SOMERSET, NJ—Readers of this blog and anyone else who cares about hearing health are invited to help select the winners in the 2013 Focus on People Awards program, sponsored by Oticon, Inc., a major hearing aid manufacturer. From today, February 26, through March 31, the polls will be open at Oticon’s web site.
There, voters will find information about the 12 finalists who have been selected from hundreds of nominations from around the U.S. In each of four categories-–Student, Adult, Advocacy, and Practitioner–visitors are invited to cast their vote for the finalist they believe is most deserving of being honored. The total number of votes received by each finalist will help determine the first, second, and third place winners in each category.
Tina Childress
The Focus on People Awards program honors hearing-impaired students, adults, and advocacy volunteers who have demonstrated through their accomplishments that hearing loss need not limit a person’s ability to make a difference in their families, communities, and the world. By spotlighting people with hearing loss and their contributions, Oticon aims to change outdated stereotypes that discourage people from seeking professional help for their hearing loss. The program also recognizes outstanding practitioners for their achievements in helping people overcome hearing loss. The three finalists in that category are pictured here at left and below.
Saleem Assaf
Tabitha Parent Buck
Nancy Palmere, the senior marketing manager at Oticon, Inc., who heads the awards program, said, “Our goal is to reach as many people as possible with the inspirational stories of our Focus on People Award finalists and to give people across the US the opportunity to add their voices to the selection of the winning finalists.”
Winners will be announced in April.
