Information, Education, Support and Advocacy
The Mission of HLAA and HLAA Gulf Coast Chapter is to open the world of communication to people with hearing loss by providing the most up to date information our industry can provide.
Learn more about our mission on a National level by clicking here and at the State of Florida level by clicking here.

Most Recent News or Event:
The Speakers Guild Is Your Source For Chapter Meetings
By Debbe Hagner | | Gulf Coast And Other Events
The HLAA Florida State Association is bringing back the Speakers Guild to help chapter leaders find wonderful speakers for your chapter meetings and events. This very useful resource lists proven speakers and topics that the other chapters in Florida had at their meetings with their contact information.
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Great Hearing Loss Resources:
Hearing Loss Resources
By Debbe Hagner | | Hearing Loss Resources
We are your gateway to many resources, such as how to manage the cost of hearing aids, the state’s relay phone program which offers free amplified and captioned phones and so much more. View our many free and other resources we have to offer. Many of the links below can also be found on our…
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News & Events that you can use:
Disability Without Abuse Project
By Debbe Hagner |
The Disability Without Abuse Project has a website www.disabilitywithoutabuse.com with several associated listservs. Marc is working on this project with Dr. Nora Baladerian, a leader and trailblazer in the fight against abuse of persons with disabilities. As you know, persons with disability (including those who are deaf and hard-of-hearing) are at increased risk of being abused…
Read More 2020 Hurricane Preparedness Guide
By Debbe Hagner |
Download the Preparedness PDF Guide here: This is a first-ever! We at ASL Services Inc., HQ Kissimmee, Florida have produced a comprehensive 2020 Hurricane Guide in English, Spanish, ASL, and DeafBlind access. All four versions are attached to this email. This is the first of this kind of access produced. And it includes…
Read More Face Masks and Hearing Loss: Practical Tips and Strategies
By Debbe Hagner |
With audiologist Ellen Lafargue and Carolyn Ginsburg Stern—Mastering communication while wearing face masks and adhering to social distancing is especially difficult for people with hearing loss because of reduced visual and auditory input. This webinar shared practical tips and strategies that can make interactions easier and help you feel more in control. The webinar has…
Read More The Speakers Guild Is Your Source For Chapter Meetings
By Debbe Hagner |
The HLAA Florida State Association is bringing back the Speakers Guild to help chapter leaders find wonderful speakers for your chapter meetings and events. This very useful resource lists proven speakers and topics that the other chapters in Florida had at their meetings with their contact information.
Read More 

Bring your questions & concerns to the meeting and learn from others
The HLAA Gulf Coast Chapter is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit providing people with hearing loss the information, education and the support they need to self-advocate for their needs and lead a more active lifestyle.

Articles From Our Chapter President:
“Oh Darn – I can’t talk behind your back”
By Debbe Hagner
“Oh Darn – I can’t talk behind your back” By Debbe Hagner It has been over one year since I got the cochlear implant. I have heard many people tell me “Oh darn, I can’t talk behind your back.” I often wonder- how much was really going on behind my back. I guess I will…
Read More “I CAN HEAR CLEARLY NOW-THE QUIET IS GONE”
By Debbe Hagner
“I CAN HEAR CLEARLY NOW- THE QUIET IS GONE” DEBBE HAGNER dhagner@hlagulfcoast.com Since I was born, I have been hard of hearing possibly due to my premature birth. At only 3 pounds, I spent my first month in an incubator. In the 50’s, when preemies did not have the advantage of the technology we…
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