Hearing Aids
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The Problem
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The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 600 million people are hearing impaired, This is because of lack of prevention and treatment of diseases as well as higher noise pollution in several employment sectors. In its more severe form, this disorder is keeping otherwise healthy children and adults from going to school and working as they are considered deaf, even if they are not. The extent of hearing loss leads to poverty and hardship in the families and communities affected, and through extension, to the larger society. Those effected suffer from the lack of educational and occupational opportunities. People with disabilities account for a higher per cent age of unemployed than national average and have less access to education and training, as well as a higher incidence of HIV.
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The Solution
Solar Ear Brazil
, manufactures, assembles and distributes, the first digital rechargeable hearing aid, a new solar battery charger, and rechargeable hearing aid batteries which costs the same as disposable zinc air batteries, and they last 2 to 3 years. All products produced by Solar Aid Brazil are assembled by young disabled deaf employees. By developing practical technologies for the region and creating employment, training, and education programs, this Solar Aid Brazil project has developed into a sustainable professional program, giving back to society by employing the deaf and at the same time allowing them to use their human potential helping others who also suffer from disabling hearing loss.
Download
pdf
with specifications on the hearing aids.
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The Impact
“I am just as deaf as I am blind. The problems of deafness are deeper and more complex than those of blindness. Blindness separates me from objects. Deafness separates me from people.” - Helen Keller.
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This project will ultimately help the less advantaged children in Latin America get low cost hearing aids, which will enable those children to be mainstreamed in local schools. There are very few schools for the deaf in Latin America, especially rural areas. Article 26 of UN Charter on Human Rights, states "everyone has the right to education." This project aims to give the hearing impaired child improved access to education system. The project will also empower and educate Solar Ear's employees who are deaf. These initial employees will act as role models, encouraging other unemployed hearing impaired or deaf students in their region..They will be involved in future product changes, innovations and discoveries as well as be the teachers in the next affordable hearing aid project.
For further information or to place an order please contact Howard @ Solar Aid Brazil.
