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Updated September 4, 2023 (NEW in red)

YOU - Stakeholders with Hearing Loss!
Is the Colorado Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind (CCDHHDB) adequately serving your needs as a
person with hearing loss, or is it Deaf Centric?


Feedback is Requested

Comments are still being taken

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WHAT IS THE SUNSET REVIEW FOR CCDHHDB ABOUT? 
​  WHY SHOULD I PROVIDE FEEDBACK?
The Colorado Office of Policy, Research and Regulatory Reform is currently conducting a "sunset review" of the CCDHHDB .  This review will result in a report that is submitted to the Colorado General Assembly in October that will evaluate if CCDHHDB provides adequate services to and for people with hearing loss.  The report will provide recommendations regarding the regulation of the Commission to continue, be modified, or repealed. 
  • As a taxpaying stakeholder, your input is an important component of a successful sunset review.  Please provide your individual experience, feedback, issues, concerns, or ideas about CCDHHDB's services to and for people with hearing loss. When you send even a short email on even one topic, it is one more important voice being heard.  For example: 1) Are your needs as a person with hearing loss being met by the agency?  2) What is working well & needs to be kept?  3)  What suggestions do you have for improvements?  
Submit your feedback to the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA).  You may also call or arrange a Zoom meeting.  Contact:
Jennifer Lockwood
Policy Analyst
P: 303-894-2992 | F: 303-894-78851560
Broadway, Suite 1550, Denver, CO 80202

jennifer.lockwood@state.co.us | www.colorado.gov/dora


Sunset reviews are guided by evaluation criteria found in section 24-34-104 C.R.S.  For more information on the Sunset Review Process click on: https://coprrr.colorado.gov/participate.  For more information about the Sunset Review process, click on: https://coprrr.colorado.gov/how-reviews-work/sunset-reviews 

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​Welcome to Our Website!

We are Colorado's Voice for People with Hearing Loss for Information, Education, Support, and Advocacy!​

.NEW -  It's Finally Here!
​
Colorado Calendar for
Chapter Meetings, Socials,
State Advocacy Events,
Webinars and MORE!
Click here​

Continuously Updated!
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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!​


​
Follow HLAA Colorado on
​Facebook - click here!
 
​

​​How Can We Help You?

    To Contact HLAA Colorado, click here!

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Colorado Has Four Chapters
  • Boulder
​​             Contact - HLAABoulder@gmail.com
             Facebook - click here always something new posted
             September e-News - click here​​
  • ​​Colorado Springs 
              Contact - HLAAColoradoSprings@outlook.com
              
August Newsletter - click here
               
Webs
ite
 - click here always something new posted                         Facebook - click here always something new posted 
  • Denver 
                  Contact - HLADenver@gmail.com                 
                  Website -
click here 
always something new posted
                  Facebook - ​click here always something new posted
  • Western Colorado
                    Website and Facebook - currently inactive 
 ​
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.​

Colorado Chapter Meetings and Socials ​


WHEN: Third Saturday of the Month**
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
WHERE:  Koelbel Library Forum Theater 
5955 S Holly Street
    Centennial, CO 80121
**September Meeting will be on
​the 4th Saturday - 9/23/23

SPEAKER:  Denver Chapter Member and HLAA Convention 2023 Attendee will share her experience.

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Contact - HLADenver@gmail.com
Website - click here

Facebook - ​click here 

Contact:
HLAABoulder@gmail.com
​Facebook - click here 
 
August e-News - click here 
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Contact Vickie
HLAAColoradoSprings@outlook.com
Website - click here
Facebook - click here
​

MEETS:
 Second Tuesday of the Month
1:15 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.


Tuesday, September 12, 2023
Topic Dr. Nichole Kovel, Au.D. will talk about
​new hearing aid technology


WHERE: The Independence Center
729 S. Tejon St.

