MINNEAPOLIS, May 19, 2014 - Starkey Hearing Technologies Founder and CEO William F. Austin recently received the 2014 Twin Cities International Citizen Award for his humanitarian work, with Starkey Hearing Foundation, that provides the gift of hearing to hundreds of thousands around the world. Austin was honored with the International Corporate Award during a recent awards gala at the Minneapolis Club in Minneapolis.
The Twin Cities International Citizen Awards honor individuals and corporations whose work has contributed significantly to international understanding, cooperation, friendship and development. The Awards were first given in 1992, hosted by the Mayor of Minneapolis. Today, the International Leadership Institute hosts this annual international recognition event. The Awards recognize the depth and breadth of the Twin Cities’ international connections, concerns and commitments - in business and trade, research and human rights, agriculture and technology, the arts and medicine, education and journalism, and hospitality and humanitarian relief.
Austin is the sole owner of Starkey Hearing Technologies, one of the largest hearing aid manufacturers in the world and the only American-owned and privately held company in the hearing industry. Starkey sells more than 1.1 million hearing aids a year, employs 3,600 people, operates 21 facilities and conducts business in more than 100 markets worldwide.
In 1984, Austin founded the Starkey Hearing Foundation with the premise, “Alone we can’t do much. Together we can change the world.” Today, he spends 10 months every year leading Starkey Hearing Foundation on dozens of hearing missions around the globe. Last year alone, the Foundation gave away 165,000 hearing aids to people in need, more than 90 percent of whom lived outside the United States.
About Starkey® Hearing Technologies
Starkey Hearing Technologies is a privately held, global hearing technology company headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. 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 www.starkeyhearingtechnologies.com or the Starkey Expo Page on AudiologyOnline.
