Oticon, Inc. has announced the names of the 12 finalists nominated for this year’s Oticon Focus on People Awards, a national awards program recognizing adults, students, and advocates with hearing loss, as well as devoted hearing care practitioners, who have made inspirational contributions to the hearing impaired community. Voting for these four categories begins today and is open through Sept. 26, 2019.
Now in its 21st year, the Focus on People Awards program is a central part of Oticon’s mission to raise awareness and increase opportunities for people with all levels of hearing loss. The awards recognize outstanding individuals for challenging the status quo and showing that hearing loss does not limit a person’s ability to succeed.
From accomplished adults and determined students to exceptional hearing care professionals, this year’s Focus on People finalists have overcome stereotypes about hearing loss and have made a positive impact on their communities.
The 2019 Focus on People finalists include:
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Student – Daniel Carey of Virginia Beach, Virginia; Catherine Fitzgerald of Mansfield, Massachusetts; Eryk Mejia of Marana, Arizona
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Adult – Allison Adams of Fuquay Varina, North Carolina; William Dunckelman of Houma, Louisiana; Anthony Reisdorff of Papillion, Nebraska
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Advocacy – Kerry Cerra of Coral Springs, Florida; Max Chartrand, Ph.D. of Casa Grande, Arizona; Emma Faye Rudkin of Boerne, Texas
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Practitioner – Jennifer Lightfoot, Au.D. of Alexandria, Virginia; Evonne Long, Au.D. of Jacksonville, Florida; Stephanie Long, Au.D. of Appleton, Wisconsin
“Each year, we’re amazed by the resilience, determination, and selflessness of the applicants for our Focus on People Awards program,” said Nancy Palmere, Director of Consumer Marketing and Public Relations for Oticon, Inc. “These 12 finalists especially stand out as trailblazers in the hearing loss and professional hearing care communities. Each one is tearing down walls and proving that a condition like hearing loss does not inhibit their ability to make a difference.”
Online voting for the Focus on People Awards is open through Sept. 26, 2019, and winners will be announced in November. First place winners in each category receive a donation to the charity of their choice, and winners in the Student, Adult, and Advocacy categories receive a pair of Oticon BrainHearing™ hearing aids. All finalists receive a cash prize.
To learn more about the Oticon Focus on People Awards and to vote for your favorites, visit www.Oticon.com/FOP.
About Oticon
Oticon is one of the most innovative hearing device manufacturers with more than 110 years of experience putting the needs of people with hearing loss first. Oticon has spearheaded a number of technological breakthroughs, which have made a significant difference for people with hearing loss. Oticon’s “brain first” audiological focus recognizes that speech understanding and comprehension are cognitive processes that happen in the brain. Oticon’s innovative BrainHearing™ technology is helping to provide better hearing with less effort by giving the brain the clearest, purest sound signals to decode. Oticon designs and manufactures hearing solutions for adults and specialized pediatric instruments. People First is Oticon’s strongest and most valued commitment to empower people to communicate freely, interact naturally and participate actively. For more information visit www.oticon.com.
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