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November 3, 2008
Denver, CO
2008 Oticon Focus on People Awards Celebrate
Fifteen People Who Defy Stigma of Hearing Loss
A "quiet woman" who found her voice lobbying for the rights of people with hearing loss, a photographer/graphic designer whose creative vision is changing the way people with hearing loss see themselves and a scholar at one of the country's most prestigious universities who far surpassed early predictions that she would find her life's work at the counter of a fast food restaurant.
These are just four of the 15 outstanding individuals honored by the 2008 Oticon Focus on People Awards, a national awards program that recognizes 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. Created by Oticon, Inc. in 1997, the 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.
"Through the Focus on People Awards, we hope to show the world that hearing loss does not diminish a person's ability to live a full and productive life," stated Oticon President Peer Lauritsen. "More importantly, we want to encourage everyone with hearing loss to seek professional guidance. In doing this, we remain true to our mission: to address the needs, wishes and concerns of people with hearing loss first."
More than 300 hearing care professionals from across the country celebrated this year's Award winners at an Awards celebration in Denverduring a Special Oticon Human Link Conference. The 2008 winners were selected from among 200 nominees, earning 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).
2008 first place winners include: Cindy Dyer of Alexandria, VA (Adult Category); Mariella Paulino of the Bronx, NY (Student Category); Lynn Rousseau of Gainesville, FL (Advocacy Category); Todd Landsberg, AuD of Eugene Speech and Hearing Center in Eugene, OR (Practitioner Category) and Doug Wernke, M Ed of the South Dakota School for the Deaf in Rapid City, SD (Pediatric Practitioner 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: Terry Limb, AuD of Evergreen Speech & Hearing Clinic, Kirkland, WA; Jackie Rand of Rady's Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA; Sharon Sandridge, Ph.D., CCC-A of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH; Larry Solow, AuD, PhD of Valley Hearing Center, Salinas, CA ; and Lisa Steinwart, AuD of Steinwart Audiology, Yorkville, IL.
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. For more information about the Oticon Focus on People Awards and hearing health, visit www.oticonusa.com
CONTACT:
Sara Coulter
Tag Team Global
Office: 201-447-5531
Mobile: 201-819-1403
Fax: 201-632-4853
scoulter@tagteamglobal.com
For more information about the Oticon Focus on People Award and hearing health, log on to oticonusa.com.
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