HLAA-New York State (formerly NYSA of SHHH) was formed in November 1995 when hard of hearing residents from upstate, downstate and all locations in between joined together to effectively create awareness of issues related to hearing loss at the state level.

If you live in New York State and are an HLAA member($35 / year) you are automatically a member of HLAA–NYS.

HLAA-New York State elects a Board of Directors representing all areas of New York State.

HLAA–NYS publishes a newsletter, the Reporter, three times a year: in the fall before the annual meeting, in winter, and in spring before the national convention.

HLAA–NYS has Professional Advisors who provide expertise and are consulted for guidance as needed.

A state conference is held every two to three years to provide educational opportunities for hard of hearing people, their families and friends. The conference serves to bring together hard of hearing and hearing people who may not wish to travel to distant states for the annual national convention; the conference offers educational and social opportunities closer to home.

Watch for details of the Region II (DE, NJ, NY, PA) HLAA conference planned for October, 2007.

HLAA–NYS has several committees including, Awards, Bylaws, legislation, Caption, Conference, Database, Education, Fundraising, Membership, Newsletter, Nominations, and Chapter Development.

MORE ABOUT HLAA (formerly SHHH)….

HLAA (originally Self Help for Hard of Hearing People) was founded in 1979 by Howard "Rocky" Stone. When Rocky became hard of hearing more than 30 years ago, he quickly learned there were few direct services provided to people with hearing loss, and no support
groups specifically for people who were hard of hearing. Stone changed that by founding SHHH.

Today, HLAA is a volunteer organization of hard of hearing– people, their relatives and friends. It is a nonprofit, non-sectarian educational organization devoted to the welfare and interests of those who cannot hear well. Starting inauspiciously from Stone's basement, it has grown to 250 chapters across the county, some 20,000 individual members, uniting people with the common goal of improving the quality of life for all people with hearing loss.

HLAA-New York State (formerly NYSA of SHHH), established in 1995, seeks to reach out to people with hearing loss across the Empire State. Marcia Dugan, former president of the board of trustees of the HLAA organization said: "There is nothing like HLAA nationally, and certainly nothing like Hearing Loss Association of America-New York State. No other group provides the kind of education, advocacy and friendship that HLAA provides its members."