to them before their hearing loss gets worse. Untreated hearing loss has been linked to other serious illnesses, isolation and cognitive decline. “It’s important also for consumers to learn about over-the-counter hearing aids and check for return policies before purchasing.”
PELTON: WHO WOULD THESE HELP? IS THIS MAINLY FOR FOLKS WHO HAVE MILD HEARING LOSS?
Debbie: “Over-the-counter hearing aids are aimed at people with mild to moderate hearing loss. If someone is on the fence about hearing aids, this could be a really good first step.”
PELTON: WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR FOLKS WHO MAY BE CONSIDERING THE DEVICES? DO YOU THINK THEY SHOULD SEE AN AUDIOLOGIST SPECIALIST FIRST? I’M SURE IT’S IMPORTANT TO GET THE CORRECT KIND.
Devvie: “I always urge people to see their ENT -- ear, nose and throat doctor -- and an audiologist, and it never hurts to have a baseline hearing test. If there’s something more serious going on, it’s also better to catch that, too.”
PELTON: HEARING LOSS IMPACTS A LOT OF AMERICANS. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO MAY BE ON THE FENCE ABOUT REACHING OUT TO THEIR DOCTOR?
Debbie: “I’m a big advocate about learning all you can about hearing loss. It’s important to know that primary doctors may not know much about hearing loss, and it’s not common for doctors to ask their patients either. If you or others around you notice you’re not hearing well, it’s time to have your hearing checked out. The longer you wait, the harder it can be to do something about it. The earlier you can start getting used to hearing aids, the better.”
For more information on over-the-counter hearing aids, click here. Copyright 2022 KKTV. All rights reserved.
Open Caption (OC) Movies in Colorado
Enjoy going to Open Caption movies statewide
PS: let the theater know how much you appreciate open captions! |
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Hearing Loops in Colorado
Mission Statement
"To bring people together to promote, support, educate, and create consistent use of hearing loops in Colorado"
Click here to find out more! |
Telecoil Handout: "Telecoils Improve Hearing Aids Dramatically!"
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HLAA National
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Check out the NEW HLAA Communication Access
in Health Care page and How to Invite YOUR Healthcare Providers to Connect with HLAA Communication Access in Health Care Program |
Do you or have you had problems communicating to anyone in the health care medical field about any of your healthcare issues due to your hearing loss and lack of effective communication in person, over the phone, or patient portal? Click Here for More
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So, You and Your Hearing Loss are Going to the Hospital -
Guide for Effective Communication in Health Care Settings
Everything You Need to Know, including:
- Communication and Access Plan (CAP)
- Patient Rights and Responsibilities
- Provider Responsibilities
- and More!
Click here
DID YOU KNOW?
HLAA has Branded Special-Interest Groups
Click on: https://hlaagroups.hearingloss.org/g/HLAAAdvocacy/subgroups
Learn more at: https://hlaagroups.hearingloss.org/g/HLAA or email Carla Beyer-Smolin at cbeyer-smolin@hearingloss.org.
Veterans Across America
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HLAA Official Community &
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More Groups...
HLAA Advocacy - https://hlaagroups.hearingloss.org/g/HLAAAdvocacy
HLAA Leaders - https://hlaagroups.hearingloss.org/g/HLAALeaders
HLAA Newsletter Editors - https://hlaagroups.hearingloss.org/g/HLAANewsletterEditors
HLAA Tech - https://hlaagroups.hearingloss.org/g/HLAATech
HLAA Leaders - https://hlaagroups.hearingloss.org/g/HLAALeaders
HLAA Newsletter Editors - https://hlaagroups.hearingloss.org/g/HLAANewsletterEditors
HLAA Tech - https://hlaagroups.hearingloss.org/g/HLAATech
AND.....
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HLAA Expands their Virtual Community
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AND ALSO.........
Be sure to Follow HLAA Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HearingLossAssociation/
AMAZON SMILE Update
HLAA Colorado would like to say "THANK YOU" to those of you who shopped Amazon Smile in support of any HLAA Colorado Chapter. This has been a funding source for us and we are sorry to see the program terminate
HLAA Colorado would like to say "THANK YOU" to those of you who shopped Amazon Smile in support of any HLAA Colorado Chapter. This has been a funding source for us and we are sorry to see the program terminate
Amazon made plans to wind down AmazonSmile by February 20, 2023. Until this date, customer purchases made via AmazonSmile will continue to accrue funds for your charity as normal. To help nonprofits like you plan ahead, we will also provide you with a one-time payment equivalent to three months of payments based on what you accrued in 2022 through this program. The timing of this final payment will be approximately 60 to 90 days after February 20, 2023. We hope that this will help minimize the impact that this decision might have.
Hearing Life - HLAA's Magazine for Better Hearing!
Winter 2023 Issue
Click here to read the digital issue
A Note From Our Executive Director:
Evolutionary Versus Revolutionary
By HLAA Executive Director Barbara Kelley
Read Story
Hearing Aids: What Are You Waiting For?
Read Story
Advocacy: Making Telehealth Accessible
Read Story
Health Care Communication Access: Helping Physicians Help Us Read Story
HLAA 2023 ConventionJoin HLAA June 29-July 1 in the “Big Easy” for the largest event of its kind with workshops, demonstrations, an Exhibit Hall, social events, and a Research Symposium, all designed to educate and empower people with all degrees of hearing loss.
Read Story
The Global Chip Shortage: What It Means for the Hearing Industry
More than 169 industries have been affected, including the hearing industry.
Read Story
Expanded Medicare Coverage for Cochlear Implants Improves Access
Patients who have been previously evaluated and told that they did not qualify may wish to go back to a CI center for reevaluation, as they may now qualify under the new criteria.
Read Story
Book Nook
Hearing to the Max: Improving Conversations in the Most Difficult Listening Environments
Read Story
Google Maps Now Includes Hearing Looped Facilities
Use the Google Maps app to find out before you go if a hearing loop is available at a business or venue.
Read Story
Click here to Read Past Hearing Life Issues
Hearing Life Magazine is published quarterly
Become a Member of HLAA to Receive Hearing Life Magazine in the Mail.
Click here to learn all the benefits of membership!
Click here to learn all the benefits of membership!
HLAA Offers FREE Educational and Product/Service Webinars
All Webinars are Captioned and Recorded. For upcoming and past webinars, click here
