The quality of life of many Sri Lankan children with hearing difficulties will be greatly improved over the next few weeks as part of a visit by two Charles Darwin University (CDU) staff members.
Dr Al Yonovitz and Ms Nancy Dold, from the CDU psychology department, left for Sri Lanka today, Monday 19 June, with a range of hearing aids donated by Darwin residents as part of a joint project with the Centre for Education of Hearing Impaired Children (CEHIC) in Sri Lanka.
The two were invited to visit Sri Lanka by the founder and Director of the centre, Rev Sr Greta Nalawatta, to help provide audiological assistance and amplification equipment to children in need.
Hearing specialists Dr Yonovitz and Ms Dold also work alongside Deaf NT in Darwin to manage a hearing aid bank, serving those who are financially unable to access hearing devices across the Territory.
“We want to thank Darwin residents for their generosity in donating unwanted hearing aids to the Sri Lankan project,” Dr Yonovitz said.
“There is an urgent need to provide hearing services and amplification for those who are in need. Better hearing is essential for educational attainment as well as for full, active participation in work and social life.
"We feel very privileged to donate our time, expertise and equipment to be of service where there is great need and we are particularly appreciative of the support of Siemens Hearing Instruments for their generous assistance with transportation costs to Sri Lanka,” Dr Yonovitz said.
As well as teaching at CDU, Dr Yonovitz and Ms Dold also run the University’s Hearing Resource Centre (CDUHRC). The research facility evaluates hearing and distributes hearing information for students and staff at the University.
The two CDU staff members will return to Darwin on 5 July.
For more information on the project and to make a donation, call Dr Al Yonovitz on 8946 6948 or 0408 857 152.