President Clinton praises Starkey Hearing Foundation for global initiative to help the world hear

Bill and Tani Austin received a standing ovation during President Bill Clinton's keynote address to over 500 guests on August 13th during the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Lexington Hearing and Speech Center in Lexington Kentucky. President Clinton praised the Starkey Hearing Foundation for its global initiative to help the world hear.  "I thank Bill and Tani Austin for the work they have done," said President Clinton. "These people have given poor children in America and around the World almost a half million hearing aids through their missions and are doing 100,000 a year over this decade."

Acknowledging the need for this level of community service, President Clinton emphasized the importance of filling the gap between what the private sector can produce and what the government can provide. "We are supposed to stand in that gap," said President Clinton, citing that through partnerships we can accomplish the good work faster, cheaper and better. "We wind up with partnerships with the private sector, which is what the Starkey Hearing Foundation is.  It is a partnership between the Foundation, Bill and Tani Austin and the hearing equipment they produce and sell."

In addition to serving as a major supporter of the event, the Starkey Hearing Foundation also fit a number of students with free hearing aids. "The opportunity to contribute to the children at Lexington Hearing and Speech Center is the best investment we can make in the future of our world," said Bill Austin. "It is an honor to be part of such good work."

Regarding the work of the Starkey Hearing Foundation, President Clinton went on to say, "They have proven their worth.  They change lives and they change the paradigms of providing services to people who are hearing impaired. So now it's not just them, it is everyone they have influenced."

Since 2000, the Starkey Hearing Foundation has distributed nearly one half million free hearing aids to those in need in more than 86 countries, including the US.  To learn more, visit the Foundations website at www.starkeyhearingfoundation.org