

The Heart of Hearing Awards 6th Recipient of Hearing Aids and Audiology Appointments at ‘Sound Good, Do Good' Fundraising Event
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 22, 2024) - The Heart of Hearing, a Middle Tennessee-based nonprofit organization, proudly announced the recipient of its sixth set of hearing aids and accompanying audiologist appointments. The announcement was made at The Listening Room Cafe’s monthly 'Sound Good, Do Good' fundraising event benefiting the nonprofit on Tuesday, May 21, in Nashville.
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The deserving recipient, Kristin (Kia) Dowen, a first-generation student at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), was diagnosed with hearing loss and central auditory processing disorder (CAPD). CAPD refers to deficits in the neural processing of auditory information in the central auditory nervous system, according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
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Meaghan Thomas, the founder and president of The Heart of Hearing, expressed her excitement about the event and the impact it has on the lives of young professionals with hearing loss. She stated, "We are thrilled to award Kia Dowen with hearing aids and audiologist appointments. Our mission is to provide support to those who cannot afford hearing aids as they are often not fully covered under insurance, and events like 'Sound Good, Do Good' at The Listening Room Cafe allow us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals like Kia."
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Kia, who enrolled at Motlow State Community College in 2021 at the age of 27 before transferring to MTSU as a Buchanan Fellow, has shown exceptional dedication to her education. In addition to her studies, she works part-time as an immunizing technician for both Publix Pharmacy and MTSU's campus pharmacy.
“My whole childhood, I was always told that I was not paying attention or not listening well enough,” Kai shared after being announced as the recipient. “This gift from The Heart of Hearing is extremely validating because I now have this diagnosis and a way to help so that I feel confident enough to transition my school trajectory and double major at MTSU.”
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The second annual 'Sound Good, Do Good' fundraising event benefiting The Heart of Hearing, held at The Listening Room Cafe, featured captivating performances by Phil Barton, who had his first #1 Billboard song with the Lee Brice hit "A Woman Like You", as well as artists Jonathan Hutcherson, who rose to fame on NBC’s ‘The Voice,’ Tierra Kennedy, and Brad Rempel of High Valley. The event not only showcased exceptional talent but also raised awareness and funds for The Heart of Hearing's mission.
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‘Sound Good, Do Good’ was launched by The Listening Room to give back to the community in 2010 after owner and founder Chris Blair was struggling to build his business, but saw a bigger need in the community. Since the first event in 2010, the renowned live music venue has teamed up with a different non-profit every single month for 14 years and continues to drive the idea of giving back to its employees as having that as one of their business core values.
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"I was really struggling to even pay rent on time back in 2010 and some close friends in the industry put an event together to help The Listening Room,” Blair said. “That event just so happened to fall a couple weeks after the Nashville flood and I just couldn't take any of the money. I donated it all to Hands On Nashville and just prayed that things would turn around for the business. And it did. People started showing up more and the brand continued to grow to what it is today. That moment, giving back when I needed it, lit a fire inside of me and was the creation of "Sound Good, Do Good" and I vowed to team up with a non-profit every month since that time.
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“I love what "Heart of Hearing" was doing, and after meeting Meaghan, I had an even bigger desire to get behind them,” Blair explained. “What they are doing is needed; it's beautiful and I'm honored to be able to help in a very small way."
Established in 2021, The Heart of Hearing is the only nonprofit organization in Middle Tennessee that offers hearing aids and accompanying audiologist appointments, free of charge, to young professionals in need. Through its events and fundraising efforts, The Heart of Hearing is positively impacting the lives of individuals from diverse backgrounds affected by hearing loss.
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About The Heart of Hearing:
The Heart of Hearing is a Middle Tennessee-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing hearing aids and accompanying audiologist appointments to young professionals with hearing loss who cannot afford them. Since its establishment in 2021, The Heart of Hearing has been committed to making a difference in the lives of individuals in Middle Tennessee, regardless of age, race, or socioeconomic status. For more information, please visit www.heartofhearing.org or follow The Heart of Hearing on social media.