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SOMERSET, NJ
November 11, 2009 
Since its inception in 1997, 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.ه This year, the national awards competition, sponsored by Oticon, Inc., one of the world’s oldest and most respected hearing aid manufacturers, celebrates twelve years of honoring people who defy the stigma of hearing loss.ه The addition of twelve new honorees brings to 192 – an even 16 dozen -- the number of individuals honored by the program for their accomplishments and contributions. 
Among this year winners is the Awards program’s oldest honoree to date:ه 100-years-young Julius Barthoff of Needham, MA who was the overwhelming choice of the judges for first place in the highly competitive Adult Category. Barthoff, who celebrated his 100th birthday shortly before the Awards presentation, has worn hearing instruments since 1923 and has been an advocate for recognition of people with hearing loss throughout his long and service-minded life.ه Also honored at the Awards Ceremony was Paige Stringer (Advocacy Category), founder of The Global Foundation for Children with Hearing Loss and Kristin Grasberger (Student Category), a freshman at James Madison University who has worked to change perceptions not only of hearing loss but also of the many developmental and physical challenges faced by the children and teens she mentors.ه In the Practitioner Category, audiologist David Woodruff, AuD of San Diego was recognized for charitable work that has improved the lives of thousands of disadvantaged children with hearing loss in Southeast Asia. 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.ه “We are gratified that for twelve 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.ف “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.ـ We are both humbled by their accomplishments and inspired by their ability to make a meaningful difference for people with hearing loss.” In addition to a $1000 prize, first place winners also received a $1000 donation from Oticon, Inc. to the non-profit organization of their choice. Also honored at the Awards presentation were eight second and third place winners in 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 (for hearing care professionals currently in practice). Blue Ribbon Judging Panel The winners were selected by independent judging committee composed of leading hearing care professionals.هه This year’s program judges included: Anne Anderson, MA, CCC-A, FAAA of Mt. Arlington, NJ; Nancy Green, HIS of River Valley Hearing Care Center, North Mankato, MN; Dennis Hatherill, AuD of Kelsey-Seybold Audiology in Houston, TX; Marilyn Hinrichs, AuD, CCC-A, FAAA of Advanced Hearing Care, Dallas, TX; and John Miles, AuD of Los Gatos, CA.
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