Colorado Springs, CO  ​

​Open Caption (OC) Movie Schedules in Colorado Theaters
​​Click here ​

  

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This symbol designates that a movie has ​Open Captions
​
​Enjoy going to  Open Caption movies statewide

PS:  let the theater know how much
​you appreciate open captions!
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​Click here to Join our Facebook Group
Everyone Can Enjoy Open Captions at the Movies - Read AARP's article here

Hearing Loops in Colorado
​

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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!
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Telecoil Handout: "Telecoils Improve Hearing Aids Dramatically!"
​
  • "What is a hearing aid telecoil and why would I want one?"  A telecoil is an essential hearing aid component that brings clear sounds from the microphone through ADA mandated assistive listening systems directly into the hearing aid with clarity and no background noise.  Read more about telecoils in Healthy Hearing 2019
  • ​​Buying new hearing aids? Ask for a telecoil!  When you buy your hearing aids or cochlear implant, include a telecoil - even if you think you have little use for this feature.  See "​The Telecoil and Hearing Loops" 
  • It can be life changing for an individual with hearing loss to hear more clearly in public places.  Hear the difference a hearing loop makes in a large group gathering: https://tinyurl.com/HearingLoopSim (1 minute)

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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Music and Hearing Loss Study - click here for  information
We are actively recruiting a) individuals with bilateral hearing aids (a hearing aid in each ear) and b) individuals with at least one cochlear implant to complete a 20-30 min online study; if you have two hearing aids OR a cochlear implant, we would love to have you participate.  The included flyer contains more information about the study. There’s no need to fill in the lines at the bottom; please contact me directly at ila2111@cumc.columbia.edu if you are interested.

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Hearing Aids Available Over-the-Counter Directly
o Consumers without a Prescription
​

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.


HLAA National 

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

So, You and Your Hearing Loss are Going to the Hospital -
Guide for ​Effective Communication in Health Care Settings

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​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

​Learn more at: https://hlaagroups.hearingloss.org/g/HLAA 
or email Carla Beyer-Smolin at 
cbeyer-smolin@hearingloss.org.


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Veterans Across America
​

Meets Third Tuesday of the Month

Note: meets 6:00 p.m. MT
​
​
​The HLAA Veterans Across America Virtual Chapter ​is sponsored exclusively by Starkey

​https://hlaagroups.hearingloss.org/g/HLAAVeterans

Register in advance for meetings.  
​Click here or ​Contact: Carla Beyer-Smolin at 
301-657-2248, or by Email

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​​​HLAA Official Community &
​Support Facebook group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/363776767846053/

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


​Get in the Hearing Loop 
is a communication access program of HLAA

https://hlaagroups.hearingloss.org/g/HLAAGITHL

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AND.....

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​HLAA Expands their Virtual ​Community and Calendar
​​...Virtual Meetings from HLAA chapters ​all across the U.S., 
...​all in one place, and ​​open to anyone! ​​
​ 
Click here

​https://www.hearingloss.org/programs-events/calendar/
NOTE:  Meetings may be PT, MT, CT, and ET, ​so ​be sure
you tune in at the correct time

Be sure to Follow HLAA Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/HearingLossAssociation/


​Hearing Life - HLAA's Magazine ​for ​Better Hearing
NEW - updated 06/02/2023

​Cochlear Implants Changing Lives - Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) members and cochlear implant (CI) users, share their personal stories with us.
Health Care Communication Access - Ensuring Communication Access in Health Care for Patients with Hearing Loss.
Advocacy - HLAA Fights for the Next Step in Communications Accessibility

Check Back for Pictures from the HLAA Convention 2023 that was held in New Orleans!

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​
​
Spring 2023 Issue


Click here to read the digital issue

Some articles in this issue on left

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!
​
​​​


​HLAA Offers FREE ​Educational and  Product/Service Webinars
All Webinars are Captioned and Recorded.   For upcoming and past webinars, click  here

Also, sign up to receive FREE HLAA e-News twice per month directly into your inbox
for all the news from National.  
Click here.


Web Site is Developed and Designed by Vickie Pacheco, a Member of HLAA Colorado. 
For questions, comments, or suggestions, click here

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