How to Join the HLAA Community or Get Involved

Updated

You can get involved with the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) at whatever level fits your time and interest — from joining as a member, to connecting with a local chapter, to walking in a Walk4Hearing event. HLAA describes itself as a nationwide community offering education, connection, and support to people with, and at risk of, hearing loss, so most paths in start with the same step: deciding whether you want information, local connection, or advocacy.

Ways to Get Involved

Path What it involves Best if you want
Join HLAA Becoming part of the HLAA community through membership A formal connection and to support the movement
Local chapters and groups Connecting with people in your area across the U.S. In-person or local support
Walk4Hearing Participating in a national walking event (e.g., the 2026 Kentucky Walk4Hearing) A community event and a way to raise visibility
Advocacy Supporting HLAA's work on the rights of people with hearing loss To speak up for yourself and others
Learning resources Using HLAA's Hearing Loss 101 and toolkits To understand hearing loss basics first

Join the HLAA Movement

HLAA frames membership as joining a movement: "Together our voice is stronger." The site's Join HLAA call to action is aimed at building "a world where everyone with hearing loss is supported and empowered." If you're ready to make that commitment, joining is the most direct route into the organization.

Find Local Support Through Chapters and Groups

If what you want is people nearby, HLAA's chapters and groups are the entry point. HLAA states that its chapters and groups "connect people, change lives and empower local communities across the U.S." The site directs visitors to a dedicated page to learn about HLAA chapters and groups — that's where you'd look for one in your area.

Take Part in Walk4Hearing

Walk4Hearing is HLAA's national event series; the site highlights a 2026 Kentucky Walk4Hearing. These events serve as both community gatherings and visibility for hearing loss. If you prefer to get involved through an activity rather than a membership, a local walk is a concrete starting point.

Start With Information If You're Not Ready to Commit

You don't have to join to benefit. HLAA offers:

  • Hearing Loss 101 — types, causes, symptoms, and treatments
  • Find Support — technology, hearing health professionals, and strategies to thrive
  • Advocacy and Resources — how HLAA fights for the rights of people with hearing loss
  • Toolkits — including a family toolkit developed with Hasbro, featuring a Peppa Pig–inspired activity for children

HLAA also publishes news and updates, such as a Hawaii law leading to a State Plan on Hearing Loss and guidance on filing a complaint about television closed captioning, which can show you what the community is working on before you decide how to plug in.

A Note on What Membership Costs

The available HLAA site information does not list membership pricing or payment details, so check the Join HLAA page directly for current terms before assuming anything about cost or access.

Where to Begin

If you're unsure, start with the basics on Hearing Loss 101, then look for a chapter near you. If you already know you want to be part of the organization, join HLAA. If you'd rather show up in person first, find a Walk4Hearing event. Any of these puts you inside the same community — as HLAA member Linda Gee put it, "The HLAA community empowered me with the courage to face my challenges head-on."