Press Contact:
Kerry Malak
Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
kmalak@cdhh.org
414-604-7202 (Direct)
414-604-2200 (Main Desk)
August 28, 2009

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wisconsin Walk4Hearing™ Seeking Volunteers
Planning Meeting September 12 in Milwaukee

WEST ALLIS, WI— Planning for the 2010 Wisconsin Walk4Hearing™ is now underway and volunteers are needed to help make the event a success!  If you or someone you care about has been affected by hearing loss, you are invited to join us at the first official Wisconsin Walk4Hearing™ planning meeting on Saturday, September 12 at the Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, 10243 W. National Avenue in West Allis, from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM.  Whether you are interested in serving on the planning committee, volunteering at the event, being a Team Captain to recruit walkers, or are just interested in learning more, your attendance at this meeting is important.

The 2010 Wisconsin Walk4Hearing™ will be taking place at Veterans Park in Milwaukee on Saturday, May 16, 2010.  The goal of this event is to raise awareness of hearing loss, which affects more than 1 in 10 Americans, and is a growing national health concern as the population ages and noise-induced hearing loss becomes more prevalent.  This event will also raise money for the Hearing Loss Association of America as well as Wisconsin-based hearing loss organizations such as the Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, to support local and national efforts to remove communication barriers for people with hearing loss and provide equal access to services, technology and recreational activities.

On Saturday, September 12, Ronnie Adler from the National HLAA Office will be joining the Wisconsin Walk4Hearing™ event committee to share information about the upcoming walk, what community and volunteer support is needed and how you can get involved and “Step up for people with hearing loss.”  Light refreshments will be provided.  To confirm your attendance, please RSVP by September 10 by emailing Event Co-Chair Jean Szabo at szaboshhh@yahoo.com or calling the Center at 414-604-2200.  This is a great opportunity to get involved in a cause that touches the lives of so many.  We hope we can count on your support!

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The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) is the largest consumer organization supporting hearing related issues in the U.S. The mission of HLAA is “To open the world of communication for people with hearing loss through information, education, advocacy and support”. HLAA is the nation’s voice for the rights and concerns of all people who are hard of hearing. Its National Office works on behalf of all citizens with hearing loss by speaking to and working with researchers, legislators, and technology companies. Areas that HLAA has focused on recently include working to get tax relief for purchasing hearing aids, to increase captioning opportunities, and to ensure that all new technology is accessible to those who are hard of hearing.  For more information, visit www.hearingloss.org.

The Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing has been serving individuals with hearing loss for more than 80 years. It offers a full range of services and technologies to enhance the quality of life for individuals with hearing loss.  Nationwide, there are more than 31 million people suffering from hearing loss, including more than 500,000 in Wisconsin alone.  CDHH is the only place of its kind in Wisconsin.  For more information, visit www.cdhh.org.