GRAND PORTAGE — Up to 100 people can receive free hearing screenings and hearing aids in Grand Portage Sept. 9-10.
The nonprofit Miracle-Ear Foundation and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Tribal Public Health team are partnering for the "Miracle Mission" event in a region that "has significant access barriers to hearing health care," a news release stated.
“In remote communities like Grand Portage, access to essential hearing care is often hours away. While residents have access to annual hearing screenings, up to 50 percent are referred to a specialist if hearing loss is present, which can mean traveling up to three hours to the nearest specialty clinic in Duluth,” stated Krysten Flett, a registered nurse and community health nurse in Grand Portage, in the release.
“As a nurse, I’ve seen how these barriers delay treatment and can severely diminish quality of life. This local Miracle Mission is a powerful step toward closing that gap and bringing expert care directly to those who need it.”
The event is 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 9, and 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 10, at the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino.
Pre-registration is open until 5 p.m. Sept. 5, but walk-ins will also be welcome. The event is open to all.
According to Miracle-Ear, 1 in 5 Minnesotans is deaf or hard of hearing, and by age 65, 1 in 3 people has hearing problems. That share increases to half by age 75.
“As the Foundation celebrates our 35th anniversary, we’re proud to carry forward the same mission that’s guided us since day one: delivering compassionate, community-oriented care to those who need it most,” stated Jana Anderson, Miracle-Ear Foundation director, in the release.
“With Miracle-Ear proudly headquartered in the Twin Cities, the Grand Portage Miracle Mission reflects our deep commitment to serving our home state. Thanks to the generosity of our volunteers, donors, and partners, we’re able to help people across communities and ensure unresolved hearing loss is no longer a barrier to living a fuller, more connected life.”
