Emotions, and Tears, Spill Over When Hearing for the Very First Time

Hearing for the First Time

Special Olympics Papua New Guinea athlete Samantha Maiasa, who was born def, hears for the first time after being fitted with a hearing aid by Starkey Hearing.

Today we celebrate #WorldHearingDay with our great partner Starkey Hearing! Meet Special Olympics Papua New Guinea athlete Samantha Maiasa. Born deaf, after being fit with a hearing aid at the World Games in Berlin, she can hear for the very first time in her life!

Since 2007 Special Olympics Healthy Hearing has provided hearing screenings to over 120,000 athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities from 180 countries globally. More than 22,000 Special Olympics athletes have failed their hearing screening. And globally, over 80% of ear and hearing care needs remain unmet. At Special Olympics Healthy Hearing, Special Olympics athletes can receive hearing aids and follow up care. Thanks to our partners #StarkeyCares for making ear and hearing care a reality for all at Healthy Hearing screenings and in athletes’ home communities at no cost to athletes or their families. #InclusiveHealth

Read more about our impact

Special Olympics Completes Georgetown University Innovation Hub Fellowship to Advance Young Athletes App On December 11, 2025, leaders from the Special Olympics Early Childhood Development team successfully completed a 13-week Fellowship with the Georgetown University Thrive Center’s Innovation Hub.
Lighting the Way Series, Part 5: One Father's Journey and a Decade of Transformation Families—parents, caregivers, siblings, and other supporters—play a major role in the Special Olympics movement. They promote inclusivity and encourage athletes to grow and believe in themselves.
A National Promise of Belonging: The Gambia Joins the Special Olympics Global Coalition for Inclusion Ministry of Youth and Sports formalizes agreement to advance inclusive sport and education
Lighting the Way Series, Part 4: The Power of Love and Support Families are at the heart of Special Olympics, championing inclusion, building community, and driving impact every day. They shape every athlete’s journey by offering a unique type of love and support in a way that nurtures their physical, emotional, and personal development.
Cheers to Mary Davis: Reflections on a Legacy of Global Leadership and Inclusion This episode features an inspiring conversation between host Novie Craven and Mary Davis, CEO of Special Olympics. With nearly five decades of dedication to the movement, Mary shares her extraordinary journey, the evolution of Special Olympics and her vision for a future rooted in dignity, opportunity and athlete-centered leadership.

Emotions, and Tears, Spill Over When Hearing for the Very First Time

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