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 below, mark your calendar and be sure to check back regularly!
​Also, look for more topics of interest in our Newsletter!
​​​Our Spring Events!
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​June 8th at 6pm!
The Mortimer Bauer
​Scholarship Award
& Ice Cream Social!

Our scholarship essay judges have selected Jimmy Scherer to be awarded this years scholarship!
We will have a brief Award Ceremony at Christ Community Church in room 102/103  (first floor) and Enjoy Ice Cream Sundae's afterwards. Free event!

HLAA Regional
Picnic Event
Save the date!
July 30th at Noon!
The Montco Chapter is hosting a picnic and inviting all from the region. It will be a potluck picnic under a pavilion at the Fort Washington State Park. more information and evite link to follow soon.


​Regular Meeting Location:
Christ Community Church
​2nd floor
1190 Phoenixville Pike
West Chester, PA 19380

The Executive Board is continuing to discuss future meeting topics and
​ venues. Please email or call if you are interested in being included on the meeting planning committee, have suggestions or whatever you think would be helpful moving forward. 
Thank You for your patience!

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The meeting room has a
hearing loop! ​Loops help those with telecoils in their hearing aids.
​CART is normally 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.

Sudden Deafness
A Medical Emergency
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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
Type in your ​zip code!
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The Center for Assistive Technology Act Data Assistance
https://catada.info/state.html
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Donate Those Pre Owned Hearing Aids 

If you or a loved one is not in need of older hearing aids please consider donating them to be refitted & programmed for someone in need. We are accepting PreOwned Hearing Aids & Accessories by mail or at future pickup locations to be determined.

All donations may be mailed to:
HLAA Chester County
P. O. Box 1371
West Chester, PA 19380-0027
​​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!
​HLAA Chester County
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​
​2023 PA-Walk4Hearing!
​October 15, 2023!
​Philadelphia Navy Yard!
Register early below!
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Registration
​and Information

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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!