Commission attention turns to hearing loss
By Paula DeJohn
In a historic meeting, staff members of the Colorado Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind sat down (virtually) with members of Colorado’s hearing loss community to discuss ways for the state government to better support citizens who are not quite deaf, but still need communication help.
What emerged was recognition that we are a separate constituency, between hearing and deaf, and that while we could organize better to make our needs known to the public, we also need backup from lawmakers and policy makers.
The January 24 meeting grew out of an outside audit of the commission that suggested more public contact and participation, especially with hard-of-hearing people. The host was Communications Technology Program Manager JoAnne Hirsch. While she hears normally, JoAnne stressed that she has worked with people of all hearing levels: “I understand all of the community, and I respect all of the community, “ she said. The state’s three operating HLAA chapters were represented, along with state chapter coordinator Debbie Mohney.
Acting Director Trish Leakey noted that she grew up with deaf parents as well as her own hearing loss. “I define myself as someone who has lived in both worlds,” she explained.
Participants noted that while deaf Americans are well organized and supported with legal and social tools—sign language translators at public events like presidential news conferences and courtrooms—that is not true for the hard of hearing. “We have to advocate individually,” noted Wynne Whyman, whose campaign, “Let’s Loop Colorado” has placed hearing loops in many public places. Terri Shirley of the Boulder Chapter has led a successful campaign to establish closed captions in local movie theaters, most recently in Fort Collins.
Education is key
While the commission is officially an advisor to the state administration and cannot lobby legislators, it could do much more to share information with the public, participants agreed. Debbie noted that the HLAA national website includes a range of information about hearing loss and resources, but the commission’s website is much more general: “It doesn’t talk about the nitty gritty of what we need.”
That would include having speakers at chapter meetings who actually have hearing loss, as well as information about services and devices that are available. One participant had never heard of HLAA and another was unaware of the phone technology that is available. Tracy Klumker asked, “Why aren’t these resources being publicized? Education is key.”
Trish said audiologists could do more to educate patients beyond fitting hearing aids. And, she added, “Every audiologist I’ve ever had in my life was hearing. They don’t actually know how devices sound.”
Another participant observed that devices themselves are not as user-friendly as they could be, and wanted us to have more input into design—for example, hearing aid batteries are easy to lose and hard to find.
Facing the future
The group plans to continue seeking ways to improve services, and will meet again near the end of February. JoAnne will lead the group. To be invited, email her at joanne.hirsch@state.co.us.
While the commission is working through a reorganization—and seeking a permanent director—it has been relocated to the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) division at the Colorado Department of Human Services. Several people wondered what that status would mean as the federal government has essentially banned diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) from its organizations. Even if the executive order does not apply specifically to nonprofit organizations like HLAA, ripple effects would likely follow. The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) has already issued a statement rejecting the new policy. <>
Consumers still unsure about OTC hearing aids
Despite the widespread publicity that greeted FDA approval of over-the-counter (OTC) sale of hearing aids, many people are still confused about what OTC hearing aids are and how to obtain them, a recent HLAA survey revealed.
HLAA’s national office conducted an informal survey of 974 people on its website from October 2023 to December 2024. The survey gauged general attitudes and practices following the opening of the OTC hearing aid market in October 2022, offering new, easier-to-get options for adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss.
Here’s what they found:
89% reported having hearing loss.
40% said they purchased a prescription hearing aid.
15% of respondents said they purchased OTC hearing aids.
44% said they were considering purchasing an OTC hearing aid.
76% said they were aware of the availability of OTC hearing aids.
63% said they were hopeful or optimistic about OTC hearing aids.
55% said they were confused or had no information about OTC hearing aids.
Advice: Get tested first
For a more in-depth look at the complexities surrounding the decision to try OTC hearing aids, see the HAH June 23 issue, where Vinaya Manchaiah, AuD, MBA, PhD, professor and director of audiology at the University of Colorado Hospital, explains his research on the topic.
In brief, he found they are an option, but recommends first having a professional hearing test:
"People don't really know how severe their hearing loss is," Dr Manchaiah says. They may think it's mild when it's really severe. “[The law permitting OTC hearing aids] doesn't stop somebody who has severe hearing loss, that think they have a mild loss, from buying them."
In his research, Dr Manchaiah has found that less than 10% of people with mild hearing loss use hearing aids, and it is not necessarily because of the cost: "In other nations, where hearing aids are free, not everybody gets them.”
The industry is still new and growing, and it will take a while for the best-performing brands to emerge, Dr Manchaiah notes. "Try OTC," he advises. "If it doesn't work, you have the prescription option.”
Reading together: Chapters host book clubs
By Paula DeJohn
During the height of Covid, I joined a church group devoted to exploring the works of spiritual masters past and present. We read and discussed one book after another. Naturally, we met on Zoom. As the world began tentatively to reopen, the leader proposed that the group start meeting in person. There was general agreement, but I had to ask, “Will we be wearing masks?” The answer was “Yes”. Sadly, I said, “Then I won’t be able to hear.”
Without hesitation, he replied, “Then we’ll keep meeting online,” and the others agreed. I cannot forget the generosity of my fellow readers, all with good hearing. Oh, and we’re still on Zoom.
Clubs cater to hearing loss
It is good news, then, that several HLAA chapters have formed book clubs designed for people with hearing loss. The Fall-Winter 2024-2025 issue of Hearing Life has examples and tips. One of the first to organize was the Twin Cities Chapter, which also started its club during the pandemic, to meet the need for social connection. “We have a regular group of eight members, most of whom have hearing loss, as well as several people who are DeafBlind,” says member Laura Hagemann.
