Cheri Perazzoli recently received the 2016 “Get in the Hearing Loop” award from the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA). The award was presented at the 2016 annual HLAA Convention in Washington, D.C.
She is the Redmond-based director of advocacy of the Washington State Association of the HLAA and founder of the Let’s Loop Seattle initiative.
Perazzoli was given the award for her role in increasing hearing accessibility in Washington state as mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act by encouraging the use of hearing loops and other assistive technologies. She has drawn upon her personal knowledge and advocacy experience to bring hearing accessibility to the forefront of public attention about inclusiveness at area civic and entertainment venues, and guided government officials and venue managers toward successful implementation of hearing accessibility measures.
“For hearing-aid users, hearing loops and are the equivalent of a curb cut or a wheelchair ramp,” said Perazzoli. She added, “In addition to hearing aids, someone with hearing loss may need assistive technology such as a hearing loop and captions to communicate effectively. Hearing loops can mean the difference between staying home and becoming isolated or engaging once again with work, play, and civic life.”
Hearing loops are copper wiring installed under carpets or in the ceiling of a large area. They transmit sound from the venue’s public address system to telecoils found in most hearing aids and all cochlear implants. The listener simply switches their personal device to telecoil mode and benefits from clear sound delivered directly to their device, with less background noise and reduced listening effort, making it easier to understand speech in environments where the hearing aid alone is insufficient. Loops can be installed almost anywhere, including train stations, pharmacy counters, rail cars, medical offices and auditoriums of all sizes.
Notably, the City Council chambers of Bellevue and Seattle both recently installed hearing loops. Bellevue civic and entertainment venues recently looped include The Bellevue Library, Youth Theatre, Arts Museum and Meydenbauer Theatre. In Seattle, Town Hall, The Repertory Theatre and Taproot Theatre Company all are now looped.
In accepting the HLAA award, Perazzoli added that she receives tremendous support from HLAA-WA leaders and members, and from Washington state civic and arts leaders, all of whom are working to lessen the impact of hearing loss in their communities. She also thanked other advocates and supporters with whom she has collaborated, saying “I absolutely share this award with all the people with whom I have worked.”
