“Sorry, could you say that again?”
We’ve said it too. And we know what helps
Hearing loss comes in stages. You won't walk it alone.
There's a next step at every stage. Pick where you are now, and we'll take it from there.
Every stage has its own page, written by people who have been through it.
Noticing
“I can't hear you.”
Finding Out
“So the test says I have hearing loss.”
Choosing
“What actually helps, and what will it cost?”
Living with it
“I just want to keep up at work.”
Giving back
“How do I help someone else?”
Who we are.
The Canadian Hard of Hearing Association - National Capital Region (CHHA-NCR Branch) is the local Ottawa Branch dedicated to providing information, guidance, and support for individuals living with hearing loss. Our volunteers offer insight into communication strategies, assistive technologies, and community resources that can help you navigate hearing loss with confidence.
If you would like to connect with someone from our Branch, please email contact@chhancr.ca. A member of our team will respond as soon as possible.
Real help, from people who get it.
Everything here is run by people who are hard of hearing and deafened themselves. Three ways we show up across Ottawa and the National Capital Region.
Gatherings and peer support
Quarterly get-togethers, in person and online, where you can talk with people who know exactly what a hard day sounds like. Free, captioned, and open to anyone.
Live-captioned workshops
Practical sessions on hearing loss, communication strategies, and the technology that helps. Our FICS workshops for seniors are live captioned, every time.
Speaking up for access
We push for captions, hearing loops, and accessible services across the region, from hospital committees to the grocery store.
The people who make this possible.
These are the organizations standing behind the Branch. We name them in full, and we don't list anyone who isn't.
Funders
The FICS project is funded by the Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors Program, delivered with CHHA National and nine Ottawa partner organizations. Donations reach the Branch through CanadaHelps and the United Way.
Want to stand behind this work too?
Membership is free. Join us.
Membership in the CHHA-NCR Branch is free and open to anyone living with hearing loss, or supporting someone who is. You will be among people who understand it from the inside.
What members get
- Updates on local events, new technologies, workshops, and advocacy initiatives
- Take part in Branch activities
- Serve on the Board of Directors
How to join
Send us your name and contact details and we will do the rest. A real person reads every message.
Prefer to join at the national level? National membership includes automatic membership in the CHHA-NCR Branch. Fees range from $30 a year to $350 for life.
Any and every donation is appreciated.
Every gift stays in the National Capital Region. CHHA-NCR Branch is led by people who are hard of hearing and deafened, and powered by donors like you: your gift turns straight into captions, advocacy, and community here at home. All donations are tax deductible, and CanadaHelps issues your receipt right away.
Rather give time than money? Volunteer with us
The latest from the Branch.
The Cochlear Implant Program of The Ottawa Hospital would like to inform you that Christine McIlquham will be retiring on August 31, 2026.
The Branch is marking a new chapter in 2026 with a refreshed brand, an updated Facebook page, a new Instagram presence, and this new website.
The reports from the 2026 Annual General Meeting are now online for members to read.
Sound Ideas, straight to your inbox.
Plain-language news, invitations to what's on, and one useful tip a month. Written by people who are hard of hearing, for people who are. No spam, unsubscribe any time.