2011 Hear the World Sound Academy: Amplifying the Grand Canyon

This is pretty cool.

2011 Hear the World Sound Academy:
Amplifying the Grand Canyon

Global Explorers, in partnership with Phonak's Hear the World initiative, is excited to announce the first-ever Sound Academy in Grand Canyon National Park.

Twenty lucky students with and without hearing loss will embark on the expedition of a lifetime. The team will raft the Colorado River; hike slot canyons; collect data with an acoustical scientist; and learn about the interplay between human beings, wildlife and the rugged Southwest landscape through the world of sound. Post-trip, the student ambassadors will launch a Hear the World online campaign to educate others about hearing loss and sound, including a sound-themed podcast for the National Park Service.

When: July 31-August 7, 2011
Who: Full-time students ages 15-20 with and without hearing loss
Price: $1,700 + round-trip airfare to Las Vegas, NV | Limited scholarships available

We expect to have partial and full scholarships available; more details will be available at the end of February. If you are interested in the Sound Academy, please apply and we will keep you informed about the scholarship application process!

Nominate a student, offer a scholarship, or learn more at www.globalexplorers.org/heartheworld. Applications are available online and due February 26.

Questions? Contact Laura Portalupi at laura@globalexplorers.org or 877.627.1425.

Do you have a student you want to nominate?

Here are some more info.

The majesty of the Grand Canyon summons a profound connection with nature and a deep sense of purpose as few places can. But this world-famous natural wonder faces a serious threat: noise pollution. While rafting the incredible Colorado River and exploring side canyons by foot, we will learn about the interplay between human beings, wildlife, and this rugged land through the world of sound. Guided by an acoustical scientist, we will collect sound data in the Diamond Down section of Grand Canyon for use in Grand Canyon National Park’s backcountry management plan.

Sound deepens our experience of the world and the capacity to hear is a fundamental part of life, yet one in five teenagers experiences some degree of hearing loss. The Hear the World Sound Academy will foster awareness about hearing loss and sound preservation while equipping you with the tools needed to step up and make a difference in the world. Using hearing loss awareness as a case study, you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to launch a campaign for a cause you believe in.

Trip Leader Profile: Bill Barkeley

We are fortunate to have Bill Barkeley as one of the Global Explorers expedition leaders on this adventure. As one of 15,000 people in the U.S. with Usher’s Syndrome (Type 2) (the leading cause of deaf-blindness in the world), Bill’s 2007 summit of Mount Kilimanjaro shattered expectations (read article). With the assistance of Phonak hearing technology, Bill was successful in not only reaching the summit but also in sharing a story of inspiration, determination and aspiration, telling the world about assistive technologies available to those with hearing and vision problems (view Bill’s Phonak testimonial video).

Did you know about 800 million people worldwide are affected by hearing loss?
Hear the World is a global initiative by leading hearing instrument manufacturer Phonak to raise awareness about the importance of hearing and the consequences of hearing loss. Learn more about Hear the World here.

Raising hearing loss awareness is very important and people need to be aware it so that the world may hear.