Hearing Loss Association of America Surpasses $1.2 Million Dollar Goal

Received an interesting email announcement from HLAA about their fund raising effort in 2011 through their Walk4Hearing fund raising events. It's amazing to see how much they've raised money in one year. Already into 2012 they've raised almost $70,000 which is about 5% of their $1.3 million dollar goal.

Bethesda, MD: The Hearing Loss Association of America is pleased to announce its line-up of 2012 spring and fall Walks in 21 cities across the country. The Walk4Hearing experienced growth for the sixth straight year and surpassed its 2011 fundraising goal of $1.2 million.


Hearing loss is a leading public health concern with 36 million adults reporting some degree of hearing loss, yet most people go untreated. The Walk4Hearing increases awareness about hearing loss, minimizes the stigma associated with it, and raises funds to expand services and programs.


Mike Orscheln, president and CEO of Phonak, is the 2012 National Business Chair. Orscheln stated, “Two years as the Chicago Business Chair and last year taking on national responsibilities has given me an even stronger commitment to help this event become more successful. The dynamics that are occurring in our industry make the collaboration among industry, hearing health professionals and consumers more critical than ever. Let’s make 2012 the biggest and best year ever for the Walk4Hearing!”


National sponsors of the 2012 Walk4Hearing include: AARP, MED-EL, T-Mobile, Advanced Bionics, Cochlear Americas and Phonak.


Director of the Walk4Hearing, Ronnie Adler, commented that dedicated volunteers helped realize a 25% increase in the number of teams and walkers, making the Walk4Hearing the largest walk event for people with hearing loss. There was also an increase in the number of alliance groups which are participants from schools, hearing loss-related organizations, and others that share the proceeds.


Along with Ronnie Adler, Rebecca Lander serves as the National Walk4Hearing Coordinator. Suzanne D’Amico, a veteran of the New York City Walk, joins HLAA as the Northeast Region Coordinator, effective February 1, 2012.

In their website they have a list of cities where this Walk4Hearing will take place. The last city on the list is Washington D.C. to take place on November 4. Take the time and go to one for a good cause. I've met all kinds of people there even those who are deaf and fluent in sign language.

Walk4Hearing reaches pivotal fund raising goal

It took 10 months starting in January of this year the Walk4Hearing to finally reach their fund raising goal of $1.2 million dollars in record time. Money raised will be used toward resources for deaf and hard of hearing people. And why so quickly did it raise so much money in such a relatively short time? Simple. There was no politics mucking things up. No political correctness games. No secret agenda. No contacting employers because of disagreements or purely for hate against a person they don't like. No calling Child Protective Services. No practicing on exclusion.  No leading from behind. No leaving bad taste in people's mouths. No attacking other organizations. With HLAA, everybody is involved and we/they help each other out regardless of communication preferences.

Money raised is shared between the national organization (Hearing Loss Association of America) and local Walk sites.

Examples of how funds are used include:

National Programs

• Advocating for the rights of people with hearing loss
• Information, referral, education and coping resources through www.hearingloss.org, the Hearing Loss Magazine, the annual HLAA Convention, and the HLAA electronic newsletter
• A nationwide network of 200 chapters providing personal support
• 14 state organizations advocating for expanded state services
• Support for parents of children with hearing loss at www.kidsandhearingloss.org
• Outreach to veterans returning with hearing loss
• Social networking site for young adults with hearing loss at www.hearinglossnation.org

Local Programs

• Captioning and hearing assistive technology at chapter meetings to make them accessible
• Scholarships for students with hearing loss towards college tuition
• Funding for hearing aids and devices for people who cannot afford them
• Installation of hearing assistive technology in public places
• Captioning of live theater productions
• Seminars on coping with hearing loss for families

Congratulations to Walk4Hearing on their successful fund raising effort. I'm sure money will be put to good use.