HEAR Wisconsin PR Pieces 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUGUST 27, 2025

HEAR Wisconsin to provide free hearing screenings to children during Sunday Family Fun Day on the Summerfest Grounds

Special protective earmuffs and HEARO book
giveaway while supplies last

WEST ALLIS, Wis—HEAR Wisconsin’s Mobile Audiology Clinic (MAC) will be onsite at the final 2025 Sunday Family Fun Day on the Summerfest grounds, 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 quietly transforming lives and connecting children, adults and families across Wisconsin to the world of sound, communication and community.

Sunday Family Fun Day is sponsored by Northwestern Mutual through its Foundation and is free to the public. Sunday Family Fun Day will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Northwestern Mutual Community Park, located inside Henry Maier Festival Park.

Through a generous donation, HEAR Wisconsin has partnered with BANZ Carewear for kids and the Ear Peace Foundation to provide the first 300 children ages 5-8 with free noise-reducing protective earmuffs and a HEARO Saves the Day! book. Another 100 babies will receive infant-sized earmuffs. HEARO Saves the Day! was written by Adele Sandberg and Dr. Sherilyn Adler, founders of Ear Peace Foundation. Both organizations are dedicated to protecting the 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. With 37% of children with even a mild hearing loss repeating a grade in school, prevention and early detection are critical.”

During Family Fun Day, MAC will be staffed with an audiologist, a speech-language pathologist, and a hearing conservationist to provide free hearing screenings to children. Van Calster will also be on hand to answer any questions parents might have.

“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.