NBC story of deaf girl to hear again

Once a year, Bill Austin, founder and CEO Starkey Hearing Technologies - the largest hearing aid technology manufacturer in the United States, with the Starkey Foundation visits the Yankee stadium and donates Starkey's state-of-the-art hearing aids to any children and adults who would not have otherwise able to afford the latest hearing aid models on the market today. Stephanie Montalvo recently received a Starkey hearing aid that her family's insurance wouldn't have been able to cover. And upon receiving it the sound around her was louder and with more clarity over her old aging hearing aid that barely provided much sound. "I feel like I'm a newborn baby, being able to hear again," she said. 

The Starkey Foundation has given the gift of hearing to over 800,000 people in the past 12 years with free hearing aids. In 2012 notable celebrities like Chelsea Clinton who helped Bill Austin distribute new hearing aids to hundreds of kids at Yankee Stadium. . And deaf kids still get excited upon receiving a free hearing aid.  Deaf boy at 1:06 into the video (first video at top of page) signs and says while smiling "I have a new hearing aid! I am happy!"

At the Clinton Global Initiative in 2012 President Bill Clinton challenged Bill Austin to do more on providing free hearing aids to kids and adults around the world. Starkey Foundation for awhile remained "stuck" at 50,000 fittings a year decided to meet Bill Clinton's challenge to scaled up their efforts to more than 100,000 fittings a year to kids and adult so that they may experience, as Bill Austin said, the gift of hearing.

Besides Bill Clinton and Chelsea Clinton who are championing for free hearing aids to kids around the world so does Marlee Matlin who champions for the donation of free hearing aids to deaf and hard of children around the world. In fact she regularly attends this annual gala event called "So the world may hear." This year's gala 2012 event raised a record $7.6 million dollars and had many notable celebrities like:

President Bill Clinton, Maria Bello, Robin Williams, Marlee Matlin, Billy Crystal, Forest Whitaker and Sammy Sosa attended this year's Awards Gala, which raised a record $7.6M. But the biggest star was the power of hearing.

Indeed, the power of hearing. Yes, that's a strong draw and reason for people to support on finding ways to alleviate hearing loss. Even Lou Ferrigno (who received his Esteem Envoy implantable hearing device) and Gary Busey who were at the gala event as well. It was Marlee Matlin who confronted Busey in the Celebrity Apprentice show about his hearing loss that he needs to get a hearing aid. It was on the Celebrity Apprentice when Marlee Matlin helped raise $1 million dollars for the Starkey Hearing Foundation. And now Gary Busey has become a big supporter on helping deaf and hard of hearing kids get their free hearing aids.

Now, here's the irony.

Marlee Matlin is perhaps unwittingly helping people understand and value the power of hearing for several years by attending the "So the World May Hear" gala annual event that began in 1984. Marlee Matlin supports the distribution of free hearing aids to children around the world and for them they are getting a taste of that power of hearing and experience the joy of being able to hear sound.

Tale of a hypocrisy and Marlee Matlin

News is still reverberating about the latest development on the treatment for hearing loss when gerbils in a laboratory were deliberately made deaf had their hearing loss reversed using human embryonic stem cells.

The stem cells were used to make immature nerve cells. Those were then transplanted into the deaf ears of 18 gerbils.  

Ten weeks later, the rodents' hearing ability had improved by an average of 46 percent, with recovery ranging from modest to almost complete, the researchers reported.

Not totally a cure yet but certainly in that direction that hearing loss or nerve deafness can certainly be reversed.  A key conceptual working model demonstrated here using the medical knowledge and technique that can readily be applied on humans, and that adult stem cells would be used as well.

With that news Marlee Matlin was asked about the medical break through with stem cells.

“Think about this. What if someone told you that you could’ve been made different than the content person you are with genetics. Would you? Now think how millions of deaf people who lead productive lives, would feel when told that babies born deaf can be ‘cured’.”  

