About Us
We are a chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), a non-profit organization. All HLAA state and chapter volunteer leaders have direct experience with hearing loss. We offer support, camaraderie, tips and techniques for living with hearing loss, and technical information about hearing assistive technology, all in a hearing-friendly place. The mission of HLAA is to provide information, education, support, and advocacy to people with hearing loss.
Meet Our 2024 Officers
Sara Oser, President and Co-Founder
Sara first noticed a hearing loss when she was in her 40s. Over the years she has worn different hearing aids and now has bilateral cochlear implants. She writes the newsletter for HLAANB and makes presentations about hearing loss, hearing improvement options, and advocacy to affinity groups throughout Marin. Sara taught English as a Second Language and coordinated the Intensive English Program for 20 years at the College of Marin. Sara has attended four national HLAA conventions, in Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, Rochester, New York, and Tampa. Sara is a native of Miami, Florida and holds a B.A. from Florida State University and an M.A. from University of Colorado at Boulder.
Tawna Cooley, Vice president and Co-Founder
Tawna was born with severe-to-profound hearing loss. She received hearing aids as a toddler, was raised oral deaf and mainstreamed in public schools. Tawna uses bilateral super power hearing aids and speechreading. She’s retired from a first career as an environmental planner, and a second in ministry and teaching world religions at a graduate theological school. Tawna facilitates the HOPE support group and is a guiding force in the chapter.
SaraH ROSE, Treasurer and co-founder
Sarah Rose, M.A. Rehabilitation Counseling, is our Chapter Treasurer. She lost her hearing in her 20’s, started wearing bilateral hearing aids when she was 28, got her first cochlear implant in 2010, and her second in 2017. This year she was reimplanted to replace the 2010 device. Sarah has completed her Master’s degree to become a Rehabilitation Counselor. She is the proud recipient of a hearing guide dog.