NEWS & EVENTS

Sound of Connection.

Updates, upcoming events, and reflections
on the impact we’re making together.

Hear 4 Hope PSA: You Don’t Have to Face Hearing Loss Alone

Hearing loss can affect more than how we hear — it can change how we connect. From asking someone to repeat themselves to avoiding restaurants or family gatherings, hearing loss can gradually leave people feeling isolated and disconnected.

Our new Hear 4 Hope public service announcement, featuring members of our own community, shares a simple but important message: you don’t have to face hearing loss alone.

At Hear 4 Hope, we provide support, resources, education and community for individuals and families navigating hearing loss. Because no one should feel alone.

A heartfelt mahalo to Olelo Community Media for producing this PSA and helping us bring this message to life. We’re grateful for their commitment to giving community organizations a platform to share their stories and raise awareness about issues that matter.

Hawaii’s State Plan on Hearing Loss: A Giant Step Forward

This year marked a historic milestone for hearing health in Hawaii with the passage of HB 1974, legislation directing the development of Hawaii's first State Plan on Hearing Loss. This statewide effort will create a roadmap to improve awareness, access to care, workforce capacity, affordability, and long-term outcomes for people with hearing loss.

Led by the Hawaii State Health Planning and Development Agency (SHPDA), the planning process will bring together healthcare providers, educators, government agencies, community organizations, and individuals with lived experience to identify priorities and recommend solutions.

The planning process is now underway, with a draft plan expected later this year. From there, the focus shifts to turning those recommendations into meaningful action.

Mahalo to everyone who submitted testimony, shared their stories, and helped make this historic achievement possible. This is only the beginning, and we're excited for what's ahead.

New Statewide Research Reveals
the Hidden Impact of Hearing Challenges in Hawaii

One of the biggest barriers to improving hearing health in Hawaii has been the lack of local data. Thanks to the extraordinary gift from Caroline Witherspoon, Hear 4 Hope now has access to valuable statewide research conducted by Anthology FINN Partners that provides one of the clearest pictures yet of hearing challenges across Hawaii.

These findings confirm what many of us have long known: hearing challenges are common, but too many people delay seeking help because they don't recognize the impact hearing loss has on their health, relationships, and quality of life.

The timing of this research couldn't be better. As Hawaii begins developing its first State Plan on Hearing Loss, these findings will help identify priorities, shape outreach and education efforts, and guide future initiatives across our state.

The research found that:

  • 56% of Hawaii households reported that someone experiences hearing-related communication challenges on most days.

  • 61% of those households have never discussed these challenges with a healthcare provider.

  • 54% said they had not sought help because they believed their hearing challenges had little impact on daily life.

  • 39% still believe hearing loss is simply a natural part of aging that cannot be prevented.

Sounds of Hope: Restoring Hearing. Building Hope.

Hear 4 Hope is building Sounds of Hope, an initiative that will refurbish donated hearing aids and provide them to qualifying individuals who otherwise could not afford them.

Beyond restoring hearing, the program is creating opportunity through a partnership with Aiea High School's Health Academy to help inspire the next generation of hearing healthcare professionals.

If you'd like to donate hearing aids, make a financial gift, or learn more about receiving assistance as the program develops, we'd love to hear from you.

Hawaii’s Voice Joins the National Conversation

Hear 4 Hope is proud to share that Founder & CEO Tori Carapelho has been elected to the National Board of Directors of the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), the nation's leading organization dedicated to supporting people with hearing loss.

This appointment creates new opportunities for Hear 4 Hope to strengthen partnerships, share ideas, and bring valuable resources back to Hawaii as we continue working to improve hearing health across our state. It also provides a platform to share Hawaii's experiences and help shape national conversations around hearing loss and accessibility.

This milestone reflects the incredible support of our volunteers, partners, donors, and community members. Together, we're building a stronger future for people with hearing loss—both here in Hawaii and across the country.

Hear 4 Hope Celebrates 1st Anniversary.

In April, Hear 4 Hope proudly celebrated one year of amplifying awareness and building community around hearing loss. What started as a personal mission has grown into a statewide initiative focused on fostering meaningful support, dismantling stigma, and pushing for more inclusive systems.

Working closely with Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) to represent Hawaii's hearing loss community, Hear 4 Hope is working to elevate local voices and champion the need for better access, education, and equity in hearing health — especially for those who have been historically underserved.

In just one year, Hear 4 Hope has:

  • Established the HOPE Support Group, offering a safe and welcoming space for individuals to connect, share personal experiences, and build resilience together.

  • Sparked community conversations around the broader impacts of hearing loss, including social isolation, cognitive decline, and the barriers created by communication inequities.

  • Advocated for earlier, more meaningful intervention, and systems that center empathy, dignity, and culturally responsive care.

As the organization looks ahead, Hear 4 Hope plans to deepen partnerships across the public health and nonprofit sectors, strengthen its educational outreach, and continue uplifting the voices of those living with hearing loss across the islands.

Slideshow Reel from Hear 4 Hope’s 1st Anniversary Party
Sunset Sail aboard Pink Sails Waikiki
Saturday, April 26, 2025

Mahalo to Pink Sails Waikiki for helping to
make our anniversary celebration so special.