New hearing aids to be distributed in Tonga [1]
Friday, June 22, 2018 - 21:01
Tongans who have hearing problems will soon be able to hear better under the "Tonga May Hear Project", where new hearing aids worth more than $2,000 each will be donated for the first time by the Starkey Hearing Foundation, visiting Tonga in August.
Anyone with hearing difficulties is encouraged to visit their nearest health clinics on Tongatapu, ‘Eua, Ha’apai, Vava’u and the Niuas, or the Ear Nose Throat (ENT) at Vaiola Hospital, to be screened before being registered. The ENT at Vaiola Hospital will perform screening from Tuesday to Friday.
The foundation is aiming to distribute 800 hearing aids or more if the demand is high. The founder of the foundation, Mr William Austin, and a team of around 40 people, will be in Tonga between 18-23 August to distribute and fit the hearing aids.
Dr ‘Amone Vaka’uta told Matangi Tonga that they have already registered more than 400 people with more turning up to be screened.
“This is a great opportunity and a blessing for Tongans who need hearing aids as they are costly and this is their chance to get one.”
Standard hearing aids normally cost around $2,000 - $3,000 and up to $10,000 each for more advanced ones making this project worth more than $2 Million.
In addition to donating hearing aids, the foundation will also provide ongoing maintenance and plan to return in the future.
Loleta Mafi, a nurse at Vaiola Hospital, is involved with the foundation having recently worked with them in Cambodia distributing and fitting 650 hearing aids daily for a week earlier this month.
Having seen first hand the benefits of the project, she is urging all Tongans to spread the word.
“What is really important now is to tell as many people as we can with hearing difficulties that they can get hearing aids by coming to see us,” she said.
Loleta is Tonga’s contact person for follow-up services after the hearing aids are distributed and says she will be in regular contact with the foundation regarding maintenance.
The Starkey Hearing Foundation has been travelling the globe over the last three decades giving the gift of hearing to people in need in more than 100 countries.
For more information click here [2] to download the project pamphlet.