Matlin also told followers, “Be proud of who you are, regardless of what people think is a “handicap” or “normal.” Normal is what you want to be. Don’t let anyone tell you who or what you should be.”

The problem here in reference to the yellow highlighted part above is that parents of deaf or hard of hearing babies have the parental and legal right to make an informed decision regarding the use of stem cells to reverse their baby's hearing loss once that procedure becomes safely available. They can either go forward with the treatment or reject it. And odds are quite high that most parents will prefer to opt for the stem cells treatment than to forego it. This would be absolutely true when we have someday stem cells that can reverse blindness or low vision condition would parents opt for that treatment for their blind or low vision babies. Chances are high that culturally deaf parents of a deaf/blind baby would stop at nothing to see that their baby get the stem cells treatment for blindness but not deafness when they value more on vision than hearing. Just as any parents would see any other medical condition would they like to see reversed for their babies. A hypocrisy in action folks. In fact, there wouldn't be any outcry from the culturally deaf community if there was a stem cells treatment that could reverse vision loss in babies, children, teens and adults.

But here's another "hypocrisy" about Marlee Matlin's. She champions for the donation of free hearing aids to deaf and hard of children around the world with the Starkey Hearing Foundation. I think this is great! In fact she regularly attends this annual gala event called, "So the world may hear." This year's gala 2012 event raised a record $7.6 million dollars and had many notable celebrities like:

President Bill Clinton, Maria Bello, Robin Williams, Marlee Matlin, Billy Crystal, Forest Whitaker and Sammy Sosa attended this year's Awards Gala, which raised a record $7.6M. But the biggest star was the power of hearing.

And yet she warns us about stem cells treatment for hearing loss? What's her stance on stem cells treatment for curing blindness or low vision in babies?

The power of hearing. Yes, that's a strong draw and reason for people to support on finding ways to alleviate hearing loss. Even Lou Ferrigno (who received his Esteem Envoy implantable hearing aid) and Gary Busey (Marlee Matlin confronted Busey his hearing loss that he needs to get a hearing aid seen in the Celebrity Apprentice show by which $1 million dollar was raised for Starkey Hearing Foundation) who were at the gala event as well. It won't be long until celebrities support for the cure for hearing loss through stem cells treatment.

Now, here's the irony.

Marlee Matlin is perhaps unwittingly helping people understand and value the power of hearing for several years by attending the "So the World May Hear" gala annual event that began in 1984 and supports the distribution of free hearing aids to children around the world. Deaf and hard of hearing children around the world with their free hearing aids are getting a taste of that power of hearing and experience the joy of being able to hear sound.  And with that taste in mind already experienced they certainly would want to opt for stem cells treatment to reverse their own hearing loss if they had that choice and the means to do so.

Now, I'm sure some in the culturally deaf community would express their shock and outrage over this but let me remind some of the culturally deaf people that the bulk of their community do wear hearing aids and cochlear implants. Look around whenever you are with a group of deaf and hard of hearing friends. How many of them are wearing hearing aids and cochlear implants? Why are they wearing hearing aids? Why cochlear implants? What makes you think they would not want to opt for stem cells treatment to reverse or simply improve their own hearing?  What makes you think they would not support parental rights to make an informed decision to provide stem cells treatment to reverse hearing loss for their deaf/hh babies?

So, who is really showing the hypocrisy here?

Is the death of culturally deaf community that far behind? Or is it just plain paranoia? 

Marlee Matlin and her hearing aid experience

Marlee Matlin gives us an understanding why she wears her hearing aids in both ears and the reason she supports the Starkey Hearing Foundation on providing free hearing aids to kids around the world.

If you're in Minnesota or nearby, or can fly in, you can always attend the July 24, 2011 "So the World May Hear" 11th annual gala with celebrities and musicians stopping by to watch, celebrate, and perform. Last year, with their 10th annual Gala they raised a record $7 million dollars, the most ever. In 2009 they raised $4.6 million dollars with each succeeding year earlier raising more money than before.

