May is Better Hearing and Speech Month, a time to raise public consciousness of issues affecting an estimated 32 million Americans – or about one in ten people – who suffer from hearing loss. To help recognize the local Walk4Hearing, Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano has proclaimed May 2nd to be “Walk4Hearing Day.”

The Westchester/Mid-Hudson walk coincides with spring walkathons being held in Chattanooga (TN), Dayton (OH), Gainesville (FL), Huntsville (AL), Longmont (CO), Milford (MI) and Rochester (NY). In addition, fall walkathons will be held in Boston (MA), Chicago (IL), Columbus (OH), Durham (NC), Houston (TX), New York City (NY), Philadelphia (PA), Washington, DC, and West Windsor (NJ).

The 2008 Westchester/Mid-Hudson Walk4Hearing raised $70,000 of a national Walk4Hearing total of more than $750,000 collected to provide services to deaf and hard of hearing individuals. HLAA, which opens the world of communication for people of all ages who have hearing loss, will use the proceeds from the walk to furnish a wide range of information, advocacy and support. Organizations that receive proceeds from the walkathon include the New York School for the Deaf,

Lions Club Hearing Program, The League for the Hard of Hearing, Canines for Kids, St. Joseph College (audiology scholarships), Broadway’s Theatre Development Fund (TDF) captioning access program, and the Blair & Anita Mazin College Scholarship Fund for college bound students with hearing loss.

As a result of HLAA’s advocacy, Medicare has expanded its eligibility for senior citizens with hearing loss that could benefit from a cochlear implant. With other allied organizations, HLAA successfully advocated for the restoration of funding for the Infant Hearing Screening Program. The organization’s advocacy has also resulted in cell phones becoming more compatible with hearing aids. In addition, HLAA is working with members of Congress to introduce the Hearing Aid Tax Credit Bill, seeking to secure tax credits for hearing aid expenditures.

The 2009 Walk4Hearing will feature approximately 300 walkers, informational tables staffed by HLAA members, government agencies and cochlear implant manufacturers, and a childrens’ tent with games, face painting, clowns and other entertainment. Closed captioning and sign interpreting services will be available. To become a walker or team Captain, an event sponsor, or to obtain more information on how to join HLAA, go to www.walk4hearing.org or e-mail Walk4Hearingny@aol.com

2009 Walk4Hearing Sponsors