Washington Hearing Society upcoming events

Department of Health Public Listening Sessions (Wednesday, July 08, 2026)

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Department of Health Public Listening Sessions – Legislative Concepts for the 2027 Legislative Session

The Health Systems Quality Assurance (HSQA) Division at the Department of Health (department) invites you to participate in the upcoming online public listening sessions in July 2026 regarding legislative concepts HSQA is considering for the 2027 legislative session.

What are Legislative Concepts?

Each year, state agencies consider making requests to the governor’s office and legislature for statutory changes or budget consideration. As part of that effort, HSQA will host two online public listening sessions to share preliminary legislative concepts and gather feedback from interested parties. Department staff will provide an overview of our concepts, gather your feedback, and provide some high-level next steps. Please note, these are preliminary conversations, and concepts may change or the department may choose not to move forward with a concept. HSQA wants to be transparent about what we are considering, but also needs to be clear that discussing a topic does not guarantee any specific action.

What Legislative Concepts are HSQA presenting to the public?

HSQA is presenting the following four legislative concepts for the 2027 legislative Session:

1) Adverse Events

Problem Statement

The Adverse Events (AE) program at the department was established in 2006, but was never fully funded. The intent of the AE program was to implement a system to facilitate quality improvement in the health care system, improve patient safety, assist the public in making informed care choices, and decrease medical errors. A recent review by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) concluded that the department did not review or analyze AE reports, limiting its ability to fully support legislative intent. With no funding to support basic program operations, AE report review, or analysis, the department is unable to operationalize the AE program and build the infrastructure to support this crucial work in improving patient safety.

Concept

The department is considering a request to provide the necessary resources to support program operations, streamlining, and legislative intent. Current considerations include statutory change to update the AE statute and incorporate the JLARC recommendations and exploring funding options to sustain the program.

2) Hospital Financial Data Reporting

Problem Statement

Hospitals send financial data to the department’s Hospital Charity Care and Financial Reporting Program in eight reports. The work on three of these reports is funded through the charity care assessment. The department used to receive a small amount of GF-S to support data collection requirements outside of charity care reporting, however in the 2026 session the legislature eliminated the GF-S resources used for processing these five hospital financial reports. Currently, the department has discontinued processing these reports due to lack of resources though hospitals are still obligated by law to submit those reports.

Furthermore, in its July 2025 Oversight of Hospital Data Reporting, Inspections, and Complaints Final Report, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) recommended the department adopt best practices for data analysis and public accessibility for hospital financial reports, such as interactive datasets on public dashboards. This would ensure that people can easily find content and the information is relevant, user-friendly, and easily comparable. In addition, Section 225(36) of the 2026 supplemental operating budget directed the department to take action on the recommendations made by JLARC.

Concept

The department is exploring funding options to fulfill the department’s hospital financial data work for all eight reports as required by statute and recommended by JLARC.

3) Health Profession Credentialing Staffing

Problem Statement

The Office of Health Professions (OHP) has had an increase in the number of regulated professions without a corresponding increase in permanent positions to staff these professions. This has led to increases in credentialing timelines due to insufficient permanent staffing numbers to process applications in a timely manner. Work to address and improve credentialing timelines began in FY 2024 through a supplemental budget proviso that provided additional temporary credentialing positions. With these additional positions, the department focused on professions with significant backlogs and reduced credentialing timelines.

Without additional spending authority to maintain these credentialing positions, OHP will lose 26 positions and be unable to maintain the current progress in reducing health profession credentialing timelines.

Concept

The department is considering requesting increased spending authority from the health professions account (O2G) to convert 26 temporary credentialing positions to permanent credentialing positions to maintain and continue improvements the department is making to credentialing processing timelines.

4) Certified Peer Support Specialist Fee Cap

Problem Statement

In 2023, 2SSB 5555 capped Certified Peer Support Specialists (CPSS) fees at $100 until 2030. Currently, this fee cap does not cover the costs of regulating this profession. State law (RCW 43.70.250) requires that all health professions must be self-sustained through fees.

Concept

The department is considering requesting statutory changes to remove the fee cap for this profession.

Online Public Listening Sessions

HSQA will host two online public meetings on July 8th, and July 9^th. During these meetings, HSQA will present the proposals to the public and gather verbal and written feedback.

