Daniel Froman of San Diego is among 12 outstanding individuals with hearing loss honored by the 2006 Oticon Focus on People Awards, a national competition that recognizes individuals who are helping to break down stereotypes of what it means to have a hearing loss.  Daniel’s selection as a winner in the Advocacy Category was announced in October at the ninth annual Oticon Focus on People Awards Ceremony in San Francisco.  The Awards ceremony was attended by over 300 leading hearing care professionals from across the country.

Daniel, diagnosed with a hearing loss at age three, has always shown a “can do” attitude and serves as a role model for other hard-of-hearing children.  An excellent student involved in extra-curricular activities, including the National Honor Society and Spanish Club, David graduated from high school with a 3.8 grade point average. He continues to be involved in his church youth group as a student leader and has participated in many service projects.  Daniel also volunteers as a tutor at a local elementary school for hearing impaired children and as a camp counselor at a summer camp for deaf and hard-of-hearing children.

The Oticon Focus on People Awards were created in 1996 by Oticon, Inc., one of the world’s oldest and most respected hearing instrument manufacturers.  By celebrating the accomplishments and contributions of individuals with hearing loss, Oticon, Inc., hopes to call attention to common misconceptions about hearing loss and motivate people with hearing loss to take advantage of the help that is available to them.   The company’s goal is to reach out to the 80 percent of an estimated 28 million Americans who could benefit from hearing instruments, but who fail to seek professional help.