HLAA 2026 Convention
Those of us with hearing loss know how difficult it can be to work in jobs where normal hearing is assumed. Presented by the HLAA Accessible, Inclusive Employment Task Force, this webinar is an insightful exploration of new technologies that can help even the playing field. The panel of expert speakers—all professionals with hearing loss—discussed assistive listening devices, captioning, videoconferencing and other useful tools for a range of workplaces, including offices, travel, restaurants, classrooms and factories.
Dr. David C. BaldridgeProfessor, Oregon State University
David Baldridge, Ph.D., is a deafened, cochlear implant user. Dr. Baldridge is a long-time HLAA member, and a member of the HLAA Task Force on Employment. He is a Toomey Faculty Fellow and professor of management at Oregon State University. He has researched the workplace experiences of people with hearing loss for more than 20 years, published more than 25 articles and book chapters and made more than 100 conference and workshop presentations. His research has appeared in Academy of Management Review, Strategic Management Journal, Journal of Management, Human Relations, Human Resource Management, Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, Journal of International Business, Oxford Press and NTID Press books, and other leading management outlets.
Please see his website for more information.

Tina Childress is an educational audiologist in mainstream and residential school settings. A late-deafened adult fluent in ASL and bilateral cochlear implant recipient, she is a technology and social media aficionado who is sought after as an international presenter and motivational speaker for families, adults and professionals on a variety of topics. Her areas of expertise include hearing assistive technology, apps, cochlear implants, advocacy and effective strategies for coping with hearing loss.
Dave DeBellisDave DeBellis is a practicing engineer with HP, Inc., working in the company’s industrial printing division. Sudden and profound hearing loss at age 55 threatened to derail his career. However, with the help of both a hearing aid and a cochlear implant, he has been able to continue to work effectively in his role. Dave is also a member of the HLAA Accessible, Inclusive Employment Task Force.
Jill Herbold, FSA, MAAAModerator
Jill Herbold is a health care consulting actuary who primarily works with state Medicaid agencies, as well as a managing partner of a consulting practice with 200+ employees. As her hearing loss progressed from mild to profound over many years, she became a cochlear implant user. A member of the HLAA Accessible, Inclusive Employment Task Force, Jill has been involved with HLAA for more than 20 years. She will moderate the panel discussion of workplace technologies.
Your feedback matters! Use this form to educate venues and event organizers about whether their assistive listening offerings are effective.
A simple guide for what to do before, during and after an event to make sure you get the best listening experience from an event or venue.
A simple chart explaining which devices can connect to different assistive listening systems.
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