So the World May Hear…

Last month I wrote about Starkey’s Hear Now program that recycles used hearing aids so that new hearing aids can be built for people in need in the U.S. and around the world.

Now I want to share an amazing story of caring and sharing. The Starkey Hearing Foundation actively changes lives through the delivery of hearing care all around the globe. The Foundation conducts Missions at home and all over the world to connect hearing impaired children and adults with the amplification they need. And that is only the first step. Hearing is a tool to open up our world. Bridges of trust and understanding are built. People are empowered so they can best contribute to their communities. One step drives the next…hearing is the vehicle that drives projects in health, housing, education, clean water, and agriculture.

From Afghanistan through Zambia...and over 100 countries in between Starkey offers Missions that effectively deliver and support hearing. Here is how it works: Patients are screened by trained community-based health workers and potential hearing aid candidates are identified. Primary ear care services are offered and custom ear molds are created.

The hearing aids are fit and the recipients and teachers are counseled on care and operation of the hearing aids. My favorite part of this program is after-care. It is not enough to simply fit the hearing aids. Local teams are created to offer ongoing support to care for the hearing aids, and learn to use amplification for better communication, and in the case of children, speech and language development.

Ongoing after-care provides further counseling, batteries, and maintenance services. Education is provided both to the hearing aid recipients and the team of teachers and community healthcare workers. Having great technology only works if it is used effectively and maintained.

When I was at a conference in Minneapolis I was privileged to hear Starkey founder Bill Austin and his wife Tami Austin talk about their hands-on, effective, and caring work, person-to-person, with passion and humility. I was moved beyond words. Hearing aids through the Starkey Hearing Foundation are truly the gift that keeps on giving. To my mind, it is compassion leveraged to real and meaningful change to countless lives.

Smiles abound in Afghanistan.

MLB Hall of Famer Paul Molitor (right) assists
a patient in the Dominican Republic

Dancing in Portugal while musician Alice Cooper (second from left)
looks on with approval.

Starkey is recognized for their efforts in Kenya.