DAVAO CITY—Forty detainees of Davao City Jail received hearing aids from Starkey Hearing Aid Foundation on Wednesday.
Dr. William Austin, Starkey Hearing Aid Foundation founder, said the detainees must be given equal opportunities regarding the gift of hearing that other people outside the detention cell receives.
“Though they are detained, they should still feel that we care for them. They should have the opportunity to hear things, that is the greatest feeling. To hear your loved ones say I love you,” Austin said.
Austin, said to be one of the top 500 richest men in the world, said that not hearing things is worse than being detained.
“It has always been our advocacy to help those people who cannot afford hearing aids. Imagine if you cannot hear things, it is worse than being detained. In America, the next worst punishment that you will receive is isolation, the deprivation to communicate,” he said.
Aside from the 40 detainees, the Starkey Hearing Aid Foundation also gives free customized gearing aid to more than 1,300 Davaoeños during their 3 days stay in the city.
All beneficiaries will have a continuing care, courtesy of the Starkey Hearing Aid Foundation, from replacement of defects hearing aids to lifetime changing of batteries.
Austin said that they want to ensure that the recipients will have an aftercare program to ensure that they can enjoy the gift of hearing.
Austin is the owner of Starkey Hearing Technologies, one of the world’s top hearing aid companies. He now focuses on his foundation, giving out free hearing aids to people around the world.
Starkey also planned to give hearing aids to soldiers who acquired hearing defect from the Marawi siege.
