Age-Related Hearing Loss
Patient Information Handout by ASHA

Assisted Living Options
Caring.com is a leading online resource for those seeking information and support.

Hearing Loss: It’s a Family Affair
Brochure produced by the National Council on Aging (NCOA)

Support for Caregivers and Families of People With Hearing Loss
Patient Information Handout by ASHA

Preventing Falls
Patient Information Handout by ASHA

Age-related Hearing Loss
NIDCD provides general information about age-related hearing loss.

Hearing Loss and Older Adults
NIDCD Fact sheet — Provides general information about hearing loss.

National Association of Area Agencies on Aging
Helps older adults and people with disabilities live with dignity and choices in their homes and communities for as long as possible.

The number of mobile apps to help people with hearing loss continues to grow. We thank educational audiologist Tina Childress, MA,CCC-A, for sharing her list of apps for Android and iOS.

Android Apps

iOS Apps

Adult Audiologic/Aural Rehabilitation      
Patient Information Handout by ASHA

A Conversation with My Hearing Rehab Specialist
Stu Nunnery, HearingLikeMe.com

When a Hearing Aid Is Not Enough
Mark Ross, Ph.D.

Are audiologists from Mars?
Shari Eberts, Living with Hearing Loss

Auditory Training

How to Enjoy Music after Hearing Loss
Stu Nunnery, December 27, 2016, HearingLikeMe.com

Auditory Fatigue Management

Do You Hear Better In the Morning?
Shari Eberts, Living with Hearing Loss, February 16, 2016

Do You Get Hearing Loss Exhaustion?
Shari Eberts, Living with Hearing Loss, April 5, 2015

Hearing Loss and Listening Fatigue, Part I
Starkey Hearing Technologies

Tired More Than Usual? It May Be Hearing Loss
Michele Hurley, Au.D., Starkey Hearing Technologies

Tinnitus Management

HLAA Webinar:  Message of Hope for Tinnitus Sufferers,
Glenn Schweitzer

A Tinnitus Success Story
Glenn Schweitzer for Gael Hannan, Editor, the Better Hearing Consumer

Tinnitus First Aid Kit
The Ida Institute

Communication Strategies

Taking Turns Talking:  Grown-ups in Groups
Kathi Mestayer, on Hearing Health and Technology Matters

HLAA Webinar: 5 Keys to Communication Success
Dusty Jessen, Au.D.

Caption Fish:  A Captioned Movies Search Engine

Collaborative for Communication Access via Captioning (CCAC)

National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM) — provides a list of theaters equipped with captioning technology on its MoPix (Motion Picture Access) website

National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) — promotes excellence among those who capture and convert the spoken word to text and is committed to supporting every NCRA member in achieving the highest level of professional expertise.

Speech2RTT Communicator — Speech2RTT® is an Android application that enables people who are deaf, hard of hearing, and non-verbal to communicate with anyone – using their Android smart phone or tablet. It works over cellular networks and for Wi-Fi calling. Speech2RTT® captions and then streams the text of what is being said, in real-time, between individuals.

AudiologyOnLine — provides job listings for professionals, classes for Continuing Education Units for those interested in studying audiology; some classes are free

Job Accommodation Network (JAN) — the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues

Late Onset Hearing Loss Awareness Week
Olive Osmond Hearing Fund site for information about the pediatric Late Onset Hearing Loss Awareness Week campaign (May 4-10). Includes facts about postnatal hearing loss, social media graphics for sharing and awareness week event and activities ideas. 

Hearing Loss in Children
CDC National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities site for information about hearing loss in children.  Includes free brochures, posters, fact sheets, and more for parents, health care providers, and public health professionals.  

National Audiology Awareness Month
Information provided for consumers and audiologists by the American Academy of Audiology to highlight October as National Audiology Awareness Month.  Includes materials for kids.

Causes of Hearing Loss in Children
Patient Information Handout by ASHA

Childhood Hearing Loss       
Patient Information Handout by ASHA

Aural/Audiologic Habilitation for Children
Patient Information Handout by ASHA

Public Education Campaign – It’s a Noisy Planet. Protect Their Hearing.®
It’s a Noisy Planet. Protect Their Hearing.® is a national public education campaign aimed at preteens (children ages 8 to 12), their parents, and other educators with the goal of increasing awareness of the causes and prevention of noise-induced hearing loss.

Noisy Planet Shareable images
Colorful, lively digital images with brief hearing conservation messages. Searchable by season, type of noise, audience age, etc.

