Resources for Adults

Frequently Asked Questions with a few leads to get you started:

Q: How do I connect with other people with hearing loss?

• Create or Join a VT HLAA gathering near you!  Email us!

• Say What Club, Online community for people with hearing loss

Q: Where can I learn more about hearing loss?

• Join HLAA to receive the magazine or visit the website: http://www.hearingloss.org/
• Subscribe to Hearing Health Matters 
  
• Center for Hearing Loss Health:  http://hearinglosshelp.com/blog/
  
• Hearing Tracker
  

Q: What are communication strategies for hearing loss?

• http://hearingloss.org/content/living-hearing-loss
  
• http://www.audiologypractices.org/used-alone-hearing-aids-fail-to-deliver  Scroll to bottom to find: "12 Critical Communication Strategies for Patients with Hearing Loss"
• Samuel Trychin's Living With Hearing Loss Program .  "Hearing loss is a communication disorder affecting everyone in the communication situation"

Q: What is Vermont doing for people with hearing loss?

• S.66 An act relating to persons who are deaf, DeafBlind, or hard of hearing

Q: Where can I watch captioned movies? 

• Captionfish "The Internet's leading captioned movies search engine for open captioned, Rear Window®, USL, CaptiView®, foreign/subtitled, and descriptively-narrated movies."
• Please let us know of theaters that have Caption glasses or caption screens that fit in a cupholder

Q: Where can I find Hearing Loops in Vermont?

• Meeting room, Whiting Library, Chester.  Groups may reserve the large meeting room.  Ask for instructions on using the hearing loop, which is served by a table top microphone.
• Let us know of more hearing loops!

Q: Where do I get my hearing tested? What should I look for in an audiologist? Which hearing aids should I buy?  Where can I find reviews of hearing aids?  What do professionals have to say?

• HLAA:  "Know what questions to ask you’re when purchasing hearing aids (click on this link to get a form to fill out); including: questions to ask when purchasing hearing aids
• Hearing Tracker, a searchable database of all hearing aids and audiologists, complete with ratings and reviews. 
• "Consumer Reports estimates that as many as two-thirds of hearing aids in the US are misfit". Hearing Tracker is working to identify and highlight providers that embrace best-practice guidelines.
• The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association is committed to ensuring that all people with speech, language, and hearing disorders receive services to help them communicate effectively.  Here you will find resources to help you understand communication and communication disorders.
• Vermont's Speech-Language-Hearing Association has helpful links for the public.

Q: What if I have a problem with my hearing aids?

• HLAA: Know what consumer protection laws are available in your state. 
• In Vermont, you can file a complaint about hearing aid dispensers at the Office of Professional Regulation.

Q:  How do I afford hearing aids?

• HLAA's Financial Assistance has a comprehensive list of resources
• Vermont Voc Rehab typically will pay $1,000 towards hearing aids, and if you purchase from their partner audiologist, there is a deep discount as well.  Applicants typically must be trying to get or keep a job, or be youth transitioning towards the workforce. 
• The Affordable Care Act Section 1302 prohibits discrimination and requires coverage of habilitative devices as an Essential Health Benefit. "issuers should cover habilitative services and devices as defined in 45 CFR 156.115(a)(5)(i). " Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services.  

Q: What free legal resources are available to help me access my rights to accessibility and healthcare?

• Vermont Disability Law Project   http://www.vtlawhelp.org/disability   1-800-889-2047
• National Health Law Program  "Our lawyers and policy analysts stand up for the rights of the millions of people who struggle to access affordable, quality health care. " 

• Disability Rights Vermont   802-229-1355 \ 800-834-7890 ext. 106 info@disabilityrightsvt.org