HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter

Welcome to the Greater Richmond Chapter of HLAA

About Us

We're glad you're here!

The Hearing Loss Association of America Greater Richmond Chapter is a volunteer organization of hard of hearing people, their families, friends, and caring professionals. We are devoted to the welfare and interests of those with hearing loss. We believe that progress depends on helping both the hearing and hard of hearing, as well as the professionals who assist them.

The HLAA Story

The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) is a non-profit, educational organization dedicated to the well-being of people of all ages and communication styles who do not hear well. HLAA is the largest international consumer organization of its kind.
There are 200 local HLAA chapters in the United States, of which the Hearing Loss Association of Greater Richmond is one. HLAA has a dedicated international membership, a national network of support groups, and a sister organization in Australia.

Our Mission

To open the world of communication to people with hearing loss by providing information, education, support and advocacy.

Thom's Tips

Thom's Tip january 2021

Whenever possible, use a brand-name batter in your hearing aid. I've often heard comments like "All batteries are the same" and "Why should I pay more for a brand-name batter?". Believe me when I say that not all batteries are the same. Occasionally there are differences in voltage as well as very slight variances in thickness between manufacturers that result from the manufacturing process. This can sometimes cause problems with the function of the hearing aid. For example, I had a client who had been using a particular brand of battery for years with no problem whatsoever. In a pinch he had to purchase a different (no name) brand of battery and all of a sudden, he found his hearing aids were not working properly. He called to report what he thought was a "hearing aid" problem telling me that he purchased "band new" batteries: but the hearing aids still would not work. We wen through the typical trouble-shooting routine and I finally suggested he locate the brand of battery he had been using. Lo and behold, the hearing aids immediately came back to life!

Some hearing aids seem to "like" one brand of battery over another. I can't tell you the number of times I've heard clients say they "prefer" a particular brand of battery because they get significantly better battery life and in some cases clients tell me that they actually hear better, experience better clarity, with one brand over another.

I recommend purchasing in small quantities initially until you've done a little research (count the days of battery life and pay attention to how you're hearing). Once you've settled on a articular brand, then consider purchasing in quantities to take advantage of quantity discounts....but watch out for expiration dates

Thom's Tip May 2019

Don’t try to compare your hearing loss or hearing issues to someone else’s. Each person is unique and different from the next person in so many ways. Hearing levels recorded on the audiogram, speech understanding scores in quiet and in noise and processing of auditory information all may be quite different between two individuals. Listening lifestyle, manual dexterity, motivation and price are just a few of the non-test variables that might come into play when considering amplification.

It’s not unusual for a client to come to me and say “I want hearing aids like my friend. She hears much better than me.” Or “I’m going to buy my hearing aids from ABC because my sister got hers there and she hears really good.”

Even when the “amount” of hearing loss is similar for two individuals, the features built into the aids, the level of technology, the style and even the size of the hearing aids may be quite different for one person compared to the next. Trust your hearing health professional to guide you to make the best decision regarding amplification.

Thom's Tip April 2019

Hearing with two ears is almost always better than one. If I had a nickel for every time I fielded the question “Do I need two hearing aids?”, I’d be a rich man. The answer, in just about every case, is yes. If you have a hearing loss in both ears, you will likely obtain the most benefit from wearing a hearing aid in both ears. Of course there are exceptions, so your audiologist, doctor or hearing instrument specialist will guide you based on your hearing test results.

Some people have very poor or no useable hearing in one ear for which a CROS, BiCROS, middle ear implant or cochlear implant may be an option. A thorough review of your listening lifestyle during the consultative process will help you make an informed decision regarding wearing a hearing aid in one or two ears.

A CROS amplification system consists of a receiver on the ear with no hearing loss. The affected ear (unaidable) is fit with a transmitter. The transmitter picks up sound from the side of the head with no useable hearing and sends the signal to the receiver which delivers the signal to the good ear.

A Bi-CROS amplification system consists of a hearing aid on the ear with some hearing loss and a transmitter on the poorer ear (unaidable). The transmitter picks up sound from the side of the head with no useable hearing and sends the signal to the receiver which delivers the signal to the better ear.

Thom's Tip March 2019

Be sure your hearing aids will perform to your expectations. Easier said than done, right? First of all, be sure your expectations are realistic. Too often a new hearing aid user believes their hearing aids will solve ALL their communication problems. The truth is, hearing aids cannot solve every communication problem and nothing can ever be as good as the original equipment we were given at birth. In the last published tip, I talked about feature functionality; here’s a little more on that.

Each manufacturer develops their newest products using groundbreaking innovations that are designed to enhance the listening experience for the consumer. Some of these innovations could be categorized as “fluff” while others may be considered “substance” but all features will hopefully improve how the user is able to hear and understand sounds in their listening environments.

So, how can you be sure your hearing aids will perform to your satisfaction? The most important thing is for you to be open and honest with your audiologist/hearing aid dispenser (specialist) about your listening needs. In order to select the best product for you, your specialist must know the types of listening situations you encounter on a daily basis. If you spend the majority of your waking hours in your home or in another quiet environment, a basic level of technology might be most appropriate for you. On the flip side, if you are out-and-about, driving, traveling, shopping, attending meetings, using the phone, etc., it is likely that you will need a higher level of technology. If YOU choose to use a lower level of technology contrary to your specialist’s recommendation, you can be sure that your hearing aids will not perform to your satisfaction.

Finally, if financial constraints prevent you from purchasing the most appropriate technology level for your listening needs, ask about accessory devices that may help to fill in some of the gaps.

About Us

We're glad you're here!

The HLAA Story

Our Mission

Social

LOOPING INITIATIVE

LOOPING INITIATIVE

FAQ

When & Where are the Chapter Meetings?

Who can I contact to get more information?

Thom's Tips

Thom's Tip january 2021

Thom's Tip May 2019

Thom's Tip April 2019

Thom's Tip March 2019

Contact Us

Say Hello Today

HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter

Thank you for visiting this site!!

About Us

We're glad you're here!

The HLAA Story

Our Mission

Subscribe for new information and newsletters

Social

LOOPING INITIATIVE

LOOPING INITIATIVE

FAQ

When & Where are the Chapter Meetings?

Who can I contact to get more information?

Thom's Tips

Thom's Tip january 2021

Thom's Tip May 2019

Thom's Tip April 2019

Thom's Tip March 2019

Contact Us

Say Hello Today

HLAA Greater Richmond Chapter

Thank you for visiting this site!!