EDEN PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA – In continuation of the global partnership made between Starkey and Special Olympics International, Starkey Cares was proud to serve as the exclusive global supplier of hearing instruments for the Special Olympics Healthy Hearing program at the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023.
Thorsten Quaas, Starkey’s VP of European Sales (left), Special Olympics athletes (middle), and Starkey Cares volunteers (right) give a thumbs up to the camera while programming a brand-new Starkey hearing aid
Taking place 17-25 June, Healthy Hearing and Starkey Cares served over 2,200 athletes with hearing screenings and fit more than 250 athletes with free hearing aids during the nine-day event.
“Witnessing some of these athletes hear for the first time in their lives was a remarkable experience. Starkey’s purpose is to build caring products that connect people through better hearing, and this partnership is part of fulfilling that purpose. When you reconnect someone with the world around them, the possibilities are limitless.”
–Michael Scholl, Executive VP of Corporate Relations at Starkey
Special Olympics Hungary athlete, Karoly Holdosi, (left) thanks Starkey Audiologist, Justine Hammer (right), after receiving the gift of better hearing
At the World Games, Starkey provided personalized hearing aids with the help of partners like Dreve, who fit more than 50 Special Olympics athletes with custom ear molds. As athletes returned home following the Games, they have the opportunity for follow-up care from a hearing professional in their community thanks to Starkey’s hearing health partners across the globe.
The partnership between Starkey Cares and Special Olympics International has already helped thousands of athletes with hearing loss around the world through access to hearing health care and technology. Starkey will continue to be an exclusive partner at Special Olympics signature events, in addition to providing hearing care and hearing aids to athletes at many regional events across the United States.
About Starkey
Starkey is a privately held, global hearing technology company headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Owned by Bill Austin since 1967, Starkey is known for its innovative design, development, and distribution of comprehensive digital hearing systems. Led today by President and CEO Brandon Sawalich, Starkey has more than 5,000 employees, operates 29 facilities and does business in more than 100 markets worldwide. Learn more at starkey.com.
About Special Olympics International
Founded in 1968, Special Olympics is a global movement to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. We foster acceptance of all people through the power of sport and programming in education, health and leadership. With more than six million athletes and Unified Sports partners and one million coaches and volunteers in over 200 accredited Programs, Special Olympics delivers more than 30 Olympic-type sports and over 100,000 games and competitions every year.
About Dreve
Dreve Otoplastik GmbH is a family-run company from Unna, Germany, that offers products for fitting hearing aid systems to the ear. One of the core competences is 3D printing of custom-fit hearing aid earmolds and customized hearing protection. Dreve uses state-of-the-art technology and high-quality materials to create comfortable and effective products, processes and services that meet the customers’ needs. Certified as a manufacturer of medical devices and with over 70 years of experience, Dreve is a reliable partner for audiologists and hearing experts. Learn more here.
Source: Starkey
**featured image: Starkey’s Chief Innovation Officer, Dr. Dave Fabry (left), high fives Special Olympics Brazil athlete Marcelino Lages (right) as he reacts to being able to hear properly for the first time.
