Miss America 2005 Identifies with ABC's 'What About Brian'

Tuesday January 16, 5:00 am ET

Deidre Downs relates to today's episode about living with hearing loss

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. and BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Jan. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Monday's ABC primetime drama "What About Brian" explored the neglected issue of hearing loss. Characters faced a situation millions of real families face everyday - coping with a hearing-impaired child. Deidre Downs, Miss America 2005, is stepping out to discuss the issue based on her own personal experience.

"Growing up with hearing loss was tough; especially as I got older and was more concerned about my appearance," says Downs.

Downs knows and understands the need for education about hearing loss. As a child, she was diagnosed with a hereditary disease that causes mid-frequency hearing loss. She overcame the obstacles of her impairment. In 2005 Downs became Miss America, and is now a first-year medical student at the University of Alabama. On top of that, she raises awareness about the disability as a GN ReSound spokesperson, one of the leading producers of hearing aids.

More at the Source

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