We want to thank you for your patience and understanding during these extraordinary times. Even when we are forced to be apart, it is moments like these that bring us closer together. So, we decided to do something special for you.
As many of you may or may not know, every time you come into our office, you are helping to support people in the United States and internationally who can’t afford or who have little or no access to hearing healthcare through our partner, Hearing the Call. The organization is a nonprofit group that provides the gift of hearing which means YOU help provide that gift of hearing.
So as a gift to you, on Thursday, May 14th at 9pm (EDT) / 6pm (PDT), Mandy Harvey will perform a Facebook Live mini-concert sponsored by Hearing the Call. Mandy Harvey is the deaf singer who awed Simon Cowell and millions of viewers as a breakout star on America’s Got Talent with her golden buzzer moment.
Harvey, who achieved fame for her beautiful voice, uplifting compositions and inspirational life story, lost her hearing at the age of 19 due to a connective-tissues disorder. At the time, Harvey, an aspiring jazz/pop singer, fell into despair, believing she could never sing again. Eventually, she reclaimed her spirit and her voice, and went on to capture the attention of an entire nation.
“I am thrilled to represent Hearing the Call and to raise awareness for those in need,” says Harvey. “I know how isolating it can feel to not hear. Where there are technologies to help, I want to do what I can to help others who want to get what should be standard care.”
Untreated hearing loss can lead to isolation, depression as well as cognitive decline. Now more than ever, people need their hearing to stay connected with family and friends through phone calls, video chats and conversations at home.
Roughly 46 million Americans fall into the poverty level helped by Hearing the Call and 20% of them likely suffer from a disabling hearing loss. Unfortunately, hearing healthcare and hearing aids are not fully covered by Medicare or majority of private insurance plans. Only 22 states offer some kind of coverage for children who need hearing aids, and only 5 states offer coverage to adults. That doesn’t include any hearing screenings, appointments, fittings, or replacement of broken hearing aids.
Hearing the Call does not just provide a hand-out but a hand-up. Through our “Circle of Giving” model, we ask the person receiving the hearing help or hearing aids to volunteer for any local community organization or project they wish. Those volunteer hours help the local communities we serve thrive and gives that person a chance to realize their potential.
“Mandy represent what can be done with you put your mind and heart into something you love,” says Nora Stewart of Hearing the Call. “She has proven to be a great advocate for the hearing-impaired and even with the loss of hearing, she can sing in perfect pitch, as a deaf person.”
If you want to see this free live concert, just go to our Facebook page and you can click on going to the concert or share it to your own personal Facebook page.
Thank you for your support. We could not do it without you.
