WHAT IS HEARING LOSS
ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA?

Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA)  is the new name for Self Help for the Hard of Hearing People, known as SHHH.

Too many people did not know what is SHHH. Hearing Loss is much more descriptive of what we are about.

HLAA is a national nonprofit, nonsectarian, educational organization designed to help people who have a hearing loss. By helping each other cope, we can overcome this "invisible condition". We have programs on hearing aids, cochlear implants and listening devices -- just to name a few -- to enhance the quality of hearing. We not only educate ourselves but also those of the hearing world. We are a social group, as well. Our mission is to open the world of communication to people with hearing loss.e encourage each other to speak up at our meetings, to inform others of ways we have been helped and to ask how others have coped with the problems that they have had. We publish and send to our chapter associates a monthly newsletter with helpful information. HLA-Escondido is one of many local chapters across the country of the National organization. There are 23 chapters in the state of California.

We serve the individuals who still have some hearing. Our associates encompass a wide range of hearing impairments from those who have a mild loss and may be concerned about a worsening condition, to those who are profoundly hard of hearing. Many of us also suffer from tinnitus or ringing, popping or hissing sounds in the ears.

We invite anyone with a hearing impairment, their family and friends to come to our meetings. Chapter fees are $10.00 per year, which includes our bi-monthly newsletter.

HLAA-NATIONAL and HLA-CALIFORNIA. Chapter associates are encouraged to join HLAA-National. The dues are $35 per year for indivuals, which provides the member a glossy bi-monthly magazine titled HEARING LOSS. The dues for couples or families are $45 per year. Anyone residing in the state of California who has joined our national organization also receives THE CALIFORNIAN, the quarterly publication of HLA-CA.

HLAA-National is a strong lobbying force for the protection of the hard of hearing. National is responsible for closed captioning on TV and some movies. National brought about hearing aid compatible telephones. National was very active in protecting the hard of hearing when the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) was written. They worked with the telephone industry to make hearing aid compatible cellular telephones readily available. Now National is working with the telephone industry to make digital cordless telephones hearing aid compatible. National also has been working on getting insurance coverage for hearing aids for children under 18. HLA-CA was instrumental in making freeway emergency phones hearing aid compatible. Those who gain from being chapter associates are encouraged to feel some responsibility to support the national organization. National’s work on behalf of the hard of hearing continues on a daily basis.

CONFERENCES  HLA-CA has a state conference each year in February with informative programs for the hard of hearing and a limited exhibit of aids available to the hard of hearing. HLAA-National has a large nationwide convention each June, with an extensive programs, exhibits, banquet and sight seeing opportunities for the hard of hearing.