Hearing Awareness Project

Groups

If you are living with hearing loss joining a group can be one of the best things you ever do. Groups address the informational, emotional, and social support needs of their members. Caution: They can also nurture the Activist in you.

Benefits of Group Membership | Available Groups in Canada | Computer Forums

Benefits of Group Membership

  • Members often share a belief that positive personal change happens through individual efforts with the support of others

  • You will find encouragement from others with similar life experiences and the opportunity to help others in a similar way

  • Groups can help you and your family feel empowered and more self-confident in coping with challenges

  • Hearing loss groups are an excellent way to keep up to date on new technology, including hearing aids and other assistive devices

  • Attending meetings will connect you to new information and strategies for dealing with the problems of hearing loss, including the feelings of frustration, anger, depression, or social isolation

  • Hearing loss groups often have resources that help your family members and friends understand your issues and feelings, as well as validating the problems that they experience resulting from the hearing loss

  • Groups meet on a variety of schedules, from twice a year to monthly, or even daily in the case of computer-based chat groups

  • Some groups schedule guest speakers, discussions and information on alternative therapies, new technology and accessible programs

  • Groups are often a part of a larger community support network
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Available Groups in Canada

Parent Support Groups
A group that offers parents and family members opportunities to learn about and understand their child's hearing loss in a comfortable environment, provide a forum for sharing, and learn about new services and technologies. They may have a formal structure and affiliation with provincial or national organizations. Some examples of this type of group with links you to many other groups in their respective province are:
Discussion Groups
Discussion groups for individuals with hearing loss and/or their family members provide resources, information, education and encouragement. They do not have a formal organizational structure and are usually time limited and offered occasionally by organizations serving people with hearing loss. There is usually no cost associated with Discussion Groups. Contact the source nearest you:
Lip-reading Classes
Lip-reading classes (also referred to as Speechreading, Hearing Help, Better Communication and Aural Rehabilitation) are examples of this type of group, and excellent opportunities for sharing and learning. There is usually a cost attached to these classes. Such classes can be obtained from many sources including (contact the source nearest you):
Cochlear Implant Clubs
C.I. Clubs are discussion groups for cochlear implant recipients, their families, professionals, and other individuals interested in cochlear implants. The clubs provide support and information and access to adults or children who have cochlear implants, or who are interested in learning about cochlear implants. Some examples of this type of support group are:
Canadian Hard of Hearing Branches
Branches are more formal organizations than discussion groups. They are composed of a minimum of 4 persons who, on their own initiative, establish a local group because of an identified need(s) such as education, support, recreational and advocacy activities specifically with the hard of hearing and deafened in mind. Branch bylaws must be approved by the Board of CHHA/AMEC.
Canadian Hard of Hearing Networks
These are virtual branches of CHHA and are either internet-based or e-mailed based. Networks are organized along the same lines as Branches. They may have specific focus on an identified issue or set of issues. Each Network must be approved by the Board of CHHA/AMEC.
Canadian Hard of Hearing Chapters
Organized at the initiative of the membership, they represent the interests of Branches/Networks within their province both at the National level of CHHA and at the political level within their province. They establish their own bylaws, jurisdictions, aims etc. as long as these do not conflict with the bylaws of CHHA National and are approved by the Board of CHHA/AMEC.
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Computer Forums

Web-Based Forums
In Web-based forums, communications are posted on the Web, and exchanges can continue without the users needing to be present for the duration. Some examples of this type of forum for persons with hearing loss are:
E-Mail Based Forums
In e-mail based forums, users post e-mail messages that go to everyone else who has subscribed. "Opt-in" arrangements are the most widely accepted. An opt-in forum enables users to join or to remove themselves from the list whenever they want. An example of this type of forum is the Better Hearing NEWS
Chat-Based Forums
Chat-based forums involve online real-time communications. Participants post and respond online using special software. An example of this type of forum for persons with hearing is My Hearing Loss.

Copyright © 2009 the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (CHHA)
Direct commercial exploitation is not permitted. No warranty of accuracy is given concerning the contents of the information contained in this publication. To the extent permitted by law, no liability (including liability to any person by reason of negligence) will be accepted by CHHA its subsidiaries or employees for any direct, or indirect loss or damage caused by omissions from or inaccuracies in this document. CHHA reserves the right to change details in this publication without notice.

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