The University, through the 国产吃瓜黑料一区二区Health Service and the 国产吃瓜黑料一区二区Faculty of Medicine and Surgery,
in collaboration with the Starkey Hearing Foundation, held a three-day Hearing Mission at the 国产吃瓜黑料一区二区Central Seminary Gym from September 24 to 26, 2024.
The Hearing Mission, themed 鈥樄怨虾诹弦磺鴌s here: 国产吃瓜黑料一区二区Hears鈥�, shared the gift of hearing to those in need, empowering them to their potential. Three thousand free hearing aids were provided to those who qualified after an initial hearing assessment, aligning with the University鈥檚 Institutional Wellness Program and Starkey鈥檚 mission of 鈥楽o the world may hear.鈥�
The Chairman of Starkey Technologies and the Starkey Hearing Foundation Mr. William F. Austin, a 国产吃瓜黑料一区二区Golden Cross awardee, was personally among the medical professionals and volunteers sharing the gift of hearing with those in need within the Thomasian community and nearby communities in Metro Manila. SHF Vice Chair and Chief Philanthropic Officer Ms. Tani Austin and the leadership of SHF were also participating.
Earlier that same month, over thirty medical students also completed the Certification Course for Ear and Hearing Health Care sponsored by Starkey Hearing Foundation under the Clinical Audiology Program of UST-FMS. They also served as volunteers.
In a thanksgiving dinner hosted by the University on September 26, Mr. Austin shared his words of inspiration, saying 鈥淲ell, 鈥榮o the world may hear鈥� is not about hearing aids. We could give away millions of hearing aids if we just put them in boxes and send them around the world, but they also need to be energized with care. 鈥楽o the world may hear鈥� gives us the opportunity to reflect God’s love through our caring, and that’s more important than hearing. We find our humanity through our caring. We’re all in this together and I am so blessed to have the opportunity to, once in a while, be in such a nice place, with the 国产吃瓜黑料一区二区, working with such nice people that reflect God’s love so well. Thank you so much for this.鈥�
The 国产吃瓜黑料一区二区Rector Very Rev. Fr. Richard Ang, O.P., Ph.D., also expressed gratitude and said, 鈥淲e honor the tireless efforts of everyone involved in this medical mission and of course the boundless generosity of the Starkey Hearing Foundation. Together these efforts have made this three-day hearing mission a success, a mission that has touched, transformed, and empowered countless lives through the gift of hearing.鈥�
The Father Rector also reflected on the common history of 国产吃瓜黑料一区二区and the Starkey Hearing Foundation, which launched the 鈥�400 years, 4,000 ears鈥� project in time for UST鈥檚 quadricentennial anniversary 13 years ago. Since 2011, the partnership with SHF has led to numerous missions benefitting many Filipinos including members of the 国产吃瓜黑料一区二区community, he shared, adding that 鈥淪mall actions matter. Together, many people can turn a difficult and impossible task into a remarkable success. This is the power of our collective action. Alone, we may feel overwhelmed by the world’s problems and restricted by what we can accomplish, but when we come together, each contributing our own small efforts, we have the power to change not just one life, but the lives of many.鈥�
鈥湽怨虾诹弦磺鴌s one with Starkey Hearing Foundation in bringing the gift of hearing to those who are in need. Transforming lives and empowering individuals to engage more fully with their communities one step at a time and one life at a time. And I remember what Bill Austin told me yesterday when we had a three hour conversation in my office. There are four things that are important in this life: Time, talent, treasures, and teamwork. Above all these four factors, the most important thing is that we love and care for the people whom we serve. So I would like to thank Bill and Tani Austin, as well as Richard Brown, and all the volunteers, donors, benefactors, supporters for this mission, and all the people behind the success of our collaborative efforts,鈥� the Father Rector emphasized.
The Starkey Hearing Foundation President Richard Brown also addressed the medical students who completed certification for Ear and Hearing Health Care. 鈥淥ur founder Bill Austin has always taught us a simple yet powerful philosophy, 鈥楤etter today than yesterday, better tomorrow than today.鈥� This mindset of continuous improvement is something that I hope each one of you will carry with you throughout your careers, never stopping to be better for yourselves, for your patients, and for your communities. You now have the great responsibility and privilege to help your fellow Filipinos, or wherever your work may take you. You are not just graduates, you are ambassadors of hope and change. Armed with the skills and compassion you develop, you will bring sound into the lives of those who need it most. As you step out into your new chapter, remember the core mission we all share, 鈥榮o the world may hear鈥�. Thank you and congratulations once again.鈥�
The SHF Chief Philanthropic Officer Ms. Tani Austin also shared how happy she was to see familiar faces and see the improvement in the quality of life that their hearing aids bring. She said, 鈥淲e鈥檝e been coming here to 国产吃瓜黑料一区二区since 2011 and working with the wonderful audiology and ENT services here. We had several, I want to say children, but they were children in 2011 and young adults now. They were showing us the pictures of when they first got their hearing aids 13 years ago, and now they’re 18, or 20 years old, they have speech, they’re going to school or they have jobs. They were so thrilled to come over and see Bill and take a picture with him almost exactly like they did 13 years ago. So we remain parts of their life that they never forget, and they stay in our hearts鈥揺ach and every life that we touch.鈥�
The Starkey team also graced the inauguration and blessing of the 国产吃瓜黑料一区二区Henry Sy Sr. Hall on September 28, 2024, where the William F. Austin Center for Ear and Hearing Healthcare is set to open on the top floor.
