MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 9, 2012 – Starkey Hearing Technologies, one of the world’s leading hearing technology companies, is proud to announce that for the third consecutive year, Starkey Hearing Foundation participated in the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting. William F. Austin, CEO of Starkey Hearing Technologies and founder of the Starkey Hearing Foundation, was invited to address the group during a plenary session titled “The Early Years: An Irresistible Investment Opportunity,” during which he thanked President Bill Clinton for his continued support of the Foundation’s effort to bring understanding among people through hearing care.
Austin joined President Clinton onstage and gave an update on the Foundation’s CGI commitment to fit more than 100,000 hearing aids to people in need annually, for a total of one million this decade. The Starkey Hearing Foundation fit more than 120,000 hearing aids in 2011, (the first year of the commitment), and has since visited 14 new countries. The Foundation is now on pace to complete its one million hearing aid pledge three years ahead of schedule.
“It was an honor to speak at this year’s Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting and discuss the Foundation’s commitment to provide the gift of hearing to people in need around the world,” said Austin. “We are proud to be a member of CGI and join so many great organizations in finding creative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems and addressing them with compassion and understanding.”
The Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting took place September 23-25, in New York and is held each September to coincide with the U.N. General Assembly. The CGI Annual Meeting has emerged as the preeminent venue where business meets philanthropy to discuss and develop effective partnerships as well as profitable – yet sustainable – business practices to achieve social change.
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 3,500 people, operates 21 facilities and conducts business in more than 100 markets worldwide. The company develops, manufactures and distributes hearing aids via five distinct brands – Audibel®, NuEar™, MicroTech™ and its original brand, Starkey. For more information, visit StarkeyHearingTechnologi
About Starkey Hearing Foundation
Starkey Hearing Foundation is striving to foster greater understanding among individuals and communities through hearing care by focusing on awareness, education, protection and treatment, so the world may hear®. Hearing loss affects one in 10 Americans, and 63 million children worldwide, yet many do not have access to the hearing devices that can help them. From 2000 to 2010, Starkey Hearing Foundation fit more than 500,000 hearing aids to people in need in the U.S. and around the world. The Foundation has grown that commitment to more than 100,000 hearing aids annually, and as a member of President Clinton’s Global Initiative, it has pledged to fit one million hearing aids this decade. In addition to giving the gift of hearing through worldwide hearing missions, Starkey Hearing Foundation promotes hearing health awareness through the Listen Carefully™ initiative and provides hearing instruments to low-income Americans through the Hear Now program. For more information on Starkey Hearing Foundation, visit www.
