Oticon Focus on People Award honorees this year are (l to r): Ethan Ocker, Brenda Schmidt, and Jayden Rosenfeld.
Oticon Focus on People Award honorees this year are (l to r): Ethan Ocker, Brenda Schmidt, and Jayden Rosenfeld.

SOMERSET, NJ — The 2025 Oticon Focus on People Awards celebrated three remarkable individuals whose courage, vision and commitment are helping to change the perception of what it means to have a hearing loss.  Nearly 100 hearing care professionals from across the US applauded the contributions and accomplishments of the 2025 award winners at a special ceremony held in Jupiter, Florida on November 13.

Created by Oticon, Inc. in 1997, the national awards program recognizes extraordinary people who break barriers and open doors of opportunity for people with hearing loss. In 26 years, the awards program has brought well deserved recognition to more than 300 hearing champions who demonstrate that hearing loss does not limit a person’s ability to live a full, productive and even inspiring life.

Each of this year’s honorees has made a significant contribution to help make the world a better place for others with hearing loss.

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Brenda Schmidt of Naperville, Illinois, a tireless champion for inclusion and empowerment, has positively impacted the lives of thousands of children with hearing loss in her role as Hearing Services Coordinator for Chicagoland schools. Her children’s book, She Heard Her Footsteps, serves as a valuable resource for families navigating the process of obtaining hearing aids for their children.

High school senior and varsity athlete Jayden Rosenfeld of Livingston, New Jersey is the founder of Hear for Each Other, a nonprofit mentoring group that connects younger children with teen mentors for friendship, support and self-advocacy. The online program provides a welcoming environment for children and teens from across the country to feel less isolated and more empowered. Jayden also volunteers with the Sound Start Babies program, visiting the classrooms of elementary-aged Sound Start Babies to raise awareness and help their classmates better understand what it is like to live with hearing loss.

Ethan Ocker of The Woodlands, Texas is a leader, innovator and role model who shatters stereotypes of hearing loss.  Diagnosed with profound bilateral sensorineural hearing, Ethan thrives in the highly demanding academic field of Material Science Engineering at Texas A&M University.  He is the former robotics design lead and member of the elite Texas A&M Solar Car Racing Team. Ethan sees his hearing loss as an asset that fuels his creativity and resilience, a vision he shares with fellow Aggies as a member of the university’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing Club.

Our 2025 Oticon Focus on People Award winners have demonstrated an unwavering determination to transform their special circumstances into lives that make a positive difference for many. Brenda, Jayden, and Ethan are shining examples of how life-changing technology and the care of a dedicated hearing care professional can empower people with hearing loss to achieve their personal best. Each of our hearing champions is a role model, helping create awareness and change attitudes that can open doors of opportunity for all, especially people with hearing loss.

Lisbeth Meng Collignon, Oticon VP of Marketing

In addition to a $2500 prize, the 2025 award winners receive a $1000 donation from Oticon, Inc. for the non-profit organization of their choice and a pair of Oticon BrainHearing™ technology hearing aids.

For more information and to view a video of their acceptance speeches, please visit the Oticon Focus on People Awards website.

Source: Oticon

  • HearingTracker Staff