This year 11th gala includes the ever present Marlee Matlin, former president Bil Clinton, Randy Hogan, and Doug Pitt as Honorees with hard hitting performers Miley Cyrus, Reba Mcentire, Garth Brooks, Meat Loaf, and the Kevin Costner & Modern West country band.

With Marlee Matlin's extensive coverage about her hearing loss as a deaf person on Celebrity Apprentice has raised her profile as well as awareness on hearing loss. I'm sure the 11th annual Gala "So the World May Hear" will raise even more money beating out the $7 million dollars raised in 2010. And provide even more hearing aids and services to kids around the world. Watch their latest captioned video of their visit to one of the towns in Africa they visited in 2010. 

Marlee Matlin Supports "So the World May Hear"

Marlee Matlin, the famously well known Deaf actress in Hollywood, supports the Starkey Hearing Foundation's philanthropy and mission "So the World May Hear." In her June 8, 2008 MySpace blog she exclaimed:

Then Fabian and I will jet up to Minneapolis for the annual "So the World May Hear" benefit that raises much needed funds and sponsors missions (like one you saw on DWTS) to remote parts of the world and help give poor children the gift of hearing. This year they're honoring Billy Jean King and I've heard there's a very special surprise musical guest performing, though I know who it is. It's going to knock the audience's socks off!

Marlee Matlin appears in the October 2008 "So the World May Hear" newsletter. On page 5 of the newsletter Marlee Matlin can be seen with in a group picture (see below) with St. Louis Cardinals’ Mascot, Bill Austin, Boys & Girls Clubs of America President Roxanne Spillett, MLB Legends Fred Lynn, Gaylord Perry, George Brett, Rollie Fingers, Robin Roberts and MLB President and COO Bob DuPuy standing in the back while kneeling in the foreground are Marlee Matlin, Debbie Wright, Reebok Representative Joe Van Buskirk, Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation Director Cindy Picerni and Pittsburgh Pirates’ Mascot.




Below is another picture from Audiology Online of Marlee Matlin and her interpreter in a dance pose along with Bill and Tani Austin at the 2008 gala "So the World May Hear."






During Marlee Matlin's debut on "Dancing with the Stars" last year she wore her Starkey hearing aids.

First, many persons with profound hearing loss can still benefit from the use of quality hearing aids. Marlee wears hearing aids manufactured by Starkeys Labs which contain their proprietary BluWave’ signal processing technology.

In addition, Marlee felt the concussive pulsing beat from the lowest frequencies. The bass guitar and bass drum deliver waves through the floor, the walls and allowed Marlee to feel the rhythm of the music. Hey, your entire body is one big tuning fork!

Finally, Marlee relied on her dance partner, Fabian Sanchez, to keep the moves on track and in synch. Hes my music, Marlee proclaimed. The couple modified some of the moves so Marlee could maintain physical or eye contact with Fabian more frequently, though she had no trouble cha-cha-chaing her way across the stage, engaged in complex dance steps that were eye-popping.

Lou Ferrigno, Marlee Matlin and many other well known celebrities also attended again for the 2009 gala "So the World May Hear" held in July. They can be seen here in a collage of pictures of stars posing with Bill Austin, the guy who made it all possible the philanthropy and mission to provide hearing aids to rural areas, to underprivledged people, and those in 3rd world or poor countries. Marlee Matlin has attended previous "So the World May Hear" galas in the past for several years.

This philanthropy and mission continue to grow in terms of monies donated and the growing support to make this work a smashing success. After all, hearing is a gift and can be seen in the faces of thousands through pictures and videos of those who received their hearing aids. In 2007, for example, they were able to raise $4.5 million dollars. That's alot of hearing aids to distribute and support.

With the help of dozens of well-known and highly respected celebrities, including Jim Belushi, Lou Ferrigno, Glenn Frey, Goldie Hawn, Jay Leno, Kenny Loggins, Marlee Matlin, Leslie Nielsen, Mickey Rooney, Kevin Sorbo, Robert Wagner, and many others, the Starkey Hearing Foundation raised a record $4.5 million at its annual "So the World May Hear" Awards Gala, which was held on Saturday, June 23 in St. Paul, Minn.

