“So The World May Hear” is the mission of Starkey Hearing Foundation.
I found my passion for volunteering with this team.
Below are some of the stories and experiences I have had giving back to others.
ARMENIA
While the Starkey Hearing Foundation team was in Armenia, we had the honor of hosting Sir Elton John at one of the hearing missions. Having him as a supporter is an honor. During this mission, the Foundation was able to donate more than 2,000 hearing aids to the people of Armenia.
BOLIVIA
One of my favorite Starkey Hearing Foundation hearing mission stories comes from Bolivia. During the mission day, a woman brought a man to my fitting station, and I asked how they knew each other. She said he was homeless and passes by him on the street everyday on the way to work. She found out that he had a hearing loss and brought him to us. He was fit and soon able to hear. When he was able to hear, the woman cried tears of joy for him. The small act of kindness this woman showed ended up changing this man’s life forever.
CHINA
While in China, I got to fit these two ladies with hearing aids. They have been best friends since they were little. They got fit together and left getting to hear each other talk and enjoy the sounds around them again.
DOMINICA
I traveled with the Starkey Hearing Foundation team to the small island of Dominica shortly after Hurricane Maria hit in late 2017. We held a Phase 3 aftercare mission, helping those who had either lost their hearing aids in the storm, needed more batteries or needed repairs. Patients were very happy to see us so they could get their hearing aids in working order again and be able to connect with their loved ones after the tragedy.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Getting to share my passion with others is one of my favorite things. I was able to bring one of my good friends with me to the Dominican Republic and share my passion with her. Experiencing a hearing mission with someone you are close to makes it even more fun!
INDIA
This was a record breaking day for the Starkey Hearing Foundation team. There were so many people! In just 8 hours, we were able to fit 4,840 patients with hearing aids, setting a new Guinness World Record. It was unlike anything I’d ever seen!
KENYA
Kibera, Kenya is where the lesson “be grateful for what you have” really hit home. Just getting clean, fresh water is a trial for the people living here, but they still find joy in life. Being able to immerse myself into their culture was eye-opening, and I’m grateful.
LESOTHO
While in Lesotho, I helped train one of our Starkey student ambassadors. She learned basic hearing aid skills to assist other students in her class. Now, she can help others and change their future. It was so fun getting to teach her so she could help her classmates.
MADAGASCAR
Although I was with the Starkey Hearing Foundation team in Madagascar, we were still able to be a part of the Starkey Hearing Technologies launch of its revolutionary new hearing aid back home. I was glad to be able to support my dad and grandpa on this important day!
MALAWI
As my grandfather always says, “Alone you can’t do much, together we can change the world.” During our hearing mission in Malawi in 2018, this team gave the gift of hearing to more than 900 people!
MEXICO
Mexico was the first country I visited on a Starkey Hearing Foundation mission trip. I was eight years old, and I got to see for the first time the reaction of someone who is finally able to hear the world around them. The feeling is indescribable, and it is the reason I keep going back.
PALESTINE
My brother William joined my grandfather and me on a hearing mission in Palestine. It is really special to do this life-changing volunteer work with my family.
PERU
This was the moment when two people in Peru were able to communicate with each other once again. It is so special to share moments like these with my grandma. She is my role model. In volunteering with her, I have come to learn the beauty in giving back, the power of philanthropy and the impact we can all make on the lives of others.
RWANDA
This little girl was one of many that I fit during our hearing mission in Rwanda. I will never forget how happy she was when she heard for the first time. “So The World May Hear” is the mission of the Starkey Hearing Foundation. Being able to give the gift of hearing to so many, young and old, is incredible.
TANZANIA
This was one of those moments I will never forget! A 101-year-old woman came to one of our fittings in Tanzania, but couldn’t walk, so my grandmother and I fit her with hearing aids right in the car. My grandma says that everyone, regardless of age or ability or status, deserves the gift of hearing.
UAE
I was very fortunate to attend the 2019 Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi. While there, we helped fit athletes from 67 different countries with hearing aids. Seeing the athletes benefit by finally being able to hear the world around them while competing was very rewarding.
UGANDA
While in Uganda, I met this little boy named Pius. He was eight years old and had never heard before. Once I fit him with hearing aids, he started to laugh, but then realized what he sounded like. He had the giggles the rest of the time I was with him. He loved hearing himself laugh.
UNITED STATES
During the Super Bowl in Minnesota in 2018, Starkey Hearing Technologies held a hearing mission. My family and I met a boy named Ernie with hearing loss who was about the same age as my brother. We were able to fit him with hearing aids, and now he is able to play football and interact with his friends.
ZAMBIA
Africa has many people with hearing impairments, but not nearly enough audiologists to help them. The Starkey Hearing Institute in Zambia was established to educate students on how to serve people with hearing loss. These graduates come from all over Africa and return home to help thousands of people in their communities hear better and live better!
ZAMBIA
Traveling the world giving the gift of hearing with my family is such an amazing experience. In Zambia, we had three generations working together to give the gift of hearing!