May is Speech and Hearing Awareness Month

CHS breaks down barriers to communication for 75 years

TORONTO, May 4, 2015 /CNW/ - The Canadian Hearing Society (CHS) will be promoting public awareness about hearing health and barriers to communication during Speech and Hearing Awareness Month in May.

Did you know?

• In Canada, 1 in 4 adult Canadians has some form of hearing loss.
• 1 in 5 Canadian youth has signs of hearing loss.
• Aging is the number one cause of hearing loss, with severity increasing over time.

During Speech and Hearing Awareness Month, CHS will be highlighting how technology, changing societal attitudes and legislation have contributed to increased communication avenues for all people, including people who are Deaf, hard of hearing and hearing. Text and video messaging, email, and improved hearing aid and communication device technology have made communication easier than ever before. Yet, many consumers still encounter barriers to communication today.

As a multi-service charitable organization, CHS provides a wide range of services to assist people who are Deaf or hard of hearing with their communication needs.

To recognize 75 years serving Deaf and hard of hearing communities, CHS is raising awareness of hearing health and the need to break down barriers to communication with a social media campaign, a fundraising drive and outreach events across Ontario.  

Social Media Campaign
CHS is asking everyone "How did you communicate" before the advent of today's technological advances. Everyone is invited to share their stories on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube using the hashtag #HowDidYouCommunicate.

"We are asking everyone, including our consumers, to look back and share how they communicated with each other before the advent of today's technological advances – email, social media, video calling, or teletypewriters -- and how they communicate now," said Stephanus Greeff, Interim President and CEO, CHS.

Orange Emperor Tulips
CHS is launching the Orange Emperor Tulip Campaign from May 1 to June 20, 2015. CHS has partnered with Vesey's Bulbs to bring you a magnificent Orange Emperor Tulip, an award-winning, brilliant orange tulip which can can be ordered online and delivered in Fall 2015. Order yours at www.chs.ca/tulips.

Community Events
CHS will be participating in events in many regional offices throughout May. CHS is  hosting open houses, celebrating its 75^th anniversary, attending community events, giving presentations and raising awareness of communication devices and services to help consumers.

Visit www.chs.ca/HowDidYouCommunicate for more details.

About the Canadian Hearing Society
The Canadian Hearing Society has been proudly serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities for 75 years. CHS was incorporated in 1940 and in 2015 is celebrating 75 years of providing services, products and information to culturally Deaf, oral deaf, deafened, and hard of hearing people and educating the hearing public. CHS is governed by a board of directors, the majority of whom are Deaf or hard of hearing. The organization is funded by government, grants, membership and generous donors. For more information or to find your regional office, visit www.chs.ca.

SOURCE The Canadian Hearing Society

CHS Media Contact: Marie-Lauren Gregoire, Email: [email protected], Phone: [phone] ext. 272