Who We Are

The Hearing Loss Association of America-Oregon is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization made up principally of persons affected by hearing loss.  It is also a state association under the national Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), the largest international organization of its kind with a nationwide support network of chapters and groups who are ready to help understand and cope with your hearing loss.  As part of this national movement, HLAA-Oregon reaches out to hard-of-hearing and other interested individuals in Oregon. 
Our Mission Statement
Hearing Loss Association of America-Oregon (HLAA-OR) opens the world of communication to people with hearing loss by providing information, education, support and advocacy.
Our History
The HLAA-Oregon State Organization was started in November 2002 when several hard-of-hearing individuals, inspired by Rocky Stone, the founder of what used to be SHHH (Self Help of Hard of Hearing People), now Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), felt that a state-wide organization would serve Oregon well in that it could provide a link between the national organization and chapters when advocating and exploring issues specifically focused on Oregon besides general hearing loss issues.

Our Purpose

Hearing loss can be traumatic, not only for the person with the loss but also for family, friends and co-workers. As the familiar sounds of life around us begin to fade, we often feel "uncoupled" from our environment and very much alone. It's common to feel that no one understands.

HLAA-Oregon’s focus is to assist and educate individuals with hearing loss, friends, family members, and those working with hard-of-hearing people in Oregon on how to cope with hearing loss.  We reach out in conjunction with the national organization (HLAA), the individual chapters in Oregon, and through the creation of helpful materials and aids.  We have many helpful tools, information and strategies on this website on how to do this.  

In conjunction with Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), HLAA-OR promotes the following goals: 

 A.  Encourage Identification of Hearing Loss

We encourage identification of those persons of all ages having a hearing loss.

B.  Education & Awareness

We provide education on the nature of hearing loss, its ramifications, and on how best to manage this condition. This process includes educating ourselves, our families, friends, co-workers, teachers, health care providers, government and others about hearing loss and how it impacts the quality of life.

We engage in free and open communication with all concerned with hearing loss in order to find a common basis of fellowship and understanding.  Our goal is to raise awareness of what living with hearing loss is like and the tools that are available (such as coping strategies, technology, accommodations, etc.) to enable us to become full members of society.  We reach out to the hearing public to spread public awareness of hearing loss issues in specific situations, and provide information about the available tools and concepts to assist with breaking down barriers for the hard-of-hearing population.

We believe in educating ourselves and others about the types and causes of hearing loss, the variety of hearing aids and cochlear implants, available and new assistive listening technology, and impacting legislation.  To achieve this, we provide information to Oregonians on many aspects of hearing loss, from technical and medical advances in the hearing loss world to every-day coping strategies in order to help hard-of-hearing individuals and the general public to understand hearing loss (the non-visible disability) and improve the life of hard-of-hearing individuals in Oregon.  To this end, we create and disseminate a variety of resources and information, including a quarterly newsletter, the National Award Winning Survivor’s Manual, [1.5 Mb] and workshops on how to live and cope with hearing loss.

C.  Advocacy 

We promote self-advocacy and actively work on improving communication access for people with hearing loss at home, in the workplace, hotels, schools, and entertainment facilities in Oregon.  We develop and support programs aimed at alleviating the problems related to hearing loss.  We provide awareness of hearing-loss issues to the general public through various events and by advocating for public inclusive policies and public access.

D.  Coordination with Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) 

We serve as an extension of the national organization, HLAA, in making hearing loss and issues surrounding it a concern within the state by promoting HLAA's philosophy of self help while specifically addressing the issues of information, education, access, advocacy and support.

We work with HLAA to bring the many resources of the national organization directly to Oregon chapters, individuals with hearing loss, and those working with them.  Whenever important resources are available at the HLAA's website, we try to include this information in our resources or provide a link to the website.

 E.  Coordination with Chapters 

In coordination with HLAA's Chapter Coordinators, we assist and provide resources to local existing and new HLAA chapters in Oregon.  Our knowledge of Oregon resources enables us to provide quick sharing of information and active assistance with chapter issues.