Hearing Awareness
That idea sits at the center of Sounds of America, a national campaign announced on September 23, 2026 by the Hearing Industries Association (HIA) with the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA). It runs for eight weeks and asks one question: what sounds define home?
California Hearing Center is not a partner in the campaign, and HIA and HLAA have not endorsed this page. We are sharing it because we spend our days with people who have noticed one of those sounds getting quieter, and we think the question is a good one to ask yourself this fall.
At a glance
- Sounds of America is an eight-week campaign from HIA and HLAA, announced on September 23, 2026.
- You can join by posting a short video on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #SoundsOfAmerica.
- If a sound you love seems quieter, a hearing test is the next step. Ours takes about an hour.
- You do not need to be a patient to take part.
What the Sounds of America campaign is
HIA, working with HLAA, launched the campaign on September 23, 2026. It runs for eight weeks. The organizers say they want hearing health to feel more personal, to raise awareness of hearing loss, and to reduce the stigma that can come with seeking treatment or wearing hearing aids. HIA Executive Director Bridget Dobyan said that the sounds we love are worth celebrating. The campaign page on hearing.org has a launch video, short personal videos, and links to a hearing screening and a find a professional tool.
How to join
You do not need anything special. The campaign page asks people to record a video of their own hometown sound and post it on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #SoundsOfAmerica. The organizers say they will share submitted videos with comments from hearing industry leaders during the campaign. The table below lays out the steps.
| Step | What to do | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Pick a sound | Think of a sound that says home. The campaign's own examples include fresh tracks in Colorado powder, waves in La Jolla and pages turning at the New York Public Library | hearing.org |
| 2. Record a video | Answer the question what sound reminds you of home in your own words | Your phone |
| 3. Post it | Share it with the hashtag #SoundsOfAmerica | Facebook or Instagram |
| 4. Check your hearing (optional) | The campaign page links to a simple hearing screening | hearing.org |
Six sounds of the Peninsula to get you started
These prompts are ours, not the campaign's. Use any that fit: the foghorn on a Pacifica morning, a Giants game on the radio in the kitchen, the farmers market on a Saturday, your grandchildren on FaceTime, wind in the redwoods above Woodside, or a quiet house after the kids leave for school. If one of your answers is a sound you no longer hear as clearly, hold on to that thought. It is worth a closer look.
Why a favorite sound is also a hearing question
The campaign links hearing to physical health, mental well-being and human connection, according to its launch announcement. That matches what we see in the clinic. Hearing change usually comes on slowly, so many people adjust without noticing, and a missing sound is often the first clue. Our guide to the signs of hearing loss lists what to watch for. Higher-pitched sounds are often among the first to fade, and we explain why in our page on high-frequency hearing loss. If background noise bothers you most, start with noisy rooms and distance. For families, untreated hearing loss and social isolation in seniors is a good read.
What a hearing test at California Hearing Center looks like
A hearing test visit takes about an hour. It includes the test and a conversation about the results. Bring your list of sounds and tell us which ones matter most. We do not pick a hearing aid brand before we know you. After the test, we look at your hearing, your daily life and your needs, and then work out which device serves you best. If hearing aids are the answer, you get a 45-day trial with no restocking fee. Read more about hearing aid fittings and the benefits of treating hearing loss. You can see us in San Mateo or San Carlos.
Protect the sounds you still have
Not every change is about age. Loud music, power tools and earbuds all add up. Our hearing protection services include custom options, including for musicians. For habits you can start today, see simple steps to protect and preserve your hearing. Technology is also changing where you can hear. See how Auracast went live in a U.S. theater.
Share your sound with us
Post your video with #SoundsOfAmerica, then tell us your answer in the comments on our Facebook post. Our sister practice, Audiology Associates of Westchester, is asking the same question in New York. You can find more articles on our blog.
Status and last update
Last updated October 9, 2026. What changed: this is the first version. The sources we read describe the campaign as lasting eight weeks from the September 23 launch and do not give an end date, so we state none. Sources: HIA and HLAA press release on PRWeb, Sounds of America campaign page on hearing.org, HearingTracker copy of the announcement and Hearing Health Matters coverage.
Medical information notice
We wrote this to inform, and it is not medical advice. If your hearing drops suddenly, call a doctor promptly instead of waiting. For anything else, a hearing test is the best next step.
Frequently asked questions
Questions patients ask us
What is Sounds of America?
It is an eight-week public awareness campaign from HIA and HLAA. It invites people to share the sounds that define home and to think about protecting their hearing.
When does it end?
The organizers describe it as eight weeks from the September 23, 2026 launch. The sources we read do not give an end date.
Do I need to be a patient to take part?
No. Anyone can post a video with #SoundsOfAmerica. You do not need to visit us.
Is a hearing screening the same as a hearing test?
No. A screening is a quick check. A hearing test measures your hearing in detail and ends with a conversation about what to do next. Our guide to different ways to test for hearing loss explains the difference.
What if a sound I love seems quieter?
Book a hearing test. If your hearing drops suddenly, call a doctor promptly instead of waiting.
Is California Hearing Center part of the campaign?
No. We are not a campaign partner, and HIA and HLAA have not endorsed this page.