Find out what you can expect from this popular hearing loss event.
The 2022 HLAA Convention will be here before you know it! Taking place in person in beautiful Tampa, Florida, from June 23-25, this hearing loss event is one of our favorites every year. As the presenting sponsor, we’re excited to share a little preview of the HLAA Convention today!
We’ll cover:
- HLAA Convention programs and events
- Health and safety protocols
- What to do in Tampa during your free time
Let’s dive in — we hope to see you there!
HLAA Convention programs and events
The main event runs from Thursday the 23rd to Saturday the 25th. If you’re in Tampa and looking for something to do on Wednesday, you’re welcome to sit in on the HLAA Board of Directors Meeting in the late afternoon (or just get settled in and explore).
The next day is when the main action of the conference begins. Let’s take a quick look at the schedule for this hearing loss event!
Thursday, June 23:
- Choose one of three morning workshops beginning at 9:30 a.m.: Living Fabulously with Hearing Loss, Strengthening Telecommunication Accessibility, or Finding the Best Wireless Devices for You.
- Also at 9:30 a.m., you can visit CapTel in the Demo Room for a presentation on Cutting-Edge Changes in Captioned Telephone Technology: How New Developments Can Work for You.
- Spend the time between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. grabbing lunch and exploring the Exhibit Hall.
- The 1:30 p.m. workshops cover handling communication mix-ups, managing the changes of the pandemic, and genetic testing for hearing loss.
- After those, jump over to one of the 2:45 p.m. workshops: Parenting with Hearing Loss, Bluetooth for Assistive Listening Devices, or Captioning with Viewers in Mind.
- There’s a late-afternoon general session from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., with the keynote speaker discussing emerging technologies.
Friday, June 24:
- Friday starts with the Research Symposium from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., which will cover new and future developments in cochlear implants.
- From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., spend more time in the Exhibit Hall and drop into the book signing by the authors of Hear & Beyond: Live Skillfully with Hearing Loss.
- The afternoon is full of more educational workshops! At 1:15 p.m., learn about surgeons’ experience with cochlear implants, what the Industry-Consumer Alliance for Accessible Technology (ICAAT) does, or ReCharge membership changes.
- At 2:30 p.m., choose between sessions covering patient experiences with cochlear implants, hearing loss in court, or the psychology of forming an identity.
- From 3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., choose between a panel of hearing aid manufacturers, a report on theater accessibility, or a workshop on hearing health differences linked to culture.
- Put on your best cocktail attire from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for the awards ceremony and reception sponsored by CapTel!
Saturday, June 25:
- Florida Walk4Hearing Event begins at 8:00 a.m. Be sure to register your team and join in the fun!
- Because of the Walk4Hearing, the exhibits and workshops start a little later on the final day! From 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., learn about the benefits of wireless devices, yoga with different sound systems, or hearing care disparities.
- At 12:15 p.m., choose from workshops on hearing loss and careers, HLAA public policy in 2022, or hearing loss representation on Instagram.
- Take a final lap around the exhibit hall until 3:15 p.m.
- Choose your final workshop: Diversity, equity, and inclusion; how to practice self-advocacy; or proposal writing for nonprofits.
- From 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., enjoy an inspiring evening with the filmmakers of We Hear You | Now Hear Us — a documentary on hearing loss.
See who’s involved in all of the educational workshops on HLAA’s schedule here!
Health and safety protocols
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required for all HLAA convention attendees. When you register, you’ll be asked to provide a digital or mailed physical copy of your vaccination card, but plan to bring your card in person too. They recommend testing before you attend as well. Masks are not required, but clear masks will be available for anyone who prefers to wear them!
What to do in Tampa during your free time
As mentioned above, the convention dates overlap with the Florida Walk4Hearing! Register to walk as an individual or with a team, and show up for some exercise and fun on Saturday at 8 a.m.
Any time you’re not at the convention, or if you have some time in town before or after the event, be sure to enjoy everything else Tampa has to offer! Explore Sparkman Wharf, taste some local flavors, or add one of these hearing loss-friendly Tampa destinations to your schedule.
Are you as excited as we are for the HLAA convention hearing loss event? Get more information on HLAA 2022 here!