Health Benefits of Music Therapy
Music therapy is a form of healing that uses music to provide care to patients, in a manner that is outside of the box.

Tips for Improving Your Listening Experience
Patient Information Handout by ASHA

Guide for Effective Communication in Health Care
The HLAA Guide for Effective Communication in Health Care was created for patients, families, caregivers, all members of the health care team, administrators, and support staff. The Guide can help hospitals, facilities, and private offices follow federal, state and local laws, regulations, and health care standards, and allow patients to ask for and get the services they need.

Tips for Communicating – HLAA Tips Cards – 3 to a page; print double-sided – Communication Tips for Hearing People in Communicating with Those Who Have a hearing Loss on one side; Communication Tips for People with Hearing Loss in Communicating with Hearing People on the other side

Tips for Better Hearing Over the Holidays 
AARP’s 8 Tips for Better Hearing Over the Holidays
Help your relative with hearing loss join in the season’s fun

Hearing Loss Conversation Kit
Constructive information about how to talk to a loved one about their hearing loss; produced by HLAA, CaptionCall and the National Alliance for Caregiving

Helping Others Cope With Hearing Loss
Patient Information Handout by ASHA.

There’s Something I want You to Hear Video
A chat over the phone.  Answers to questions. An important conversation. These are things that should never be missed. Up to 40 percent of people age 50+ have some hearing loss, and much of the time it’s left untreated. If you or someone you love has hearing loss, don’t ignore it — check it out. (Scroll down to Featured Videos on this AARP page.)

Does Your Loved One Need a Hearing Test?          
AARP’s tips for difficult conversations about hearing health

Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP) — promotes and provides equal access to communication and learning for students who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind

College Guide for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students — offers a wide variety of resources for people who are deaf or have a hearing loss for transitioning to higher education

College Scholarships and Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities guidebook — help for students and their families better understand the vast number of financial aid options available to students with disabilities

Gallaudet University — the world’s only university with programs and services specifically designed for deaf and hard of hearing students

Gallaudet University Technology Access Program (TAP) — conducts research related to communication technologies and services, with the goal of producing knowledge useful in the quest for equality in communications.

Intelligent.com — a website dedicated to conducting data-driven research that for the last few years has served as a trusted resource for students and universities across the nation.

Resources for Students with Disabilities for Online Colleges — Provides information and rankings for online colleges and resources for students with disabilities.

Signing Online — designed to teach you American Sign Language from anywhere you might be with an Internet connection, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) — a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships.

Dogs for Better Lives (formerly Dogs for the Deaf) — rescues and professionally trains dogs to help people and enhance lives, maintaining a lifelong commitment to all dogs they rescue and all people they serve.

Sam Simon Foundation Assistance Dog Program — based in southern California, rescues animals from animal shelters and humane societies and trains them to become hearing dogs.

Employment Toolkit
The HLAA Employment Toolkit provides information about the workplace for people with hearing loss as well as employers.

Workplace Noise and Hearing Loss Prevention
CDC National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health site for occupational hearing loss information.  Includes publications and reports, multimedia, press, and regulatory information.

NIOSH Sound Level Meter mobile application      
The NIOSH Sound Level Meter mobile application is a tool to measure sound levels in the workplace and provide noise exposure parameters to help reduce occupational noise-induced hearing loss

Tips for Managing Hearing Loss at Work   
AARP’s 10 Ways to Manage Hearing Loss at Work
Strategies, tips and the right technology to make your workday efficient and audible

Résumé and Employment Guide for People with Disabilities
This resource is focused on helping people with disabilities create a strong résumé that would help increase their chances of getting hired. Important information such as laws that protect their rights and dealing with workplace discrimination and harassment are also included to help them prepare for employment. Note: The mention of this resource does not imply Hearing Loss Association of America endorsement of this service.

The National Hearing Test
The National Hearing Test is an NIH-funded, independent scientifically valid hearing test. AARP members can take the test for free; the general population can take it for $5.

Should I See an Audiologist
Patient Information Handout by ASHA

Do You Know How to Recognize Hearing Loss?     
Quiz for recognizing hearing loss by AARP.

HLAA Checklist for Purchasing a Hearing Aid
PDF (downloadable) lists questions a person should ask their hearing aid dispensing professional.

Hearing Aids
NIDCD Fact sheet — Provides general information about hearing aids.

Hearing Aids and Cell Phones: What You Should Know Before You Buy
Patient Information Handout by ASHA

What You Should Know Before Buying Hearing Aids on Your Own
Patient Information Handout by ASHA

Hear Better: Quick Tips for Caring for Your Hearing Aid
A hearing aid can improve your social life, allow you to hear those you love and even make a difference at work. Watch and learn about easy things you can do to keep your hearing aid working well.

