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The City's Voice for People
withHearing Loss |
Page Updated 10/23/23 If you experience problems with this site, or accessing any link, contact HLAAColoradoSprings@outlook.com
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HLAA Colorado Springs Chapter (HLAA-CS) is the local chapter of the national non-profit Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA). We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization registered in the State of Colorado.
Our mission is to open the world of communication for people with hearing loss through information, education, support, and advocacy, and to make hearing loss an issue of national concern. |
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So, What's Better Than Public Venues
that have Hearing Loops Installed? ..........Knowing WHERE they are!! 
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Keep Up to Date with Recent Articles
and Chapter Information. Like and Follow Us! |
To Contact Us or to Request to be Added to our Newsletter List, click on our email link HLAAColoradoSprings@outlook.com |
Why is it So Hard to Get the Health Care Accommodations that I Need?
by MEGAN A. MORRIS, STEPHEN LOCKHART AND KORI EBERLE
Health care organizations (HCOs) are required by federal laws, including the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), to provide patients with disabilities accommodations to ensure that they receive equitable health care services. Health care accommodations for persons with hearing loss might include aids such as personal amplification devices, as well as strategies such as having doctors and nurses face the patient while they are speaking. Unfortunately, these accommodations often are not provided during patient’s visits. Read more here
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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
HLAA Colorado State Coordinator
Click here for video
By Katie Pelton, KKTV 11 News.Colorado Springs
Used by Permission
FDA issues final rule opening the market to over-the-counter devices, broadening choices for millions of Americans who need hearing help Millions of American adults with mild to moderate hearing loss will soon have more choices in hearing aids, and the ability to get them without seeing a doctor or hearing care professional. The OTC option may inspire some people to get help earlier in the process, when they notice hearing changes in certain situations. These hearing aids are recommended only for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss.
Hearing aids can mean a better quality of life, and avoiding the increased risk of dementia, falls and isolation associated with untreated hearing loss. Forty-eight million Americans have hearing loss, and most ever get diagnosed or treated. Cost and stigma are common barriers, even though untreated hearing loss is linked with other serious illnesses, isolation and even poor job performance, and hearing loss is often progressive, OTC hearing aids will be significantly less expensive than those currently on the market which can average thousands of dollars a pair.
HLAA advocated for much of the consumer protection pieces of the long-awaited FDA rule, including a clear return policy and labeling on cell phone connectivity. HLAA is providing free resources if you are considering over-the-counter hearing aids. It’s still to remember there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to hearing loss. For many, a hearing care professional will still be a part of an effective treatment plan. For OTC resources, click on hearingloss.org/OTC.
OTC Hearing Aids: Returns – a key piece of the puzzle
What should you take into consideration as you begin the search for an OTC hearing aid?
One major key to success is a good return policy, which the FDA did not require in its rule released August 16. So, it’s up to the consumer to check this critical feature. Why is it so important?
It’s still to remember there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to hearing loss. For many, a hearing care professional will still be a part of an effective treatment plan.
Hearing aids can mean a better quality of life, and avoiding the increased risk of dementia, falls and isolation associated with untreated hearing loss. Forty-eight million Americans have hearing loss, and most ever get diagnosed or treated. Cost and stigma are common barriers, even though untreated hearing loss is linked with other serious illnesses, isolation and even poor job performance, and hearing loss is often progressive, OTC hearing aids will be significantly less expensive than those currently on the market which can average thousands of dollars a pair.
HLAA advocated for much of the consumer protection pieces of the long-awaited FDA rule, including a clear return policy and labeling on cell phone connectivity. HLAA is providing free resources if you are considering over-the-counter hearing aids. It’s still to remember there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to hearing loss. For many, a hearing care professional will still be a part of an effective treatment plan. For OTC resources, click on hearingloss.org/OTC.
OTC Hearing Aids: Returns – a key piece of the puzzle
What should you take into consideration as you begin the search for an OTC hearing aid?
One major key to success is a good return policy, which the FDA did not require in its rule released August 16. So, it’s up to the consumer to check this critical feature. Why is it so important?
- Innovation – New types of devices are expected in the OTC space. Some could work well in testing, or in certain situations, but perform differently for you.
- Individual differences – Your hearing loss is unique to you, and what worked for your neighbor or friend, may not work well for you.
- No instant results – Hearing aids are different than glasses. Your brain may need 2–4 weeks to adjust to listening and perceiving sounds in a new way.
- Trial and error – You will need a few weeks to test a device out in different situations. Do they help you at work, or in a crowded restaurant? Testing and logging your reactions from different situations over a few weeks is ideal.
- Look for a comprehensive return policy on the box, and more details may be online.
- Make sure you understand policy details, and that it gives you enough time to truly test the device.
