Walkers from Across the Country Join 2009 Walk4Hearing

Editor: Walk4Hearing, sponsored by HLAA, is a major fundraiser as well as a tool to increase hearing loss awareness among the general public. It's been around for a few years now, and continues to grow. Here's information on the 2009 Walk4Hearing

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April 2009

One in ten Americans has a hearing loss and yet only 20 percent receive the technology and services they need.

HLAA wants you to help raise awareness about hearing loss.

Watch the new video and see how at www.walk4hearing.org

The Walk4Hearing, produced by the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), is the largest walk of its kind in the country. The 2009 HLAA Walk4Hearing will be held in 21 cities nationwide with at least 5,000 people walking and raising money for programs and services for people with hearing loss and their families. Proceeds are shared between the national organization and local HLAA affiliates or Walk4Hearing Alliance Groups to benefit national and local programs. Since 2006, more than $1 million has been raised.

National Sponsors Boost the Walk4Hearing!

The Hearing Loss Association of America would like to extend a sincere thank you to its 2009 Walk4Hearing National Sponsors: T-Mobile (Purple Sponsor); Advanced Bionics, IBM, and Sorenson IP-Relay (Green Sponsors). With generous and continuous support like this, the Walk4Hearing has grown in recognition and participation. For more information about national sponsorship opportunities contact Christopher T. Sutton.

Why Walk?

Because hearing loss is a public health issue that is third in line only to heart disease and arthritis. Hearing loss should be screened for just like blood pressure or diabetes. The Walk4Hearing creates awareness and raises funds for local and national programs.

HLAA launched the Walk4Hearing to:
* increase awareness among the general public about hearing loss and the 31.5 million Americans who have hearing loss
* minimize the stigma associated with wearing hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other assistive technology by educating people about hearing loss
* raise funds to expand services and programs for people with hearing loss and their families at the national and local levels
* empower the HLAA state organizations and chapters to work with community leaders to organize walks for fundraising and local outreach

Watch the Fun on Video!
See the excitement of over 4,000 Walk4Hearing participants across the country in a just-released, captioned, video playing on http://www.walk4hearing.org/. Led by HLAA chapters, communities rallied to bring attention to the importance of hearing health and the impact hearing loss has on individuals and their families. The Walk4Hearing video, filmed over the past year at Walk4Hearing sites across America, captures families, industries, consumers and hearing health professionals walking to show their support for increasing awareness about hearing loss and removing the stigma that prevents so many people from seeking help.

2009 Walk4Hearing ... You Can Step Up Now!
For a complete update of walk sites and dates and other information, go to http://www.walk4hearing.org/ You can walk as an individual, form a team (some form a workplace team), join a team, donate and more. To find out how you can sponsor a walk or start a walk in your city, contact Ronnie Adler.

About the Hearing Loss Association of America
The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), founded in 1979, opens the world of communication to people with hearing loss through information, education, advocacy and support. HLAA publishes the bimonthly Hearing Loss Magazine, holds annual conventions (Nashville, June 18-21), the Walk4Hearing, hosts online learning with the Hearing Loss Academy, and more. HLAA has more than 200 chapters and 14 state organizations. The national headquarters is located at 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 1200, Bethesda, MD 20814. Phone: 301.657.2248.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Ronnie Adler
National Walk4Hearing Manager
Radler@hearingloss.org