SOMERSET, NEW JERSEY — Oticon Inc announced this week that voting is now open for 2019 Focus on People Awards. The awards, now in their 21st year, honor students, adults, and hearing loss advocates that demonstrate that hearing loss does not limit a person’s ability to make a positive difference in their communities or the world.
Website visitors are invited to cast their vote (here) for the 12 finalists who represent the “best of the best” from this year’s nominations in each of four categories: Student, Adult, Advocacy and Practitioner.
“Through the voting process, we aim to reach as many people as possible with the inspiring stories of the program’s finalists and by doing so, to help change outdated stereotypes that discourage people from seeking professional help for their hearing loss. Every vote is a public affirmation that hearing loss does not limit a person’s ability to achieve, contribute and inspire. Our finalists show that people with hearing loss can be role models not just for others with hearing loss, but for all of us!”
–Nancy Palmere, Director of Consumer Marketing and Public Relations
The voting website features the remarkable stories of each of the 12 finalists. The finalists range from students who have accomplished much in a very few years to adults who use their unique talents to open worlds of possibilities for others with hearing loss. There are passionate advocates who have logged hundreds of hours on behalf of hearing causes and dedicated practitioners whose caring and commitment consistently go above and beyond.
2019 Focus on People Award Finalists
The finalists of this year’s awards, in each of the four categories, are shown below:
The Adult Category: Open to people with hearing loss, ages 18 and over. Nominees to the Adult Category are evaluated on their professional, volunteer, cultural and civic endeavors.
The Advocacy Category: Honors hearing impaired individuals of all ages who are actively involved in advocacy or support efforts that benefit people with hearing loss.
The Student Category: Open to full-time students with hearing loss, ages 6 – 25, who are currently in middle school, high school and college. Nominees are judged on their accomplishments in a wide range of community, athletic, academic and social activities.
The Practitioner Category: Recognizes hearing care professionals who go “above and beyond’” to open doors of opportunity for people with hearing loss through humanitarian and public education efforts. Nominees in the Practitioner Category are not required to have a hearing loss to qualify.
To cast vote and to learn more about this year’s finalists, visit the Focus on People Awards website here.
Voting will be open through September 26, 2019. Winners will be announced in November.
