Earlier this year ReSound worked with The Foundation for Sight and Sound’s Help America Hear Scholarship Program. The purpose of this scholarship is to help students with hearing challenges reach their full potential by giving them the gift of sound. The scholarship is open nationally to high school seniors who have a hearing loss, which requires the use of hearing aid(s) in their daily life. The scholarship recipient received two state-of-the-art ReSound Hearing Aids, along with a $500 scholarship to the student’s college or vocational school of choice.
Congratulations to Alexa Vath who has been awarded a Help America Hear scholarship!
Alexa is a high school senior who is not only a straight “A” student but also an active volunteer and advocate for those with hearing loss. She plans to attend Alvernia University and major in business management. After college she hopes to start her own small business centered on dogs including retail, training, rescue sheltering and boarding. Alexa has always had a passion for animals and just recently rescued an 8-week old golden retriever who will be receiving professional training to become Alexa’s hearing service dog.
Being a student with hearing loss is a challenge in the classroom, but Alexa has learned to overcome this obstacle by first and foremost not being afraid to “speak up” and ask for help or clarification from teachers and fellow students when she needs it. She also spends extra time comparing her classroom notes against the teacher’s to ensure she stays on top of each subject.
When asked what impact new hearing aids would have on her life, she wrote, “I think my interpersonal skills will improve allowing me to have more confidence in myself and in forming relationships. Being able to hear more clearly will build my confidence in being able to interact and form relationships with others. I currently lack my full ability to interact and work with others because I struggle to follow along and understand what is happening. Receiving new hearing aids would not only mean the world to me but also improve my understanding of the world.”
Congratulations Alexa!