Songs for Sound Hearoes Tour Supports America's Heroes Living with Hearing Loss at the 101st American Legion National Convention

    INDIANAPOLIS, IN, August 22, 2019 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Songs for Sound, a Nashville-based charity working to protect and restore hearing for the 360 million people worldwide that suffer from hearing loss, brings a free hearing health clinic to the 101st American Legion National Convention on Aug. 23rd- 27th.

Hearing loss is a growing national health crisis and it is on the rise among all age groups. Veterans are among the most highly affected. Hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing/buzzing/humming in the ear) are the #2 and #1 military injuries, respectively.

The Hearoes Tour operates a mobile hearing health clinic supported by presenting sponsor Eargo, also highlighting demo affordable and nearly invisible hearing aids. The clinic travels the nation conducting free hearing screenings on state-of-the-art Otokiosk sponsored software. Mearacle Maker sponsors Cochlear Americas and Sertoma not only support the mission through volunteerism, but Cochlear also provides information on cochlear implants and other implantable technologies.

Founder, Jaime Vernon, states a great feature is the collection of follow up packets tailored for Veterans. "I am the mother of a deaf child, Lexi, who is thriving because of her cochlear implants. However, it is the time prior to Lexi's diagnosis which is most troubling. We were given bad information at nearly every turn for 14 months. Looking back, had I had a roadmap for Lexi to hear, she could have been implanted and developed language even sooner. I want that for EVERYONE. All ages, all shapes and sizes, but especially for these men and women who have given our country so much. Once Lexi was given the gift of sound, she thrived. Now at age 11, she has impeccable speech and hearing and is a very accomplished student-athlete."

Results from the first 3.5 years of the Hearoes Tour (formerly the Hear the Music Project) highlight the significance of its mission. Over 24,000 free hearing screenings have been given and over 65% of participants were referred for further testing. Those results are due to the targeted approach by Vernon and her Songs for Sound team. Here's a breakout of those referred to a local Audiologist for further testing:

85% of Senior Veterans
65% of Aging Adults, Over 50% of all age adults
38% of Teens
20% of Children

These numbers sound the alarm that as a nation, we need to do better to identify and treat hearing loss, especially among veterans. Untreated hearing loss is linked to depression, anxiety and social isolation as well as a greater risk of falling, cognitive decline and increased rates of dementia and Alzheimer's. In the workforce, untreated hearing loss contributes to less productivity, early retirement, disability retirement and job loss.
Lexi Vernon

"Hearing loss in the military and veteran community is deeply personal for me," says Jaime. "Both of my nephews served in the US Army out of Fort Campbell in Tennessee. One is still serving and is exposed to risk daily."

The Hearoes Tour runs entirely on sponsorships and donations. To support the mission and GIVE THE GIFT OF HEARING click HERE.

About Songs for Sound
Songs for Sound is a Nashville based 501c3 charity that strives to protect and restore hearing, using music as inspiration and outreach, to improve the lives of the 400+ million people suffering from hearing loss. The Hearoes Tour 2019-2020 Tour aims to reach 50,000 ears across the nation.

The Hearoes Tour provides over 200 free hearing health events each year. To become a community partner and host a free hearing health event, visit HERE.

Sponsorships are available by contacting [email protected].

For additional information on Songs For Sound visit www.songsforsound.org.

To volunteer click HERE.

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