"For the seventh year in a row we had tremendous support from our friends all over the world who helped us raise an amazing $4.5 million to further our mission of promoting hearing health awareness and helping the world to hear," said William F. Austin, founder of the Starkey Hearing Foundation. "I offer my heartfelt thanks to everyone who was a part of this year's Gala and who, through their generosity of time and money, helped make the world a better place for so many children."

The Starkey Hearing Foundation is known for donating hearing aids to underprivileged children both here in the United States and in countries all over the globe. Thanks to funds raised during this annual event, the Foundation has been able to donate an estimated 200,000 hearing aids in the past seven years alone in an effort to give the gift of hearing to those in need.

In the 2008 gala they raised $5 million dollars and this year's gala they raised just as much. And so far they have distributed over 440,000 hearing aids around the world and many more into the future. It won't be long til the Starkey Foundation reaches the millionth hearing aid mark.

The gift of hearing? Priceless.

So the world may hear...

Here are two organizations that provide hearing aids to the needy and poor around the world including children.

One is called "So the World May Hear" organization by the Starkey Hearing Foundation. Well known celebrities like Heather Whitestone and Lou Ferrigno support this mission. Plus many, many more well known celebrities that have attended the annual "So the World May Hear" award gala with the recent gala on July 12, 2009.

Elton John, Billy Crystal, Tony Bennett and Gladys Knight Headline at Ninth Annual So the World May Hear Awards Gala.

What an incredible line-up of stars, and what a magnificent evening of entertainment, celebration and generosity. The kind of generosity that is simply unprecedented. The kind of generosity that is born of passion and commitment. “The kind of generosity that will allow us to open the world as we know it—a world of music, laughter, language, and love—to kids all over the world by giving them the gift of hearing,” said William F. Austin, founder of Starkey Hearing Foundation. “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made our 2009 Gala a success.”

The evening featured the comedy of Billy Crystal as well as performances by Gladys Knight, Tony Bennett and Ethan Bortnick. After saluting Bill and Tani Austin as two of the most important people in his life, Elton John capped off the evening with a touching and memorable one-hour performance that included such hits as “Rocket Man,” “Your Song,” “Daniel,” and “Circle of Life.” The inspirational evening would not have been complete without the recognition of four individuals and one corporation for their significant contributions to humanity. This year’s award recipients included comedian Norm Crosby, the 1961 New York Yankees, Minnesota philanthropists and business leaders Marilyn and Dr. Glen Nelson, and Rayovac, a long-time supporter of Starkey Hearing Foundation.

Additional celebrity guests who attended this year’s Gala included performers JC Chasez and Sam Moore; actors Lou Ferrigno, Verne Troyer and Robert Culp; TV personalities Alan Kalter and Paige Hemmis; astronaut Buzz Aldrin; golf legend Arnold Palmer; 1961 Yankees teammates Moose Skowron, Whitey Ford, Ralph Terry, and Bob Turley as well as Mickey Mantle’s son David Mantle; Southern Methodist University head football coach June Jones; songwriter Paul Williams; comedian Norm Crosby; and many others. In addition, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress, Minnesota Vikings trainer Eric Sugarman, University of Minnesota head basketball coach Tubby Smith, Marilyn and Dr. Glen Nelson, and several Minnesota Vikings players.

The other organization that benefits directly the children around the world is called "Hearing Angel." So far to date they have outfitted over 340,000 hearing aids to children around the world and saw miles of smiles as a result. One girl even expressed her gratitude to be able to hear sound again to the people who gave and outfitted her new hearing aid.

Please visit these two sites and learn what you can do for those who can use the joy of sound in their lives. The man, William Austin, who started the Starkey Hearing Foundation, read his story on how it all started.