MINNEAPOLIS, March 26, 2014 – Starkey Hearing Technologies, one of the world’s leading hearing technology companies, is excited to announce that Seattle Seahawk and Super Bowl XLVIII champion Derrick Coleman — the NFL’s first deaf offensive player, has become an official hearing ambassador for the company.
Coleman, a wearer of Starkey products since beginning his career in the NFL, was recently the first to be fit with Halo™, Starkey Hearing Technologies’ new Made for iPhone® Hearing Aids. As part of the new partnership, Coleman will be an advocate of Starkey’s power products, which are specifically designed for those with severe-to-profound hearing loss.
A hearing aid wearer since childhood, the 23-year-old Super Bowl Champion’s story captured the attention of the world when a commercial about his life’s journey to the NFL went viral, amassing well over 22 million views. And Coleman’s penned response to hearing impaired girls who wrote to him in response to seeing the commercial captured the hearts of millions. In February of 2014, and the day before becoming the first deaf Super Bowl Champion, he helped fit more than 100 New Yorkers with free hearing aids on behalf of Starkey Hearing Foundation.
“I’m thrilled to partner with a company like Starkey Hearing Technologies,” exclaims Coleman. “Through Starkey’s work of providing better hearing technology to people like me, or by giving the gift of hearing to those in need around the world, the work Starkey is doing inspires me.”
“Derrick has served as an inspiration to so many people around the world”, said Brandon Sawalich, Senior Vice President at Starkey Hearing Technologies. “We are excited to partner with Derrick — and together we can help show others with hearing loss the amazing possibilities that await them.”
About Starkey® Hearing Technologies
Starkey Hearing Technologies is a privately held, global hearing technology company headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minn. The company is recognized for its innovative design, development and distribution of comprehensive digital hearing systems. Founded in 1967, Starkey Hearing Technologies currently employs more than 3,600 people, operates 21 facilities and conducts business in more than 100 markets worldwide. The company develops, manufactures and distributes hearing aids via four distinct brands – Audibel, NuEar, MicroTech and its original brand, Starkey. For more information, visit StarkeyHearingTechnologies.com or the Starkey Expo Page on AudiologyOnline.
