#United States #Minneapolis #Elton John #Hearing Care #Starkey Hearing

Starkey Hearing Foundation Raises Awareness for Global Hearing Care

On November 3, 2025, in Minneapolis, the Starkey Hearing Foundation, recognized as the largest hearing healthcare nonprofit worldwide, hosted an extraordinary fundraising event titled "An Intimate Evening With Elton" featuring the renowned musician Elton John. The evening served as a pivotal moment to draw attention to the foundation's mission of expanding access to hearing healthcare across the globe.

The Starkey Hearing Institute, which operates on the WFA® Community-Based Hearing Healthcare model, has successfully initiated programs that empower local individuals to receive training as hearing healthcare professionals in their communities. This initiative has positively impacted the hearing health of tens of thousands of individuals annually. To date, the foundation has established three primary programs:

1. Lusaka, Zambia (established in 2015) - This program has seen 123 graduates from 19 African nations, with 22 current students enrolled.
2. Manila, Philippines (in partnership with the University of Santo Tomas, launched in 2024) - In its first year, it graduated 28 students, with 38 more set to earn their certificates in the upcoming year.
3. El Salvador (newly established in 2025) - This program currently has 30 students enrolled, serving as a crucial resource in Latin America.

According to recent reports, over 430 million people globally suffer from hearing loss, with projections indicating that this number will rise dramatically in Africa, from 136 million to 337 million by 2050. The World Health Organization highlights that the significant barrier to proper hearing healthcare is the shortage of qualified professionals—a challenge the Starkey Hearing Foundation is actively working to address through its scalable educational initiatives.

Richard S. Brown, the President and Board Chair of the Starkey Hearing Foundation, emphasized the importance of this work: “Hearing connects us to one another, and that connection is the essence of humanity. Together with partners like Elton John and David Furnish, and all our wonderful supporters, we’re empowering the next generation of hearing care professionals to continue sharing that connection with millions more.”

During the event, Elton John and his partner David Furnish were honored with the Hearing Angel Award in recognition of their support for hearing care and the impactful work of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which has benefited countless lives worldwide. Elton John remarked, “For decades, we have shared a deep commitment to making the world a brighter, more compassionate place. We are honored to accept the Hearing Angel Award, recognizing our work through our foundation.”

Photos and videos capturing the noteworthy moments from the evening can be found online. To learn more about the Starkey Hearing Foundation and its groundbreaking programs, visit Starkey Hearing Foundation's website. This organization continues to change lives by educating and training new generations of hearing healthcare professionals dedicated to providing the invaluable gift of hearing to those in need.

Established by William and Tani Austin four decades ago, the foundation has successfully transformed the lives of over 1.5 million individuals globally, equipped with the essential hearing care services they require. By supporting initiatives like this, attendees play a critical role in expanding access to vital hearing healthcare for those who most need it.

For media inquiries, please contact Kevin Hurd at 612-351-8442 or via email at [email protected].

Join Starkey in their mission, and let us help amplify the voices of millions who deserve the joy of hearing.