HHC Founder Among Hearing Pioneers at the Oscars!
Talk about fun! Dr. Ronna Fisher was among several hearing device pioneers invited to the 15th Annual Elton John Academy Awards Aids Foundation Party. Elton John wears a hearing device himself and is a close friend of Bill Austin, the founder of Starkey Labs, one of the world's largest hearing aid manufacturers.
The Starkey Hearing Foundation was started in 1973 by Bill Austin, founder of Starkey Labs, a leading hearing aid manufacturer. Bill and Ronna work together on behalf of the Foundation.
This program provides more than 20,000 hearing aids a year to disadvantaged patients in the U.S. and around the world. Called the Hear Now Foundation, the program is totally "green." Starkey Labs simply refurbishes old hearing aids that would otherwise be thrown away.
Starkey Lab employees remove the microphone, receiver, and other basic parts of an older device. They then replace the older parts with new ones to produce modern state-of-the-art hearing instruments.
That's where facilities like the Hearing Health Center fit in. The Hearing Health Center adjusts and fits the device at no cost to patients. The staff also provides free follow-up visits once a month until patients are comfortable with their new devices. The clinic is also a local drop-off center for old devices and it promotes the Hear Now program through advertising and word of mouth.
Dr. Fisher says, "This is simply our obligation to those who can't afford our services." She says that everything is in place to provide people with even more free hearing aids. The only obstacle is a lack of education. "Right now most hearing aids are just being thrown out. It's a terrible waste! People have to be taught to turn these devices in. They can create a whole new world for someone who can't hear!"
All donations to the program are fully tax-deductible. If you want more information about donating or receiving a free hearing instrument, you can visit the program's website at www.sotheworldmayhear.org.