Phonak and Special Olympics Join Forces to Treat Hearing Loss Among Athletes

WARRENVILLE, Ill., Dec. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- From Dec. 7-9, 1,100 athletes at the Southern California Special Olympics Games in Irvine and Fountain Valley will receive a very special holiday gift...hearing. The Healthy Hearing Screening Program - part of the broader Healthy Athletes initiative sponsored by Special Olympics - is a critical initiative aimed at providing needed hearing healthcare to this medically underserved population. And the volunteer team of audiologists in Irvine /Fountain Valley will be extremely busy seeing the athletes.

Nearly 30 percent of Special Olympics athletes have hearing loss, but many have not had viable access to hearing healthcare until now. This is why Phonak, the global leader in hearing instruments, has partnered with Special Olympics to raise awareness about hearing health among athletes and the greater community to improve everyone's quality of life.

About Healthy Hearing

Healthcare outcomes data show that people with intellectual disabilities are historically underserved when it comes to accessing certain basic healthcare needs. Nearly one in three Special Olympics athletes in the United States fail hearing screenings, making them candidates for further evaluation and in many cases, treatment through hearing aids. Unfortunately, many have never had their hearing tested or have been unable to afford hearing aids due to a lack of health insurance or access to care in general.