New Yorkers Raise Awareness About Hearing Loss at NYC Walk4Hearing

Is someone you know or love affected by hearing loss?

Thousands of New Yorkers from the five boroughs and Long Island will gather for the seventh annual NYC Walk4Hearing on Sunday, September 28, 2014 in New York City’s Riverside Park. Organized by the Hearing Loss Association of America’s (HLAA) New York City 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 Suzanne D’Amico, NYC Walk Chair. She has a 12-year-old daughter with genetic hearing loss and became involved with the Walk4Hearing seven years ago.

“I am so excited to celebrate the great work of our volunteers and sponsors who are participating in the New York City Walk4Hearing. This year, with the support of our dedicated walkers and the New York City community, we hope to reach a milestone fundraising goal of $225,000,” said D’Amico.

“We’re thrilled that so many families of children with hearing loss and hundreds of extraordinary walkers and volunteers are joining this important cause. Individual walkers, families and teams will have a terrific time together, since our Walk is very upbeat, enjoyable and inspiring,” she continued.

The event will take place on Sunday, September 28, 2014 in Riverside Park, starting at West 97th Street and Riverside Drive and following 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 9am and the Walk starts at 10am. For more information and to pre-register, visit www.walk4hearing.org. Walk teams and individual walkers from Metro area are welcome. Same-day registration is also available.

New Yorkers 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.

New York City sponsors to date include: Metro Sound Pros; New York Relay; Children’s Hearing Institute; Regal Entertainment Group; Theatre Development Fund; Total Caption; R&L Press; Clyde Frazier’s Wine and Dine; Kantara Communications, and Center for Hearing and Communications.

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.

The HLAA New York City Chapter offers education, monthly meetings, and support groups for people with hearing loss. Funds raised by the Walk are used to award scholarships to high school students with hearing loss, provide grants to hearing-loss-related organizations for hearing loss research, employment assistance for people with hearing loss, and captioning of Broadway shows. The Chapter is promoting the installation of hearing loops in businesses and public places in NYC.

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.