“All meetings are accessible with captions, and being online makes it easy to invite authors to join us. We often get more people for popular books or when authors can attend.”
A librarian with hearing loss
Jennifer Lowden is assistant director of the Chili Public Library and a member of the Rochester Chapter. She combines both perspectives in her advice to the rest of us: “Book clubs help people connect, encourage critical thinking, keep minds sharp, reduce stress and provide alternate perspectives on various topics. As someone who is relatively new to the hearing loss world, I’m learning how difficult social gatherings, including book clubs, can be for people with hearing loss,” she says.
To make meetings more accessible, she suggests providing captioning and observing communication guidelines such as speaking slowly and making sure your face is visible on camera.
It was supposed to be a joke, but…
In a column in the December 2024 issue of Funny Times, Ashley Holt describes his extreme sound sensitivity with humorous exageration. However, as I read it one paragraph struck an existentialist chord:
I was at a party once, complaining to a friend about all of the noise crimes of society. I loudly expressed my desire to be blissfully deaf, to lose my hearing completely and live in silence for the rest of my days, never having to hear Huey Lewis ever again. At this point, the hostess introduced me to her seven-year-old daughter and explained how the girl’s cochlear implants worked. The not-so-subtle implication being that this youngster would love to hear “The Heart of Rock and Roll” beating someday.
Which brings up the fact, probably unknown to the author, that Huey Lewis has hearing loss. On April 13, 2018, Lewis announced that he had been diagnosed with Ménière's disease, and that he "couldn't hear well enough to sing". As a result, the remaining shows scheduled for the 2018 tour were cancelled.
Some fans commenting on his website expressed hope that the little-known disease would now receive more public attention. See HAH, May 2018. In our research, HAH contacted Lewis via his website and invited him to attend a chapter meeting whenever he might be in Denver. It hasn’t happened so far.
Boulder initiative spells out the message
Starting in January, Boulder residents and visitors with hearing loss will find it a little easier to communicate with police. The department has adopted a program, the first of its kind in Colorado, in which people with hidden or invisible disabilities—like hearing loss—can show an officer a blue envelope bearing a message about their condition and what accommodations they need.
“The goal is to increase understanding and reduce the potential for miscommunication with individuals who have an invisible disability,” according to a department press release.
A resident can obtain an envelope in person or by mail from police headquarters or by email request to Chief of Staff Alastair McNiven at McNivenA@bouldercolorado.gov.
Designed apparently for the most common police interaction, a motor vehicle stop, the envelope can hold car registration and insurance papers. On the front it specifies the disability, and on the back are recommended accommodations and the person’s emergency contact information.
While the program is designed to increase safety through improved communication, the release makes one thing clear: “Like all community members, individuals using the blue envelope are still expected to follow the law.”
Chapter to start year with new leadership
At its December 7, 2024 meeting, the HLAA Denver Chapter Board agreed to nominate the following members to serve as officers and board members in 2025:
President: Marilyn Weinhouse
Vice President: Jennifer McBride
Secretary: Ed Winograd
Treasurer: Steve Nelson
Audiology Liaison: Dusty Jessen
Student Liaison: Victoria Rivera
At Large Board Member: Roger Ponds
Newsletter Editor: Paula DeJohn
The membership will vote on these and any other candidates at the February 15 meeting.
Upcoming meetings
Due to snow and frigid temperatures, the Denver Chapter canceled its January 18 meeting, along with the lunch that was to precede it. The next meeting will be Saturday, February 15, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Koelbel Library, 5955 South Holly St., Centennial, CO 80121. The speaker will be Dr Vinaya Manchaiah, and the topic will be the role of artificial intelligence in audiology.
Dues for 2025 are $20 for an individual and $30 for a couple. Please bring a check made out to HLAA Denver, or you can pay online at https://hearinglossdenver.org/ (scroll down to "Pay Annual Dues”).
The HOPE online meetings will continue on third Wednesdays; the February meeting will be the 19th. To learn more or to receive an invitation with the Zoom link, email jen427mcbride@gmail.com.
Speaking from the heart
When the HLAA Convention 2025 meets June 11-14 in Indianapolis, Denver Chapter Vice President Jennifer McBride will be on the program. She will lead an interactive session called Speaking From the Heart, on navigating the emotional impacts of hearing loss.
Grocery fundraiser
The Denver Chapter is promoting a program by King Soopers, in which participants using a shopper’s card (the card you swipe to get a discount) can generate a contribution to the chapter with each purchase. There is no cost to you. Just log on to https://hearinglossdenver.org/community-rewards-program. You also can pay dues or make a donation to our chapter online. Just go to https://hearinglossdenver.org/
Words to remember
Only when it is dark enough, can you see the stars. Martin Luther King Jr.
Denver Chapter member Sally Hodge received this flower arrangement as a birthday present from her sons. She is still trying to count the many flower and foliage varieties it contains. What is your answer? Please reply in the comments.
CORRECTION - text should be "open captions" instead of "closed captions" in the sentence, "Terri Shirley of the Boulder Chapter has led a successful campaign to establish closed captions in local movie theaters, most recently in Fort Collins."
Thank you, Vickie. That is why commenting here is so helpful. I'll add a correction in the next issue.