Local non profit helps young people with hearing loss

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (WDTN) — National data shows that nearly 15% of youth in America are suffering from hearing loss.

Treatment and visits can be expensive, with some insurance plans not making a dent in the overall price.

But one local non profit, Chasing Greatness, is stepping in to help.

“Chasing Greatness started as a life motto for me,” says Jonni Parker, the non profit’s founder. “It was my daily inspiration just to be the greatest version of myself.”

Parker founded Chasing Greatness in the fall of 2021 while playing volleyball at Penn State.

“Experiencing hearing loss growing up, I wanted to be able to help young individuals as well through that journey,” said Parker.

The organization aims to provide funding, resources, and support for persons 18 and younger experiencing hearing loss. The company’s website says the goal is to spread awareness about individuals who experience hearing loss and educate others about the topic.

In partnership with family hearing and audiology centers in Springfield, Chasing Greatness just fitted its first patient with a new device.

Jayci Cavezza is 17 years old and has lived with hearing loss since birth.

Her mom Staci says routine audiologist visits can get expensive, but thanks to Chasing Greatness, her new hearing aids, treatment, and follow up appointments are completely covered.

“It’s overwhelming feeling of gratefulness and they’re just very, very kind,” says mom Staci Cavezza. “I get very emotional about it because we’ve never had anything like that happen to us before.”

It was a special moment for Parker.

“I’ve had a lot of accomplishments in my life and this is probably the greatest one,” she says.

“It’s not a setback. I don’t want individuals to feel like it’s a burden or something that makes them different. I want individuals to feel confident in it and being able to have the resources available if they choose to get hearing aids, I want them to be able to have access to those resources in order to do that.”

Parker says they evaluate each patient on a case by case basis to see how they can best support them on their journey.

If you or someone you know is experiencing hearing loss and you’d like to get them connected, click here .

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