Summer Care for Your Hearing Aid
Summer Care for your hearing aid by AARP

HLAA Video Series on Hearing Assistive Technology
Six short videos on assistive listening technology, large-area systems, devices for the phone, alerting devices, captioning, technology solutions for the workplace (Produced by HLAA)

Three Hearing Loss Types: Effects and Common Treatments
This Maryville University guide covers the three hearing loss types (sensorineural, conductive and mixed), their causes and their treatments.

American Academy of Audiology Brochures
A collection of informational brochures available to purchase (packages of 100). A preview of each brochure is available.

Do You Need a Hearing Test? Widget
An interactive, web-based quiz that can help determine whether you may need to get a hearing test by a health professional.

Who Can I Turn to for Help with My Hearing Loss?
NIDCD Fact sheet — Provides general information about the various health care professionals who can test hearing and provide options for people with hearing loss.

Type, Degree, and Configuration of Hearing Loss
Patient Information Handout by ASHA.

HLAA Brochures
Order in bulk or download PDF on this page.

Consumer-friendly Fact Sheets
A series of fact sheets from the American Academy of Audiology on topics such as what is hearing loss, age-related hearing loss, hearing loss in children, assistive listening devices, balance and vestibular disorders, noise-induced hearing loss, and more.

Patient Education Brochures
Generic series of 7 brochures that dispensers can provide to patients on various hearing topics from preparing for your visit to the audiologist, to what to expect, to better communication habits with family and friends and much more.

What is an Audiologist? Overview
A consumer-focused information sheet developed by the American Academy of Audiology that defines who an audiologist is and what an audiologist does.

May is Better Hearing Month
A variety of resources and tools provided by the American Academy of Audiology for consumers and audiologists to emphasize attention to hearing health during the month of May.          

How is Your Hearing? Ask an Audiologist
A consumer-focused website by the American Academy of Audiology that centralizes the available resources for consumers and provides the Find an Audiologist search feature.

Hearing Test Recommendation
IHS’s recommendation on frequency and indicators for obtaining a hearing evaluation.

“Have You Heard?” Patient Brochure
24 page guide by the International Hearing Society for people with suspected hearing loss and those using hearing aids (for purchase)

Audiogram of Familiar Sounds poster
A depiction of the hearing level decibels for every-day noises to provide guidance to the consumer on what may be harmful to hearing health. Produced by the American Academy of Audiology.

Hearing Loss Among U.S. Adults Infographic
Infographic that provides statistics on American adults and hearing loss.

Healthfinder.gov — a government web site is where you will find information and tools to help you and those you care about stay healthy, including a page called Get Your Hearing Checked.

Loud Noise Can Cause Hearing Loss
Shareable media plus additional resources by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In collaboration with the Department of Defense – Hearing Center of Excellence (www.hearing.health.mil) the CDC National Center for Environmental Health has developed four posters with the theme “Protect Your Hearing …It’s a Noisy World” available for downloading on the Shareable Media page at: www.cdc.gov/nceh/hearing_loss.  They are available in both 8.5 x 11 and 11 x 17 formats.

Public Education Campaign – It’s a Noisy Planet. Protect Their Hearing.®
It’s a Noisy Planet. Protect Their Hearing.® is a national public education campaign aimed at preteens (children ages 8 to 12), their parents, and other educators with the goal of increasing awareness of the causes and prevention of noise-induced hearing loss.

Noisy Planet Shareable images
Colorful, lively digital images with brief hearing conservation messages. Searchable by season, type of noise, audience age, etc.

From Millenials to Baby Boomers, US Adults Say Public Places Too Noisy
ASHA press release about national survey results about noise

Preventing Hearing Loss
ASHA’s Eight Tips for Noisy Environments

Hearing Loss Prevention Infographic
Patient Information Handout by ASHA

Noise
Patient Information Handout by ASHA

Home, Community, and Recreational Noise
Patient Information Handout by ASHA

Noise and Apps
Patient Information Handout by ASHA

Loud Noise Can Cause Hearing Loss
Recognize early signs of hearing loss from loud noise and take steps to protect your hearing from the CDC National Center for Environmental Health. Includes shareable media.

Vital Signs: Too Loud! For Too Long!
Includes CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, a graphic fact sheet and website, a media release, and social media tools. Most of the materials are available in English and Spanish.