Note: We are hosting two online public listening sessions, but we are presenting four preliminary legislative concepts. You are welcome to participate in one or both of these listening sessions. However, please note that each session uses a different link and requires separate registration. The information and materials shared by the department will vary for each session depending on the topic of that specific listening session.

Dates for the Online Public Listening Sessions

1) Adverse Events and Hospital Financial Data Reporting:

Wednesday, July 8, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

2) Health Profession Credentialing Staffing and Certified Peer Support Specialist Fee Cap:

Thursday, July 9, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Language Access and Accommodations

Spanish interpretation, American Sign Language (ASL), and live captioning (CART) will be available during the public listening session meetings. If you need an accommodation or additional language services, please contact us as soon as possible. We will make every effort to fulfill requests, though timelines may limit availability.

Submitting Written Comments

Written comments may be submitted by July 30, 2026, to Cori.Tarzwell@DOH.WA.GOV

FHS Convention (Thursday, July 16, 2026)

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Florida Hearing Society

About the event

Thursday welcome reception at 6pm
Friday registration at 7am and classes will start around 8am.
Saturday registration at 7am and classes start around 8am.

WA DOH (Friday, July 24, 2026)

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT

WA DOH BOARD MEETING

The Board of Hearing and Speech (board) next normal business meeting is Friday, July 24th, 2026, starting at 9 am PST. The board and the Department of Health encourage interest parties and the public to participate. Written comments should be emailed to KimBoi.Shadduck@doh.wa.gov.

You can attend in person or virtually. If you would like to attend please contact Kim-Boi Shadduck, Program Manager Board of Hearing and Speech to receive the virtual links at KimBoi.Shadduck@doh.wa.gov.

Department of Health
Town Center 2, Room 166
111 Israel Rd SE, Tumwater, WA 98501

2026 WHS Summer Meeting (Thursday, July 30, 2026)

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 01:00:00 GMT

2026 WHS Summer Meeting

Where: Oxford Suites Yakima, WA
1701 E Yakima Ave, Yakima WA 98901

Come join us for a weekend in the sun! We will start with our exhibit hall and welcome reception on Thursday July 30th at 6pm. Continuing education classes will be held all day Friday. And then a short day of classes on Saturday August 1st. Of course we are doing our silent and live auction Friday evening! We're adding a new element to the live auction. Some items will be white elephant style so you will be bidding blindly. Family members are welcome to join. The hotel is kid friendly, there's a pool, and pets are welcome with a pet fee.

Agenda will be posted once speakers are confirmed!
Voting Members we will have some items to vote on. Please attend the WHS Business meeting so we can move forward with some of these business items.
If you are unable to attend fill out your PROXY forms and send them to our Secretary, Brianne Holley!

Hotel rooms at the discounted pricing and available for booking from June 1st until July 12th. Reserve your room!

Summer Meeting Agenda:

* Agenda might change as classes and speakers get comfirmed.

Thursday

6pm-8pm: Welcome Reception and Exhibit Hall

Friday

9am-11:30am: Manufacturer Workshop

11:30am-12:30pm: Lunch

12:30pm-1:30pm: Health Equity

1:45pm-3:15pm: WHS Business Meeting

3:30pm-4:15pm: Intro to Tinnitus Counselling

Saturday

9:00am-10:00am: Nurturing Patient Expectations

10:15am-11:15am: Cochlear Implant and BAHA, How to talk about it!

11:30am-12:30pm: WHS Member Engagement Discussion Session

2026 WHS Summer Meeting (Friday, July 31, 2026)

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:00:00 GMT

2026 WHS Summer Meeting

Where: Oxford Suites Yakima, WA
1701 E Yakima Ave, Yakima WA 98901

Agenda will be posted once speakers are confirmed!
Voting Members we will have some items to vote on. Please attend the WHS Business meeting so we can move forward with some of these business items.
If you are unable to attend fill out your PROXY forms and send them to our Secretary, Brianne Holley!

Hotel rooms at the discounted pricing and available for booking from June 1st until July 12th. Reserve your room!

Summer Meeting Agenda:

* Agenda might change as classes and speakers get comfirmed.

