Starkey Hearing Foundation mission targets the hard of hearing in Armenia

At a spectacular star-studded gala organized by the Starkey Hearing Foundation on July 16, 2017, funds and awareness were raised for the hearing impaired throughout the world. Under the title, “So the world may hear,” celebrities and donors gathered at the River Center for an evening of recognition and fundraising at this 17^th Annual Awards Gala.

William Austin, Founder and CEO of the Starkey Hearing Foundation, along with his wife Tani, have brought auditory relief to 106 countries and now, Armenia has become the 107^th country to be impacted by the Starkey Foundation.

At the request of Mr. & Mrs. Armen and Haikouhi Kavoukjian, the Starkey Hearing Foundation extended themselves to Armenia. “For many years we had been invited to the new technologies summit organized by Starkey,” said Armen Kavoukjian. “Then, when we heard Mr. Austin explain the work of the Foundation my wife and I thought, why not in Armenia? We approached Mr. Austin with the idea and he was extremely supportive. That became the start of Mission Armenia.”

The Kavoukjians recently organized a fundraiser in the local Los Angeles area. With the blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, fundraising moved forward bringing the financial and moral support of the Diocesan Agape Circle. Over $45,000 was raised locally. Furthermore, the Primate arranged for the Kavoukjians to meet with Fr. Markos Mankasaryan, who heads the Department of Social and Humanitarian Projects for the Holy See of Etchmiadzin.

In the past year a data base was established for potential recipients of the hearing aids. After a needs analysis and diagnostic testing, over 1700 people were identified in Armenia. Liana Sahakyan, International Project Coordinator of Arabkir Children’s Foundation paying meticulous attention to the details, assured all the logistical considerations for a successful mission.

In June of 2017, the Starkey Foundation took specialists and technicians to Armenia to custom fit the hearing aids for 1700 people. Many young people volunteered countless hours and days to work with project organizers and recipients. The results were an efficient and effective first phase of the Mission. The molds and fittings were shipped back to Minnesota where the Starkey Foundation took responsibility for creating the custom ear molds to be used in conjunction with the hearing aid (to achieve the maximum audibility for the devices). In October, close to 40 professionals will descend on Armenia for Phase II of the Mission, fitting and adjusting these hearing aids. The ultimate goal of the Mission is to create community-based sustainable programs in Armenia, as is the case in 52 other countries served by the Starkey Foundation.

At the Gala event, Ben Affleck who founded the Eastern Congo Initiative was honored as humanitarian of the year. Also honored were Madam Esther Lungu, First Lady of Zambia; the Wilf Family Foundation; FedEx; and Scott Borchetta and Sandi Spika Borchetta of Big Machine Records and Music Has Value. The extravaganza featured musicians and celebrates. A unique auction for the various Missions took place. When Mission Armenia went on the “auction block” the winning bid was $175,000, which will provide much for ongoing services to the country.

Fr. Vazken Movsesian, represented Archbishop Hovnan at the gathering, commented, “We are witnessing a beautiful outpouring of humanitarian outreach. Each of us should be inspired to do our part in the effort ‘So the World may hear.’”

For more information about Starkey and their projects, visit www.StarkeyHearingFoundation.org