Santiago, Santo Domingo
February 2015 Dominican Republic
The team started in Santo Domingo, where our dedicated partners Antonio Estaban and Samantha Canals had worked with the Dominican Navy to secure a fitting site. The grounds were bustling with excited energy as we fit thousands of patients over four days including many children from local schools. Coleman and Matlin were favorites among our young patients, showing off their own hearing aids to children who were scared or anxious — and of course giving countless hugs and high fives!
On the third day of fitting, we met the radiant 106-yearold Estabania, who had suffered from severe hearing loss for over two decades. After she was successfully fit with her new hearing aids, Estabania had one very important question: would she need to take off her hearing aids to go out dancing? Of course not, Estabania. You dance! After fitting nearly 2,000 patients in Santo Domingo, we traveled by bus to the mountainous city of Santiago for a successful hearing mission at the mayor’s office. After a full week of fittings, the team left the Dominican Republic knowing we’d changed countless lives and looking forward to our next visit.
Special Thanks
Audibel: Mike Wheeler and Juliet Wheeler; Hearing Solutions: Lowell Scott, Jacob Weldon, Hamilton Scott; Warburg Pincus: Mark Colodny, Suzanne Moller Colodny, Ali Jeronimo; Bereca & Associates: Deborah Berecz; Jennifer Johnson; Delta Zeta Sorority: Barbara Brotherton, Diane Stecher; Hybrid Shop: Matt Curry; Marlee Matlin; Jack Jason; Lizzy Weiss; Derrick Coleman; Aaron Alpert; Carlos Gomez; Steve Friess; Engel Beltre; Juan Francisco; Dr. Jane O'Brien; AUDIONET, Inc.: Antonio Esteban; Samantha Canals
Spread the word:
Give the Gift of Hearing
Help us continue to spread the gift of hearing around the globe and create the next generation of hearing healthcare leaders through the Starkey Hearing Institute, a program of Starkey Hearing Foundation.
DONATE NOW »