​​WELCOME TO THE 7th MEETING OF OUR 40TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR!!!

ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEMS

Saturday October 10, 2026

RSVP by: Fri 5:00 PM PT October 9

Assistive Listening Systems enhance audience ability to hear in numerous venues from theaters to churches to transit stations.  Ann Thomas will outline the range of Assistive Listening Systems and venues in which they can help.  She will discuss how hearing aid and cochlear implant users can access these systems, and the benefits and drawbacks of different types of Assistive Listening Systems. She will also provide updated information on the status of  Auracast technology in venues and through hearing aid/CI technology, and how that will impact need for Looping and other ALS technologies in the future. 

​

Ann Thomas is a dedicated advocate for people with hearing loss and uses two cochlear implants. She is a member of the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), has served on the HLAA Get in the Hearing Loop Committee, is the HLAA Brand Ambassador, President of the HLAA-Diablo Valley Chapter, and the HLAA Northern California Chapter Coordinator. Ann is deeply involved in promoting awareness of hearing loss and access to hearing assistive technology. Her extensive contributions to HLAA and the hearing loss community have earned her numerous awards, including the prestigious Hamilton Relay 2014 Better Hearing & Speech Award for California. In addition to her advocacy work, Ann has authored several impactful documents on hearing loss, including The Americans with Disabilities Act, Know Your Rights, Ask for What You Need; the Get in the Hearing Loop Toolkit Handbook; and How to Successfully Advocate for Hearing Loops: A Step-by-Step Guide

​

​​SCHEDULE:

• 9:30   AM PT: Social and Refreshments

• 10:00 AM PT: Presentation (Webinar starts at 10 AM PT)

• 11:30 AM PT: Complimentary Pizza

 

​​​LOCATION:

Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center, 3600 Broadway, (or use North Entrance at 275 W MacArthur, closest to free Fabiola parking), Lower Level Conference Room LL-B, Oakland CA 94611

​

​​​

PARKING OPTIONS:

#1: (3-minute walk): Free parking is available across the street from the Kaiser Fabiola Building at the 3780 Howe St. Parking Garage. From here, walk half a block to the North Entrance of the Oakland Medical Center at 275 West MacArthur Blvd. Please see the link here for walking directions.

​

# 2 (1-minute walk, parking lot adjacent to the Oakland Medical Center where the meeting will be held): The first two hours are free at the Kaiser Oakland Medical Center, 3510 Broadway Parking Garage; each additional 30 minutes costs $1, with a maximum daily charge of $18 after five hours. See the link here for parking fees.

​

DIRECTIONS:

Once inside the Kaiser Oakland Medical Center, take any elevator to the Lower Level. Follow the signs to the Lower Level (LL) Conference Rooms. Our meeting will be held in Conference Room LL-B.​​