About Us


We are under the umbrella of the national organization of Hearing Loss Association of America which is located in Bethesda. Maryland. http://www.hearingloss.org



HLA-RI’s primary function is to educate it members, their families and friends about the causes, nature and complications of hearing loss and what can be done to better cope with that loss. We hold monthly meetings between September and June at which we may have guest speakers on a variety of topics relating to hearing loss. We may also have informal meetings where the members share their experiences and knowledge relating to hearing loss. We also have two socials a year as well.


We are able to provide CART –Computer Aided Real Time Captioning which is projected on to a large screen so that the participants can “hear what is being said in the meetings”

Some meeting topics include Accessibility, hearing aids, legislation, cochlear implants, tinnitus, captioning, relay system, assistive devices, state services, coping tips many more topics! We also have social events.


Before HLA-RI, many of the members felt isolated, found communication a struggle, were confused about technology, didn’t know their rights and hid their hearing loss


And now HLA-RI is a place to find answers, ask new questions, and meet people who understand. HLA-RI is a resource for information and friendship.

The monthly meetings are held at different locations within Rhode Island. To be placed on the email distribution list for notices and other important announcements, send an email to hearinglossri@gmail.com This email list is not shared with any organizations or individuals and each HLA-RI ‘s member is blind copied on each email.


Monday, March 31, 2014

Save the date! Dr. Beck Tinnitus presentation May 3rd



Dr. Beck Returns to RI to Speak on Tinnitus

On Saturday, May 3rd, the Hearing Loss Association of Rhode Island (HLA-RI) will host the return of Dr. Douglas Beck to discuss tinnitus.  The program is free and open to the public at the Warwick Public Library in the large meeting room from 1:30-3:30.

Dr. Beck participated in the special full-day seminar last October providing an excellent presentation titled “Issues in Hearing, Listening and Cognition”.  He has agreed to return to RI to focus on the important issue of tinnitus. 

Often describing as ringing in the ears, tinnitus can be experienced as a variety of sounds.  For some it is soft and lasts for a short time.  For many, however, it is loud and constant.  Tinnitus is not limited to people with hearing loss, but it is a common issue for people with hearing loss and a growing problem among returning veterans. 

According to the American Tinnitus Association (ATA), tinnitus is “the perception of sound in one or both ears or in the head when no external sound is present.”  The ATA estimates that 50 million Americans experience some form of tinnitus.

In the March 2014 issue of Hearing Loss Magazine published by the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), Katherine Bouton writes “there’s no cure for tinnitus, though plenty of people will try to sell you one.”  She highlights recent research efforts including Progressive Tinnitus Management.  She also reports that “the military has a vested interest in finding a way of alleviating tinnitus.  Almost one million veterans received disability payments for tinnitus in 2012.  It’s the largest single category for disability claims in the military.”

Tinnitus is a growing problem across all ages including children.  While the cause of tinnitus is largely unknown, there are known sources such as noise and ototoxic medications.  There is significant research being done to better understand the causes and develop treatment options.

Dr. Douglas Beck is the Director of Professional Relations for Oticon Inc, a major hearing aid manufacturer, and he serves as Web Content Editor for the American Academy of Audiology, and he is an adjunct Professor of Audiology at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas...

Dr. Beck’s attendance is sponsored by Oticon.  Real-time captioning for the event is sponsored by the RI Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.  Refreshments are 
sponsored by RI Relay.