Bethesda, MD-To date, national sponsors of the Hearing Loss Association of America's 2008 Walk4Hearing are: Aetna, Advanced Bionics Corporation, and T-Mobile USA at the platinum level;and Phonak USA and Sorenson IP Relay at the gold level. The Walk4Hearing 2008 will be in 17 cities nationwide with an anticipated 4,000 walkers.
In 2006, the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) launched the Walk4Hearing, a nationwide walk in six cities to increase awareness among the general public about hearing loss. The goal is to have hearing loss recognized as a health issue, minimize the stigma associated with wearing hearing aids, cochlear implants, and assistive technology,raise funds to expand services and programs for people with hearing loss and their families,and empower the HLAA state organizations and chapters to do more local outreach.
Thomas Sugrue, vice president, government affairs, T-Mobile USA commented, "T-Mobile is very proud to be a sponsor of HLAA's 2008 Walk4Hearing event. The Hearing Loss Association of America is a powerful voice for the millions of Americans who have hearing loss and T-Mobile is especially honored to support these worthwhile community events taking place across the country."
Brenda Battat, executive director of the Hearing Loss Association of America says, "Anyone associated with hearing loss should be supporting this walk to help eradicate the stigma and raise money to empower people with hearing loss. People can walk themselves or sponsor a walker."
2008 Walk4Hearing Information
To find out how you can participate in the walk go to www.hearingloss.org. Read inspiring stories from previous walkers. For a complete update of walk sites and dates go to www.hearingloss.org.
To date, walks have taken place or will take place in the following locations:
Safety Harbor, FL: April 12About the Hearing Loss Association of America
Atlanta, GA: April 19
St. Louis, MO: April 26
Longmont, CO May 3
Westchester/Mid-Hudson, NY: May 3
Southeast Michigan: May 3
Rochester, NY: May 4
Columbus, OH: June 7
Grand Rapids, MI: June 21
Northern California: Sept 21
Permian Basin, TX: Sept 27
Garden State, NJ: Oct.18
Chicago: Oct. 18
New York City: Oct. 19
Houston: Nov. 1
New England Region: TBA
National Capital Region, Washington DC: TBA
The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) was founded in 1979 by Rocky Stone as Self Help for Hard of Hearing People. The mission of HLAA is to open the world of communication to people with hearing loss through information, education, advocacy and support. HLAA publishes the bimonthly Hearing Loss Magazine, holds annual conventions, hosts the Walk4Hearing, educates via online learning through the Hearing Loss Academy, and more. HLAA has 200 chapters and 14 state organizations.
Information can be found at www.hearingloss.org. The national headquarters is located at 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 1200, Bethesda, MD 20814. Phone: 301.657.2248 (Voice and TTY)
For more information about Phonak, visit https://www.phonak-us.com/ or the Phonak Web Channel on Audiology Online.
