There are a handful of states that have successfully created legislation that requires those who sell hearing aids to share information about the telecoil option, AND demonstrate how it works to all clients. All of that legislation has happened because HLAA members in those states have educated about it and advocated for it. I live in Wisconsin where we are currently working on this legislation. It isn't easy because of the process and procedure required to educate, provide information and do the advocacy. Legislation takes time. It doesn't happen in a vacuum. And, it's only going to happen IF people will get involved. This is an issue for the hard of hearing population. While the Deaf population may help you in your state, don't count on it. They have an entirely different agenda that is all about American Sign Language. The Deaf population counts on using the numbers of the entire 'hearing impaired' population to advocate. (48 million people with hearing loss.) That leads legislators to think that providing ASL is enough, and is the answer to communication access. I am all for the culturally Deaf, ASL dependent population having communication access, but I am not in favor of hard of hearing people getting left in the shuffle because legislators don't get the whole picture. (There are fewer than 2 million of that 48 million group that use ASL. The other 46 million use technology.) The issue of telecoils, hearing loops, and other technology accommodations is easily pushed aside. We are invisible. WE, who need these technologies have to be willing to fight for them.

Jump to this post