Vital Signs Town Hall Teleconference: Too Loud for Too Long ― Loud Noises Damage Hearing
Teleconference reports offer recent data and calls to action on important public health topics, and the teleconferences feature lessons learned and success stories from the state, tribal, local, or territorial perspective.  Downloadable Presentation [PDF], Audio [MP3] Transcript [PDF], Questions & Answers [PDF].”

CDC Public Health Grand Rounds – It’s Loud Out There: Hearing Health across the Lifespan
Archived webcast with reading list of scientific articles about the session. Free Continuing Education are available for up to 2 years and 1 month after the initial offering.

Buy Quiet initiative
Buy Quiet is a CDC prevention initiative which encourages purchasing or renting quieter machinery and tools, provides information on equipment noise levels.

News Story – Model Approach for OTC Hearing Aids
News on NIDCD-supported clinical trial explores alternative for purchasing devices for mild-to-moderate hearing loss in older adults.

NIDCD Director’s Statement on NASEM Report
Statement on National Academies’ Hearing Health Care Report by NIDCD Director James F. Battey, Jr., M.D., Ph.D.

NIDCD Director’s Statement on over-the-counter hearing aid law

ResearchMatch

ResearchMatch is a free online recruitment and education platform designed to promote the completion of clinical trials by matching people interested in research with researchers throughout the United States. Funded by the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, ResearchMatch is disease-neutral and institution-neutral so that participants with and without health problems can be included and valued.

HLAA is a proud partner of ResearchMatch.

Trials Today

Trials Today on ResearchMatch is a quick and simplified way to search the thousands of studies available on ClinicalTrials.gov. Users only need to answer a few short questions to find a list of studies that may be of interest to them. Trials Today is a tool within ResearchMatch.org which is used to search for clinical trials, and is designed to help users figure out where to start in their research endeavors.

American Cochlear Implant Alliance — a not-for-profit membership organization created with the purpose of eliminating barriers to cochlear implantation by sponsoring research, driving heightened awareness and advocating for improved access to cochlear implants for patients of all ages across the US. ACI Alliance members are clinicians, scientists, educators, and others on cochlear implant teams as well as parent and consumer advocates. An annual meeting for professional members is convened.

Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology — COAT advocates for accessibility and usability of technology for people with disabilities. Enacting the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (21st CVAA) was a huge step forward and we are working to implement this new law. COAT’s overall aim is to ensure accessibility, usability, and affordability of all broadband, wireless, and Internet technologies for people with disabilities.

Guide to Software Accessibility for the Disabled — A resource guide to technology for a wide range of disabilities, including those with hearing loss.

HearingAids 101.com^TM — an independent website designed to help consumers learn about the wide variety of hearing aids and related products on the market today. This site also provides an abundance of information about the latest innovations in hearing aids technology, as well as tips for shopping for hearing and assistive listening devices.

Hearing Aid Reviews – Read this article before Googling for “hearing aid reviews.” Abram Bailey, Au.D., at partner site HearingTracker.com covers everything you need to know.

House Ear Institute — engaged in the scientific exploration of the auditory system from the ear canal to the cortex of the brain for more than 60 years.

Substance Abuse Rehab for Veterans – The good news is that if you are a veteran who struggles with substance abuse, you can receive a variety of services for free from the VA including help detoxing, treatment in facilities, individual or group therapy, medications, and other services.

Sudden Hearing Loss Support Group – This is the first website for people affected by Sudden Hearing Loss. Carly Ann Sygrove shared this external link with HLAA. Please contact Carly with questions regarding this site. HLAA is not responsible for links that has been shared with us that may be broken.

Unitron, a leading hearing aid provider, offers Unitron For You, a program designed to provide hearing aids at low cost to those who cannot otherwise afford hearing aids.

Travel Tips
AARP’s Travel tips for people with hearing loss

AARP — a nonprofit, nonpartisan, social welfare organization that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families — such as health care, employment and income security, and protection from financial abuse.

Academy of Doctors of Audiology — offers programming and support to those audiologists and students who are or who desire to be autonomous practitioners in whatever setting they choose to practice. In particular, ADA’s mission emphasizes practice ownership. ADA is focused on helping audiologists succeed in all aspects of practice, with a particular emphasis on the business of audiology.

Acoustic Neuroma Association —a non-profit organization established to provide information and support to patients who have been diagnosed with or treated for an acoustic neuroma.

American Academy of Audiology — the world’s largest professional organization of, by, and for audiologists. The active membership is dedicated to providing quality hearing care services through professional development, education, research, and increased public awareness of hearing and balance disorders.

