Hearing Loss Resources in St. Louis

Just shy of 90,000 people in St. Louis are navigating the muddled waters of hearing loss, but that doesn't mean facing a wall of isolation. The city is home to a variety of resources that help clear the auditory fog, making it easier to connect with others and enjoy the vibrant community vibes.

Here's your guide to the hearing loss resources in St. Louis ready to lend a hand (or an ear!) in cutting through the confusion.

HLAA-Greater St. Louis Chapter

The HLAA-Greater St. Louis Chapter is a part of a nationwide network striving to improve the lives of people with hearing loss. This local chapter is a vibrant hub where individuals can find camaraderie, education, and advocacy.

• Meetups: Second Saturday of each month at 1:00 pm (except January and August).
• Location: DEAF, Inc., 25 E. Frisco Avenue, Webster Groves, MO.
• Activities: Discussions, panels, and talks on hearing aids, cochlear implants, captioning, and more!

St. Louis Tinnitus Support Group

The St. Louis Tinnitus Support Group is a sanctuary for individuals tormented by the unending hum of tinnitus. It’s a space where people can share their struggles, discover coping strategies, and realize they’re not alone in this ringing reality.

• Benefits: Share experiences, find coping strategies, and connect with others who get the ringing reality of tinnitus.
• Contact: Tim Busche at 636–734–4936.

Deaf Empowerment Awareness Foundation, Inc. (DEAF Inc.)

DEAF Inc. is committed to nurturing a supportive environment where Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, and Hearing communities can interact and understand one another. Through community outreach, legal advocacy, and education, DEAF Inc. is stitching a tighter community fabric.

• Focus: Bridging communication gaps between different hearing communities.
• Programs: Workshops, legal advocacy, community outreach, and more.

Sophie's Tales

Sophie’s Tales is a St.Louis-based publishing company where children with hearing loss can find characters that resonate with their experiences. Through engaging literature, Sophie’s Tales nurtures self-advocacy, listening, and language skills in young readers.

• What’s Special: Children’s literature featuring characters with hearing loss.
• Products: Books and magazines promoting self-advocacy, listening, and language skills.

Captioned Telephone (CapTel) Service: 

CapTel service bridges the gap between hearing and understanding during phone calls, especially designed for individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Dialing is as straightforward as on a standard phone. The magic begins when the CapTel phone auto-connects to a captioning service, bringing you real-time captions.

Missouri residents can score a CapTel 840 phone at zero cost through the Missouri Telecommunications Access Program (TAP). 

Reach out to:

Stacy Brady

Missouri Assistive Technology- Telephone, 1501 NW Jefferson, Blue Springs, MO 64015

Email: sbrady@mo-at.org

Direct Line: 816-655-6700 | TTY: 816-655-6711 | Fax: 816-655-6710

Website

Looped Venues (Info courtesy of HLAA)

Looped venues in St. Louis are a step towards a more inclusive cityscape. These spots are equipped with technologies that make sound more accessible to individuals with hearing loss.

Here's a roundup of venues in the Greater St. Louis metro area known for their hearing looping or captioning facilities:

Theaters 

• The Fabulous Fox Theater: Offers assistive listening systems, captioning devices, and ASL interpreted performances.
• The MUNY: Equipped with assistive listening systems, audio description devices for the visually impaired, and ASL interpreted performances.
• Repertory Theatre (Webster University’s campus): Features captioned performances every second Sunday of each show along with assistive listening systems. Note: No looping here.
• The Mustard Theater (Fontbonne University’s campus): Provides assistive listening systems for an improved auditory experience.
• Marcus Cinemas: Outfitted with assistive listening systems and Caption view systems for easy viewing.
• The Landmark Theaters at Plaza Frontenac: Comes with assistive listening systems and Caption view for a seamless movie experience.
• Regal Cinema – Gravois Bluff: Similar to above with the addition of captioned movies on Sunday afternoons.

Places of Worship

• St. Patrick Parish – Wentzville, MO
• Our Savior Lutheran – St. Charles, MO
• Our Lady of the Providence – St. Louis, MO
• The Church of St. Michael & St. George – 6345 Wydown Blvd., St. Louis, MO
• A Lutheran church in O’Fallon, MO
• Union Avenue Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) – 733 Union Boulevard, St. Louis, MO

St. Louis is not just the Gateway to the West, but also a gateway to a realm of resources for those with hearing loss. Each of these spots is a haven where individuals can find support, understanding, and a community ready to listen, even when hearing is hard.