Leeds Rotary Club Friday 1st August
We had the pleasure of joining the Leeds Rotary Club on Friday 1st August, Yorkshire Day of all days! With the help of James Cooney from Starkey, we discussed hearing health and new hearing aid technology with Rotary Club members at Weetwood Hall.
What is the Rotary Club?
The Rotary Club began in Chicago on 23rd of February 1905 by Paul Harris. The aim was to give professionals with diverse backgrounds a place to exchange ideas and form lifelong, meaningful friendships. Following it’s popularity and success, more clubs were created in cities across America. The first club outside of America was established in Dublin in 1911. Due to the expansion of Rotary clubs across the world, in 1922 their name was changed to Rotary International. By 1925, Rotary had grown to 200 clubs across the world with more than 20,000 members.
Today, Rotary has more than 45,000 clubs and a network of 1.2 million neighbours, friends, leaders and problem-solvers. According to their website, their mission is to “provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders”.
The Leeds Rotary Club was established on 17th of February 1916 and is one of the longest-serving clubs in the UK. You can find out more about Rotary International and your local Rotary Club here.
Hearing Health Presentation
We are very grateful to James Cooney, from leading hearing aid manufacturer Starkey, for assisting us. He supported us with a thoughtful presentation on hearing health and new technology. The presentation included facts and figures surrounding hearing health, a brief history of Starkey and its trailblazing technology.
Facts & Figures
It takes an individual, on average, ten years from learning they have a hearing loss to do something about it. In the UK over 18 million people have hearing loss or tinnitus and 1.2 million adults have earing loss severe enough that they wouldn’t be able to hear conversational speech.
Starkey
“We are dedicated to delivering the best hearing experience possible — through the innovation of our products and the passion of our people.” James talked a little about Starkey and it’s founders. Bill Austin, who is now in his sixth decade in the industry, and his wife Tani Austin and a brief history of the company.
Starkey Foundation
The Starkey Hearing Foundation’s mission is to give the gift of hearing to those in need, empowering them to reach their potential. In the past 40 years, the Foundation has helped over 1.5million people around the globe thanks to Bill and Tani Austin and many generous donors.
New Hearing Technology
Listening is a complex process that a normal-hearing brain handles effortlessly. However, that breaks down when we have hearing loss. Edge AI’s cutting-edge technology mimics the brain’s auditory cortex to help fix this broken process. It classifies complex soundscapes, enhances speech, and reduces noise in real-time.
Starkey Edge AI Features
30% better speech identification
On-demand sound optimisation
Up to 51 hours battery life
Waterproof up to 1 metre
Fall detection
Translation
Apple watch controls
Improved Bluetooth connectivity for streaming calls, music and more
Thank you to Leeds Rotary Club Members
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Leeds Rotary Club members. Firstly, for making us feel so welcome and looking after us so well. And secondly for their generous donations to Starkey Cares. By donating their old and unused hearing aids, members have given the gift of hearing to those less fortunate. Donated hearing aids are cleaned, refurbished and salvaged for parts before being given to those in need.
