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Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc., American Academy of Audiology, Advanced
Bionics Corporation, Grason-Stadler, Med-El On Board
WASHINGTON, DC, May 16, 2002 -- The third annual Hearing Healthy Kids Day
- the National Campaign for Hearing Health's third annual update on the
state of newborn hearing screening in America - is truly a cooperative
effort. In addition to the title partner - the American Academy of
Pediatrics - Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc. signed on as the premier
sponsor of Hearing Healthy Kids Day 2002. The American Academy of
Audiology, Advanced Bionics Corporation, Grason-Stadler (GSI), and Med-El
are lending their support as "Red Ribbon" Corporate Partners, and other
prominent national organizations including the American
Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Boys Town National Research Hospital,
JACO Enterprises, Inc., Mack's Earplugs, and the National Institute on
Deafness and Other Communication Disorders are donating items for goody
bags to be distributed at the May 21st event, which includes a press event
on Capitol Hill and free children's fair for the general public on the
grounds of the Washington Monument on the National Mall. Free hearing
screenings at the fair will be provided by Nova Southeastern University
Programs in Audiology.
"Each year we try to expand the day to increase awareness of the
importance of early hearing detection and intervention among a larger and
larger audience," says Kiersten Tomchik, Director of Corporate and Media
Relations at the National Campaign for Hearing Health. "This year, thanks
in large part to our corporate sponsors, we have added a free children's
fair on the National Mall for the general public, where we will provide
free hearing screenings, goody bags filled with information, earplugs and
fun toys for kids, and even entertainment for kids and parents to enjoy
together. We are truly grateful to our corporate partners for helping us
raise awareness of such an important - and often overlooked - children's
healthcare issue."
The press event begins at 10:00 am in SR-485 in the Russell Senate Office
Building. Speakers include:
· Representative Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT)
· Congressional Hearing Health Caucus Co-Chairs:
§ Representative Jim Walsh (R-NY), author of the Walsh Bill
§ Representative Jim Ryun (R-KS)
· Louis Z. Cooper, M.D., President of the American Academy of Pediatrics
· Kassie & Jim DePaiva, One Life to Live actors and parents of a child
with hearing loss
· Karl White, Ph.D., National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management
· Elizabeth E. Thorp, Director, National Campaign for Hearing Health
· Dr. Elvir Causevic, GSI AUDIOScreener™
The press event will be followed by the free children's fair from noon to
four on the grounds of the Washington Monument on the National Mall.
About Hearing Healthy Kids Day
Hearing Healthy Kids is a comprehensive public awareness campaign to
educate health care providers, national policy makers, parents, and other
concerned community members about what it means to raise a hearing healthy
child.
The primary purpose of Hearing Healthy Kids Day is to give a
state-by-state scientific update on infant hearing screening, and to issue
a call to action to preserve and safeguard federal infant hearing
screening funds that are currently in jeopardy. The 2001 UNHS data will be
presented by Karl White of the National Center for Hearing Assessment and
Management (NCHAM) at Utah State University. With the assistance of NCHAM,
the National Campaign for Hearing Health monitors and evaluates newborn
hearing screening, tracks the progress of states in legislating and
implementing infant screening programs, and advocates for the availability
of and access to treatment and intervention options for children with
hearing loss.
About the National Campaign for Hearing Health
The National Campaign for Hearing Health, sponsored by the Deafness
Research Foundation, is committed to putting hearing health on the
national agenda. The Campaign is working to raise awareness of hearing
issues, improve options for those living with hearing loss, and to protect
those at risk. By advocating for detection, prevention, intervention and
research, the Campaign promotes hearing health for all. For more
information please contact Elizabeth Thorp at 202-289-5850 ext. 1008, or
visit http://www.hearinghealth.net. |
