Hearing impairment is a national and international issue that has no boundaries.

The educational resources provided on this site help students explore factual information provided through USA TODAY and encourage critical thinking about the causes of hearing loss and steps to protect against loss.

Activities are provided that help students reflect on and gain an appreciation for their own hearing ability.

Lesson:

For iPod users, a budding problem

Through the “Don’t Say What” campaign, the Starkey Hearing Foundation will educate consumers about the risks of overexposing their ear to noise and what they can do to prevent damaging their hearing

In 1973, The Starkey Hearing Foundation started with a simple premise: “ Alone we can’t do much. But, together we can change the world.”

With So the World May Hear as his goal, Starkey Hearing Foundation founder William F. Austin built an organization upon this vision.

Every year, the Foundation conducts more than 150 missions in countries across the globe. These missions include giving away hearing instruments and promoting hearing impairment education. Since 2000, the Starkey Hearing Foundation has touched more than 78,000 lives worldwide, delivering more than 20,000 hearing aids annually all around the world in countries stretching from the U.S. to Vietnam.

The Foundations work is sustained by the efforts of thousands of volunteers and donors around the world. Besides giving the gift of hearing, the Foundation promotes hearing health awareness while supporting research and education.