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Community Impact

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

Asia PacificPapua New GuineaBerlin 2023Healthy HearingHealthInclusive HealthStories of Impact

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