Thursday

6pm-8pm: Welcome Reception and Exhibit Hall

Friday

9am-11:30am: Manufacturer Workshop

11:30am-12:30pm: Lunch

12:30pm-1:30pm: Health Equity

1:45pm-3:15pm: WHS Business Meeting

3:30pm-4:15pm: Intro to Tinnitus Counselling

Saturday

9:00am-10:00am: Nurturing Patient Expectations

10:15am-11:15am: Cochlear Implant and BAHA, How to talk about it!

11:30am-12:30pm: WHS Member Engagement Discussion Session

2026 WHS Summer Meeting (Friday, July 31, 2026)

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 01:00:00 GMT

2026 WHS Summer Meeting

Where: Oxford Suites Yakima, WA
1701 E Yakima Ave, Yakima WA 98901

Agenda will be posted once speakers are confirmed!
Voting Members we will have some items to vote on. Please attend the WHS Business meeting so we can move forward with some of these business items.
If you are unable to attend fill out your PROXY forms and send them to our Secretary, Brianne Holley!

Hotel rooms at the discounted pricing and available for booking from June 1st until July 12th. Reserve your room!

Summer Meeting Agenda:

* Agenda might change as classes and speakers get comfirmed.

Thursday

6pm-8pm: Welcome Reception and Exhibit Hall

Friday

9am-11:30am: Manufacturer Workshop

11:30am-12:30pm: Lunch

12:30pm-1:30pm: Health Equity

1:45pm-3:15pm: WHS Business Meeting

3:30pm-4:15pm: Intro to Tinnitus Counselling

Saturday

9:00am-10:00am: Nurturing Patient Expectations

10:15am-11:15am: Cochlear Implant and BAHA, How to talk about it!

11:30am-12:30pm: WHS Member Engagement Discussion Session

Summer Meeting Auction Donation (Friday, July 31, 2026)

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 01:00:00 GMT

Summer Meeting Auction 2026

WHS is holding its annual Summer Meeting Auction 2026 the evening of Friday July 31st. Dinner and drinks will be provided. Attendees and guests are welcome to attend.

If you are interested in donating items please fill out the registration form. This allows us to keep track of itmes and promote them easily. Attendence for the auction itself is included upon registration for the Summer Meeting, THIS EVENT IS ONLY FOR DONATING ITEMS.

Thank you for your continued support! Looking forward to seeing you all at the Summer Meeting!

2026 WHS Summer Meeting (Saturday, August 01, 2026)

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 16:00:00 GMT

2026 WHS Summer Meeting

Where: Oxford Suites Yakima, WA
1701 E Yakima Ave, Yakima WA 98901

Agenda will be posted once speakers are confirmed!
Voting Members we will have some items to vote on. Please attend the WHS Business meeting so we can move forward with some of these business items.
If you are unable to attend fill out your PROXY forms and send them to our Secretary, Brianne Holley!

Hotel rooms at the discounted pricing and available for booking from June 1st until July 12th. Reserve your room!

Summer Meeting Agenda:

* Agenda might change as classes and speakers get comfirmed.

Thursday

6pm-8pm: Welcome Reception and Exhibit Hall

Friday

9am-11:30am: Manufacturer Workshop

11:30am-12:30pm: Lunch

12:30pm-1:30pm: Health Equity

1:45pm-3:15pm: WHS Business Meeting

3:30pm-4:15pm: Intro to Tinnitus Counselling

Saturday

9:00am-10:00am: Nurturing Patient Expectations

10:15am-11:15am: Cochlear Implant and BAHA, How to talk about it!

11:30am-12:30pm: WHS Member Engagement Discussion Session

HLAA Hope (Wednesday, August 05, 2026)

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Hearing Loss Association of America

(Washinginton State Association)
Hearing Other People's Experiences (HOPE)

Peer support is a powerful tool to manage your hearing loss.

A source of HOPE: Talking with — or just listening to — other people with hearing loss or tinnitus is a powerful step toward living well with diminished hearing. That’s why we created our online HOPE support group.

Hearing loss peers can be an incredible source of validation, support, and knowledge. Who else can understand the exhaustion of listening all day? Who else has experienced the communication terrors of work meetings and dinner parties? As people living with hearing loss, we share the strategies we use ourselves to make hearing easier. We laugh with each other at mis-hearings and cry together when someone has had a particularly bad hearing day. But best of all, we no longer feel alone with our hearing loss. Please join us — you’ll be glad you did!

