Somerset, NJ — On August 1, 2011, Oticon presented a check for $10,000 to the American Heart Association (AHA) at an event at the company’s Somerset headquarters. The donation represents the support of hundreds of hearing care professionals who participated in “At the Heart of It…We Put People First,” a heart and hearing health campaign.

The funds were generated during February and March, when Oticon committed to donating a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Agil hearing devices. The money will go toward AHA’s education and research efforts.

The campaign also encouraged hearing care professionals and their staffs to clip on red pedometers and join the Oticon Heart Healthy Challenge, a campaign that encouraged hearing care professionals to begin taking steps toward improved heart health. Oticon said it received many reports of participants taking the stairs, parking farther from the office, and adding a brisk walk to lunch hours.

A lot of heart: Peer Lauritsen, president of Oticon, presents a check for $10,000 to the Andrea Lack Friedman, regional vice president, Central/ Southern NJ, for the American Heart Association at a ceremony at Oticon’s Somerset, New Jersey headquarters.

In Somerset, Oticon employees proudly sported their red “At the Heart of It” t-shirts and pedometers to celebrate Oticon’s first Healthy Heart Day and raised an additional $400 for AHA.

“Our commitment to putting People First supports hearing care and hearing solutions that empower people to continue to take an active part in life,” said Peer Lauritsen, president of Oticon. “Through our At the Heart of It campaign, we aimed to motivate other healthy choices that provide life-changing benefits.”

“We are pleased that companies like Oticon are supporting the American Heart Association’s mission to help build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases, and stroke through programs like the At the Heart of It campaign,” said Andrea Lack Friedman, LMSW, Regional Vice President, Central/Southern NJ for the American Heart Association, who accepted the donation from Oticon at the presentation ceremony. “It is especially gratifying that Oticon has chosen to support our efforts not only in Central and Southern New Jersey but in cities across the country through this national campaign.”

By raising awareness of the connection between heart disease and hearing loss, Oticon says its goal is to educate and motivate people to take advantage of the benefits of modern hearing solutions, like Oticon Agil.

SOURCE: Oticon