Bill Austin and Ronna work together on behalf of the Starky Hearing Foundation.

The Starkey Hearing Foundation was started in 1973 by Bill Austin, founder of Starkey Labs, a leading hearing aid manufacturer.

The program provides more than 20,000 hearing aids a year to disadvantaged patients in the U.S. and around the world.

In addition the program, called the Hear Now 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. Then they replace the older parts with new ones to produce modern state-of-the-art hearing aids.

That’s where facilities like the Hearing Health Center fit in. The Hearing Health Center then 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.”

The audiologist says everything is in place to provide people with even more free hearing aids. The only obstacle is a lack of education. Dr. Fisher says, “Right now most hearing aids are just being thrown out. It’s a terrible waste! People have to be taught 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 aid, you can go to the Hear Now program’s web site at www.sotheworldmayhear.org