- If an OTC hearing aid has significant problems, file a complaint with the FDA, or call 1.800.FDA.1088.
- Don’t give up! If the first product doesn’t work, try another.
It’s still to remember there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to hearing loss. For many, a hearing care professional will still be a part of an effective treatment plan.
Chapter Socials
Here are a couple of our Pro Golfers (Geri and Duane) at a Chapter Mini-Golf outing
(November 2022) 
Sara (left), Vickie, Pauline, Dixie, Linda - Linda and Sara sharing about their recent cochlear implant progress (April 2023)
July Chapter Social at an Open Captioned Movie - an excerpt by Pauline Weiss:
"Open captioning at the theater – wow - what a difference watching a movie that has open captions! I found it so enjoyable ...your eyes can stay focused on the screen, enabling you to enjoy the movie so much more with the open captioning appearing at the bottom of the screen immediately as the person speaks!..." PS - Vickie says, "We are excitedly waiting to see Tom Cruise in Top Gun - Maverick, but it was even more exciting to have open captions to know what he was saying!!! |
Flyswatter Volleyball - seated in chairs, two teams try to volley a balloon back and forth across the net with a flyswatter.
This was really FUN! 
Below - August Chapter Social at Red Lobster - Below. Advocating for ourselves, we asked for seating so we could all see and hear each other better. An early lunch time afforded us with a round table and without other diners in close proximity.
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Hearing Loss in the Healthcare Setting in Colorado
Have you experienced problems communicating in the healthcare field due to your hearing loss and the lack of effective communication in person, over the phone, or patient portal?
Be part of the solution! For more details, click here, or simply begin by sending the outreach template letter to your hospitals and providers in Colorado. We specifically need patients of Kaiser, Bannerhealth and Centura advocators and ADA coordinators to reach out to the providers in those health groups. (UCHealth is already connected.) Click here for more information. Or, you can type the link into your browser to distribute https://tinyurl.com/HLAAHealthcareTaskForceInfo.
So, You and Your Hearing Loss are Going to the Hospital...
- Guide for Effective Communication for Patients and Providers - The guide was created for patients, companions, all members of the health care team, administrators and support staff. It provides information, resources and tools to help improve communication in medical settings. It helps hospitals, facilities and private offices follow federal, state and local laws, regulations and health care standards, and allow patients to ask for and receive the services that ensure safe and effective communication. Read more here.
- HLAA Communication Access in Health Care - HLAA's program embraces a diverse group of stakeholders invested in the delivery of health care: providers, medical systems, public health researchers and patients.Together, we collaborate toward the common goal of effective communication for people with hearing loss and their companions in all medical encounters. Read more here
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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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Let’s Loop Colorado! is dedicated to increasing the hearing accessibility of Colorado residents and visitors alike to hear clearly by advocating for quality installation of hearing loops in a variety of public and private places across the state. Let’s Loop Colorado! is dedicated to increasing the hearing accessibility of Colorado residents and visitors alike to hear clearly by advocating for quality installation of hearing loops in a variety of public and private places across the state.
This grassroots, volunteer, collaborative initiative brings together the previous initiatives to promote, support, and educate individuals about existing and future hearing loops in Colorado. To learn more, click here.
This grassroots, volunteer, collaborative initiative brings together the previous initiatives to promote, support, and educate individuals about existing and future hearing loops in Colorado. To learn more, click here.
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HLAA Colorado Springs Chapter is a Proud Supporter of "Let's Loop Colorado!"
U.S. House of Representatives Expands Medicare
to Cover Hearing Aids and Services In the months leading up to passage of the bill, HLAA was there to provide the advocacy and education Congress needed to draft the bill.
Read what HLAA advocated for and what made it into the Final House Bill, and what is necessary to make it over the finish line.to become law. There is a long legislative process ahead and HLAA will keep pushing for this coverage. Click here. |
ADVOCACY WORKS!
Write to your U.S. Senators to urge them to include Medicare coverage of hearing aids and hearing health care services with a bill that mirrors the one passed by the House.
Find Your Senator |
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Open Captioned (OC) Movie Bill -
a Civil Rights Issue PLEASE SIGN and SHARE the Petition
"Movie Theaters - Open Captions (Subtitles) are Healthier for Everyone" We need both in-state and out-of-state signatures, but ALL Coloradoans need to speak up...if not for yourself, sign up for those who need open captions! 
Typical signage for Movies that are Open Captioned
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Colorado Movie Theaters Offer Open Caption Movies!
What are open captions? Open captions are the stationary on-screen captions of the spoken word in films Click here for theater schedules |
Have you been to a movie with open captions yet?
