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The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) celebrates 35 years!
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law 35 years ago. While those with obvious visible disabilities have had much success from the ADA, those who live with invisible disabilities must continue to educate and advocate. Hearing loss is invisible for the most part. Stigma often prevents people from searching for support and answers. It is a dilemma those of us who have hearing loss face.
There is substantial information available about hearing technology such as hearing instruments and cochlear implants. More information needs to get out there about hearing assistive technology that connects those hearing instruments and cochlear processors to sound systems in places where we want to hear. Sadly far too many people with poor hearing, even those who use hearing instruments, stop going places they used to enjoy.
Do you know about hearing assistive technology? Things like hearing loops and telecoils that must be in your hearing instruments to connect with them? I know that many know of this, but also know that millions of hard of hearing people are completely unaware of options that can make a huge difference in their lives. Have you ever heard of Auracast? (An option that is coming in the future. NOTE: It will help many, but won't eliminate the need for hearing loops and telecoils) You want both.
Why don't audiologists and hearing instrument specialists who sell us products tell us about these options? We have a right to use them AND a right to know about them. Why don't those expensive products include all have the options we need? What are they?
Where are we supposed to get information about our rights to communication access provided by the ADA? The link below is full of information. Please read it.
https://centerforhearingaccess.org/wp-content/uploads/ADA-Access-Ready-Hearing-Instruments-List.pdf
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Apparently the ADA can’t make venues that would benefit those of us with hearing loss install this technology. Yes everyone should demand telecoil and Auracast technology in their hearing aids and audiologists should educate their clients to demand hearing aid manufacturers to install it in every hearing aid. Unfortunately it takes up valuable space and the more “discreet” hearing aids don’t have room for it.
Why are we more worried that people might actually see our hearing aids than about how effective they are in all situations. Unfortunately even if they were apparently the ADA is powerless to enforce laws for those of us with severe and profound hearing loss. Shame on the ADA. It is supposed to enforce the laws for people with all disabilities.
How can we celebrate an organization that has failed us so profoundly.
I welcome all comments. We have to demand better of the ADA not just for some disabilities but rather for all disabilities. The number of people with hearing loss just keeps growing and yet restaurants just keep getting noisier and SUV’s and trucks just keep getting larger and louder.
If we don’t stand up for ourselves who will.
@daveshaw
Unfortunately, there is a lot of confusion about communication access that is mandated by the ADA. Most important, it requires that someone who needs this kind of access, be their own advocate. It has to be requested in advance, not demanded at the site when needed. To do that, a person has to know what is available and what works. They also have to be willing to acknowledge having hearing loss and a need for an accommodation. Yes, that stigma thing has been a problem forever. If you can find a 'cure' for that I encourage you to go for it!
Another problem is that providers of hearing instruments don't tell their clients/patients about this. Why? If you can find the answer to that I'd sure like to know what it is! One issue is that technology evolves. We educate on one thing and something else comes along and makes it seem obsolete even when it isn't. We need to find ways to incorporate the different technologies and make them compatible.
I encourage listening to the webinar mentioned below. Lots of excellent information there.
Hear Your Best with Telecoils and Auracast Presentation (webinar recording available) #Auracast #Telecoil
Date: Sun, 03 Aug 2025 09:22:31 CDT
Webinar recording is now available http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0IqbJbs-wg
For a link to the slides and handouts, see https://hlaa-la.org/hear-your-best-with-telecoils-and-auracast-presentation, which includes the article, “Auracast Is Here! Now What?” on HearingTracker for more insights.
In this session for the Hearing Loss Association of America - Los Angeles Chapter, audiologist and advocate Dr. Juliëtte Sterkens explores why assistive listening technology—like telecoils and Auracast Broadcast Audio—remains essential, even with the most advanced hearing aids and cochlear implants. Discover how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) can support your hearing needs, and get access to practical templates for making effective accommodation requests. Learn how to engage your audiologist, use Google Maps to locate accessible venues, and advocate for broader hearing access in your community.