HLAA Boston - April 2025 Newsletter

ADVOCACY ALERT:

Please contact your MA state legislators to ask them to co-sponsor the draft bill (HD 3015) mandating private insurance coverage for hearing aids.

Use this link:

https://www.dpcma.org/get-involved/action-center#/25

Questions, email us at hlaaboston@gmail.com

SAVE THE DATE: April 16th @ 6pm via Zoom

REGISTER HERE: April 16th Meeting

Dr. King Chung, PhD, CCC-A Bio

• Jan 15th - Assistive Technology Roundtable
• Feb 12th - Employment Challenges & Tools to Help
• Mar 19th - Northeastern's Aural Rehab & Discount Hearing Aid Program
• Apr 16th - Understand Your Audiogram & Hearing Aid Technologies
• May14th - Dr. Sotonwa, MA Commission for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Jun TBD - In person meeting and social
• July 23rd
• No August Meeting
• Sep 17th
• Oct 15th
• Nov 19th - In person meeting and social
• No December Meeting

Upcoming Meeting Topics: Innocaption, Choosing a Hearing Aid, Cybersecurity & Hearing Loss, Brad & Julie Talk Show, canine companions. Suggestions, email us!

* Meetings on Zoom, 6pm EST start unless indicated; subject to change

**Most meeting recordings, transcripts and AI summaries are available on our website.

SEND IN YOUR QUESTIONS FOR MCDHH

by April 15th

At our May 14th HLAA Boston Chapter meeting we will host Dr. Sotonwa, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH). MCDHH is the principal agency in MA state government tasked with raising awareness of the issues of Deaf and hard of hearing.

MCDHH provides accessible communication, education, and advocacy to consumers and private and public entities so that programs, services, and opportunities are fully accessible to persons who are Deaf and hard of hearing.

We've asked Dr. Sotonwa to speak to us about MCDHH services for those with hearing loss living independently and not covered by Mass Health (Medicaid).

If you have questions for Dr. Sotonwa please email us by April 15th at hlaaboston@gmail.com. Our May 14th meeting format will be conversational with questions shared with DR. Sotonwa's team in advance of our meeting.

ACCOMMODATIONS in the WORKPLACE:

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504

by Julie DeMatteo-Lane, HLAA Boston Chapter Leader

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, is a federal law that entitles employees with documented disabilities to protections and provisions of reasonable accommodations in the workplace. The law additionally prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in public education, health care, transportation, programs, and activities run by federal agencies that are supported by federal funding.

As a person with hearing loss, you are entitled to reasonable accommodations in the workplace setting through Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The documentation required to implement Section 504 in the workplace is commonly referred to as a “504 accommodation plan”. A few examples of reasonable accommodations for employees with hearing loss may include:

• Communication tools such as FM systems or remote microphones;
• Captioning of all media required to complete work tasks; and/or
• Alterations to the physical work environment including carpeting or soundproofing.

All accommodations are targeted to ensure equitable access to job duties in spite of the presentation of a hearing loss.

The complete article (link below) will provide some background on the Section 504 federal law and tips on how to request, draft, and advocate for reasonable accommodations related to your hearing loss in the workplace setting. Additionally, the complete article includes links to resources to support the navigation of the 504 process.

ADA:  Section 504 Plans in the Workplace

BRAD's TECH TIPS: Caption Your Phone Calls

If you're looking for extra hearing help on phone calls, you can download an app that will provide closed captions for you.

If you're like Brad, sometimes the poor connection or accent of the person on the other end of the line means that even having your hearing aids paired to your phone isn't enough. Caption apps, like InnoCaption or Nagish will handle your calls and provide captions for you!

InnoCaption

Android- https://play.google.com/store/search?q=Innocaption&c=apps

iPhone- https://innocaption.onelink.me/tjDD/tf929kfz

Nagish

Android- https://play.google.com/store/search?q=nagish&c=apps

iPhone- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/nagish-caption-your-calls/id1514154600

Questions? Email us at hlaaboston@gmail.com

DID YOU KNOW?

