STAFA, Switzerland (Fleishman-Hillard) -On the eve of the Vienna Philharmonic's world famous New Year's Concert, the launch of the Hear the World Foundation was announced. As part of the Hear the World initiative by hearing system manufacturer Phonak, the Hear the World Foundation will support hearing-related projects financially and by distributing hearing systems and informational material worldwide.
To celebrate the launch of the Hear the World Foundation, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra announced that part of its annual charitable donation of �100,000 (approx. $130,000) will be dedicated to hearing-related causes.
'Hear the World – three words that express an ambitious goal,' said Dr. Clemens Hellsberg, president and first violin of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. 'We are very proud to make a contribution to this important cause, because our world revolves around the sense of hearing.'
The launch of the Hear the World Foundation is the next step taken by Phonak, one of the leading manufacturers of high-tech hearing systems, in its commitment to educate about the importance of good hearing and to prevent hearing loss.
Within the scope of an initiative by the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF) �25,000 (approx. $32,000) from the donation by the renowned orchestra will be given to the Austrian Institute for Deaf Education.
Additionally, via the Vienna Philharmonic, the Hear the World Foundation will provide support to local communities around the world. The foundation will target those in need in cities at which the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra performs in the course of the year. Within this program, selected hearing projects will be promoted financially and by providing hearing systems and informational material.
Increasing number of people affected by hearing loss
Worldwide statistics underline the importance of promoting hearing projects. An estimated 500 million people worldwide suffer from hearing loss. In the United States, an estimated 1 in every 10 people, or approximately 29 million, are hearing-impaired. By 2015, the number of affected people worldwide is estimated to rise to more than 700 million, making hearing loss the most common disability. The Hear the World initiative and foundation will work together to advance prevention and to support hearing impaired people and their families.
Vienna Philharmonic and Plácido Domingo – Hear the World partners
As a universal language that transcends geographical, social and linguistic boundaries, music is the ideal medium to spread the message of Hear the World. In addition to working with the Vienna Philharmonic, Hear the World has also partnered with Plácido Domingo, tenor, conductor and director of the Los Angeles Opera and the Washington National Opera. In addition to serving as ambassadors for the Hear the World initiative, both parties sit on the Hear the World Foundation's advisory board.
