Due to the current health situation, all in-person chapter meetings and HLAA events are cancelled until further notice.
However, several chapters and the state board are meeting via  Zoom or Google Meet.  For specific chapter information, check the chapter link on this website. ​
The HLAA Network: Chapters and State
​Organizations

The Hearing Loss Association of America
​reaches people with hearing loss through its network of chapters and state organizations. All HLAA state and chapter organization volunteer leaders have direct experience with hearing loss. Joining your state and/or local HLAA organizations helps augment your experience with HLAA and learn more about coping with hearing loss.

Nominations for State Board are open

Interested in getting involved in HLAA-WI?   Each year there are openings for vacant board positions. This year there are openings for new board members who will be elected to three-year terms.  The board meets four times a year at various locations, with some of those meetings online.  Become a part of this team that sets the policy and direction of our state organization. 
Click on this link to download the application.
Complete the application and submit it to the Nomination Chairperson as indicated on the form by Sept 15.   If you have questions, contact any of the members of the nominating committee: 
Jack Spear :  jhspear@gmail.com
Christine Klessig:  bommaklessig@gmail.com
Julie Olson:   julieo@athenet.net
How Do I Communicate with Doctors, Nurses, and Staff at the Hospital During COVID-19?
During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, going to the hospital will be very different than it has been in the past.  It may be difficult to see or hear your doctors and nurses and you most likely will not be permitted to have anyone with you.

It is important to plan how you will be able to communicate with doctors, nurses, and other staff at the hospital.  

HLAA, in conjunction with several other organizations as well as individual experts, has put together an important guide.  If you have a hearing loss, we encourage you to review it. https://www.hearingloss.org/communication-access-recommendations-hospitals-covid-19/ 
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, DHS has a Print Friendly, PDF communication aid to use for when the doctor is ready for you.  Click on the image next to this to print it.

WI State HLAA Summer Newsletter, visit this link.
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​Visit this link for the archive of all our newsletters
​:  Previous issues
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Can You Help Us by Taking Action?

​We now have our two proposals formally introduced in the Wisconsin Legislature to help benefit hard of hearing people throughout Wisconsin.
 
Assembly Bill 615 (AB615) and Senate Bill 601 (SB601) relates to the installation of hearing loops in state buildings. More specifically, this proposal would require the installation of a hearing loop in any new state owned building or new renovation that has a meeting space for 15 or more people with an audible communication system. There are some exceptions allowed which are spelled out in the bill. Note that some type of assistive listening system is already mandated to be installed under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Wisconsin Building Code.
 
Assembly Bill 616 (AB616) and Senate Bill 604 (SB604)  requires that hearing aid dispensers and audiologists inform their clients about options that provide a connection between the hearing instrument and an assistive listening system, that are enhanced by telecoils (which are specifically mentioned in the bill). This is simply a consumer education proposal to require the sellers (audiologists or hearing aid dispensers) to inform, discuss and instruct their clients about telecoils and other options. Too often the issue of telecoils, hearing loops and assistive listening systems that are mandated by the ADA are not discussed completely with clients. This bill hopes to correct that omission and ensure that a more complete conversation takes place.

For more info:  ​https://www.hlaawi.org/legislation.html

Find your Senator:  https://legis.wisconsin.gov/
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