The recent charity bowling event was attended byRep. Dina Titus (D-NV), who had attended an HIA-sponsored AG Bell-NV brunch for 200 local parents and children with hearing loss thanking her for her support of the hearing aid tax credit. Rep. Titus has attended every annual bowling event since 2010. The Nevada Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program was launched in 2002 when Dina Titus was in the Nevada Senate. 

According to AG Bell, the Annual Charity Bowling Event in Nevada, which helps raise funds for the chapter, serves a deeper purpose. A local bowling center helps by housing the event and provides the chapter with reduced lane rates. The chapter also works with a local bowling pro shop to put together the Ball, Bag and Shoe Program, which is a sponsorship program that provides each child who has hearing loss with a custom fitted bowling ball or a new pair of bowling shoes. The children receive the experience of visiting the bowling pro shop two weeks prior to the event to select from the display rack of a variety of new bowling balls. Using listening and language skills, the children choose a ball and bag and determine the color of their new gear. The technician helps determine proper ball weight and measures for the holes that will be drilled in the new ball. At the event, attendees receive their new bowling balls, bags and shoes, and the action begins.

Aside from the many door prizes, raffle drawings, and general fun, AG Bell reports that the best moments are seeing the children interact with their peers and watching some of the more experienced parents interact with newer parents. They share listening and spoken language achievements, challenges, and helpful tips that only parents of children with hearing loss could know. Parents have reported receiving many insights and a sense of hope from this event. As the AG Bell Family Needs Assessment showed, speaking with parents of children older than one’s own gives a glimpse into what parents can expect and provides hope for the future.