MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NFL superstar Ray Lewis and Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete joined an impressive list of supporters who assisted with Starkey Hearing Foundation hearing missions in three cities in Tanzania earlier this month, during which the Foundation provided more than 5,900 customized hearing devices to people in need. Actor Kyle Massey, former NFL player Tommie Harris and Goodwill Ambassador to Tanzania Doug Pitt also helped give the gift of hearing to children and adults in Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Moshi.
“It is a humbling and eye-opening experience to see a child speak to his mother for the first time. Being a part of this mission is something I will always remember,” said Lewis, who joined the Foundation’s efforts in Arusha. “No matter how successful we are, the greatest impact we have on the world comes from what we do for others. Starkey Hearing Foundation exists to serve others, and you can see its impact in the eyes of the families changed forever by the gift of hearing.”
“It takes incredible volunteers, like Ray Lewis, to help bring the gift of hearing to so many people,” said Bill Austin, founder of Starkey Hearing Foundation. “He’s a champion on the field, but his true passion lies in caring for others.”
Ray Lewis, former NFL linebacker, and Bill Austin, founder of the Starkey Hearing Foundation, fit a patient with hearing aids at a Starkey mission in Tanzania in July 2013. (Photo: Starkey Hearing Foundation)
In Dar es Salaam, the Foundation was honored by a visit from President Kikwete, who shared laughs with the children, helped with the fittings and encouraged recipients to use their voices.
“To build sustainable systems of care, it is crucial to have government support,” said Austin. “We are grateful to have President Kikwete join in our efforts and see his clear commitment to hearing health for the people of Tanzania.”
Starkey Hearing Foundation uses hearing as a vehicle to reflect caring and improve the lives of individuals around the world. Its work in Tanzania is part of the dozens of domestic and international missions conducted each year. The foundation fits more than 100,000 hearing aids to people in need annually.
Hearing loss is pervasive, affecting 360 million people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. Yet, with the help of a hearing device, hearing loss can often be corrected in many cases, giving an individual the opportunity to better connect with family, the community and the world around them.
More information about the foundation’s work can be found at Starkey Hearing Foundation’s website, Facebook and Twitter pages.
About Starkey Hearing Foundation
Starkey Hearing Foundation uses hearing as a vehicle to reflect caring and improve the lives of individuals, families and communities around the world, by helping them reach their full potential. 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. Starkey Hearing Foundation fits and gives 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 and education 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 https://www.starkeyhearingfoundation.org. You may also learn more about Starkey on the Starkey Expo Page on AudiologyOnline.
Source: https://www.businesswire.com
