HLAA Boston - May 2025 Newsletter | |
President's Message
As public funding for many services we have come to depend on is under pressure – including support services and accessibility accommodations for those with hearing loss – it is important to follow the news on proposed changes and make sure our elected representatives know the things we value. Several things to be aware of:
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Federal funding for accommodative services in education is being threatened under the guise of DEI elimination. Learn about Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which mandates reasonable accommodation for kids with disabilities in schools receiving federal funds in the article following by HLAA Boston leader and teacher Julie DeMatteo-Lane. Julie also explains how parents access services and provides examples of hearing loss-related accommodations available. Get in the know about what is happening in your schools!
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Congress has reduced or eliminated 2025 funding for critical research at the Veterans Administration including the small but important $10 million hearing loss research program. Dr. Tian Wang shared the details of this program with us at our September 2024 meeting. Hearing loss is the #1 most common veteran disability and VA funded research benefits us all. Click here to help Restore VA Hearing Health Research; act before June 1st kill date.
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Congress has threatened to reduce or eliminate CDC's Early Hearing Detection and Intervention program. Since inception in 1999, the EHDI program has played a critical role in ensuring that newborns and infants are screened early in life for hearing loss and receive intervention services when needed. The American Academy of Audiology has spoken out against this in an open letter to Congress April 23rd.
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In Massachusetts budget constraints are pressuring resources at the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) which provides support services and equipment for the neediest in our community. Join our May 14th meeting (6pm via zoom) to hear from MCDHH commissioner Dr. Sotonwa about the support services MCDHH provides to the Deaf and HoH community and how to advocate for full funding.
We can't assume others have our interests covered; we all need to act to voice support for continued funding for research, support services and accessibility accommodations for people with hearing loss like us!
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ADVOCACY ALERT:
PRIVATE INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR HEARING AIDS in MASSACHUSETTS
A handful of states including NH currently mandate private insurance coverage for hearing aids; Massachusetts is NOT one of them! Help us change this!!
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
And
VOLUNTEER to TESTIFY @ THE STATE HOUSE to support private insurance coverage for hearing aids
For details contact: Nini Silver, Disability Policy Commission at nsilver@dpcma.org
| | SAVE THE DATE: May 14th @ 6pm via Zoom | | 2025 Monthly Chapter Meeting Schedule | |
- Jan 15th - Assistive Technology Roundtable
- Feb 12th - Employment Challenges & Tools to Help
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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 & Hard of Hearing
- Jun TBD
- July 23rd
- No August Meeting
- Sep 17th
- Oct 15th
- Nov 19th - Julie & Brad Hearing Things -- in person 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.
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At our April chapter meeting we hosted Dr. King Chung, PhD and professor of Audiology at MGH Institute of Health Professions. Dr. Chung helped us better understanding audiograms and learn about hearing aid technologies.
Dr. Chung discussed:
- the various types of hearing tests used (air conduction, bone conduction, various speech understanding tests)
- how test results reveal the type of hearing loss (sensorineural, conductive, or mixed), and
- the measures and attributes to know about your own audiogram (laterality, type, degree, configuration).
Dr. Chung also spoke about available hearing aid technologies including:
- Directional microphones
- Noise Reduction Algorithms
- Remote Microphones
- Telecoil/Hearing loops
Dr. Chung concluded her talk by sharing that Cochlear Implants have been shown to be more effective than hearing aids at improving speech understanding for individuals with a hearing loss > 65-70 bBHL.
To access our April Meeting recording, go to hlaa-Boston.org and click on the YouTube Icon in the upper right corner; or click here.
Check out the April meeting documents at the links below:
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ACCOMMODATION in EDUCATION:
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504
by Julie DeMatteo-Lane, HLAA Boston Chapter Leader
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This article is the second in a two-part series covering Section 504. Check out the March 2025 newsletter for part one: Section 504 in the workplace setting.
