@bookysue Thanks for the reminder, I will check into that when we are able to come out of isolation.

@julie04 Sometimes when we go out to dinner with the couple we most often do that with, I forget my Connect Clip. The other husband has a booming voice and if the other wife and I are trying to talk it is impossible for me. That can be true even when I have remembered to bring my Connect Clip.
As I have mentioned, they are very supportive and understanding, but not everyone is. My sister feels terrible about my hearing loss but at one point when she and I were in the back seat of the car I asked her to wear the Connect Clip. She didn't want to!
JK

The time frame for HLAA Chapter meetings has a lot to do with the make up of the chapter. If the chapter is all older retired folks, they will choose to meet in the daytime. It's hard to involve working folks if the meetings are held then. Some chapters meet on Saturday morning. That's kind of a compromise, but lots of people want to be free on their weekends. 🙂 It's pretty much up to the founding committee when a chapter starts to decide which way to go. A chapter can be formed with a small number of people, but a goal should be to grow. Chapters are more than basic support groups. There are a few chapters that hold both evening and daytime meetings. Our chapter in Appleton Wisconsin meets in the evening. Attendance varies between 20 - 50 depending on the program to be presented or the social event we have twice a year. The chapter also has 2 subgroups; one that focuses on cochlear implants and the other that is basically an entry level support group where people can ask questions and share their experiences. That group meets in the afternoon. No one answer. Depends on how you start and how you grow. Regardless, it's well worth getting involved in chapter development if you want to learn how to live well with hearing loss. We learn more from one another than from the professionals in the field. Not a slam against them, but the reality is they are focused on a small piece of what we need and don't have time to answer questions they don't have answers to. We know what coping means. We know what being left out means. We know what helps and what doesn't. And, we have experienced similar situations that people who don't have hearing loss have difficulty understanding. That's what peer support/self help is about. Let HLAA know if you are interested in forming a chapter. There are people out there who are willing to help. They may not live in your geographical area, but they can sure communicate with you online. Who knows, there may be some national HLAA members in your area. They are everywhere. Be one!