Hearing Loss Association of Oregon (HLAA-OR)
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You can reach us through these social accounts:
 Use the icons above and for Instagram use this link
 https://www.instagram.com/linnbenton.hlaa/
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Linn Benton Counties Chapter Past
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Narrative by Bob Williams, founder of the Linn Benton Chapter of the HLAA.

The originating chapter (called SHHH was founded in Albany Oregon in September of 2006.

Back in the late 1990s into the early 2000s, there was a chapter in a SHHH (Self Help for the Hard of Hearing) Chapter in Albany.  Out of that chapter, Kathy and Donald Ladd started the Salem chapter.  I was living in Sublimity at the time and jumped right in and helped them.  The chapter quickly grew to be one of the strongest in the state and the Ladds' deserve a lot of credit.
 
Meantime, the Albany chapter dwindled down to two or three people and disbanded.
After I moved to Lebanon, those of us in the Salem chapter decided to start what is now the Linn/Benton Counties chapter.  Several from Salem, the Ladds were also a part of it, came to the first meeting to get it started.

In preparation for this, I did interviews with the Albany Democrat Herald, Lebanon Express, and KGAL Radio.  I also spoke to all the service clubs in Lebanon working to get grassroots support.
Persons who attended that first meeting that with the chapter were Duane Davis, Lola Linstadt, Kay Fouts, and several people from Sweet Home who stayed with us for several years.  There were others, but I do not remember their names.

During that time, Duane educated himself for assistive technology, and got the Lebanon Senior Center, the City Council chambers, and the Lebanon Public Library equipped with FM assistive technology.  
 
Our chapter facilitated a two-year partnership with Samaritan Health Services in hearing loss communication accessibility.  This was much more than the local chapter but we initiated it.  We had Cheryl Davis, Karen Swezey, Wayne Seely who was, at that time, Program Manager for Deaf and Hard-of Hearing Access Program.  We worked to get pocket talkers at each nursing station in Samaritan facilities.
There is much more, but I think this is the core of our early history.  The chapter still has the scrapbook she started with a picture history of the chapter.
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Fast Forward to the fall of 2013
Pictorial History From Lola Linstadt's Chapter History​

 Lola was the chapter secretary and developed the idea of the pictorial history in the fall of 2013. She maintained it until a fall prevented her from attending meetings in the spring of 2017. In addition to the history, Lola provided snacks for the meetings.

In the fall of 2012 Bob Williams asked John Hood-Fysh to be the President of the Chapter. John, with help from Bob, started leading the meetings.
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2014

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Looking for Meeting Information?

The HLAA Linn Benton Chapter is a Hearing Loss Support Group made up of Linn and Benton County hard of hearing individuals. We meet monthly to listen to timely topics, share experiences, provide support, advice, and friendship.
We invite you and your family members to attend.

 More information is available by emailing john@wwmore.com or call / text to 541-220-8541

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HLAA-OR Board
in person meetings location

Until further notice all meetings are virtual by Zoom


Reimer Conference Room Bldg.
Albany General Hospital
1085 6th Avenue SW
Albany, OR 97321
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"Hearing Loss Association of America  gave me the ability to articulate without anger...now I know this is just life and I need to deal with it...one of the benefits of Hearing Loss Association of America is sharing information about the latest medical technology"

Karin Smith
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