Charlene Tilton seeks local hear-oes
DALLAS and Dancing on Ice star Charlene Tilton is bringing a nationwide search to find deaf and hard of hearing people who have triumphed over adversity, to Northern Ireland
Charlene has joined forces with Specsavers Hearing Centres in Northern Ireland to urge local residents, who have never let hearing loss hold them back, to get in touch to enter the annual Sound Barrier Star Awards.
The awards are in support of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, and seek to recognise the achievements of people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Glamorous Dallas star Charlene launched the awards after speaking out about her own battle with hearing loss for the first time.
The actress, who showed the nation her skating skills while appearing on Dancing on Ice earlier this year, has admitted she has higher frequency hearing loss, and wears a hearing aid after suffering from the problem for most of her life.
Charlene now wants to encourage hard of hearing high achievers in Northern Ireland to come forward and be recognised for their accomplishments.
Charlene, 52, says: ‘As a little girl I had a lot of problems with my ears, which led to years of painful perforated ear drums throughout my childhood. Since then I have suffered with hearing loss, which has been frustrating and, at times, very upsetting.
‘For years it has only been my family and close friends who have known about my hearing problem and how it has affected me – but with the launch of the Sound Barrier Star Awards I want to help people in Northern Ireland to understand hearing loss and recognise those who have never let it hold them back.’
Hearing aid audiologist, Joanne Torrens from the Specsavers store in Coleraine adds: ‘We are keen to encourage people to come down to their local store and to enter. We want to recognise the positive things people with hearing loss can achieve. We will also be continuing to offer free hearing tests to encourage residents to get their hearing checked at the same time.’
The Specsavers Sound Barrier Star awards target the one in six people in the UK that have hearing problems. Anyone can nominate themselves, a friend or family member by visiting one of over 400 Specsavers hearing centres nationwide to collect an entry leaflet. Alternatively download an entry form online at www.specsavers.co.uk/hearing or www.hearingdogs.co.uk. The closing date for entries is Thursday 31 May.
Download Entry Form here.
For every entry to the awards, Specsavers will donate £5 to Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. Hearing dogs help transform the lives of their deaf owners by alerting them to sounds that those with good hearing take for granted, allowing them greater independence, confidence and security.
Jenny Smith, recipient of hearing dog Molly, and a trustee of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People says: ‘These awards highlight the work of truly inspirational people who have achieved great things. Please do take the opportunity to nominate someone and give them the recognition they deserve.’
The awards will recognise 10 regional finalists across the UK and five will be selected to attend the grand final at The Savile Club, London on 21 August 2012.
The nine runners-up will also receive goody bags, including a £100 holiday voucher courtesy of Mark Warner Holidays. The winner will receive a voucher for £1,500 off hearing services at Specsavers hearing centres and a luxury cruise courtesy of Mark Warner.