I’m An Oticon Focus On People Awards Finalist!

I am excited to announce that I have been chosen as a finalist in the 2015 Oticon Focus on People Awards in the Advocacy category. The Oticon Focus on People Awards recognize outstanding people with hearing loss who are helping to show that hearing loss does not limit a person’s ability to make a positive difference in their families, communities and the world. Since 1997, this national awards competition has honored more than 235 outstanding people with hearing loss.

When I started this blog, I had one goal in mind, and that was by sharing my story, I hoped to helped others live more peacefully with their own hearing loss and tinnitus. In the past year, my blog has received more than 20,000 visits by people living in almost 130 countries. It is a remarkable support network for me, and I hope for them.

Below is the press release I received from Oticon. Please follow the link to read the stories of all the finalists and cast your VOTE.  Many thanks for your support and thank you to Oticon for sponsoring these awards for the past 17 years!

PRESS RELEASE FROM OTICON

Vote for Shari Eberts in the 2015 Focus on People Awards!

Vote Online at www.oticonusa.com/Vote now through September 18

Oticon, Inc. has narrowed this year’s finalists down to 9 outstanding people with hearing loss who are helping to change negative stereotypes of what it means to have a hearing loss.

Each is unique, remarkable and inspiring. And we are pleased to announce that Shari Eberts has been chosen as a finalist in the Advocacy category!

Shari understands well the importance of changing negative stereotypes of hearing loss because she had to do this for herself, with her own hearing loss. Through her writing and advocacy on behalf of people with hearing loss, she works to inspire others to live comfortably with their own hearing loss.

Please help us recognize Shari as one of the top finalists by casting your vote at www.oticonusa.com/Vote.

This is the 17th year that the Oticon Focus on People Awards has honored hearing impaired students, adults and advocacy volunteers who have demonstrated through their accomplishments that hearing loss does not limit a person’s ability to make a positive difference in the world.

We encourage you to read all of the stories from this year’s finalists. Our goal is to help Oticon reach as many people as possible with the inspirational stories of the Focus on People Award finalists.

Please share this email with your family, friends and anyone you think would enjoy reading about the accomplishments of some remarkable people with hearing loss who show that hearing loss does not limit a person’s ability to achieve, contribute and inspire.

And please encourage them to vote for Shari Eberts!

Voting closes on September 18. Winners will be announced in October.

What Oticon Wrote About Me, My Blog and My Advocacy 

Shari understands well the importance of changing negative stereotypes of hearing loss because she had to do this for herself, with her own hearing loss.  A former Wall Street executive, Shari was in denial about her adult onset genetic hearing loss for almost 10 years.  

Through her writing and advocacy on behalf of people with hearing loss, she works to inspire others to live comfortably with their own hearing loss. Shari told the story of her acceptance of her hearing loss in “Coming Out of My Hearing Loss Closet” on her blog Living with Hearing Loss.com, where she shares her day-to-day journey with hearing loss. She also writes passionately about hearing loss on other prominent blogs and numerous articles have been featured in Hearing Health Magazine.

As the Board Chair (2012-2015) for Hearing Health Foundation (HHF), Shari has led HHF through a successful rebranding and helped to launch the Hearing Restoration Project, a consortium of scientists working together globally toward a cure for hearing loss and tinnitus.