Resources

“Hearing Loop or Auracast? – Why Not Both?” is a follow-up session to a series of "Hearing Access" webinars held by the European Federation of Hard of Hearing People (EFHOH). This recorded session brought together members of the hearing loss community, industry leaders, and accessibility advocates to discuss the coexistence of telecoil-based hearing loops and Auracast™ (Bluetooth® LE Audio).…

The European Federation of Hard of Hearing People (EFHOH) and the International Hearing Loops Manufacturers Association (IHLMA) hosted a webinar series examining the role of Assistive Listening Systems (ALS) in improving accessibility for individuals with hearing loss. In this recorded session, a panel of speakers was invited to present the benefits, challenges, and future potential of ALS,…

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) released a video highlighting the federal infrastructure package and how it will improve access to public transportation and air travel for people with disabilities. The video includes captions and American Sign Language interpretation, and features, among others, Matt Scott, a five-time Paralympian and gold medalist; Dr. Anjali Forber-Pratt, a two-time…

On September 9, 2024, Apple Inc announced hearing health features coming to AirPods Pro 2, which provide the world’s first all-in-one hearing health experience including a clinical-grade, over-the-counter Hearing Aid feature. Included in these new features is Hearing Protection to help users prevent exposure to loud environmental noise while preserving the sound signature of what they’re listening…

On September 10, 2024, the FCC announced that survivors of domestic abuse can get discounted phone, internet, or bundled services through the FCC’s Lifeline program. Survivors can now make a request with their service provider to separate their mobile phone lines from family plans where the abuser is on the account. Impacted survivors experiencing financial hardship can also receive up to six…

EEOC v. Smith’s Detection Inc., Case No. 1:24-cv-2510 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, Baltimore Division. The agency filed against Smith’s Detection, Inc., a leading manufacturer of threat detection equipment, for demoting a disabled employee to avoid providing her with personal protective equipment (PPE). The employee, who suffered from complete hearing loss in her left…

On July 19, 2024, the FCC released a Report and Order taking steps to advance the nationwide transition to Next Generation 911 (NG911). Unlike the current 911 system, NG911 uses Internet Protocol (IP)-based format and routing, and will support the transmission of text, photos, videos, and data. In the Report and Order, the FCC adopted the first nationwide NG911 transition rules that define the…

Hosted by the Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center in February 2024, this archived webinar provides an overview, highlighting the good, the bad, and the ugly aspects of telehealth accessibility for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind patients. The panel guides you through real-life scenarios, showcasing successful approaches as well as areas that need improvement. From effective communication…

This Vox YouTube-channel, captioned video describes how we're already using more artificial intelligence (AI) than we realize. AI is hiding in plain sight including in hearing and communication access technologies. Be sure to read the cover article, AI and Other Hearing Technology Advancements , in the Spring 2024 edition of HLAAs Hearing Life Magazine.

Apple has introduced transcripts for Apple Podcasts. Transcripts will be available for new episodes shortly after episodes are published. These transcripts are automatically generated by Apple, and you will see the words "Automatically generated" in the app display. When the content creator provides a transcript instead of using Apple's automatically generated transcript, the app will display the…