HLAA Colorado Springs Chapter
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The City's Voice ​for People
with​Hearing Loss
Page Updated 02/02/2023 (in red text)

​If you haven't seen an open captioned movie yet, COME JOIN US Sunday, February 5 at 4:00 p.m.
​
  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 
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BIG NEWS! 
 So, What's Better Than Public Venues
​that have Hearing Loops Installed? 
 
         ..........Knowing WHERE they are!!
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​Sunday, February 5th
4:20 p.m. Showtime

What: Movie “80 for Brady”
When: Sunday, February 5
Place: Carefree Cinemark,
3305 Cinema Point
Time: Meet at the theater at 4 p.m. for the 4:20 showing (with on-screen captions!)
​Price: $8.50
​
​How to Use Google Maps to Find
Hearing Loops
​
Read here
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Ringing in the New Year, or, ​is it
​Just
Another Day with Tinnitus?

Read more here

​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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​Keep Up to Date with Recent Articles and
​Chapter Information
Like and Follow  Us!
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​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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Over-the Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids available to consumers without a prescription

NEW - Interview with Debbie Mohney,
​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?
  • 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.
Avoiding problems.
  • 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
​

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Here are a couple of our Pro Golfers at a
​Chapter Mini-Golf outing
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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!
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​Fall Chapter Picnic at Cottonwood Creek Park
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.​

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​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!
​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.
Colorado Telecoil
​2-page Handout:

​
 "Telecoils Improve Hearing Aids Dramatically!"
  • ​​"What is a hearing aid telecoil and why would I want one? 
  • Buying new hearing aids? Ask for a telecoil!   
  • Read more: "​The Telecoil and Hearing Loops." 
  • Hear the difference a hearing loop makes in a large group gathering:
  •  https://tinyurl.com/HearingLoopSim (1 minute)​​
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HLAA Colorado Springs Chapter is a Proud Supporter of "Let's Loop Colorado!"

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​​​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!

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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

​​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!
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​Typical signage for Movies that are Open Captioned

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Click here to Join Facebook Group
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

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?  

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
​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

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Assistive Listening Devices
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CART Captioning
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​Chapter Meetings Offer 
​
​Free parking, Refreshments, Hearing Loop, Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs), ​and CART (live captioning)

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  • Meet a diverse group of friendly, fun people who understand hearing loss and its impact
  • Enjoy speakers who bring us the latest information about advances in hearing health
  • Learn about technology beyond hearing aids that will enhance your ability to function in today's world 
  • Overcome isolation by getting involved with others in a hearing friendly environment 
  • Join in advocacy efforts to make our city more accessible to people who have hearing loss
  • Come hear the difference in a "looped" room! 
  • ​FOOD, FELLOWSHIP, and FUN!!
This is where
it is OK 
​to not hear well... 

HLAA Membership is not required to attend HLAA-CS meetings or social activities
However, HLAA membership includes the Hearing Life Magazine (HLM).  Each issue of this quarterly publication offers: 
  • practical and useful information to support consumers with hearing loss as well as their loved ones, family and friends
  • personal stories 
  •  resources that are available for people with hearing loss
  • tips and strategies to live more successfully with hearing loss, and
  • educational articles to keep you up to date on the latest products, technology, research, services and legislation, and
  • help you understand your rights as a person with hearing loss​ 
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Membership is $45/year.  For more benefits and to join HLAA, click here.

UPDATE:  THANK YOU! 
​
The HLAA-CS Chapter thanks those who have supported our Chapter via shopping AmazonSmile.  This has provided funds for the Chapter and we are sad to see it terminate

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​Amazon informs the Chapter that, "We are writing to let you know that we have made plans to wind down AmazonSmile by February 20, 2023. Until this date, customer purchases made via AmazonSmile will continue to accrue funds for your charity as normal.  

​​Until then, please continue to support the Chapter by shopping  at ​ Smile.Amazon.com

​​
Simply select "Hearing Loss Association of America Colorado Springs Chapter" as your charity of choice and Amazon will donate a portion of your total purchase price to the chapter.  Click here.
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​ ​HLAA-CS has gone
Virtual!!

Due to COVID-19, in-person ​​Chapter meetings and Socials are on hold.  But, be sure to join us for our periodic virtual on-line meetings and social hour!
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??
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​
You're not on our newsletter list???
Quick! email us at 
​HLAAColoradoSprings@outlook.com

​​Also, Join Us for
Hearing Friendly Social Activities
​
Held Throughout the Year
​

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Coffee and Donuts
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Hikes
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Accessible Movie Outings - see Options Below
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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

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Movie Seating with a Personal Closed Caption Device in Cup
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Close-up of the Closed Caption Device
Sony Access Captioned Glasses (captions appear on lenses).  
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Assistive Listening Device available with headsets or neck loops

The HLAA Colorado Springs Chapter Team
  • President: Vickie Pacheco
  • Vice President: Duane Gritzmaker
  • Secretary: Open​
  • ​Acting Treasurer: Vickie Pacheco
  • Social Chair: Pauline Weiss
  • Welcome Chair: Geri Tierney​​
Are you interested in being involved with the Chapter? 
​
Email HLAAColoradoSprings@outlook.com for more information

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​
​Need Help Paying for Hearing  Aids? 
If you live in El Paso County, click ​ here for information about 
​H.E.A.R.S of El Paso County


About the HLAA Mission Statement
Information
  • 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

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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

​HLAA has 3 Other Chapters in Colorado.  
For information about all of them, 
​click here

Hearing Loss Association of America ​Colorado Springs Chapter (HLAA-CS)
P.O. Box 25954
Colorado Springs, CO  80936
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