Aurora Lions Club, in conjunction with DeKalb-based Lions of Illinois Foundation, will bring the foundation’s mobile vision and hearing screening unit to Aurora Friday, Sept. 5, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., outside Aurora city hall, 44 E. Downer Place.
Randall “Randy” Brown, Aurora Lions president, invites area residents to take advantage of the free services. Reservations are not required. Walk-ins are welcome.
Since 2007, Brown said, the mobile unit has traveled throughout Illinois conducting free screenings for hearing loss and retinal eye diseases.
Additionally, eyeglasses, cell phones, hearing aids and sneakers will be collected for recycling.
Brown added, “Hearing loss is one of the most common chronic disabilities in the United States. There are nearly 720,000 people with impaired hearing in Illinois alone. Of these, 106,000 are deaf, 26,000 of these were deaf before the age of 19.
“The Lions Clubs of Illinois sponsor free hearing screenings every year for persons 18 or older and minors 10-17 years old with written parental consent, in communities all over the state.
“Quality of life for people with retinal disorders, such as macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, is dramatically impacted. Since early detection of such disorders is critical, persons 55 or older are encouraged to take advantage of free retinal screening.”
—Al Benson