‹header›
‹date/time›
Click to edit Master text styles
Second level
Third level
Fourth level
Fifth level
‹footer›
‹#›
People with hearing loss are new to the idea of being organized.  SHHH was started in 1979.  The name was changed in 2006 to Hearing Loss Association of America.
It’s  only been recently that people with hearing loss could do much about it.  Now there are tremendous opportunities … and problems to deal with … technology solves some problems for us, but creates others.  Legislation and public awareness are needed.  Insurance programs need to be improved.
These are the things HLAA is helping with. 
It’s making things better for not just members but for everyone with hearing loss and for those around them.
At the national level, HLAA is run by a small number of volunteers and an even smaller number of paid staff.  They do an amazing job considering their limited resources.
At the State-level, volunteers help coordinate the efforts of all the chapters in the State, the work with related organizations (like the NC Assn for the Deaf and Sertoma) and they help arrange for representative  for statewide boards, commissions and councils related to hearing loss.
At the local chapter level, people meet face to face and share information about dealing with heairng loss.  They may also advocate locally for things like accessibility and captioning.
Main point is that HLAA is for you … whether you are just learning about hearing loss or have progressed and able to help others.
This is a good slide to quickly summarize (don’t read) the main points, but then give a personal testimonial about how HLAA has helped you.
Something personal …
How HLAA or Your chapter helped you with things like
knowing more about what features to look for in hearing aids
learning how to get the most out of hearing aids
learning about ALDs
learning about accessibility
building confidence
avoiding the pitfall of denial
Another slide to not spend much time reading the bullets … let them do that … but while this slide is up, continue with comments about the meetings
Kinds of programs,
friendly environement
casual … usually snacks and time to chat
accessible (Loop and CAN)
Couple of meetings a year are social outings
Finish with something  personal
and an invitation to come to a meetings
free
fun
good information
You don’t have to give in to a hearing loss.
There’s a lot you can do
But you must do it
With a lot of help … from friends, family and HLAA
You might have a hearing loss, and that’s not easy … but it’s not the end of the world, either … if you get on with it.