Songs for Sound’s Hearoes Tour Rolls through Arkansas giving free hearing screenings during May, Better Hearing & Speech Month
Songs for Sound is making a stop at Hot Springs Village.
To date, the Songs for Sound charity has given free hearing screenings and guidance to 32,000 people including veterans, seniors and underserved children. Our mission is to reach 1 million people.
Hot Springs Village, AR — May 7, 2024 — Songs for Sound, a dedicated nonprofit organization focused on improving hearing health awareness and accessibility, is excited to announce its upcoming Hearoes Tour making a stop at Hot Springs Village, Coronado Community Center and surrounding community May 9-10. This special event series, aimed at serving communities with an emphasis on veterans and seniors, will offer hearing screenings and comprehensive Care Team guidance to celebrate Better Hearing and Speech Month, recognized in May.
Hot Springs Village: Coronado Community Center
May 9th, 1-5 pm
May 10th, 9-2 pm
Access the full tour calendar, location, and event times here. Take an online hearing screening here.
The upcoming events are open to the public, encouraging all (ages five and up) to take advantage of the opportunity for annual hearing screenings. The state-of-the-art DIY kiosks featured in Songs for Sound’s mobile hearing health unit are designed to make hearing screenings accessible and efficient for everyone.
This tour has been made possible through the generous support of Cochlear Americas, a pioneer in implantable hearing devices that help restore hearing and connect individuals to a world of sound, and the Boedecker Foundation.
The Songs for Sound Story
Founded from a personal journey of hardship and discovery, Songs for Sound was inspired by the experiences of Lexi, who was misdiagnosed and missed by traditional healthcare systems from birth. Lexi did not receive a newborn hearing screening and failed her hearing tests at ten weeks. Despite these signs, recommendations were delayed by a pediatrician who suggested waiting as she seemed to respond to some sounds and because some children speak later. It wasn’t until a pivotal hearing test at Vanderbilt at 14 months old that Lexi’s parents learned about cochlear implants. Lexi was subsequently bilaterally implanted by Dr. David Haynes at Vanderbilt, leading her to a life full of the sounds she had once missed. Now, at 16, she enjoys a normal, vibrant life full of hearing and is an accomplished student-athlete and pitcher. READ MORE HERE.
Moved by her daughter’s experience and the late discovery of her hearing loss, Jaime Motes, founder of Songs for Sound, was driven to ensure that no one else would miss the chance to “hear the music.” This mission fuels the organization’s commitment to increasing hearing health awareness and providing access to necessary screenings, guidance and treatments.
Jaime Motes reflects deeply on her experiences: “I think about the countless nights I sang lullabies to Lexi, believing she could hear them, only to realize she heard nothing—not her brother’s laughter, nor the comforting sound of my voice. She was isolated from speech and language during critical developmental years. Looking back, I see so many missed opportunities for diagnosis; there was a pervasive ‘just wait’ attitude. I never want another family to suffer through this silence. Hearing loss and deafness can profoundly impact one’s quality of life. I am dedicated to spending the rest of my life ensuring that others can access the necessary support to experience a world rich in sounds and to truly hear the music,” shares Jaime Motes.
Terry Wiley, Director of Parks and Recreation for the Hot Springs Village, expresses enthusiasm for the upcoming Songs for Sound Hearoes Tour in our town. “We’re thrilled to welcome the Songs for Sound Hearoes Tour to our community. We fully support this cause and recognize the significance of prioritizing hearing health. Hearing challenges can significantly impact various aspects of life, which is why we’re grateful for this partnership that provides our residents and community with the chance to undergo screenings. Moreover, this initiative will enhance everyone’s awareness of hearing health and underscore the importance of regular screenings and proactive measures when needed.”
A recent study at Johns Hopkins lead by expert Frank Lin, M.D., Ph.D., and his colleagues found that mild hearing loss doubled dementia risk. Moderate loss tripled risk, and people with a severe hearing impairment were five times more likely to develop dementia.”
Songs for Sound has hosted over 925 free hearing screening events across the U.S. serving nearly 32,000 Americans by partnering with over 700 community organizations and events.
Results from the Hearoes Tour reveal that 60% of aging adults have some level of hearing loss and need support and guidance through the VA or private care. Additional results include 85% of senior veterans, 65% of all-age veterans and 20% of children have some level of hearing loss.
Songs for Sound’s difference is purely goodwill and kindness. “I’m giving back everything that was given to us once Lexi was given a proper hearing test and diagnosis. Once she was diagnosed, some great professionals and peers gave us great guidance and information. I just want to pass that onto others and connect the dots.” shares Motes.
Presenting sponsor, Cochlear Americas, Scott Housley (VP of Marketing) shared, “Supporting Songs for Sound’s mission helps us reach individuals who might otherwise remain undiagnosed and untreated. We are proud to stand by this initiative that brings such crucial services to our seniors, veterans and all ages in communities across the country.”
Signs, symptoms and complications of hearing loss can be accessed HERE.
For more information about the hearing health tour, or to make a donation to support this life-changing work, please visit SongsForSound.org. Join us to experience the power of hearing and ensure everyone can “hear the music.”
Jaime Motes
Executive Director
Songs for Sound
jmotes@songsforsound.com
615.739.1194
www.songsforsound.org
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Click here to visit the POA website – Explore the Village.