At our March chapter meeting we hosted Nicole Laffan, Audiology Clinic Director at Northeastern, who spoke about NU's Better Hearing program which offers complimentary Aural Rehab both virtually and in-person.

The program consist of 2 training sessions lasting 1.5-2 hours each and are custom designed to help the person improve their communication skills. Trainings include lip reading skills, anticipatory strategies, and environmental modifications. Interested? Call 617-373-2492 to reserve a spot.

To access our March Meeting recording, go to hlaa-Boston.org and click on the YouTube Icon in the upper right corner; or click here.

Or view the March 19 Meeting - AI Summary .

Questions, let us know hlaaboston@gmail.com

SKILLS TRAINING: LEARN ASL

As a person with progressive hearing loss, I’ve found that learning some American Sign Language has made me more confident in my hearing loss journey. Learning ASL has helped me enhance my creativity and problem-solving skills and feel more adept at expressing myself and understanding others. 

I am offering Zoom classes online for those living with hearing loss who would like to learn some ASL in a “voices on,” captions on, low stress environment. Family members are also welcome! Flexible scheduling; reasonable cost.

Please contact me if interested abbeydick1@gmail.com.

Abbey works for the Chelmsford Schools and is a member of HLAA Boston.

Mark your calendar! HLAA-Boston has planned an event at the New England Aquarium for Saturday May 3rd, followed with lunch at Legal Seafoods Long Wharf. (Participants to pay their own way).

If interested:

• Email Anthony at ajcinmass2@juno.com by April 13th,
• Include "NE AQUARIUM" in the subject of the email,
• Details will be provided as we get closer to the date. 

Hope to see you there!

JOIN US for WOOSOX BASEBALL: MAY 23rd

Join us for this fun night out; information below.

WooSox Deaf & HOH Night - Details & Tickets

PAST EVENT UPDATE:

NEW ENGLAND HEARING LOSS CONFERENCE

Over 110 people from around the New England region gathered in Marlborough MA this weekend for a conference in support of those with hearing loss organized by New England HLAA Chapter leaders along with ALDA and Say What Club. Individuals learned, socialized and connected with more than a dozen hearing loss vendors and support organizations present. The energy level was high; attendees were excited to be together in-person.

Educational sessions included topics such as how to choose a hearing aid, managing cybersecurity risks, AI & hearing loss, emergency safety, aural rehab, and hearing loss & relationships. Keynote speaker Barbara Kelley, Executive Director of HLAA, spoke of advocacy efforts on a national level, the local Walk4Hearing events, and informational resources for individuals with hearing loss. HLAA Chapter engagement director Melissa Kruse talked to the partnership between HLAA chapters and the National organization to strengthen and grow support for those with hearing loss in their communities.

Attendees socialized throughout the weekend including over great meals planned by Conference chairman Janine Katomski, HLAA Eastern CT Chapter president, a chef in her pre-retirement life. The Hilton Garden Inn proved to be a convenient location for those traveling and service for lodging, meals and conference facilities was good per preliminary attendees survey results.

The generosity of a benefactor from Maine allowed this inaugural NE hearing loss conference to be offered for a very low attendance fee this year. SINCERE THANKS TO HIM FOR MAKING THIS EVENT POSSIBLE!!!

Voluntary contributions from others helped to cover unexpected costs. THANK YOU TO THOSE INDIVIDUALs!

We hope this will become an annual event!

HLAA 2025 NATIONAL CONVENTION

June 11-14

Join us at HLAA’s 40th annual convention, June 11-14, 2025, in Indianapolis, IN—host of the famous Indy 500 automobile race. This annual event brings together hundreds of people with hearing loss from around the U.S. to learn, discover and connect.

Check out the latest technology and hear from health and industry experts during a series of empowering events designed to help you live your best life with hearing loss.

