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How do we get clear information about hearing assistive technology?
Hearing Loss | Last Active: Jan 5 1:19pm | Replies (42)Comment receiving replies
@daveshaw The ADA only works when those who need accommodations follow procedure and get out and let venues know they expect accommodations and follow through on filing complaints if they are not provided.
And, yes, it's much harder for people with invisible disabilities like hearing loss than it is for those who need obvious accommodations.
HLAA was founded in 1979 because the only accommodations made for people with hearing loss then were American sign language interpreters. 95%+ of the population with hearing loss need accommodations other than ASL. At the time HLAA was founded, the hard of hearing population was largely ignored. Like it or not, stigmas about hearing loss have prevented far too many people from speaking up and getting involved.
Be thankful for all the good things that have happened in the last 45+ years...and keep advocating publicly. Lots of people to thank for that.
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@julieo4 I appreciate your thoughts.
I recently went to Portugal and Germany and they were even worse.
All the bathrooms in restaurants were in the basement and involved walking down stairs. I don’t know how people with disabilities function in Europe.
Hopefully things will continue to get better as far as addressing hearing loss in this country.
I know they are actively trying to find ways to regrow hair cells in the inner ear. Hearing aids also continue to get better and as much as I am not a huge fan of AI it has really helped with making hearing aids better.
Phonak has a new hearing aid with an extra chip which helps with clarity and background noise. It has drawbacks but it will only get better. I am a firm believer in not trying the first generation of anything.
I have Signia IX 7 hearing aids and I am looking forward to their next breakthrough. My Humana Gold Plus Medicare Advantage plan enables me to buy the pair for $2,000.
I am guardedly optimistic regarding the regeneration of hair cells but at 74 probably not in my lifetime.
Best of luck to you.