From July 8-17, students of mixed hearing abilities from across the country participated in an expedition into the Peruvian Amazon as part of the first ever Hear the World expedition. As you may already know, Hear the World is a global initiative by hearing system manufacturer Phonak. The acoustical environment of the Peruvian rainforest is a complex listening environment exploding with life - where one's ability to listen is increasingly magnified. For that reason, it is the perfect setting to educate students about the importance of hearing, the consequences of hearing loss and the ever growing need to break the stigma around hearing loss and those living with it.
Led by deaf-blind adventurer Bill Barkeley, for 10 days, students participated in a number of sound-related activities in the midst of this unique acoustical setting exploding with life. From a hearing loss simulation experiment, to an underwater sound exercise where two students heard underwater sounds for the first time in their lives, the group, both those with and without hearing loss, returned home with a new-found understanding of the role that sound and hearing plays in our lives and the importance of 1) educating their own communities about hearing loss prevention and 2) the ever-growing need to break the stigma around hearing loss and those living with it.
For more information about Hear the World, visit www.hear-the-world.com/ .
First Ever Hear the World Expedition
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