Movie captions are nothing like what you see on TV. Movie captions do not scroll, and are perfectly synchronized with speech at the bottom of the screen, and are in easily readable segments! Open captions finally make movie dialog accessible for people with hearing loss. See what you've been missing! Thoroughly enjoy movie-going again! - Pauline and Vickie
For all the details, click here
Is Hearing Loss Accurately Represented in Mainstream Media?
For most of us who developed hearing loss later in life, our preference is to live in the hearing world.
Of the 48 million Americans who have trouble hearing, only 2 million identify as Deaf and use sign language (ASL). So, why is it that ASL is most often portrayed on the large and small screen?
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see our experience — the living with hearing loss experience --
displayed and explained to the world?
Of the 48 million Americans who have trouble hearing, only 2 million identify as Deaf and use sign language (ASL). So, why is it that ASL is most often portrayed on the large and small screen?
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see our experience — the living with hearing loss experience --
displayed and explained to the world?
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DID YOU KNOW???
HLAA chapters across the U.S. post their FREE Webinars and Virtual Meetings that are open to anyone to attend. Click here
And, HLAA national office offers FREE Educational and Product/Service Webinars. Click here |
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The HLAA Veterans Across America Virtual Chapter is sponsored by Starkey Hearing
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Veterans Across America
Virtual Chapter Meetings every 3rd Tuesday of the Month 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. MDT Meetings are captioned Register here |
About Our Chapter Meetings and Socials
CART Captioning
Chapter Meetings Offer Free parking, Refreshments, Hearing Loop, Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs), and CART (live captioning) 
This is where
it is OK to not hear well... 
HLAA Membership is not required to attend
HLAA-CS Chapter meetings or social activities However, HLAA membership includes the Hearing Life Magazine (HLM). Each issue of this quarterly publication offers:
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Meetings are free and open to the public. Membership is not required to attend. Regardless of the degree of your hearing loss - or even if you have no hearing loss at all - you, family, friends, co-workers, and professionals are all welcome. Watch for announcements of meetings and socials.
WHAT??
WHAT???!!!
You're not on our newsletter list??? Quick! email us at HLAAColoradoSprings@outlook.com Join Us for
Hearing-Friendly Social Activities Held Throughout the Year
The Best Option is an Open Caption Movie where dialog is imprinted on the bottom of the movie screen - Read, What are open captions?, above, as well as Pauline's article, An Afternoon at an Open Captioned Movie, about her experience. To view an actual clip of an open caption movie, click here
Below, are assistive devices available at theaters
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The HLAA Colorado Springs Chapter
Our Chapter is governed by a Committee of Volunteers. Committee Members are
Vickie Pacheco - Leader; Pauline Weiss, and Geri Tierney
Are you interested in being involved with the Chapter?
Email HLAAColoradoSprings@outlook.com for more information
Email HLAAColoradoSprings@outlook.com for more information
Hearing the Call - Click on https://hearingthecall.org
Or contact HLAA-CS Member, Dr. Nichole Kovel, Au.D. ,
at https://elitehearingofcoloradosprings.com |
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You an also donate hearing aids to H.E.A.R.S. of El Paso County, or, if you Need Help Paying for Hearing Aids and live in El Paso County, click here for information.
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About the HLAA Mission Statement
Information
Education
Support
Advocacy
- We provide information on hearing loss, from technological and medical advances, to coping strategies
- We help you become an informed consumer to help you make the best decision on how to deal with hearing loss
- We provide you the tools for self help
- We have speakers who bring you the latest advances in hearing health
Education
- Our primary purpose is to educate ourselves, hearing health care providers, industry, government and others about hearing loss
- We sensitize the general population about the special needs of people who have hearing loss
- We promote understanding of the nature, causes, complications, and remedies for hearing loss.
- We demonstrate many assistive-listening devices (ALDs) that enable you to hear better in challenging listening environments
Support
- We promote self-confidence and empower individuals with skills to improve their lives and to participate fully and successfully in society
- We provide an opportunity for affiliation among people who share the common challenges of living with hearing loss in order to decrease the risk for isolation and depression
- We provide an opportunity for social fellowship and activities in hearing-friendly locations
Advocacy
- We advocate for communication accessibility in the community and at the government level for people with hearing loss
News From National
Download and/or Order HLAA Materials
and Promotional Items!! Click here
and Promotional Items!! Click here
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Sign Up for HLAA's FREE e-News Delivered Straight to Your Inbox
Hearing Life e-News is delivered to 24,000 subscribers, twice per month. Hearing Life e-News keeps readers up to date on the latest news and information on hearing loss. Each issue features high-interest content such as recent legislation and advocacy efforts, technology, new products for hearing loss, human interest stories, webinars, updates on the Walk4Hearing, Convention and information on HLAA Chapter happenings. Click here. HLAA reports on what's happening nationwide to improve accessible communication for people with hearing loss and HLAA's involvement with legislative issues. Read more in HLAA's Newsroom
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