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MISSION STATEMENT AND PURPOSE
Our mission is to generally support the provision of the highest quality of
hearing health care, balance evaluation, and treatment in a comprehensive
and cost effective manner. We will support an increase in public awareness
regarding hearing loss prevention and balance issues, support increased
access to care regardless of an ability to pay for services and support the
improvement of overall hearing health through education, teaching,
prevention, advocacy, and research. We will also support the exploration of
new technology and delivery models in the hearing healthcare industry.
VALUES
We are committed to Healthy hearing through Education, Awareness and
Responsibility.
PROGRAMS
Learn more about the ear molds for troops. Our
Soldiers In Combat….Now It’s Our Turn to Protect Them!
Dear Friends,
Our mission at the Hearing Health
Center has always been to treat and prevent hearing problems.
That’s why I often speak to groups and on television about the need for more
people to use ear plugs. Noise from rock concerts, the overhead El train,
the lawn mower in your garage, and countless other sources is the single
biggest cause of hearing impairment and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
Tragically one group of young people, our soldiers in combat, show just how
dangerous those loud noises can be.
Recent military statistics show
nearly one in ten soldiers returns from Iraq and Afghanistan with a serious
hearing problem. Of the 1.3 million war zone veterans, almost 300-thousand
are now on disability due to damaged hearing or severe tinnitus. The cause?
The same powerful roadside bombs that have accounted for so many American
casualties.
Those bombs rupture eardrums and
destroy the inner bones and nerves of soldiers’ ears. Consider this: hearing
damage can occur at 85 decibels; the noise level from a roadside explosion
or firefight can be over 180 decibels.
As an audiologist I know the solution is proper ear plugs. Yet while the
Navy and Marines are testing sophisticated digital ear plugs, most troops
are now issued standard foam ear plugs that cost just a few cents. What’s
more, our soldiers aren’t getting any instruction on how to properly use
those ear plugs.
When I read these facts, I had to
do something. Our troops deserve better. And our mission at the Hearing
Health Center has always been to protect peoples’ hearing….no matter where
those people may be located.
So working with the Hearing Health Center Foundation and Starkey Labs, we’ve
instituted a new program for our local soldiers going to war. We’re
providing those soldiers with high-tech custom-molded ear plugs for free.
These state-of-the-art ear plugs actually respond to thermal energy. That
means while on patrol soldiers can easily communicate, but if an explosion
goes off, the plugs clamp shut to protect the inner ear. These ear plugs
normally cost about $150.
Local soldiers have responded
more than we ever expected. We’ve now provided the ear plugs to soldiers
across Illinois who are about to be deployed. And on June 14th, at the
request of a military barracks, we’ll be traveling to fit the ear molds
onsite.
Any local soldier or National Guard volunteer who expects to deploy to Iraq
or Afghanistan should call the Hearing Health Center at 312-263-7171. You’ll
be scheduled an appointment for your free fitting and ear plugs.
This is the least we can do…but we’d like to do more. These ear plugs are so
expensive and we’re running out of money.
We’re asking
for your help.
Please contact us to send a small donation to the Hearing Health Center Foundation. One
hundred percent of your contribution will be spent to purchase additional
ear plugs. (Your contributions are safe. We started over 25 years ago when I
created one of America’s first independent audiology clinics.) We will make
donations available online soon when our new site is launched.
email:
hearhc@hearinghealthcenter.com
Mailing Address: 30 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: 312-263-7171
When I started this program I
wasn’t prepared for the response we got from our soldiers. I didn’t
appreciated just how great the need was. It’s been costly ,but whatever the
cost, if we save the hearing of just a single soldier, I’ll have no regrets.
They put their lives on the line; they shouldn’t have to put their hearing
on the line as well.
We appreciate any help you can
give.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ronna Fisher Au.D, FAAA
Founder, Hearing Health Center
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