of Northern Virginia
Live Well with Hearing Loss.
HLCNoVA is returning as a welcoming local support community for people with hearing loss in Northern Virginia. Meet others who understand, share what works, and build real connection through accessible gatherings, practical conversation, and friendship.
A local home for people with hearing loss
Hearing Loss Connection of Northern Virginia was created so people with hearing loss would not have to face it alone. The restart returns to that original purpose with a simpler, more sustainable format centered on peer support, practical learning, accessible gatherings, and friendship.
What to expect
Expect a relaxed, communication-friendly environment where people with hearing loss can meet, talk openly, exchange ideas, and learn from one another's lived experience. Some gatherings will focus on conversation and peer support. Others will include practical topics such as hearing technology, communication strategies, travel, restaurants, workplace challenges, family communication, and living well with hearing loss at different stages of life.
Communication access is our commitment
HLCNoVA is committed to communication access. Meetings will be designed to support clear communication and full participation for everyone with hearing loss. Meetings are expected to be held at NVRC whenever possible, subject to room availability.
A place for every stage of life
HLCNoVA welcomes younger adults and students with hearing loss who want peer connection, practical support, and a place to meet others who understand school, work, relationships, and social life with hearing loss. As the group grows, younger adult activities may be developed in a realistic and sustainable way.
Collaborative, not competing
HLCNoVA is seeking HLAA support group affiliation and collaborative listing. We work respectfully with regional and national partners while keeping our focus on local peer support.
Our history, mission, and values
A local self-help and community-building group for people with hearing loss in Northern Virginia — returning to its original purpose.
Mission Statement
HLCNoVA is a local self-help and community-building group for people with hearing loss. We create welcoming, accessible opportunities to meet others, share experiences, learn practical strategies, and live well with hearing loss together.
Vision
People with hearing loss in Northern Virginia should have a place where they can connect, learn, support one another, and build lasting friendships.
Our History
The hearing loss support community in Northern Virginia has gone through several phases. A local chapter existed under the former SHHH structure, later known nationally as HLAA. HLCNoVA was later created as a more flexible local alternative — to provide a practical Northern Virginia home for people with hearing loss who wanted support and connection without the weight of a formal chapter structure.
COVID made in-person gathering difficult and the group went dormant. The restart is an opportunity to preserve the best of the original spirit while avoiding the same mistakes.
Who We Serve
Our primary audience is adults and older adults with hearing loss across Northern Virginia who communicate mainly in spoken-language environments, including people who use hearing aids, cochlear implants, captioning, assistive listening technology, speechreading, and everyday communication strategies.
- Adults with hearing loss across Northern Virginia
- Spouses, partners, family members, and supportive friends
- Younger adults, students, and emerging professionals
- Hearing allies who want to better understand communication access
Our Values
People should be able to meet others who understand the daily realities of hearing loss and who can offer friendship as well as encouragement.
Members learn from one another through lived experience, practical coping strategies, and mutual support.
Meetings use communication-friendly practices, microphones, hearing loop access when available, and captioning or CART when possible.
Programs focus on real life with hearing loss — family communication, restaurants, travel, technology, work, and confidence.
The group only takes on activities that a small volunteer team can realistically maintain.
HLCNoVA works respectfully with HLAA, NVRC, ALDA, VAD, NVAD, VDDHH, and other partners without duplicating their missions.
Relationship to HLAA
The restart honors the SHHH and HLAA self-help tradition. HLCNoVA is seeking to collaborate with HLAA and be recognized as an HLAA support group, while remaining focused on local peer support rather than formal chapter operations.
Gatherings, events, and what to expect
Accessible, communication-friendly gatherings for people with hearing loss — and for the family members and friends who support them.
HLCNoVA Relaunch Meetup
Reconnect with past participants, welcome new people, share experiences, and help shape future gatherings. Friendly, accessible, conversational, hopeful, and practical.
Meeting Format
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 10–15 min | Arrival and informal conversation |
| 10 min | Welcome, introductions, and communication guidelines |
| 25–35 min | Guided sharing prompt or topic discussion |
| 25–40 min | Practical segment: peer tips, demonstration, or guest presentation |
| 20–30 min | Informal social connection and follow-up conversation |
Meeting Rhythm
The sustainable starting rhythm is one gathering every other month, with the option to move to monthly meetings once participation and volunteer support are steady. Consistency is more important than frequency.
