New Jersey Volunteers Raise Awareness About Hearing Loss at NJ Walk4Hearing

Is someone you know or love affected by hearing loss? Hundreds of New Jersey volunteers will gather from throughout the state for the seventh annual New Jersey Walk4Hearing on Sunday, October 19, 2014 in Mercer County Park. Organized by the Hearing Loss Association of America’s (HLAA) New Jersey Chapter, the event raises awareness of the challenges facing 48 million Americans with hearing loss and their families. The event provides education about hearing loss, helps erase the stigma associated with it, and raises funds for programs and services.

“Hearing loss is largely misunderstood, although it is a significant public health issue that is third in line nationally after heart disease and arthritis. It’s important to get the word out that this is a complicated condition that affects people of all ages and impacts all aspects of everyday life,” says Wayne Roorda, New Jersey Walk4Hearing Chair.

“We’re thrilled that so many amazing volunteers will join us for a fun, upbeat and inspiring event for this important cause,” says Suzanne D’Amico, Northeast Region Coordinator, whose 12-year-old daughter has moderately severe hearing loss. “We look forward to seeing the hundreds of families, walkers and teams as we gather together to raise awareness about hearing loss.”

The event will take place on Sunday, October 19, 2014 in Mercer County Park at Hughes Drive in West Windsor, New Jersey and follows a 5k (3.1-mile) route. Walk festivities feature children’s activities, state-of-the-art technology including captioned announcements via smartphones, giveaways, refreshments, prizes, and more.

Registration begins at 10 am and the Walk starts at 11 am. For more information and to pre-register, visit www.walk4hearing.org. Walk teams and individual walkers from the Metro area are welcome. Same-day registration is also available.

New Jersey residents supporting the cause include families, friends, co-workers, schools, educators, physicians, audiologists, students, business leaders, and others impacted by hearing loss. All are raising funds by forming Walk4Hearing teams and joining existing teams to highlight the issues of coping with hearing loss in their personal and professional lives.

Local sponsors to date include Metro Sound Pros, Montclair State University-Audiology, A E Litho Printing, Judy Ginsberg, Wayne Roorda and Kreppel Tax Advisory Group.

Since its launch in 2006, the Walk4Hearing series has steadily gained momentum by raising more than $7 million, and welcoming 35,000 walkers. It is the nation’s largest and fastest growing hearing loss fundraising and public awareness walk in the country. The focus is on ending the stigma of hearing loss and providing support and resources for hearing loss prevention.

With national headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland, 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. For more information, visit www.hearingloss.org.