Public Can Vote on Oticon Award

Public Can Vote on Oticon Award

August 27, 2017, Redmond, WA

For two more days, the public has an opportunity to vote for an Oticon award winner from Redmond. Cheri Perazzoli of Redmond is among 12 outstanding people in the nation with hearing loss honored by the 2017 Oticon Focus on People Awards, a national competition that recognizes individuals who are helping to change perceptions of what it means to live with hearing loss. Cheri has been selected as one of three finalists in the Advocacy category. The public is invited to cast their votes for Cheri and other finalists in the Student, Adult, Advocacy and Practitioner categories at www.Oticon.com/FOP through August 31. The total number of votes received by each finalist will help to determine who will be the first, second and third place winners in each category.

Perazzoli is well known in the King County area for her work to achieve universal communication access as part of our infrastructure, to create equal participation opportunities for people with hearing loss, who have long been underserved. As a volunteer for Let’s Loop Washington and the Hearing Loss Association of America – Washington Association (HLAA-WA), Cheri has organized installation of hearing loops in many public facilities, theaters, churches and similar venues in King County.

Hearing solutions manufacturer Oticon, Inc. created the national awards program in 1997 to honor students, adults and advocacy volunteers who have hearing loss and drive awareness and understanding that can change attitudes and open doors of opportunity for all people with hearing loss. Hearing loss is the third most common physical condition, after arthritis and heart disease. It has been shown to affect physical health, cognition, social skills, family relationships, self-esteem and more. Outdated stereotypes of what it means to live with hearing loss often discourage people from seeking life-changing help.

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For more information, see Let’s Loop Washington, https://loopseattle.org/loops-in-seattle-3/; or Oticon Focus on People, peoplefirst@oticonusa.com, attached press release, or www.Oticon.com/FOP

2017 Oticon Focus on People Awards Honor Cheri Perazzoli of Redmond

Dedicated Volunteer Is Finalist in National Awards Program

Honoring Outstanding People with Hearing Loss

SOMERSET, NJ July 10 -- Cheri Perazzoli of Redmond is among 12 outstanding people with hearing loss honored by the 2017 Oticon Focus on People Awards, a national competition that recognizes individuals who are helping to change perceptions of what it means to live with hearing loss. Cheri has been selected as one of three finalists in the Advocacy category. The public is invited to cast their votes for Cheri and other finalists in the Student, Adult, Advocacy and Practitioner categories at www.Oticon.com/FOP through August 31. The total number of votes received by each finalist will help to determine who will be the first, second and third place winners in each category.

Cheri Perazzoli is a passionate, dynamic advocate for people with hearing loss and for hearing access. As Director of Advocacy for the Hearing Loss Association of America--Washington (HLAA-WA), Cheri focuses on removing barriers and establishing accommodations so people with hearing loss can participate fully and equally. She is the founder and visionary behind Let’s Loop Seattle, which aims to make cultural, professional, and civic venues available to everyone, regardless of their ability to hear.

Since the group’s inception, dozens of Washington State venues have installed loops and improved hearing access. Cheri wants to make hearing loops and universal communication access part of our national infrastructure, providing equal participation and opportunities for people who have long been underserved. “Hearing loops can mean the difference between staying home and becoming isolated or engaging once again with work, play, and civic life,” she explains. HLAA honored Cheri with the 2016 Get in the Hearing Loop Award for her role in increasing hearing accessibility in Washington State.

Voting for Cheri and all the 2017 finalists is open now through August 31 at www.Oticon.com/FOP. Winners will be announced in October.

About the Oticon Focus on People Awards

Leading hearing solutions manufacturer Oticon, Inc. created the national awards program in 1997 to honor hearing impaired students, adults and advocacy volunteers who drive awareness and understanding that can change attitudes and open doors of opportunity for all people with hearing loss. Hearing loss is the third most common physical condition, after arthritis and heart disease. It has been shown to affect physical health, cognition, social skills, family relationships, self-esteem and more. Outdated stereotypes of what it means to live with hearing loss often discourage people from seeking life-changing help.