More Information

Our HOPE meetings take place on the first Wednesday of every month at 4:00 – 5:15 pm PST. Meetings are on Zoom, always free, captioned, and open to all, including friends and family.

IHS 2026 Conference & Expo (Wednesday, August 12, 2026)

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 07:00:00 GMT

IHS 2026 Conference & Expo

The IHS 2026 Conference and Expo – taking place at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virgina.

REGISTRATION OPENS SPRING 2026

If you are interested in attending please follow the link to IHS and complete their registration forms.

https://www.ihsinfo.org/conference

Rocky Mountain Hearing Symposium (Thursday, August 13, 2026)

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Colorado Hearing Society

- Rocky Mountain Hearing Symposium

The Rocky Mountain Hearing Symposium will be held at the Highline (a Doubletree Hotel by Hilton} in Vail, Colorado.

Our Symposium begins on Thursday evening, August 13, at our 7 p.m. reception. Light snacks and drinks will be served, this is not dinner.

This is a great chance to relax, see your colleagues, and meet new friends!

During this time the Exhibitors and Vendors will be setting up, and the exhibit area will not be open until Friday.

This year we will have a live auction, with items donated by the manufacturers and other attendees.

International Conference Management of the Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Patient (Thursday, August 13, 2026)

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Iowa Department of Otolaryngology is Hosting its International Conference

Management of the Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Patient

Courses are available in-person and virtually. The course will be TENTATIVELY held in the Oto Clinic Alumni Conference room at the university hospital campus, 200 Hawkins Dr. Iowa City, IA.

This is the 33rd Annual International Conference on the MANANGEMENT OF THE TINNITUS AND HYPERACUSIS PATIENT. Invited presenters are from around the world, and focus on understanding the mechanisms, and understanding the problems of hearing, sleep, concentration, and thoughts/emotions. Updates on in-person and remote counseling are reviewed from different perspectives. Companies explain and demonstrate their latest approaches for wearables. New approaches and research needs are discussed.

The conference is important because it brings together researchers, clinicians and people suffering. They each learn from the others perspective. Researchers better understand the needs. Clinicians are exposed to other novel helping approaches. People suffering learn about others experiencing similar issues and view the variety of approaches and how different clinicians and researchers with different backgrounds interact in an attempt to move the field forward.

More Info

Registration

HLAA Hope (Wednesday, September 02, 2026)

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Hearing Loss Association of America

(Washinginton State Association)
Hearing Other People's Experiences (HOPE)

Peer support is a powerful tool to manage your hearing loss.

More Information

Our HOPE meetings take place on the first Wednesday of every month at 4:00 – 5:15 pm PST. Meetings are on Zoom, always free, captioned, and open to all, including friends and family.

HLAA Hope (Wednesday, October 07, 2026)

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Hearing Loss Association of America

(Washinginton State Association)
Hearing Other People's Experiences (HOPE)

Peer support is a powerful tool to manage your hearing loss.

More Information

Our HOPE meetings take place on the first Wednesday of every month at 4:00 – 5:15 pm PST. Meetings are on Zoom, always free, captioned, and open to all, including friends and family.

HLAA Hope (Wednesday, November 04, 2026)

Thu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Hearing Loss Association of America

(Washinginton State Association)
Hearing Other People's Experiences (HOPE)

Peer support is a powerful tool to manage your hearing loss.

More Information

Our HOPE meetings take place on the first Wednesday of every month at 4:00 – 5:15 pm PST. Meetings are on Zoom, always free, captioned, and open to all, including friends and family.

ASHA Convention (Thursday, November 19, 2026)

Thu, 19 Nov 2026 08:00:00 GMT

ASHA Convention

The annual ASHA Convention is the premier professional development and networking event for speech-language pathologists; audiologists; speech, language, and hearing scientists; assistants; and students. It offers a robust in-person education program with supplemental virtual content. The 2026 ASHA Convention will be held November 19–21 at the Indiana Convention Center, 100 South Capitol Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana 46225.

More Information

HLAA Hope (Wednesday, December 02, 2026)

Thu, 03 Dec 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Hearing Loss Association of America

(Washinginton State Association)
Hearing Other People's Experiences (HOPE)

Peer support is a powerful tool to manage your hearing loss.

