Circus artist supports people affected by hearing loss in Lebanon

April 17, 2019

Circus workshop for disadvantaged children with hearing loss in Lebanon

April 2018 in Beirut, Lebanon: at the invitation of Sonova, Jason Brügger visited an aid project organized by the Hear the World Foundation. Spellbound, Syrian and Lebanese children watch the short film about his life at the “Institute for Audio-Phonetic Reeducation” (Institut de Rééducation Audio-Phonétique). The group is made up of Lebanese youngsters from disadvantaged families in the region and their Syrian playmates, who live in refugee camps not far from Beirut. Many of them have lost their hearing altogether as a result of war or have suffered hearing damage due to acoustic traumas (explosions). Thanks to the Hear the World Foundation’s aid project, the affected children will be able to hear again and thus (re)gain access to language. They will receive custom-fitted hearing aids and professional audiological care. To facilitate their work, the Foundation has established close relationships with local Lebanese schools for the deaf as well as with hearing care chain Houri Hearing. The project also benefits considerably from the expertise of Sonova staff who are working in Beirut on a voluntary basis. And Jason Brügger is supporting the children’s development on site with a circus workshop: inspired by his story, the kids learn to improve their balance through acrobatic exercises and proudly strut their stuff in front of their parents.