Commitment for better hearing in Haiti
Sonova employees actively support the work of the Hear the World Foundation in Haiti. They are involved in a long-term project which gives children with hearing loss access to audiological care and speech therapy.
The project of Sonova’s Hear the World Foundation aims to provide sustainable support for the people of Leveque, a community of people with hearing loss in Haiti.
With 11 million inhabitants and an average annual income of around 480 US dollars, Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world. Here there is virtually no chance of children with untreated hearing loss developing at an appropriate rate for their age. In 2014, a comprehensive project was set up in Leveque to ensure
A project supported by the entire Sonova Group
Employees of the Sonova Group are playing a major role in setting up and implementing the project. A team of Sonova volunteers assessed the situation in Haiti and helped to draw up a sustainable project plan, which Sonova colleagues are now putting into practice through continued volunteer missions.
When our first patient, Joulie, got her hearing aid and was able to hear for the very first time in her life, it was an incredibly wonderful thing to see. She was so happy and her reactions are something I’ll never forget!
However, it is not just the children in Leveque who benefit from this project; it leaves a lasting impression on the Sonova volunteers too. Nathan mission volunteer of Phonak US stated “This trip has reminded me why I became an audiologist – to help people!” Samantha, a Phonak Canada mission volunteer, added: “When our first patient, Joulie, got her hearing aid and was able to hear for the very first time in her life, it was an incredibly wonderful thing to see. She was so happy and her reactions are something I’ll never forget!”