Annual 'hEAR the Music' Benefits UK's Pediatric Cochlear Implant Program

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 23, 2015) – For the second year, the University of Kentucky Department of Otolaryngology and the Lexington Hearing and Speech Center, will host Songs for Sound 'hEAR the Music,' an event to promote UK's cochlear implant program at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25 at the UK Singletary Center for the Arts. Proceeds from the event will benefit UK's Pediatric Cochlear Implant Program, which is run jointly by the Department of Otolaryngology and the Lexington Hearing and Speech Center.

Songs for Sound, a non-profit organization from Nashville was founded by Kevin and Jamie Vernon whose daughter Alexis is a cochlear implant recipient. Their core mission is to improve the quality of life for profoundly deaf children worldwide by providing resources to give them the chance at a mainstream life. Songs for Sound informs the hearing-impaired community and provides resources for cochlear implants and rehabilitation, including speech/audiology services, to children and adults in need.

This year's program features the musical talent of the Warren Brothers and Lance Miller, two of Nashville's elite hit songwriters performing their hits which have been performed by such artists as Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, Dierks Bently, Martina McBride, Thomas Rhett, Jerrod Nieman and Lance Miller. 

In addition to the evening's musical entertainment, some of UK's cochlear implant patients will share stories about their journey to hear again in the face of hearing loss.

"Songs for Sound 'Hear the Music’ is such an important event for our patients, the University of Kentucky, and our region," said Dr. Matt Bush, assistant professor in UK's Department of Otolaryngology.  "It represents a collaborative effort among dedicated clinicians, amazing patients and the generous Songs for Sound team. Our cochlear implant program has grown progressively over the past 20 years and this event will enable us to expand our research and extent our reach to provide the absolute best hearing healthcare for patient throughout Kentucky and beyond. This will be a fantastic event that will highlight top country artists and patients who, in spite of their hearing loss, have regained the ability to ‘hEAR the music.’”

VIP level sponsorship for 'Hear the Music' which includes complimentary tickets and admission to special pre-concert reception can be purchased from the Songs for Sound website (www.songsforsound.com) and general admission tickets ($30) can be purchased directly from the Singletary Center for the Arts website or at the Ticket office located at 405 Rose St., Lexington, Ky 40508. Children 12 and under are admitted for free and their tickets can be secured from the Singletary center box office. UK employees and students and Lexington Hearing and Speech center staff can receive $5 tickets from the Singletary center box office with a valid ID.

Doors will open to the Singletary Center President’s Room at 5:45 p.m. the day of the event for the VIP reception and the concert will begin at 7 p.m. in the Singletary Center Recital Hall for the general admission ticket holders. Live and silent auctions will be held at the event and feature UK basketball tickets, an Orlando vacation condo, and many other exciting items. For more information, email robin.thompson@uky.edu in the UK Otolaryngology department or call the Singletary Center at 859-257-4929.

Media Contact: Ann Blackford at 859-323-6442 or ann.blackford@uky.edu