The Starkey Hearing Foundation’s mission is “Change the social consciousness of hearing and hearing matters through education and research while providing the gift of hearing to those in need around the world.” The foundation was started in 1984 and is called “So the World May Hear”. They conduct hearing fitting missions with providers who donate their time to the events. The missions are held throughout the world: Africa, Asia, Europe & Middle East, Central & Caribbean, Mexico, South America and the United States. Click here for a complete list of the missions around the globe.
During the month of October, 2011, Jacquie Elcox, CEO of Treasure Valley Hearing & Balance and her husband Joe Cooper, went on one of these missions to Honduras. While there, they and the other volunteer providers fit 1700 patients over the span of 4 days. Each day they had between 8 and 11 providers doing the fittings. While many of the patients were children, plenty were adults as well.
The founder of the foundation, William F. Austin has a special message with regards to the children the foundation helps. “It’s important for us to help the children because they’re the future of the world – and if we neglect the children, we diminish our future. This is a very special thing we do for the children. It is something from which they’ll always remember us. Our reward is in the faces and smiles of each person as we help them hear again. This is the best work we could ever do because it’s helping people… and that’s what life is all about. We truly live through what we give – we live on into the future through our gifts back into our community and to humanity.”
Below are a couple of videos about the trip:
About the Mission: (This link may take a little time to stream, but is worth the wait.)
This October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month will celebrate 25 years of making a positive difference for women and their families in communities around the world. Treasure Valley Hearing & Balance is proud to support this worthy cause in a way that will also make a positive difference for people with hearing loss in the Treasure Valley of southwestern Idaho. Treasure Valley Hearing & Balance is among a select group of U.S. hearing care practitioners to offer the new AGX “Think Pink,”, sleek, distinctively pink hearing devices. During National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Treasure Valley Hearing & Balance will participate in the national “Pink with a Purpose” campaign to help raise funds for breast cancer research.
Very sleek & stylish.
Available in special edition “Think Pink” and more than 14 colors from tasteful but bold to shades that complement natural skin tones, this sleek and stylish hearing device has a new attitude for a new generation of hearing aid users. Throughout October, leading hearing care manufacturer Oticon will donate a portion of proceeds from the sale of AGX “Think Pink” devices and all other colors to the National Breast Cancer Coalition. Last year, roughly $20,000 was raised in the “Think Pink” campaign, making a real difference in the fight of cancer and support of cancer patients.
The new AGX devices help people with hearing loss hear better and understand more spoken words in any listening situation, even in challenging listening environments like restaurants and social gatherings. “These devices take much of the hard work out of organizing, selecting and following sounds so that people with hearing loss can stay engaged and active in everyday activities,” states President, Jacquie Elcox.
“With the addition of the AGX MediaLink, a sleek companion device that resembles an MP3 player, these AGX models connect wirelessly to TVs, cell and landline phones and other popular communication devices.” Special edition AGX “Think Pink” is available in tiny mini behind-the-ear device that is almost invisible on the ear. Jacquie Elcox notes that the AGX family of hearing instruments can accommodate approximately 80 percent of hearing losses. “AGX’s outstanding sound quality and design have been award-winners around the world. With AGX ‘Think Pink’, I can also offer my patients a wonderful way to raise awareness of a disease that affects so many women and to pay tribute to those who have battled breast cancer.”
For more information on hearing loss and the AGX “Think Pink”, contact Treasure Valley Hearing & Balance at 208-229-3319 or 800-726-1019 or visit www.treasurevalleyhearing.com.
In July we had two different groups of children hosted by Summer of Hope in our clinic for free hearing screenings. One group was from Columbia, the other from the Philippines. These children are orphans in their home countries. They were brought to the United States this the summer to be introduced to potential adopting families. While they are here, the opportunity is taken to get them different medical exams which they have not been able to get in their home countries. Enter Treasure Valley Hearing & Balance. We offered the free hearing screens, while other local clinics donated eye, dental and physical exams. Our Audiologist, Dr. Mel Miller, who is a pediatric specialist, performed the screening work.
The Summer of Hope is a faith-based Christian organization that brings school aged orphans from other countries to the United States for a 4-week vacation. The children get exposed to potential adopting families before returning to their home countries to await a possible legal adoption. While here, they receive medical attention, mentoring, and often stay connected with the people they meet for life.
