Starkey Hearing Foundation co-founder Tani Austin delivers her privilege speech during the Davao City Council regular session on Tuesday, November 28. (Robby Joy D. Salveron / davaotoday.com)
By Shannon Pabroa, HCDC Intern
DAVAO CITY, Philippines— A US-based group returns to the city for the second phase of its mission to distribute free hearing aids to Dabawenyos from November 27 to 30 at the Davao Recreation Center.
More than P98 million-worth of hearing aids will be distributed to 1,300 beneficiaries identified during the first phase of their mission in the city.
“We are not just giving people hearing aids, we are giving their feelings back,” said Starkey Hearing Foundation co-founder Tani Austin.
The first of the three phases of the foundation’s Community-Based Hearing Health Care which included patient identification was held in the city last August 13-16. The first phase covered the the identification and training of partners in the community based health workers, screening, provision of primary ear-care services to potential hearing aid candidates, gathering ear impression, and creation of custom earmolds.
The second phase is the hearing mission and the last phase is the after care program.
The Starkey Hearing Foundation partnered with the City Mayor’s Office, Davao City Health Office and City Councilor April Dayap for the project.
“It is our first time here in Davao and I think we’ve found the right partner,” Austin said.
Aside from the distribution of the hearing aid, the foundation will also conduct after-care orientation to the beneficiaries. (davaotoday.com)
