Our Mission
Our mission is to open up the world of communication to people with hearing loss by providing information, education, support, and advocacy.
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Check out our schedule of events and mark your calendar now! Also, look for more things of interest in our monthly newsletter.
Holiday "Meet & Greet" Social Event!
December 15th
6:30-8:00pm.
This year we have decided to return to the live holiday social! It will be a meet & greet event with appetizers and drinks and will be held at MaKenzies Brew House-Malvern!
Go to the Elite registration link below to signup. We have a private room, so attendance will be limited.
We've had a DOORPRIZE donoation and will be raffling it during the evening!
​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
No planned live meetings till 2023
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.
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​"Like" Us on Facebook!
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Please visit our Facebook page for more information, articles,
​and updates!

Sudden Deafness
A Medical Emergency
––
Sudden Sensorineural
Hearing Loss
If you've suddenly experienced a dramatic hearing loss there is hope. 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 Center for Assistive Technology Act Data Assistance
https://catada.info/state.html
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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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​The 2022
PA-Walk4Hearing was a wonderful day and a successful fundraiser helping both HLAA National and the Chester County Chapter.
Thank You!
Stay tuned for information on the 2023 PA-Walk4Hearing!

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

We're sure you've heard about the recent FDA approval for OTC (Over The Counter) hearing aids.
Leading up to the approval there has been misinformation and false marketing practices. The use of a single term in advertising can mislead you into thinking the product is FDA approved. HLAA has been involved every step of the way and has helped determine the regulations that were approved.

HLAA is concerned that consumers might purchase 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.

Another fact:
OTC hearing aids are designed for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss only.

How Do I Know What Is FDA Approved?
Look for hearing aid products that say they are:
FDA Approved
FDA Cleared
FDA Authorized
 
The FDA does not use these terms. 
These terms may be used to mislead you:
FDA Registered
FDA Certified
FDA Registration Certificate

Considering OTC Hearing Aids?...
Click on these links to gather information:
HLAA’s OTC Tip Sheet Can Help
 
HLAA in the News
Find all the latest articles here:
OTC hearing aid articles gathered by HLAA
 
Opinion: 
FDA's new hearing aid rules help some but leave others behind
 
OTC Hearing Aids: 
Returns – a key piece of the puzzle 

HLAA OTC Hearing Aids multiple links:
https://www.hearingloss.org/hearing-help/technology/otc-hearing-devices/

FDA issued final rules:
Establishing OTC Hearing Aids

FDA Complaint MedWatch:
​How to file a complaint

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Community Partners
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​Donations 
​Always Welcome!