Summary:
The 2025 Oticon Focus on People Awards honored three individuals for their advocacy, leadership, and innovation helping to redefine what it means to live—and thrive—with hearing loss.
Key Takeaways:
- Brenda Schmidt, Jayden Rosenfeld, and Ethan Ocker were recognized for impactful work to empower and support people with hearing loss across education, mentorship, and STEM fields.
- The national awards program, launched in 1997, has celebrated more than 300 “hearing champions” who demonstrate that hearing loss is not a barrier to full and inspiring lives.
- Each 2025 winner received a cash prize, a nonprofit donation, and Oticon BrainHearing technology hearing aids in recognition of their contributions.
The 2025 Oticon Focus on People Awards celebrated three individuals whose courage, vision, and commitment are helping to change the perception of what it means to have a hearing loss, according to the company. Nearly 100 hearing care professionals from across the U.S. applauded the contributions and accomplishments of the 2025 award winners at a special ceremony held in Jupiter, Florida on November 13.
Created by Oticon Inc. in 1997, the national awards program was established to recognize extraordinary people who break barriers and open doors of opportunity for people with hearing loss. In 26 years, the awards program has brought recognition to more than 300 “hearing champions” who it was determined demonstrate that hearing loss does not limit a person’s ability to live a full, productive, and even inspiring life.
Each of this year’s honorees was selected for having made a significant contribution to help make the world a better place for others with hearing loss, according to Oticon.
Brenda Schmidt of Naperville, Illinois, a champion for inclusion and empowerment, has had the opportunity to positively impact the lives of thousands of children with hearing loss in her role as hearing services coordinator for Chicagoland schools. Her children’s book, She Heard Her Footsteps, serves as a resource for families navigating the process of obtaining hearing aids for their children.
High school senior and varsity athlete Jayden Rosenfeld of Livingston, New Jersey is the founder of Hear for Each Other, a nonprofit mentoring group that connects younger children with teen mentors for friendship, support, and self-advocacy. The online program is designed to provide a welcoming environment for children and teens from across the country to feel less isolated and more empowered. Rosenfeld also volunteers with the Sound Start Babies program, visiting the classrooms of elementary-aged Sound Start Babies to raise awareness and help their classmates better understand what it is like to live with hearing loss.
Ethan Ocker of The Woodlands, Texas was diagnosed with profound bilateral sensorineural hearing and has reportedly excelled as a leader and inventor in the highly demanding academic field of Material Science Engineering at Texas A&M University. He is the former robotics design lead and member of the elite Texas A&M Solar Car Racing Team. Ocker says he sees his hearing loss as an asset that fuels his creativity and resilience, a vision he says he shares with fellow Aggies as a member of the university’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing Club.
“Our 2025 Oticon Focus on People Award winners have demonstrated an unwavering determination to transform their special circumstances into lives that make a positive difference for many,” says Lisbeth Meng Collignon, vice president of marketing for Oticon Inc. “Brenda, Jayden, and Ethan are shining examples of how life-changing technology and the care of a dedicated hearing care professional can empower people with hearing loss to achieve their personal best. Each of our hearing champions is a role model, helping to create awareness and change attitudes that can open doors of opportunity for all, but especially for people with hearing loss.”
In addition to a $2,500 prize, the 2025 award winners receive a $1,000 donation from Oticon Inc. for the non-profit organization of their choice and a pair of Oticon BrainHearing technology hearing aids.
For more information on the Oticon Focus on People Awards, visit oticon.com/fop.
Featured image: Oticon
