CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Chillicothe Beltone is partnering with Good Samaritan Food Pantry for the second annual Hear2End Hunger Food Drive, offering free hearing screenings or $1,000 off premium hearing aids in exchange for non-perishable food donations throughout September. The initiative, part of a nationwide effort involving 400 hearing centers, aims to combat food insecurity while raising awareness about the link between nutrition and hearing health.
The campaign, launched in 2024, addresses the growing issue of food insecurity, with 13.5% of U.S. households experiencing food insecurity in 2023, up from 12.8% in 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It also highlights hearing loss, a chronic condition affecting roughly 48 million Americans, as reported by the World Health Organization.
“Nutrition plays a critical role in hearing health,” said Brian Atkins, a Beltone hearing care practitioner. “We’re excited to team up with Good Samaritan Food Pantry to support our community by addressing both food insecurity and access to hearing care.”
Research underscores the connection between nutrition and hearing health. Nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, potassium, folate, and zinc support auditory function, potentially reducing age-related hearing loss and mitigating noise exposure effects.
Last year, Hear2End Hunger collected thousands of food items for local pantries nationwide. Chillicothe Beltone, located at 954 E. Main Street, will serve as a donation drop-off site through Sept. 30. For more information, call 740-779-6023.