#Japan #Minato-ku #hearing awareness #Saki Funahashi #Bloom Hearing

Weathercaster Saki Funahashi Becomes 'Hearing Partner'

Bloom Hearing Corporation, which runs the Bloom hearing aid specialty stores, has recently announced the appointment of weathercaster Saki Funahashi as their 'Hearing Partner.' Based in Minato-ku, Tokyo, Bloom aims to enhance awareness and understanding of hearing loss and hearing aids through Saki's experiences and insights.

Saki Funahashi, well-known for her role on TV Asahi's "Good! Morning," has also publicly shared her journey of living with hearing loss while using hearing aids. She actively engages with her audience on social media, providing timely weather updates alongside personal tales about her hearing experiences.

As 'Hearing Partner,' Funahashi will feature on Bloom’s website, social media platforms, and videos to share valuable information about hearing loss and hearing aids, woven from her own lived experiences. This partnership aims to foster a deeper understanding of hearing-related issues in Japan, where only about 15.6% of self-identified hearing-impaired individuals own hearing aids, a stark contrast to the 40-50% ownership rate in Western countries. This highlights the need for better education and dialogue around assistive hearing technology.

Addressing Stigma and Promoting Understanding

Many individuals who require hearing aids often lack adequate information about the devices, which can lead to hesitation in using them due to fears about appearance or age-related stereotypes. Bloom believes that broadening public knowledge about hearing loss and hearing aids is critical to provide those in need with the information they require to seek help.

Understanding hearing loss and hearing aids is not only essential for those directly affected. By educating families, friends, and colleagues, we can improve communication and foster a more accommodating environment for everyone. This initiative aligns with Bloom’s vision that hearing loss is not a niche concern but a universal topic that deserves attention and dialogue.

Saki Funahashi’s candid sharing of her journey as a person with hearing loss complements Bloom’s mission to make the topic of hearing more accessible and relatable. The collaboration's goal is to break down the barriers surrounding discussions about hearing aids, making them a more common and approachable subject in everyday conversation.

“Being hard of hearing is not something you can always notice from appearance alone. In new conversations, it’s easy to overlook someone who may have hearing difficulties,” Saki explained. She stressed the impact that awareness and sensitivity can have on people's interactions in daily life.

By discussing hearing aids and supporting advocacy efforts as 'Hearing Partner,' Funahashi hopes to guide individuals to consider: “Is this person having hearing troubles?” or “What can I do to help?” Such awareness could transform our world into a much kinder place, she believes.

Saki Funahashi: A Profile

Saki Funahashi was born in 1997 in Hokkaido, Japan. She is a certified weather forecaster and disaster prevention specialist. At just 6 years old, she began to experience hearing challenges and has worn hearing aids since. After graduating from Hokkaido University of Education, she worked as a science teacher, teaching about weather to her students and eventually pursuing a career in meteorology. Currently, she resides as a key weather presenter on TV Asahi, engaging audiences not only through television but also through presentations and social media.

About Bloom Hearing Corporation

Bloom Hearing Corporation, which operates the Bloom hearing aid specialty stores, is part of the WS Audiology group based in Denmark. This group includes leading hearing aid brands such as WIDEX and Signia. Bloom aims to provide ‘Wonderful Sound for All’ and continues to advocate for spreading quality hearing solutions to all individuals.

Founded in 2003, its corporate mission remains centered on accessibility and awareness in hearing care. Bloom's strategic focus is on crafting an environment where those experiencing hearing challenges feel seen, understood, and supported.

For more information about the 'Hearing Partner' initiative or any media inquiries, feel free to reach out through Bloom's official website: Bloom Hearing.