Rio de Janeiro

Normally, in most associations between hearing and rock ’n’ roll, hearing loss is caused by loud music, but in Rio de Janeiro, we teamed up with Johnny Depp and the Hollywood Vampires to flip that script.

We provided the gift of hearing to more than 200 children and adults with the help of the band, including Alice Cooper, Joe Perry, Duff McKagan, Matt Sorum, Bruce Witkin and Tommy Henriksen. We were also delighted to be joined by Amber Heard, Sergio Mendes, Zak Starkey and the Queens of the Stone Age — Josh Homme, Troy Van Leeuwen, Dean Fertita, Michael Shuman and Jon Theodore.

While it was great to see the band members’ passion, it was also amazing to see the faces of the patients as they were connected to the world of sound. Many were able to hear their families and experience the joy of music for the first time.

Following the hearing aid fittings, we transported recipients to the Hollywood Vampires’ performance at the Rock in Rio festival, giving them the rare opportunity to see these rock legends perform as part of their very limited engagement tour and the chance to experience the thrill of hearing music.

“It’s an amazing opportunity for us to be able to experience something like this," Depp said "To be able to give this gift that Bill [Austin] has so generously created. To be able to help these kids, to be able to help these people is amazing.”

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Special Thanks

Starkey Brazil; Marco Ferreira; Naile Lopes; Hollywood Vampires: Johnny Depp, Alice Cooper, Joe Perry, Duff McKagan, Matt Sorum, Bruce Witkin, Tommy Henriksen, Shep Gordon; Bob Ezrin; Sergio Mendes; Noah McMahon; Zac Starkey; Amber Heard; Josh Homme; Troy Van Leeuwen; Dean Fertita; Michael Shuman; Jon Theodore; Comercio Aparelhos Auditvos Ltda; Buss e Schimuneck Com. Apar. Auditivos Ltda; L.M. Bortholuzzi e Cia Ltda.; Audimax Aparelhos Auditivos Ltda.; Audiotijuca Comercio de Aparelhos Auditvos Ltda.; Ouvesom Com. E Import. Ltda.; Instituto de Saude Aud. Do Rio de Janeiro–Saude Auditiva