Winners in each of four categories receive prizes and national recognition that help create awareness and change attitudes that can open doors of opportunity for all people with hearing loss. Categories include: Student, for full-time students with hearing loss, ages 6-21; Adult, for people with hearing loss, ages 21 and above; and Advocacy, for adults with hearing loss, who are actively involved in support efforts for the hard-of-hearing and deaf community. A special Hearing Care Practitioner category recognizes hearing care professionals who go “above and beyond” to change the world for people with hearing loss through humanitarian and public education efforts.
Anyone may nominate using a simple online form available here. The deadline for nominations is May 15, 2014.
Since 1997, the Oticon Focus on People Awards has awarded more than $250,000 to deserving individuals and the not-for-profit causes of their choice. First place winners in Student, Adult, and Advocacy receive a $1,000 cash prize, $1,000 donation to charity of their choice, and Oticon advanced technology hearing devices. The first place winner in the Hearing Care Practitioner category receives a $1,000 cash prize and $1,000 to a charity of his/her choice. Second place winner receive a $500 cash prize, and third place winners a $250 cash prize.
The general public will be invited to vote online for three finalists in each category following close of the call for nominations. Votes will determine first, second, and third place winners in each category.
Source: Oticon