Desert Hearing Care Is Looking for Hometown Heroes with Hearing Loss for National Awards Program

Gene Erickson of Desert Hearing Care is asking for your help to identify outstanding people with hearing loss in the East Valley for the 2018 Oticon Focus on People Awards. The national awards program is celebrating 20 years of honoring students, adults and advocacy volunteers with hearing loss who demonstrate that hearing loss does not limit a person’s ability to achieve, contribute and excel.  Awards are offered in four categories: Student, Adult, Advocacy (for volunteers) and Hearing Care Professional. Prizes include cash awards, donations to winners’ favorite charities and Oticon BrainHearing™ hearing aids. Mr. Erickson says the benefits go far beyond the prizes. “When we recognize the achievements of people with hearing loss, we create awareness that helps eliminate negative stereotypes that discourage people from seeking help for hearing loss,” he explains. “The individuals honored by this award are changing perceptions of what it means to have a hearing loss. And by doing this, they are opening doors of opportunity for all people with hearing loss.” How to Nominate Anyone may nominate. Quick and easy nomination forms, available at www.Oticon.com/FOP, can be downloaded or completed online. People with all degrees of hearing loss – from mild to more severe – are eligible. There is also a special category for hearing care practitioners with or without hearing loss. Deadline for nominations is May 18, 2018. In 20 years, Oticon Focus on People Awards have honored more than 270 winners, including high achieving students, scholar athletes, dedicated volunteers, successful business people, bloggers, civic leaders and more. “The Oticon Focus on People Awards show that people with hearing loss can live full, productive and even inspiring lives,” adds Mr. Erickson. “My hope is that the individuals we honor will inspire action in the 80 percent of people with hearing loss who could benefit from hearing care but hesitate to seek help.” To learn more about hearing health and hearing solutions, contact Gene Erickson at Desert Hearing Care, (480) 374-1846 or via his website at www.deserthearingcare.com.