Dear members and visitors,

My message is a simple one. Though HearingLossNation will be loosely adminstered by volunteers affiliated with the Hearing Loss Association of America, make no mistake, this is YOUR community. So, personalize, create, post, and upload to your heart's content!

Click on the "My Page" tab above to get started!

Patrick Holkins, creator of HearingLossNation

Update (12.29.2008):
Be sure to check out the long-overdue welcome video, which I've also posted under the "Videos" section.

I’m sure some of you are wondering why HLAA has chosen to design and publicize HearingLossNation as a network specifically for younger generations of hard of hearing Americans when, in fact, hearing loss is a condition that affects people of all ages.

As the AARP reports, of the 30-some million Americans with hearing loss, nearly two thirds are 55 and older. In turn, most of the services provided by the hearing health community have traditionally been geared towards this age-group.

Yet the fact remains that there are millions of young Americans living with hearing loss who, at times, face challenges distinctly different than those experienced by older hard of hearing individuals. An HLAA initiative, HearingLossNation was designed in an effort to reach out to hard of hearing people between the ages of 18 and 35 by appealing to their unique needs and interests.

It is not our goal (nor our intent) to exclude anyone from responsibly particpating in the HearingLossNation community, but rather to ensure that this network remains a place where young HoH individuals feel comfortable interacting and sharing their experiences.

For more information on our mission, visit the forum page.