Mission Hospital respiratory therapist receives Beltone Safe & Sound Award for hearing health advocacy

Respiratory therapist Cheryle Melendez, 53, of Orange was honored last Thursday with the Beltone Safe & Sound Award for her advocacy for hearing health and screening and her willingness to publicly address her need for hearing aids. Rosario Sandoval, marketing director for Beltone North America, presented the award in an informal ceremony, remarking, "Beltone is honored to present to you the Safe & Sound Award for your advocacy on behalf of those with hearing loss. We think it's very important for people to understand the issue of hearing loss and how it can affect them and their health long-term."

"Thank you for letting me tell my story," responded Melendez, who works at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo. “Everybody has an airway, everybody needs to breathe. At the hospital, I have people’s lives in my hands – premature infants, asthmatic patients, people on life support, in the ER. When a patient’s alarm goes off, I have to be able to hear it. I felt physically ill the day I realized I wasn’t hearing the alarms at work and a colleague had to tell me they were sounding. I knew I had to do something. Wearing state-of-the-art hearing aids has made a huge improvement in my professional life. I tell anyone who has a problem hearing not to wait to get their hearing checked. I often talk to my patients about the fact that I wear hearing aids and how much better they’ve made my life, at work and at home.”

Melendez joins two firefighters and a police officer as Beltone Safe & Sound "heroes" who serve the public despite their hearing loss and who advocate for hearing health and hearing aid use, helping to diminish the stigma and stereotypes associated with hearing loss.

More than 20 percent of Americans (48 million) have hearing loss; only one in four take action to improve their ability to hear. Studies have shown that hearing loss can lead to isolation, diminished brain function, and dementia. Consumers can get free hearing screenings at Beltone offices to establish their hearing benchmark; subsequent screenings can detect any loss.

Founded in 1940, Chicago-based Beltone is part of the GN Hearing Care Group, a global leader in intelligent audio solutions with a unique portfolio of medical, professional and consumer audio solutions. Using advanced technology to produce hearing aid instruments sold in the United States, Canada and more than 50 countries worldwide, Beltone provides industry-leading products, services and support for its U.S. hearing care network operating in over 1,500 offices in North America. Beltone remains the most trusted brand for quality products and care among its patients and adults aged 50 and older. Visit Beltone at www.beltone.com.