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, is a federal law that protects students from discrimination on the basis of disabilities, such as hearing loss, in federally-funded institutions including public schools. Additionally, Section 504 ensures that students with disabilities are able to access education and school-sponsored non-academic and extracurricular activities. Section 504 ensures that access by requiring implementation of reasonable accommodations. This article will provide background for parents and caregivers on how to request, draft, and advocate for reasonable accommodations related to your child’s hearing loss in the educational setting.
The 504 process in the educational setting can be initiated by the parents/guardians of the student or by the school team. The purpose of the 504 process is to respond to the needs of a student that may be experiencing academic, social or behavioral challenges in the school setting. These challenges may also be physical challenges including hearing loss. The school team must determine that the student requires accommodations and additional support in the general education setting in order to access the curriculum. It is important to note that a student requiring a 504 plan exhibits the ability to make effective progress in the general education curriculum without specialized instruction, but requires accommodations to access the curriculum instructions, school activities, and school facilities.
A 504 plan is individualized to the student and their specific area of disability. The 504 plan should be reviewed annually with the parents/guardians and the school-based team. If there is disagreement between parties, information for meditation, and due process in the state of Massachusetts can be found here:
Bureau of Special Education Appeals
There are multiple accommodations available for students with hearing loss. For example, a student may receive academic content accommodations including the following: extended time to complete assignments; an assigned note-taker for lectures; use of visual models during instruction; and ensuring that all media has captions. There are multiple options for physical changes to the learning environment as well to maximize acoustics including carpeting; preferential seating; and sound panels. The implementation of assistive technology is another type of available accommodation which can include FM systems; Hearing Loop; and Bluetooth streaming devices such as a wireless microphone.
Additional Resources:
| BRAD's TECH TIPS: T-Coil Options | |
If you're at a play, a movie, or maybe even a church, and see the sign on the left, that means that venue has a T-Coil. If your aid or implant has a telecoil, you can switch to that program and hear the sound get piped directly into it!
If you don't have a telecoil, or don't know if you do, the venues should have a headset receiver you can use. You'll put the headphones over your aid or implant and use the loop that way.
If they don't have receivers, or don't have enough, sometimes there will also be an app you can download on your phone. Then you can connect your phone to the loop that way. Ask the venue if they have such a thing!
If you have any questions, or if you'd like so share a time you used a T-Coil, email us at hlaaboston@gmail.com
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More from Brad:
Hearing Aid Tips and Tricks
Last Monday of the Month*, 6pm, In-person or on ZOOM
HLAA Boston Tech Leader Brad McKenna offers a hearing help discussion group at the Wilmington Library -- you may also join via Zoom -to address questions about hearing aids, assistive technology, coping skills or any hearing loss related questions you may have.
Registration link: Hearing Tips & Tricks SignUp
And Library information.
*No meeting on May 26th due to Memorial Day holiday
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Captify – Caption Glasses for Real Life
Saturday, May 3, 2025, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Hosted by HLAA Diablo Valley CA
Join this hybrid meeting where Tom Printsky, CEO and founder, of Captify will talk about his product, the first smart glasses with built-in captions explicitly designed for people with hearing loss.
Captify captures spoken words and transcribes them directly onto your lenses so you never miss out on what is said. Prescription lenses are accommodated whether you are nearsighted, farsighted, or somewhere in between.
Check out the product Captify here: https://captify.glass/
Meeting Registration required: Captify Registration
Questions: Contact HLAA Diablo Valley Chapter info@hearinglossdv.org
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Informal CHAT:
Get your Hearing Aid Problems Solved!
(most) Saturdays @ 3pm
Hosted by HLAA Indianapolis
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HLAA Indianapolis chapter is inviting anyone who is Hard of Hearing to its Saturday morning online chat.
Discussions are open to any topic about hearing loss that you wish to bring up.
The group pitches in to help you solve specific issues you are having with your hearing aid or other devices.
