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Highlights of the 2026 HLAA Convention
in Louisville, KY This was HLAA's 41st Annual Convention. There were hundreds of people from 37 states and five different countries, and nearly 80 first-time attendees. Below are highlights from HLAA Colorado Members who attended. Thanks to Debbie Mohney, HLAA Colorado State Coordinator, Terri Shirley, HLAA Boulder Chapter Vice President, and Wynne Whyman, HLAA Denver member, for the following pictures and writeups. |
Reasearch Symposium
The AI Revolution in Hearing Health: Smarter Tech, Greater Access - from Debbie's notes and Terri's photos
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A panel of experts discuss hearing aids and artificial intelligence (AI)
During doctor visits, clinicians focus on taking notes instead of engaging with patients. AI can record appointments, summarize notes, and allow clinicians to review them after the visit, enabling more time for patient interaction. For audiologists, AI can enhance and streamline diagnostic processes, freeing up clinician time for patient interaction. AI can also simplify information for patients, making it more user-friendly and easier to understand the features of their hearing aids. Hearing aids can also have gyroscopes that contribute to overall health, not just hearing loss. Additionally, AI can improve speech in noise and reduce background noise. |
The Symposium focused on current and future applications of artificial intelligence in hearing health, audiology, and assistive listening devices. Key themes included improving diagnostics, enhancing device performance, and expanding access to care. The symposium underscored AI’s transformative role in both diagnostics and device functionality for hearing health. While challenges remain in computing power, data diversity, and user trust, continuous advancements in machine learning and telehealth suggest a promising future for AI-supported audiology and assistive technology.
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Chapter Leaders Workshop
More than 100 volunteer Chapter Leaders attended the day-long workshop
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The Future of Assistive Listening Workshop
with Juliette Sterkens -from Debbie's notes
with Juliette Sterkens -from Debbie's notes
Assistive listening systems supplement hearing aids and cochlear implants, providing better hearing. Auracast Bluetooth broadcasts face challenges and won’t be widely used until 2030, with the
IEC 60118-17 standard expected in late 2027.
Larger venues require audio engineers for complex sound systems.
Many convention attendees tried Auracast with receivers and headphones or neck loops.
Some hearing aids and cochlear implant processors have Auracast capability but aren’t yet enabled. Apple iPhones 16 and 17 have Auracast chips, but they are not yet enabled.
InnoCaption Workshop presented by Cristina Duarte -from Debbie's notes
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InnoCaption has provided live captioning for cell phones for 10 years, with over 30,000,000 (that's 30 MILLION!) captioned calls. They introduced new products this year:
• Bridge is a business solution built specifically for businesses to provide captions through a PC or MacBook and Bluetooth audio to hearing aid or cochlear implant users. The Bridge connects to any IP desk phone. This will be available as a paid option for businesses.
• InnoCaption Video App. This is a secure alternative to FaceTime with captions at the bottom of the screen. This app is for one-on-one video calls, not multiple parties at this point. Registration is required for the app, and only InnoCaption users get the captions. There is no cost to friends or family to use, but they must download the app.
• SnapCap is an online software platform that the community can use to find and book a real-time captioner. This is an open marketplace; providers set their own rates and have profiles to help you decide on the best provider for you. While some captioners can be booked with 24 hours' notice, others may have longer waits.
• Bridge is a business solution built specifically for businesses to provide captions through a PC or MacBook and Bluetooth audio to hearing aid or cochlear implant users. The Bridge connects to any IP desk phone. This will be available as a paid option for businesses.
• InnoCaption Video App. This is a secure alternative to FaceTime with captions at the bottom of the screen. This app is for one-on-one video calls, not multiple parties at this point. Registration is required for the app, and only InnoCaption users get the captions. There is no cost to friends or family to use, but they must download the app.
• SnapCap is an online software platform that the community can use to find and book a real-time captioner. This is an open marketplace; providers set their own rates and have profiles to help you decide on the best provider for you. While some captioners can be booked with 24 hours' notice, others may have longer waits.
Colorado Non-Profit is awarded the HLAA National Advocacy Impact Award
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Terri's favorite HLAA Convention 2026 memory is cheering on her friend, Melissa Tumblin,Founder of The Ear Community, whose family is the driving force behind Ally’s Act H.R. 4606 and S. 3400. Melissa has a small team of volunteers building a list of endorsers and educating members of Congress to encourage them to co-sponsor Ally’s Act and help make it law. She has been championing this bill for nearly eight years to help those with private insurance get coverage for Bone Anchored Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants.
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Hasbro Partners with HLAA! Barbara Kelley, HLAA Executive Director Every child’s hearing journey is unique—so we teamed up with Hasbro to create a Peppa Pig–inspired, kid‑friendly activity for our Hearing Loss 101 Toolkit. |
Interactive Exhibit Hall showcasing cutting-edge hearing assistive technology, hands-on product demonstrations, hearing device manufacturers, educational resources, and major hearing health industry advances. (This is always my favorite part of the Convention -Vickie)
Among some of the numerous booths in the exhibit hall were:
Health & Life offering a Hearing Amplifier,
Caption Companion,
Thunder Hearing & Sound (they installed the hearing loops & Auracast for the convention),
Rylo
Empowered Hearing
Eli Lilly (genetic medicine - you may have read about the rare hearing loss gene, Eli Lilly is offering free genetic testing to people under 40 who have hearing loss)
Hamilton Captel
HIA - Hearing Industries Association
Captify
Cochlear Americas
Advanced Bionics
Med-El
Xrai Glass, and
ReSound GN.
Among some of the numerous booths in the exhibit hall were:
Health & Life offering a Hearing Amplifier,
Caption Companion,
Thunder Hearing & Sound (they installed the hearing loops & Auracast for the convention),
Rylo
Empowered Hearing
Eli Lilly (genetic medicine - you may have read about the rare hearing loss gene, Eli Lilly is offering free genetic testing to people under 40 who have hearing loss)
Hamilton Captel
HIA - Hearing Industries Association
Captify
Cochlear Americas
Advanced Bionics
Med-El
Xrai Glass, and
ReSound GN.
HLAA Colorado Members' Sightseeing Highlights
Debbie and Terri visited the Muhammad Ali Center - Ali’s journey from his Louisville childhood through the three world heavyweight titles and humanitarian efforts that made him a global icon.
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Terri visited the "Slugger's Museum" and watched MLB bats being made
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