About Us

OUR VISION

So the World May Hear.

With the help of thousands of volunteers and supporters over the last three decades, Starkey Hearing Foundation has expanded our reach from Minnesota across the United States and around the world.

OUR MISSION

Starkey Hearing Foundation’s mission is to give the gift of hearing to those in need, empowering them to achieve their potential.​

OUR FOCUS

By focusing on education and capacity building, and by collaborating with governments, nongovernment organizations, and health leaders, our goal is to make hearing healthcare services more accessible for people around the world.

OUR STORY

Over the past 40 years, Starkey Hearing Foundation has brought the gift of hearing to nearly 1.5 million people around the globe, inspired by co-founders Bill and Tani Austin’s drive toward sustainable community-based hearing healthcare and supported by many generous donors.

As we look ahead, our goal remains the same: access to hearing healthcare through sustainable community-based providers. To make that vision a reality, the foundation’s focus has shifted from international hearing missions to an even larger approach to systems change through in-country partnerships, education, training, and capacity building.

1984
Starkey Hearing Foundation Founded

Starkey Hearing Foundation was founded by Mr. Bill Austin with the mission So The World May Hear.

1997
First Mission
Starkey Hearing Foundation embarked on its first international mission to El Salvador
2000
WFA® Community-Based Hearing Healthcare Program
The WFA® Community-Based Hearing Healthcare Program was established as a way to empower individuals and provide access to hearing health right where they live.
2010
50,000 Hearing Aids!

Starkey Hearing Foundation serves over 50,000 hearing aids to those around the world without the means to obtain or afford.

2013
100 Countries

100 countries around the world have been reached and served by the Starkey Hearing Foundation.

2016
Starkey Hearing Institute

The Starkey Hearing Institute was established and graduated its first class of 12 professionals representing eight African nations.

2020
Focus Through COVID-19

Due to COVID-19 and its surrounding restrictions, Starkey Hearing Foundation takes responsibility to focus its supporters’ donations on what was stable and sustainable, the Starkey Hearing Institute and its dedicated students to deliver the gift of hearing.

2021
Sustainable Philanthropy

The Starkey Hearing Institute continues to grow in sustainable philanthropy delivering the gift of hearing access to 50,000+ individuals a year from its 67 alumni using the Active Care program.

2023
100+ Graduates

November 2023, the Starkey Hearing Institute in Zambia will have graduated more than 100 students providing a successful model in its community-based hearing health care accessibility and delivery for long-term care to all those in need.

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.