At least 600 persons suffering with hearing loss could, later this month, receive the gift of hearing from the Starkey Hearing Foundation.

The Starkey Hearing Foundation was on island in January to create free, customized ear impression for persons suffering with hearing loss, and is scheduled back on island to fit customized hearing aids on April 12 and 13.

However, Family Nurse Practitioner Diana King-Dornelly, who specializes in audiology, said the Ministry of Health is still short of Starkey’s target. As a result, the ministry is making a final appeal for persons to come in to get tested before the Starkey team arrives.

“The target for Starkey is to fit 600 persons with hearing aids. At the previous mission we saw many people, however we did not meet the target of 600. So Starkey is willing to fit more people with hearing aids and so we’re urging persons who think they have a hearing loss or have a hearing loss to come forward to be screened so that they can be fitted as well,” she explained. “There is room for more persons to come in to get hearing aids free of charge.”

Nurse Dornelly indicated that ear screenings are also available in the north and south of the island.

“Hearing screenings will be done at the Vieux Fort Wellness Centre everyday—from now until Starkey gets here, and at the Entrepot Health Centre. So persons can go there to have their hearing screened and from there they would be directed to the Starkey team if they are found to have hearing loss.”

Hearing aids can cost as much as EC$3,000 per ear, but the foundation will provide free hearing aids to persons who qualify.

The Starkey Hearing Foundation plans to donate and fit more than 100,000 persons with hearing aids worldwide.