News

Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (CHHA) Seeks Volunteer Mentors

February 15, 2018

The CHHA-BC Online Mentoring Program (OMP) is a joint initiative of CHHA-BC Chapter and CHHA-Vancouver Branch. We are inviting applications from qualified persons to serve as volunteer mentors on our newly created Online Mentoring Program.

Through the medium of a confidential Chat Room, each mentor will hold one-to-one dialogue with a person seeking mentoring (mentee), for the purpose of assisting the individual to acquire and practice those coping skills which assist them in living successfully with a hearing loss, in everyday life.

For further information about the CHHA-BC Online Mentoring Program, and expectations of mentors, view the website

Here is an exciting opportunity for you, if you are a member of CHHA; a resident of B.C., have a hearing loss; have experience living with a hearing device such as a hearing aid or cochlear implant; experience using assistive communication devices; have training or experience in coping strategies for managing hearing loss; are comfortable with using the internet and social media; have secure access to email and the web; mastery of the English language; can commit to a full year of mentoring; and can attend a one day training workshop for mentors, in Vancouver in early May, (exact date to be set).

Apply in confidence to OMPmanager@chha-bc.org providing resume, at least two references, and statement of why you are volunteering for this program. In your statement please include specifics to indicate that you meet all of the criteria listed in this ad.

Deadline for applications – February 28, 2018 – 5:00 pm.

Thank You Supporters

January 1, 2018

Your support helps make what we do possible. On behalf of staff, members and the community, thank you.

Thank You to Our Past Supporters
In previous years, our supporters have included:
• Vancouver Foundation
• United Way of Greater Victoria
• Greater Victoria Savings Credit Union Legacy Fund
• Lions of BC Hearing Conservation Society
• Evening Optimist Club
• Community Gaming Grants/Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch
• Victoria Foundation (Community Grants)
• Tom Harris
• Hamber Foundation
• Sarah Spencer Foundation

New ‘Alternative Hearing Assistance Supplement’

July 6, 2017

Good news for Deaf or hard of hearing people who are receiving Persons with Disabilities (PWD) or Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to Employment (PPMB) benefits or receive Income Assistance and live in a special care facility!

This spring the BC Government (the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation – MSDSI) introduced a new $100 monthly ‘Alternative Hearing Assistance’ supplement. This is available to eligible people with permanent profound hearing loss in both ears.

This supplement was implemented following a human rights complaint supported by lawyers at the BC Public Interest and Advocacy Centre (BC PIAC).

If you receive PWD or PPMB benefits, have a permanent profound hearing loss in both ears, and cannot benefit from a hearing instrument (such as a hearing aid) to understand speech, you can apply!

Here are the steps to take:
1. Go to the Income Assistance (PWD) office to request the ‘Alternative Hearing Assistance Supplement’ form.
2. Book an appointment with an Audiologist at an Island Health Clinic or a private hearing clinic.
3. If you need an interpreter, ask the clinic to request an Interpreter by contacting IDHHC.
4. The Audiologist will give you a hearing test, and complete the form to show that you cannot benefit from a hearing aid (or other hearing instrument) to understand speech.
5. Fax or mail the completed form back to MSDSI Health Assistance Branch (info on form).
6. Wait for MSDSI decision.

More information and how IDHHC can help:

1. Contact Leslee (leslee@idhhc.ca) in Victoria, or Alex (alex@idhhc.ca) in Nanaimo if you need support or more information.
2. IDHHC has confirmed that the following Island Health Clinics will provide this one-time-only free hearing assessment for adults on PWD or PPMB:

– Island Health Clinic at 1665 Grant St in Nanaimo: 250-755-6269 or nanaimohearing@viha.ca
– Island Health Clinic at #104 – 501 4th St. in Courtenay: 250-331-8526 or courtenayhearing@viha.ca
– Victoria Health Unit Hearing Clinic at 1947 Cook Street in Victoria: 250-388-2250 or Hearing_Clinic@viha.ca
– West Shore Health Unit Hearing Clinic at 345 Wale Road in Victoria: 250-519-3490 or Hearing_Clinic@viha.ca

3. You can also take your form to a private hearing clinic if you’ve received hearing aids or services from them, or if you live far away from Victoria, Nanaimo or Courtenay. Please know that private clinics may charge for their services.
4. IDHHC has confirmed that MIS will cover the interpreting costs for these hearing tests at Island Health Clinics only. When you contact the Island Health Clinic to make your appointment, please ask them to contact IDHHC to book an interpreter. (Leah at IDHHC at 250-592-8144 or email interpreting@idhhc.ca).
5. Bring your ID and Personal Health Number (care card) to your appointment.

Please note: if Income Assistance has purchased a hearing aid for you in past 36 months, you may not be eligible for this supplement, but if you have a permanent profound hearing loss in both ears, you can still apply. The final decision about who receives this supplement is made by MSDSI.

International Week of the Deaf – 2017

Announcement by World Federation of the Deaf (Video in ASL)