Convention Highlights

• Research Symposium on “Stigma: Making the Invisible Actionable”
• Exciting educational workshops on a wide range of topics
• Demonstrations of the latest technology for people with hearing loss
• Exhibit Hall with cutting-edge tech and hearing health advances. 
• Free Exhibit Hall-only passes available

HLAA 2025 Convention Information and Registration

AUDIBLE TALKERS TOASTMASTERS

April 2nd, 7pm

Hosted by HLAA Washington State

Come learn how online Toastmasters -- a group created for people with hearing loss -- can help you gain confidence in speaking and beyond.

Harry Wolfe, founder of Audible Talkers Toastmasters, joined regular Toastmasters in 1982. In 1996 an operation to improve his hearing made it worse. Hearing aids served him well until 2018 when he started having problems understanding the speakers in his Toastmasters Club. Not wanting to abandon Toastmasters, in 2019 he founded a Club that caters to Hard of Hearing people and named it Audible Talkers Toastmasters

ZOOM Registration required: Audible Talkers Toastmasters

(Registration button will say for "Next Hope Meeting")

BASICS of TINNITUS

April 12th, 1pm via Zoom

Hosted by HLAA East Bay (CA)

Dr. Troy Cascia, AUD, UCSF Audiology presents the ‘Basics of Tinnitus’

• What is the source of the tinnitus perception?
• What makes it so bothersome for some people?  
• Management options that are available for people living with tinnitus. 

Registration required by Fri Apr 11: Basics of Tinnitus

RESEARCH UPDATE:

 HAIR CELL REGENERATION

April 28th, 5pm via Zoom

We are still learning a lot from birds about sensory hair cell regeneration. The discovery that birds can regenerate their auditory hair cells and naturally restore their hearing sparked an ongoing investigation into the mechanisms behind this remarkable ability, leading to the creation of HHF's Hearing Restoration Project.

In this research webinar, HRP member Stefan Heller, Ph.D., will discuss how innovative technologies bring us closer to the understanding of the molecular signals that regulate the production of new hair cells in the inner ear of chickens. These insights open up new avenues for research that can be tested in mammals, which lack the ability to regenerate their hair cells.

Heller is a professor of otolaryngology–head & neck surgery at Stanford University. He is also a 2001–2002 Emerging Research Grants scientist.

Registration required: Hair Cell Regeneration

RESEARCH STUDY:

Healthcare Experiences of Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing Women

The University of Notre Dame is conducting a research study to better understand the healthcare experiences of Deaf and Hard of Hearing women. Your participation will help identify barriers, improve communication access, and advocate for more compassionate care. The survey is anonymous and takes ~ 10 minutes to complete

Who Can Participate?

• Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing women (18+) who have received healthcare services.

Why Participate?

• To contribute to research aimed at improving healthcare experiences for Deaf and Hard of Hearing women.
• Your voice is essential in shaping a more inclusive healthcare system

Link: ND Deaf and HOH Women's Healthcare Access

Questions contact Lena Dougherty at ldoughe2@nd.edu.

Lena Claire Dougherty

Director of Gender Relations: Title IX & Women's Initiatives, Notre Dame Student Government 

ADVOCACY: Senior Centers/ Independent Living

Discussions have begun with New Horizons at Choate in Woburn and at The Jenks senior center in Winchester regarding HLAA Boston hosting an educational session on hearing loss for their communities.

If you are interested in participating in this or other senior outreach efforts, or know of another senior community who could benefit, please email us at HLAAboston@gmail.com.

Help Us Help More:

Please DONATE to support HLAA Boston. Thank You!

Volunteer with HLAA Boston - WE NEED YOU!

Be the Change you want to see in our world!

Contact HLAA Boston

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HLAA Boston does not endorse any technology, nor does exclusion suggest disapproval. We support the full spectrum of hearing technologies and hearing access for everyone. As an all-volunteer run organization, 100% of every dollar donated is directed to our programs. HLAA Boston is an IRS non-profit 501(c)(3) organization; all donations are tax-deductible as allowed by relevant IRS code.