People with disabilities face plenty of challenges. Individuals with hearing loss are often faced with unique challenges that arise from hearing impairment. People with hearing loss deserve advocacy and accessibility to help with their condition, so they can thrive in life—socially, professionally, financially, and more.
Empowerment helps those suffering from hearing loss and other hearing problems to reach their potential. Not to mention, helping them will also experience inclusivity in our society. That’s why putting together a list of support resources is a task we completely welcome.
This may not be the most extensive list. But we hope it’ll be useful as a starting point to your research. Read on.
A Modern Guide to Hearing Loss
In 2019, the State of Massachusetts’ Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing published a book called “A Modern Guide to Hearing Loss.” It was put together by Stacey Walsh. It provided a complete and comprehensive informative guide about hearing loss.
Aside from basic knowledge about hearing loss and impairment, it also gave suggestions on where and who to turn to when looking for help. It extensively covered hearing aids, cochlear implants, and Hearing Assistive Technologies. It even included options for speech communication and auxiliary services.
All terms and jargons of the field of hearing are explained. The language used is simple, straightforward, and friendly to the uninitiated. What makes it more special is the inclusion of real-life stories of people dealing with hearing loss and all sorts of problems they face with the solutions they reach.
The guide ended with a list of resources you can tap into. Although sometimes they specifically refer to Massachusetts-based locations and organizations, the guide remains helpful and enlightening. It’s the perfect starting point to kick off your research into the world of hearing.
The guide is available in PDF Format.
National Resources
Several organizations run at national level and provide support for the deaf or hard of hearing. These organizations include:
- ASHA or American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (website)
This is an association of audiologists and pathologists specializing in speech-language. It also includes scientists in the fields of speech, language, and hearing. Assistants and students join as well.
- HLAA or Hearing Loss Association of America (website)
The organization focuses on giving people with hearing loss support by providing information, education, and advocacy. Its aim is to show that people with hearing loss don’t have to face their condition all alone. HELENA’s resource page is very comprehensive and useful.
- HHF or Hearing Health Foundation (website)
HHF is a nonprofit funding organization focusing on research on hearing and balance. It also gives research grants to advance hearing technology and cure hearing loss. The organization’s funds go to innovative scientists with breakthroughs in hearing and tinnitus, as well as balance issues.
- American Academy of Audiology (website)
An organization of audiologists, AAA represents audiologists’ interests in the whole country. The organization’s mission is to provide quality care for hearing services through education and research.
State Resources
Almost, if not all, states in the USA have a resources list to support people with hearing loss. For example, the state of Nevada lists the following resources:
- Contact the University of Nevada, Reno’s equipment distribution program to look for assistance in ALDs or telecommunications
- For ages 22+: Contact Nevada Care Connection Resource Center to get employment, health care, education, and social services
- Contact cascinfo@adsd.nv.gov to learn more about American Sign Language classes
In the state, other resources are available through the following websites:
- Nevada Commission for Persons who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
- Nevada Care Connection
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association – Nevada Contact Information
- Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities by University of Nevada, Reno
You can find resources for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind by running a Google search using the state’s name. Or simply type “hearing loss resources [state name].” There are plenty of resources to check out.
Health-Oriented Organizations with Hearing Resources
Some organizations that focus on health and social issues, like the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), have resource pages focused on hearing loss. We list some of the important ones here.
General
- The CDC provides complete information about hearing loss in children, teenagers, and adults
- The NCOA (National Council On Aging) provides useful articles about hearing health in seniors
- The AARP (formerly the American Association of Retired Persons) have a portal dedicated to hearing health
- The WHO (World Health Organization) has a compilation of resources for hearing statistics and topics
Hearing aids and assistive devices
- The hearing aids guide from National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
- Hearing Aid Buying Guide by Consumer Reports
- OTC Hearing Aid Guide by the US Food and Drug Administration
- Assistive Devices for People with Hearing, Voice, Speech, or Language Disorders from from National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
- Assistive technology guide by Minnesota State’s Department of Human Services
Hearing insurance
Does Medicare or Insurance Cover Hearing Aids in 2024? by NCOA
State Insurance Mandates for Hearing Aids by ASHA
Medicare’s page on hearing and balance exams
Medicare’s page on hearing aids
Other useful links to various hearing topics
The list of useful links compiled by HLAA is by far one of the most comprehensive. The information consists of some unconventional lists—hearing assistance dogs, captioning, and even a guide on how to address denial.
Hearing Associates of Las Vegas also does its part in providing support resources. Other than information on various hearing problems, the articles are worth reading too.
info@hearingassociateslv.com
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