The Starkey Hearing Foundation in collaboration with the Department of Health and Wellness recently hosted its third annual hearing mission at the National Cultural Centre, aimed at providing underprivileged Saint Lucians with the gift of hearing through the donation of hearing devices.

Starkey’s International Development Director for the Caribbean region, Kirk Richards, said it is the goal of the foundation to bring caring and hearing healthcare to communities around the world.

“Our goal for Saint Lucia is that we continue to identify patients who have hearing loss, patients who truly need the services; and that we continue to create awareness for individuals that have hearing loss and encourage them to get screened whether it is in Vieux-Fort or at the Entrepot health Centre. So by continuous screening for patients that have hearing loss and identifying patients that need our services in the future, it enables us to have a good list of patients who need the services and we come back to Saint Lucia when needed.”

Assistant Principal Nursing Officer in the Department of Health and Wellness, Tecla Jn Baptiste, said the initiative is extremely important as the services provided will have a profound impact on the lives of those who benefited.

“This collaboration is about improving the quality of life for those persons who need hearing services, their families, the communities and the country as a whole. Hearing health is a key component of the Department of Health and Wellness’ strategic health plan. Moving forward, the department will continue to strengthen this collaboration and put strategies in place that will ensure that hearing healthcare services reach those persons who are in need of it.”

The Starkey Hearing Foundation also provides an aftercare program for patients fitted with hearing devices.

“The purpose of aftercare clinics is to provide further counselling, to provide any support that would have been needed such as providing batteries if persons are experiencing any problems with their hearing aids that level of services is given at the various clinics. We have three clinics on island: Soufriere hospital every second Saturday of the month, Castries at the St. John’s ambulance facility every third Saturday and at the Vieux-Fort Wellness Centre every third Wednesday of the month.”

Saint Lucians with hearing impairments were fitted with hearing aids at no cost.