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Our Mission
Our mission is to open the world of communication to people with hearing loss by providing information, education, support, and advocacy.
Changes to
Position of ​President  
Bill Pfeifer and Steve Shugarts

​It is with regret that the Executive Board announces the retirement of Bill Pfeifer as Chester County Chapter President after 24 years of passionate and faithful service to the hearing loss community. In 1998 Bill became president and filled that role with excellence for the duration of his tenure except during 2015-2017. To continue to keep Bill Pfeifer in the loop and draw on his talents and experience, the Chesco Executive Board voted to promote him to Board Member Emeritus! 
 
Bill is always a smiling and welcoming presence at our meetings. He took the time to greet new attendees and would share his experience, humor and positive attitude. He also faithfully helped at the registration booth at the PA-Walk4Hearing and served as its Treasurer. His focus on hearing loss continually led him to volunteer for other positions and volunteer opportunities. Although we are sorry to see Bill step down, we wish Bill well as he continues with other projects or simply cruises around with Grace in his 1940 LaSalle. 
 
As of July 7th Steve Shugarts has agreed to become our new President.
​Please wish Bill and Steve well when you see them!
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The Executive Board is continuing to discuss future meeting topics, dates venues. 
​Please email or call us if you are interested in being included on the meeting planning committee, have suggestions or for whatever you think would be helpful moving forward. 
Thank You for your patience!
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Meeting Location
Suspended due to Covid
Christ Community Church
1190 Phoenixville Pike
West Chester, PA 19380

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The meeting room normally has a
hearing loop! ​Loops help those with telecoils in their hearing aids.
​CART is available at the regular meetings as well. Attending our accessible meetings is a great way
​to connect via a variety of hearing support technologies and meeting old friends and new people.

Look under Monthly Meetings tab
for more information about upcoming meetings ​including inclement
​weather procedure.
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National Assistive Technology
Loan Program Link:
https://catada.info/state.html
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Sudden Deafness
A Medical Emergency
––
Sudden Sensorineural
Hearing Loss
Treatment with corticosteroids have been shown to be the most effective at treating SSHL. These may be recommended to be taken orally or injected by the physician into the ear. The sooner it is treated once detected, the greater chance of recovery.
​For this reason, a sudden sensorineural hearing loss is considered a medical emergency,
​and treatment should occur by an otolaryngologist, otologist or at an Emergency Room as soon as possible.

https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/sudden-deafness

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Find Assistive Listening Devices at your local venues:
Entertainment, Theater
Education or Worship

Just type in your ​zip code!
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See if you qualify for Genetic Testing!
In the summer of 2019, the Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania opened the Center for Adult Onset Hearing Loss. The goal of the Center is to provide opportunities for genetic testing and research participation to adults with hearing loss with an undiagnosed etiology or cause.
Individuals interested in visiting the Center should ask their medical provider for a referral and then call 215-662-6017 to schedule an appointment.
Center for Adult Onset Hearing Loss at PennMedicine
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Hearing Loss, Coronavirus and Hospitalization
Check out the Resources tab for new information 
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The 2022
PA-Walk4Hearing is Sunday
​October 16th!
Registration Now Open! 

The FDA and
​OTC vs PSAPs
....Buyer Beware!

Following the signing of the Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aid Act of 2017, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was on track to issue regulations regarding this new category of hearing device by the law’s deadline of August 2020. That deadline has come and gone without new rules in place.

During this period, bad actors have stepped in to fill this vacuum and begun to advertise OTC hearing aids on television and on the internet, even though there are no products that can claim to be OTC hearing aids on the market, according to the FDA Hearing Aids | FDA. Nonetheless, these bad actors claim to be “FDA Cleared or FDA Registered” which is a term that may be misconstrued by the general public as “FDA Approved.” Companies using the words “FDA Cleared or FDA Registered” in their advertising are misguiding the public.
​
HLAA is concerned that consumers might purchase these Personal Sound Amplification Products (PSAPs) instead of traditional hearing aids, assuming these devices are legitimate OTC hearing aids. PSAPs are amplification devices available now that are intended only for those with normal hearing who want to amplify sounds. PSAPs are not interchangeable with hearing aids, are not intended to compensate for or treat hearing loss, and do not provide the sound filtering that an FDA-approved hearing aid does. The FDA prohibits manufacturers of PSAPs from marketing their products as hearing aids to people with hearing loss. 

https://www.hearingloss.org/hearing-help/technology/otc-hearing-devices/

https://www.hearingloss.org/hlaas-concern-for-consumers-reaches-the-fda/
​
https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/consumer-products/hearing-aids
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES!
Help representing HLAA-Chesco at Health Fairs and other community events
is needed throughout the year.  
If you know about an upcoming Health Fair or Event please ​send details about them to hlaachesco@gmail.com 
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"Like" Us on Facebook!
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Please visit our Facebook page for more information, articles,
​and updates!
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Community Partners
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​Donations 
​Always Welcome!