- Peer support and social connection gatherings
- Practical learning gatherings: hearing technology, communication strategies, travel, restaurants, workplace challenges, family communication
Accessibility at Meetings
- Good facilitation — one speaker at a time, visible faces
- Microphones at all gatherings
- Hearing loop access when available
- Captioning or CART when resources allow
- Meetings held at NVRC whenever possible, subject to room availability
Trusted resources for hearing loss
A small, curated list of organizations, tools, and services for people with hearing loss and their families.
National Organizations
HLAA — Hearing Loss Association of America
National nonprofit advancing the interests of people with hearing loss. Chapters, resources, and annual convention. hearingloss.org
ALDA — Association of Late-Deafened Adults
Support for adults who became deaf or hard of hearing later in life. alda.org
Local Northern Virginia
NVRC — Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons
Local resource center serving Northern Virginia. Programs, referrals, and community services.
NVAD — Northern Virginia Association of the Deaf
Serving the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community across Fairfax, Arlington, Loudoun, and Prince William County.
VDDHH — Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
State agency providing services and resources for Virginians who are deaf or hard of hearing. vddhh.virginia.gov
Assistive Technology & Captioning
CART — Communication Access Real-Time Translation
Real-time captioning for meetings and events. Contact NVRC for referrals to local CART providers.
Hearing Loop / Telecoil Technology
Induction loops provide direct audio to hearing aids with telecoil (T-coil) settings. Look for the hearing loop symbol at venues.
You belong here too
HLCNoVA welcomes younger adults, students, and emerging professionals with hearing loss.
An Invitation to Younger Adults
If you are a student, a young professional, or someone navigating hearing loss in the earlier stages of your career and adult life, HLCNoVA wants to hear from you.
Living with hearing loss in school, at work, in relationships, and in social settings presents its own challenges. You may feel like the only person your age dealing with these issues. HLCNoVA offers a place to meet others who understand, ask questions without judgment, and build the kind of community that makes a real difference.
Topics That Matter to Younger Adults
- Navigating hearing loss in college and graduate school
- Workplace accommodations, ADA rights, and communication strategies
- Dating, relationships, and social life with hearing loss
- Hearing technology choices: aids, implants, captioning apps
- Talking to friends and family who don't fully understand
- Building confidence in noisy environments
What's Planned
HLCNoVA is starting with an open invitation for younger adults to attend regular gatherings alongside the broader community. As the group grows and interest develops, a dedicated younger adult activity or track may be developed — but only when there is steady interest and a dependable coordinator.
If you are a younger adult with hearing loss and want to help shape what this looks like, please reach out.
Ready to connect?
Sign up for the interest list and let us know you're a younger adult. We'll make sure you hear about everything first.
Help shape the restart
There are many ways to be part of bringing HLCNoVA back to Northern Virginia.
Join the Interest List
Sign up to receive meeting announcements, updates, and the June 2026 relaunch invitation.
Volunteer
Help with greeting, setup, nametags, refreshments, or logistics at gatherings. Small tasks only — no committee burden.
Suggest a Speaker
Know an audiologist, assistive tech specialist, or community expert who would be valuable? Let us know.
Share Your Story
Lived experience is the heart of HLCNoVA. Your perspective on hearing loss can help others feel less alone.
Spread the Word
Tell audiologists, hearing aid dispensers, NVRC staff, and anyone you know with hearing loss that HLCNoVA is back.
Partnership Inquiry
Organization or business that serves the hearing loss community? Reach out to explore collaborative opportunities.
Sign Up Now
Join the HLCNoVA Interest List
Receive updates about the June 2026 relaunch meetup and future gatherings.
Get in touch
We'd love to hear from you — whether you're interested in attending, volunteering, or have a question about HLCNoVA.
Send a message
Other ways to reach us
The quickest way to reach HLCNoVA is by email. One person owns all outward communications to keep things simple and reliable.
info@hlcnova.org (to be confirmed)
Northern Virginia Resource Center (NVRC)
Northern Virginia
HLCNoVA is a volunteer-run group. We will respond as quickly as we can, usually within a few business days.