If you or someone you love has moderate to severe hearing loss, it is possible that you have become more isolated than before. It is estimated that 3 million of the nation’s deaf and hearing impaired community is in California.

The pandemic further exacerbated the symptoms and awareness of hearing loss, for when people wear masks, their mouths are covered, lip reading is prevented, and the sounds are muffled. Even as the masking becomes less common, the remnants of isolation and difficulty with verbal communication has taken its toll. Hearing loss doesn’t have to mean being alone. We’ve put together a list of California organizations that gather and support those with challenges of hearing and in some cases, vision as well.

• Hearing Loss Association of America, California State Association (HLAA-CA)

  The HLAA-CA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to education, support and advocacy for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Chapters meet monthly or more for social and educational events. In Northern California, there are chapters in Walnut Creek, Oakland, Napa, Redwood City, San Francisco, and San Jose.

• Deaf Community Counseling Services (DCCS)

  Previously known as the UCSF Centre on Deafness, the DCCS is dedicated to empowering the deaf and hard of hearing individuals to live self-sufficient lives. DCCS provides mental health services and support for people of all ages who have hearing loss, deafness, deaf-blind, and their families. The counseling services address depression, anxiety, adjustment reactions, stress, family problems and other issues. The offices are in Berkeley, San Francisco and San Leandro.

• Deaf Counseling Advocacy and Referral Agency (DCARA)

  The DCARA is a nonprofit organization supported by the California Department of Social Services. Its goal is to provide communication access assistance, career services, referral services, and more.

• Orange County Deaf Equal Access Foundation (OC DEAF)

  The Orange County Deaf Equal Access Foundation is a nonprofit organization that works to support people who are deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf blind.

• OC/LA American Sign Language Practice and Social on Meetup

  The OC/LA American Sign Language group is based in Long Beach. It is a group with nearly 700 members who meet to chat and practice ASL. If you are fluent, you are welcome to attend and share. If you are learning, this is a great way to get more proficient. The group has online and in-person events.

• The Sign and Dine Meet-up Group

  The Sign and Dine Meet-up Group meets online to bridge the gap between the deaf and hearing cultures. Their intention is to help people practice ASL in a social environment.

If you are new to experiencing hearing loss, or became aware of your hearing loss recently, you may not be aware of all of the organizations and resources available. AbilityCentral.org/services provides a listing of more than 3,300 California-based services available to you if you or a loved one is experiencing hearing or vision loss. You don’t have to go through this alone!