A Perfect 10! 2007 Oticon Focus on People Awards Celebrates a Decade of Honoring People Who Defy Stigma of Hearing Loss

Boston, MA September 15 - Since its inception, the Oticon Focus on People Awards has honored outstanding people with hearing loss who prove that hearing loss does not limit a person's ability to live a full, productive and even, inspiring life. In 2007, the national awards competition, sponsored by Oticon, Inc., one of the world's oldest and most respected hearing aid manufacturers, celebrates a decade of honoring people who defy the stigma of hearing loss. This year, 15 new honorees bring to 150 the number of individuals honored by the program for their accomplishments and contributions.

The 2007 first place winners include: J. Anne Greenwald of Bend, OR; Michael Goldbeck of Edmond, OK; and Ronnie Adler of Chesterbrook, PA. Practitioners C. Rex Scott, MS, CCC-A, FAAA of Audiology Associates of Salt Lake City, UT and Jodi Creighton, MS, CCC-A, Cert. AVT of Cincinnati Children's Hospital were also honored at the awards ceremony for their contributions to improving the world of hearing impaired people.

The Oticon Focus on People Awards program is designed to focus attention on common misconceptions about hearing loss, correct negative stereotypes and motivate people with hearing loss to take advantage of the help that is available to them.


2007 Oticon Focus on People Award winners were honored for their contributions and achievements at an awards luncheon held during the Oticon Human Link Conference in Boston. Shown (l-r): Rex Scott, MS, CCC-A, FAAA, first place winner in the Practitioner category; Jodi Creighton, MS, CCC-A, Cert. AVT, first place winner in the Pediatric Practitioner category; Anne Greenwald, RN, first place winner in the Adult category; Ronnie Alder, first place winner in the Advocacy category; Peer Lauritsen, president of Oticon, Inc.and (front center) Michael Goldbeck, first place winner in the Student category.

"We are gratified that for 10 years, practitioners, educators, families and friends have nominated outstanding people with hearing loss and dedicated professionals for the Focus on People Awards," stated Oticon President Peer Lauritsen. "Each year, hundreds of nominations representing people from all walks of life are reviewed by our judging panel. Each has a unique story and has made a unique contribution to changing negative perceptions of hearing loss. We are both humbled by their accomplishments and inspired by their ability to make a meaningful difference for people with hearing loss."

Selected from over 200 nominees, this year's 15 winners earned first, second or third place honors in one of the program's five categories: Student (full-time students with hearing loss, ages 6-21), Adult (people with hearing loss, ages 21 and beyond), Advocacy (individuals of all ages involved in advocacy for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community) and Practitioner and Pediatric Practitioner (for hearing care professionals currently in practice).


2007 Oticon Focus on People Award winners were honored for their contributions and achievements at an awards luncheon held during the Oticon Human Link Conference in Boston. Shown (l-r): Jodi Creighton, MS, CCC-A, Cert. AVT, first place winner in the Pediatric Practitioner category; Anne Greenwald, RN, first place winner in the Adult category; Peer Lauritsen, president of Oticon, Inc.; Ronnie Alder, first place winner in the Advocacy category; Rex Scott, MS, CCC-A, FAAA, first place winner in the Practitioner category and (front center) Michael Goldbeck, first place winner in the Student category.

Blue Ribbon Judging Panel

The winners were selected by independent judging committee composed of leading hearing care professionals. This year's program judges included: Mary M. Cody AuD of All Ears Hearing Center, Plymouth, MA; Terence Russell, MA of Physicians Hearing Aid Center, Santa Cruz, CA; Paula Schwartz AuD of Audiology Concepts, Inc., Minneapolis, MN; Louis R. Sieminski PhD of Kingston, PA; and Connie Stephens, MS of West Texas Rehab Center, Abilene, TX.

About Oticon

Oticon is one of the most innovative hearing aid manufacturers on the market. With more than 100 years of experience, Oticon has spearheaded a number of technological breakthroughs which have made a significant difference for people with hearing loss. Oticon is the only hearing aid manufacturer with its own psycho acoustic research center, ensuring that the needs of hearing aid users are always put first when developing new solutions.

Visit www.oticonusa.com for more information or the Oticon Web Channel on Audiology Online at www.audiologyonline.com/channels/oticon.asp