The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), Bethesda, Md, an organization representing people with hearing loss, has issued a public invitation to the HLAA Convention 2016, being held June 23-26, 2016 at the Washington Hilton Hotel, Washington, DC.

HLAA 2016 logo The HLAA Convention, now in its 31st year, features an extensive educational program and exhibit hall and trade show for people with hearing loss, their families, and the professionals who work with them. HLAA reports that is also honored to host the International Federation of Hard of Hearing People (IFHOH) Congress at this year’s Convention. The IFHOH is an international, non-governmental organization representing the interests of more than 300 million hard of hearing people worldwide.

HLAA Convention 2016 is slated to feature an opening session keynote address, Disability as a Strength, by Jenny Lay-Flurrie of Microsoft, who will speak about her roles as chair of the Disability Employee Resource Group, and chief accessibility officer. As a person with hearing loss since childhood, Lay-Flurrie has learned a few tricks over the years about how to manage her own disability and use those skills to empower others to achieve more. In 2014, the White House recognized Lay-Flurrie as a Disability Employment Champion of Change. The opening session is scheduled for Thursday, June 23, 5:00 – 6:30 PM.

Plenary sessions on Thursday, June 23 will include The Institute of Medicine Report on Accessible and Affordable Hearing Health Care for Adults, presented by Dan Blazer, MD, chair of the Institute of Medicine’s Committee on Accessible and Affordable Hearing Health Care for Adults; and The Latest from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Accessible Communications, presented by Gregory Hlibok and Karen Peltz Strauss, chief and deputy chief, respectively, of the Disability Rights Office in the FCC Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau.

In addition, Frank Lin, MD, PhD, former HLAA Board of Trustee member and associate professor of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, geriatric medicine, mental health, and epidemiology at Johns Hopkins. Dr Lin will moderate the research symposium, Novel Approaches toward Addressing Hearing Loss – Ideas on the Cutting Edge.

Further highlights of HLAA Convention 2016 include educational workshops on interesting and current topics such as hearing technology, advocacy, employment, and dating/relationships. There will be an exhibit hall full of cutting-edge technology and services (free exhibit hall passes are available); an opening night Get Acquainted Party; and two off-site events to choose from: a Scavenger Hunt in Dupont Circle or Monuments by Night, both held Friday, June 24.

There will be a Capital banquet on Saturday, June 25, hosted by Gael Hannan, comedienne, author and hearing loss advocate; entertainment by magician and mentalist Max Major; and an Awards Breakfast and Ceremony on Sunday, June 26.

First-timer registration discounts are available, and there is complimentary registration for veterans with hearing loss who have not attended the HLAA Convention in the past.

For more information, please visit the HLAA Convention website.