Hearing Loss Association of Los Angeles was founded in 2004 by a group of working- age adults. HLA-LA provides information, understanding and support for people with all degrees of hearing loss, their families and friends. While most of our members are oral -- that is, we use speech to communicate -- we use whatever works best, whether that is writing notes, speech (lip) reading or sign language. So that everyone can participate, all of our regular meetings are captioned. In addition, an induction loop is installed in our meeting room and those who have a t-coil in their hearing instrument will find listening and understanding to be much easier.

Members of HLA-LA have many opportunities for interaction. Our monthly meetings are informative and also provide ample time to get to know each other while sharing a cup of coffee and experiences. We like to enjoy the friendships we've made through additional activities. Our annual Memorial Day Picnic and Holiday Parties are highlights of the year. In addition, our group has enjoyed group outings to live captioned theater, Dodger games, bowling, dinners, movies and more. In short, our nickname "the party chapter" was rightfully earned!

In fact, one of our primary goals is to counter the perception that hearing loss only effects older people. Our members range in age from those just starting their careers to those whom we call "active retirees."

Our members also get to know each other, seek advice and lend support via our yahoo group listserve. For more information and to join that group, click here. Even if you don't join our Yahoo group, you are welcome to read the posts from others or check out information and resources in our files and links section.

Membership in HLA-LA is free; we hold an annual Garage Sale to raise the funds necessary to pay for our captioning needs. Since we feel that it is important to try to reach out to the thousands of people who have become isolated because of hearing loss, we seek to raise additional funding through sponsorships and other events. Our chapter members participate in the Walk4Hearing, annual walks held around the country to raise funds -- and awareness. Proceeds from Walk4Hearing events are split between local Hearing Loss Association chapters and the national organization.

Our very successful "Taste of the Good Life" Wine Tasting and Silent Auction was held several years ago and more than $10,000 was raised to support our outreach efforts.

For more information about Hearing Loss Association of Los Angeles, please contact:

Malik B. El-Amin or Pat Widman

We meet the 4th Saturday of every month (except May, November and December) from 9:30a.m. to Noon at:
The HEAR Center
301 East Del Mar Blvd.,
Pasadena, CA 91101
626.796.2016.
For directions, click here.


HLA-LA Steering Committee
Malik B. El-Amin - President
Katherine Burns, Georgia Fleischer, Keiko Kamiya, Chris Grafil, Stephanie Stansell, Patricia Widman, Elizabeth Wieland and Lisa Yuan