American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery — the world’s largest organization representing specialists who treat the ear, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck.

American Association of People with Disabilities — the nation’s largest cross-disability membership organization, organizes the disability community to be a powerful voice for change – politically, economically, and socially. AAPD was founded in 1995 to help unite the diverse community of people with disabilities, including their family, friends and supporters, and to be a national voice for change in implementing the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

American Board of Audiology — an autonomous organization dedicated to enhancing audiological services to the public by promulgating universally recognized standards in professional practice. The ABA encourages audiologists to exceed these prescribed standards, thereby promoting a high level of professional development and ethical practice.

American Speech-Language and Hearing Association — the professional, scientific, and credentialing association of more than members and affiliates who are audiologists, speech-language pathologists and speech, language, and hearing scientists.

American Tinnitus Association — exists to cure tinnitus through the development of resources that advance tinnitus research.

Association of Late-Deafened Adults (ALDA) — supports the empowerment of late-deafened people who have lost or are losing the ability to understand speech with or without hearing aids, after acquiring spoken language.

Hearing Industries Association (HIA) – a forum for hearing aid manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and hearing health professionals.

Boys Town National Research Hospital — Changing the way America cares for children,  families and communities by providing and promoting an Integrated Continuum of Care that instills Boys Town values to strengthen body, mind and spirit.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  —  works 24/7 to protect America from health, safety and security threats, both foreign and in the U.S. Whether diseases start at home or abroad, are chronic or acute, curable or preventable, human error or deliberate attack, CDC fights disease and supports communities and citizens to do the same. The CDC increases the health security of our nation. As the nation’s health protection agency, CDC saves lives and protects people from health threats. To accomplish our mission, CDC conducts critical science and provides health information that protects our nation against expensive and dangerous health threats, and responds when these arise.

Employee Assistance Professionals Association — the world’s most relied upon source of information and support for and about the employee assistance profession. EAPA publishes the Journal of Employee Assistance, hosts professional conferences and offers training and other resources to fulfill its mission. EAPA’s mission is to promote the highest standards of EA practice and the continuing development of employee assistance professionals, programs and services.

Hearing Health Foundation — mission is to attain a lifetime of healthy hearing and balance through quality research, education, and advocacy. HHF is the leading national source of private funding for basic and clinical research in hearing and balance science.

I Can Travel — information about all aspects of traveling with disabilities

International Hearing Society (IHS) — a membership association that represents hearing healthcare professionals worldwide who are engaged in the practice of testing hearing and selecting, fitting and dispensing hearing instruments and counseling patients.

National Association of Social Workers — the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world, with 145, 000 members. NASW works to enhance the professional growth and development of its members, to create and maintain professional standards, and to advance sound social policies.

National Organization on Disability (NOD) — its mission is to expand the participation and contribution of America’s 56 million men, women, and children with disabilities in all aspects of life. Our current focus is on improving employment prospects for America’s 33 million working-aged Americans with disabilities

H.E.A.R. — mission is the prevention of hearing loss and tinnitus among musicians and music fans (especially teens) through education awareness and grassroots outreach advocacy.

Vestibular Disorders Association (VEDA) — serves people with vestibular disorders by providing information, offering a support network, and elevating awareness of the challenges associated with these disorders.

ADA Home Page (Department of Justice)— information and technical assistance on Americans with Disabilities Act, Titles I, II, and III.

DoD Hearing Center of Excellence — optimizes operational effectiveness, heightens medical readiness, and enhances quality of life through collaborative leadership and advocacy for hearing and balance health initiatives.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission — The Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Disability Issues Task Force

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) — one of the Institutes that comprise the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIH is the federal government’s focal point for the support of biomedical research. NIH’s mission is to uncover new knowledge that will lead to better health for everyone. Simply described, the goal of NIH research is to acquire new knowledge to help prevent, detect, diagnose, and treat disease and disability. NIH is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities — mission is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.

Social Security and Disability Resource Center — provides a detailed overview of how the federal disability system works (social security disability and SSI) and also provides answers to many questions that applicants typically have, but often have trouble finding answers to.

United States Access Board — an independent federal agency devoted to accessibility for people with disabilities. Created in 1973 to ensure access to federally funded facilities, the Board is now a leading source of information on accessible design. The Board develops and maintains design criteria for the built environment, transit vehicles, telecommunications equipment, and for electronic and information technology. It also provides technical assistance and training on these requirements and on accessible design and continues to enforce accessibility standards that cover federally funded facilities.

United States Department of Transportation (DOT) — has established a toll-free hotline to assist travelers with disabilities.