Dear Friends and Family,

As many of you know, in 2016, Keegan was diagnosed with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss.  As a parent, I was shocked to hear this, as he had a normal hearing screen at birth, he didn't have a history of an excessive number of ear infections, and he had no impairment of speech.  Keegan did not exhibit any signs that would make us concerned about his hearing.  Furthermore, what started out as a mild hearing loss corrected by a hearing aid, degraded to a profound hearing loss in a year's time.  Our options were either to do nothing, and hope he wouldn't lose hearing in the other ear, or to pursue a cochlear implant.  On October 13, 2017, Keegan had cochlear implant surgery at NYU and was later activated on November 17, 2017.  It has been an educational and emotional journey, to say the least. Keegan amazes me with his strength and his happy outlook on life.  What better way to celebrate than to support the Hearing Loss Association of America through the Walk4Hearing?  

The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) Walk4Hearing increases awareness about hearing loss, helps to eradicate the stigma associated with it, and raises funds to provide information and support for people with hearing loss. 

Why Walk?
We walk because hearing loss is a public health issue third in line after heart disease and arthritis. 

• Approximately 48 million Americans have some form of hearing loss
• More than 30 million Americans are exposed to dangerous levels of noise in their workplaces
• An estimated 1 in 5 American teens experiences some degree of hearing loss
• 2.3 million Veterans receive either disability compensation for service-connected hearing disabilities or are in treatment for related hearing issues

Hearing loss affects one's ability to communicate every day in different situations - from a dinner conversation at a noisy restaurant, on the phone, to not hearing alarm clocks and smoke alarms. For people with hearing loss, these situations can become obstacles without the right information and support. HLAA provides assistance and resources for people with hearing loss and their families to learn how to adjust to living with hearing loss.  

How can you help?  You can walk with us on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at Dunkin Donuts Park in Hartford, CT. If you can't make it, please consider donating to our team.  A portion of the raised money will benefit the Hartford Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America.  Thank you!

Sincerely,

Jenn

For more information about HLAA, please visit www.hearingloss.org.