HEAR Wisconsin NEWS RELEASES 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUGUST 27, 2025
HEAR Wisconsin provided free hearing screenings to children during Sunday Family Fun Day at Henry Maier Festival Park
WEST ALLIS, Wis—HEAR Wisconsin’s Mobile Audiology Clinic (MAC) was onsite at the final 2025 Sunday Family Fun Day on the Henry Maier Festival Park, Sunday, September 7, offering free hearing screenings, along with protective earmuffs, and a children’s book about protecting their hearing.
For nearly a century, HEAR Wisconsin, the state’s premier nonprofit provider of comprehensive services for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, has been transforming lives and connecting children, adults and families across Wisconsin to the world of sound, communication and community.
Free Sunday Family Fun Day is sponsored by Northwestern Mutual through its Foundation and was free to the public. Sunday Family Fun Day took place from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Northwestern Mutual Community Park, located inside Henry Maier Festival Park. The September 7 event was themed “Performing Arts” with special activities and family-friendly programming throughout the day.
Through a generous donation, HEAR Wisconsin has partnered with BANZ Carewear for kids and educational nonprofit, Ear Peace Foundation, to provide the first 300 children ages 5-8 with free noise-reducing protective earmuffs and a copy of HEARO Saves the Day!, a children’s adventure story (written by Adele Sandberg and Dr. Sherilyn M. Adler of Ear Peace Foundation) that teaches children about how to protect their hearing. An additional 100 babies received infant-sized earmuffs. All three organizations are dedicated to protecting the health and well-being of children.
“I’m proud that HEAR Wisconsin is reaching out to families by providing parents with both the tools and knowledge they need to protect their children’s hearing,” said Jill Van Calster, President and CEO of HEAR Wisconsin. “Free screenings, protective earmuffs, and HEARO book may seem simple, but they can make a big difference. Given that 37% of children with even a mild hearing loss repeat a grade in school, prevention and early detection are critical.”
During Family Fun Day, MAC was staffed with an audiologist, a speech-language pathologist, and a hearing conservationist to provide free hearing screenings to children. Van Calster was also on hand to answer any questions parents had.
“We’re thrilled to be part of Sunday Family Fun Day and meet families where they are. By offering free screenings, protective earmuffs, and the HearO Saves the Day! book, we’re helping parents prevent hearing loss before it becomes a barrier to their child’s success,” Van Calster said.
At its West Allis location, HEAR Wisconsin provides full hearing evaluations conducted by licensed doctors of audiology experts trained to diagnose all types of hearing loss in both children and adults. Their compassionate and multidisciplinary team includes audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and assistive technology consultants to ensure each person receives personalized care and the right solutions for their needs. HEAR Wisconsin is committed to helping every individual stay connected to people and moments that matter most.
In 2026, HEAR Wisconsin will celebrate its 100th anniversary, dubbed the “Celebration of the Century.” Contact Kristin Johnson at kjohnson@hearwi.org for more information and sponsorship opportunities or to learn more about the Sunday Family Fun Day hearing screenings.
For more information on the September 7 Free Sunday Family Fun Day, visit Milwaukee World Festival at: MilwaukeeWorldFestival.com.
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HEAR Wisconsin is a nonprofit that helps infants, children and adults with hearing loss, by eliminating communication and language barriers through personalized services, technology and education.
Ear Peace Foundation is an educational nonprofit dedicated to teaching young people about the prevention of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL), a type of hearing damage that is permanent, yet completely preventable. The Foundation partners with schools, Universities, educators, musicians, and community organizations, providing free programming and materials, to ensure the next generation grows up knowing how to protect their hearing.
BANZ Carewear for kids is a company that is committed not just to designing premium protective gear for children—we’re dedicated to making the world safer, more inclusive, and more comfortable for every child. Across the country, BANZ® earmuffs, hats, and sunglasses are being used by nonprofits, health programs, and community efforts to support families in need of sensory protection and sun safety.
