Today Oticon, Inc. revealed the 12 inspiring finalists for the 2018 Oticon Focus on People Awards, a nationwide awards program honoring students, adults, and advocates with hearing loss as well as hearing care practitioners who have made outstanding contributions to the hearing impaired community. Online voting for the four categories is now open.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Oticon Focus on People Awards, the first national awards program recognizing individuals who challenge outdated stereotypes and demonstrate that hearing loss does not limit a person's ability to make a difference. Through the awards program, Oticon continues its mission to raise awareness and open doors of opportunity for people with all degrees of hearing loss.
The 2018 Oticon Focus on People Award finalists range from ambitious students and motivated adults who have gone above and beyond to overcome the perceived challenges of hearing loss, to hearing care professionals who exceed expectations in their care and support for patients with hearing loss.
Finalists for this year's Focus on People Awards include:
- • Student — John David Cobb of Knoxville, Tennessee; Julio Hernandez of Atlanta; Celine Yang of Belmont, California
- • Adult — Garth Baker of Twin Falls, Idaho; Frederick Brooke of Old Lyme, Connecticut; Clare Wolf of Rubicon, Wisconsin
- • Advocacy — Mark Goldstein of Thousand Oaks, California; Dr. Jamie McClintic of Alpena, Michigan; Rich Patterson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- • Practitioner — Carol Clifford, AuD of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Lena Kyman, AuD of Raleigh, North Carolina; Johnnie Sexton, AuD of Raleigh, North Carolina
"For 20 years, the Oticon Focus on People Awards program has brought inspiring individuals into our lives, and this year is no exception," says Nancy Palmere, Director of Consumer Marketing and Public Relations. "We're honored to introduce the country to our finalists and celebrate how they defy the stigma of hearing loss. Each story is unique and we encourage people to visit our website to cast a vote."
Voting is open through Aug. 24, 2018, and the results will be announced in October. All finalists receive a cash prize. First place winners also receive a donation to a charity of their choice, and winners in the Student, Adult, and Advocacy categories will get pair of Oticon BrainHearing™ hearing aids.
To vote and to learn more about the Oticon Focus on People Awards, 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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