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Approximately 600 million people in the world have an impaired ability to hear. However, only about 8 million of those people are in possession of a hearing aid. For people in developing parts of the world, the problem is twofold. First, earpieces are expensive and they simply cannot afford to pay the cost and do not have health insurance that will help them do so. In addition to paying for the device itself, the batteries also cost money and must be replaced weekly for the device to function. Also, the technology simply isn't available in their area, likely due to the lack of electricity in their town or village. As a way of addressing both of these issues and making the technology more widely available, American businessman Howard Weinstein and African inventor and humanitarian worker Tendakayi Katsiga have marketed a solar powered hearing aid that does not require the wearer to frequently change batteries. This device is called the Solar Ear and costs less than $100 dollars. The battery, which lasts between 2 and 3 years, as opposed to traditional batteries which often need to be changed weekly, costs $1. When the battery needs to be charged, the wearer can insert it into a special solar charger approximately the size of his or her palm. This innovation makes it perfect for developing countries because even those lacking electricity can recharge the battery and receive the gift of sound. Katsiga felt that these people are often isolated from society in Africa because they cannot afford to get an earpiece that will allow them to hear what other people are saying. He noted that a significant percentage of these people, approximately 80 percent, live below the poverty line. As a way of remedying this, he founded Solar Ear and developed the solar-powered hearing aid. Now, with the help of Weinstein, the technology has impacted Botswana and other African countries. It has also been distributed in Brazil. Weinstein and Katsiga plan to distribute it in other parts of the world, including China, Singapore, Canada, and Mexico, in the coming years. Because $100 is still a significant price to many people in developing parts of the world, Katsiga and Weinstein have worked with local NGOs and government agencies to offset the cost and make the Solar Ear hearing aid available free of charge. Additionally, the technology is not patented, which allows other technology companies and inventors to make their own version of the device and thereby make it available to more people. For those suffering from the loss of auditory capabilities in Santa Barbara, CA, hearing aid devices could be the solution. Find out more about the different models available at http://www.miracle-ear-santabarbara.com.
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