More Information

Our HOPE meetings take place on the first Wednesday of every month at 4:00 – 5:15 pm PST. Meetings are on Zoom, always free, captioned, and open to all, including friends and family.

AAA Annual Convention (Wednesday, April 07, 2027)

Wed, 07 Apr 2027 07:00:00 GMT

Washington Hearing Society upcoming events

Department of Health Public Listening Sessions (Wednesday, July 08, 2026)

Department of Health Public Listening Sessions – Legislative Concepts for the 2027 Legislative Session

What are Legislative Concepts?

What Legislative Concepts are HSQA presenting to the public?

1) Adverse Events

2) Hospital Financial Data Reporting

3) Health Profession Credentialing Staffing

4) Certified Peer Support Specialist Fee Cap

Online Public Listening Sessions

Dates for the Online Public Listening Sessions

Language Access and Accommodations

Submitting Written Comments

FHS Convention (Thursday, July 16, 2026)

Florida Hearing Society

WA DOH (Friday, July 24, 2026)

WA DOH BOARD MEETING

2026 WHS Summer Meeting (Thursday, July 30, 2026)

2026 WHS Summer Meeting

Where: Oxford Suites Yakima, WA1701 E Yakima Ave, Yakima WA 98901

2026 WHS Summer Meeting (Friday, July 31, 2026)

2026 WHS Summer Meeting

Where: Oxford Suites Yakima, WA1701 E Yakima Ave, Yakima WA 98901

2026 WHS Summer Meeting (Friday, July 31, 2026)

2026 WHS Summer Meeting

Where: Oxford Suites Yakima, WA1701 E Yakima Ave, Yakima WA 98901

Summer Meeting Auction Donation (Friday, July 31, 2026)

Summer Meeting Auction 2026

WHS is holding its annual Summer Meeting Auction 2026 the evening of Friday July 31st. Dinner and drinks will be provided. Attendees and guests are welcome to attend.

2026 WHS Summer Meeting (Saturday, August 01, 2026)

2026 WHS Summer Meeting

Where: Oxford Suites Yakima, WA1701 E Yakima Ave, Yakima WA 98901

HLAA Hope (Wednesday, August 05, 2026)

Hearing Loss Association of America

(Washinginton State Association)Hearing Other People's Experiences (HOPE)

IHS 2026 Conference & Expo (Wednesday, August 12, 2026)

IHS 2026 Conference & Expo

The IHS 2026 Conference and Expo – taking place at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virgina.

https://www.ihsinfo.org/conference

Rocky Mountain Hearing Symposium (Thursday, August 13, 2026)

Colorado Hearing Society

- Rocky Mountain Hearing Symposium

International Conference Management of the Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Patient (Thursday, August 13, 2026)

Iowa Department of Otolaryngology is Hosting its International Conference

Management of the Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Patient

HLAA Hope (Wednesday, September 02, 2026)

Hearing Loss Association of America

(Washinginton State Association)Hearing Other People's Experiences (HOPE)

HLAA Hope (Wednesday, October 07, 2026)

Hearing Loss Association of America

(Washinginton State Association)Hearing Other People's Experiences (HOPE)

HLAA Hope (Wednesday, November 04, 2026)

Hearing Loss Association of America

(Washinginton State Association)Hearing Other People's Experiences (HOPE)

ASHA Convention (Thursday, November 19, 2026)

ASHA Convention

HLAA Hope (Wednesday, December 02, 2026)

Hearing Loss Association of America

(Washinginton State Association)Hearing Other People's Experiences (HOPE)

AAA Annual Convention (Wednesday, April 07, 2027)

Where: Oxford Suites Yakima, WA
1701 E Yakima Ave, Yakima WA 98901

Where: Oxford Suites Yakima, WA
1701 E Yakima Ave, Yakima WA 98901

Where: Oxford Suites Yakima, WA
1701 E Yakima Ave, Yakima WA 98901

Where: Oxford Suites Yakima, WA
1701 E Yakima Ave, Yakima WA 98901

(Washinginton State Association)
Hearing Other People's Experiences (HOPE)

(Washinginton State Association)
Hearing Other People's Experiences (HOPE)

(Washinginton State Association)
Hearing Other People's Experiences (HOPE)

(Washinginton State Association)
Hearing Other People's Experiences (HOPE)

(Washinginton State Association)
Hearing Other People's Experiences (HOPE)