No registration required. Just click the Google Meet link below at the time.
https://meet.google.com/hon-jtjc-dpr
Questions? Contact Ella secretary@hlaa-indianapolis.org
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Redefining Your Relationship With Music After Hearing Loss
May 5, 2025 @ 4:30 PM
Hosted by HLAA Peninsula Chapter
"Can We Try That in Bb?: Redefining Your Relationship With Music After Hearing Loss" by Brad Ingrao
Registration Link: Music Meeting Registration
Questions, contact Peninsula Chapter at info@hearinglosspen.org
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AUDIBLE TALKERS TOASTMASTERS:
Conquer your Fear!
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I recently attended an Audible Talkers Toastmasters meeting hosted by HLAA Washington State and led by Harry Wolfe, the group's founder.
A long time Toastmasters member (35 years), Harry founded Audible Talkers Toastmaster in 2019 after experiencing significant problems with his hearing. The group's mission is to help those with hearing loss improve their public speaking skills and gain confidence through practice and group feedback.
My extreme fear of public speaking combined with the desire to improve my communication skills drove me to register for the meeting; but truth be told I was trying to figure a way out up to the meeting start. I stuck with it and I am glad I did.
For most of the meeting I watched participants practice their skills through both planned and ad hoc speeches of varying lengths on a range of topics. Following the speeches, the group expressed positive support for the speaker's efforts along with giving them feedback to aid their next effort. Feedback included such things as creativity in choice of words, expressiveness, articulation clarity, pace/speed, and the use of humor.
All went well until Harry asked for volunteers to do a 1-2 minute ad hoc speech on a topic of his choice. I couldn't believe myself when I raised my hand to volunteer; a wave of nausea simultaneously flushed over me. But I stuck it out and amazingly did okay. I was able to slow down my speech and concentrate on being expressive in my communication which is always hard for me as my brain speeds ahead to solve my listening problem. I left feeling like I learned something by watching others practice speaking and improved myself ever so slightly by the my ad hoc practice opportunity. I plan to go back; join me!
To join the May 5th meeting (9pm) use one of the links / information below.
zoom.audibletalkerstoastmasters.com
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6057960269?pwd=SDc0Z1MyNGNadHFVbWtuQzhHbFVBQT09
Meeting ID 605-796-0269
Passcode 869674
Questions or need more information? Email hwolfeaz@gmail.com
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JOIN US for WOOSOX BASEBALL: MAY 23rd
at Polar Park, Worcester MA
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Join us for this fun night out; information below.
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MORE BASEBALL ...
RED SOX DISABILITY PRIDE NIGHT - June 3rd
| Stay Tuned for Link to Buy Tickets! |
HLAA 2025 NATIONAL CONVENTION
June 11-14
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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
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PROVINCETOWN DAY TRIP -
Saturday July 12th
(Rain Date July 19th)
HLAA Boston & HLAA Southeastern MA are teaming for a summer social!
We are currently gauging interest in a day trip to the National Seashore in Provincetown via ferry from Plymouth.
Ferry departs Plymouth at 10 or 11:30am with return ferry at 4:30pm. (HLAA Boston members would car pool to Plymouth.)
The cost is $65/senior (62+ yrs); regular adult rate is $75/person round trip.
If we have more than 30 people, the price drops down to ~ $50.
Ferry information: Captain John Boats Provincetown Fast Ferry
https://www.captjohn.com/fast-ferry-ptown/
LET US KNOW IF YOU ARE INTERESTED SO WE CAN MOVE AHEAD!
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HEARING LIFE MAGAZINE:
Check out the latest issue of Hearing Life Magazine
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ADVOCACY: Senior Centers/ Independent Living
We will be leading an educational session on Hearing Loss at New Horizons at Choate in Woburn on May 8th. While participation at this event is limited to New Horizons residents, we are available to host a similar session at your senior living or recreation space.
Contact us at HLAAboston@gmail.com.
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Help Us Help More:
Please DONATE to support HLAA Boston. Thank You!
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Volunteer with HLAA Boston - WE NEED YOU!
Be the Change you want to see in our world!
Contact HLAA Boston
| 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. | | | | |
