Table of Contents
Read about HLAA’s partnership with American Girl in honor of the company’s 2020 Doll of the Year, Joss Kendrick, to increase awareness and educate people about hearing loss. The 15th Anniversary Walk4Hearing begins as usual, but this spring the Walk Day gatherings will be online celebrations—all with the same spirit of commitment and community.
Learn how to ask for accommodations in the workplace, especially during this time of COVID-19. Be inspired by Camilla Gilbert, who overcame obstacles living with microtia and atresia, and how three women in New Jersey joined forces to create a new HLAA Chapter. And read the touching story from two HLAA members who honor their friend, Grace Waegell Tiessen, a pioneer of hearing loss causes and a long-time champion of HLAA.
Want more? Become a member of HLAA. We want to show you that you’re not alone.
It’s Time to Walk4Hearing with Joss
By Walk4Hearing Staff
HLAA has partnered with American Girl in honor of the company’s 2020 Doll of the Year,
Joss Kendrick, to increase awareness and educate people about hearing loss. The 15th
Anniversary Walk4Hearing begins the season online, with the spirit and commitment
to hearing health and helping people with hearing loss stronger than ever.
Thoughts From Our Board Chair
By Richard Einhorn
COVID-19 and Hearing Loss
Asking for Accommodations in the Workplace
By Leona Schaefer
Hearing loss disability can often be overcome with the right accommodations at home and
in the workplace. It is important to become as informed as possible about which form of
accommodation is best, and then you must have an action plan for putting it in place.
Listen Up!
By Emma Schaefer
When Emma Schaefer sees how much her mom, Leona, benefits and how much her life has
completely changed with her cochlear implants, it proves to her just how important speaking
up is for those who have something to say—and how important listening up is for those who
could benefit from hearing it.
Microtia and Atresia: Navigating a World of Difference
By Camilla N. Gilbert
Camilla Gilbert shares how she overcame the obstacles of living with microtia and atresia
with perseverance, ambition and community support, and how it ignited a genuine passion
to encourage and inspire others.
Women with Hearing Loss Experience Higher Rates of Complications in Pregnancy and Birth
By Dr. Michael McKee and Dr. Monika Mitra
For many women, pregnancy can be an exciting time and for some, even a scary time.
For women who are deaf or hard of hearing, this also becomes an important time to think
about ways to have a healthy pregnancy.
In Memoriam: Amazing Grace
By Nanci Linke-Ellis and Zina Jawadi
Grace Waegell Tiessen, affectionately known as “Our Miss Grace,” passed away on March 23,
12 days shy of her 101st birthday. She was a legendary pioneer of hearing loss causes, and
had been a champion of SHHH, HLAA, and HLAA-CA for more than 30 years.
Chapters in Action
By HLAA Staff
Starting a New HLAA Chapter
Accessibility Spotlight
By CTIA
Wireless Works for Employees with Hearing Loss