508 Dabawenyos benefit from free hearing aids

DAVAO CITY -- A total of 508 Dabawenyos received free hearing aids from the United States-based Starkey Hearing Foundation on Tuesday.

Hearing aids featuring advanced technologies were given during the foundation's second mission, held at the Davao City Recreation Center here. In November last year, Starkey distributed some 1,250 free hearing aids.

City Health Office Chief Josephine Villafuerte said the hearing aids were a great help for those who can't afford to shell out PHP40,000 per unit.

Villafuerte said the recipients underwent a series of sound hearing tests before being given the hearing aids. They will be also given aftercare education.

A parent of one of the beneficiaries, Ralph dela Peña, said the free hearing aid for his 12-year-old deaf and mute son, Clynth Jazpher, has given him a lease on life.

"He is now 12 and this is the first time that he can hear. Kung wala ni nga foundation, dili makadungog akong anak (Without this foundation, my son will not be able to hear)," he said.

Tani Austin, chief executive officer of Starkey Hearing Technologies, said they will provide free hearing aids to six more cities in the Philippines.

Austin said the Starkey Hearing Foundation has been giving the "gift of hearing to people around the world." (Jecia Anne Opiana/PNA)