Songs for Sound Event Supports Research and Outreach of UK’s Cochlear Implant Program
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 17, 2016) – Imagine going from total silence to hearing again. A Cochlear implant, a small electronic device implanted just behind the ear, can provide the miracle of hearing to many people who suffer from profound hearing loss.
The University of Kentucky’s Hearing Program, under the direction of Dr. Matthew Bush, associate professor in the Department of Otolaryngology, and the Lexington Hearing and Speech Center are partnering with Songs for Sound Hear the Music Project, for the third year to bring to Lexington some of country music’s most elite songwriters to share their music and the stories behind the lyrics. This year’s event will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6 at the Manchester Music Hall.
Songs for Sound, a 5013c charity, is dedicated to improving the quality of life for the 260 million people worldwide who suffer from profound hearing loss. The charity was founded by Jamie and Kevin Vernon of Nashvill, parents of Alexis, “Lexi,” who at 1½ years of age, was diagnosed with profound hearing loss. The Vernons learned that Lexi was eligible for a cochlear implant which took their daughter from a world of silence and allowed her to blossom into an active, speaking and hearing child.
Songs for Sound travels across the country hosting “Hear the Music” events with the help of friends from Nashville’s music industry, in an effort to raise awareness of profound hearing loss. The organization provides free hearing screenings and access to needed resources, such as the resources found at UK, the primary cochlear implant center of Central and Eastern Kentucky since 1989.
“Songs for Sound “‘Hear the Music’ is such an important event for our patients, the University of Kentucky and our region" Bush said. "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.’”
Sponsorship tickets for the event start at $30 per ticket or $50 for two, and go up from there. General admission tickets can be purchased for $10. Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased from the Songs for Sound website http://songsforsound.com/events-2/htmconcerts/.
UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, visit uky.edu/uk4ky. #uky4ky #seeblue
MEDIA CONTACT: Ann Blackford at 859-323-6442 or ann.blackford@uky.edu