Oticon Inc, Somerset, NJ, has partnered with the American Academy of Audiology Foundation (AAAF) to allow hearing care professionals attending the upcoming AudiologyNow! 2009 in Dallas to determine how the company’s donation of up to $50,000 will be dispersed among AAAF programs. 

Oticon will donate $10 for each participant who casts a heart-shaped ballot for any of three AAAF initiatives, which support programs of excellence in education, research, and public awareness in audiology and hearing science.

“Our goal is to engage audiologists and empower them to designate where the donation from Oticon will be applied within American Academy of Audiology Foundation programs,” says Peer Lauritsen, the company’s president. “AAAF accomplishes much good for the audiology community and for the hearing-impaired community and the Hearing With Our Hearts program will enable hearing care professionals to participate in this good will on a very personal level.”

To cast ballots—attached to tote bags given to registered attendees—participants must visit the Oticon exhibit, booth 1621, and pick the program areas they support. Votes will be tallied after the conference, and the company plans to disburse its donation proportionate to the number of votes each project area receives.

Among the programs are:

  • The public awareness fund, which includes the Turn It to the Left campaign, public service announcements, and other media aimed at seniors and their families.
  • The education fund, supporting science fair outreach and awards in audiology and acoustics, and scholarships and awards for graduate students to attend the CAPCSD Summer Institute and other educational conferences.
  • The research fund, which includes an annual awards program that funds several types of awards and scientific gatherings such as the upcoming meeting on new research in geriatric audiology.