Solar-powered hearing aids improve life in developing nations

The SolarAid really isn't much different than your average hearing aid in function -- it enables hearing-impaired individuals to get a better listen at the world around them. The difference, however, comes from its source of energy. Through a series of tragic and fortunate events, Howard Weinstein wound up in Africa with a goal in mind: to concoct a hearing aid that even the poorest of citizens could afford. Through a series of grants and help from hordes of deaf individuals that had no qualms holding a soldering iron, some 20,000 folks in 30 countries are currently using the solar-powered devices. Best of all, the mastermind isn't slowing down, as he's looking to expand the nonprofit into the Middle East, China and India in the not-too-distant future.

[Via CrunchGear]

[whatishalo? @ May 6th 2008 6:15PM]

They look silly though: http://www.themongoose.co.uk/img/tinfoil/tinfoil_hat_wearers_for_bush.jpg

[Fred @ May 6th 2008 6:38PM]

Hmm...I guess it's a toss-up. Look stupid and hear, or look normal and not.

[Cassini @ May 7th 2008 4:56PM]

True, but then you could always wear one of these: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBGIQ7ZuuiU

[Christine @ May 16th 2008 11:49AM]

Hi, I have never commented on a blog before but found this link through the Newsweek.com site. I have a Doctorate in Audiology and am fascinated by the work that Howard Weinstein is doing. I am curious as to how I obtain an e-mail link to his foundation or business. Is anyone aware of how to do this?
Thanks
Christine

[Totalfixation @ May 6th 2008 6:18PM]

I think motion powered hearing aid would be a better alternative.

[Fred @ May 6th 2008 6:41PM]

Isn't solar cheaper? Plus there's no moving parts to get fouled and then quit working.

[Reader @ May 6th 2008 7:10PM]

sweet, just connect some stilts to their legs and a generator and you got electricity.

[Anonymoose @ May 6th 2008 6:24PM]

does this mean i'll have to shave my ears for it to get sunlight or will the gleam from my earwax be bright enough to power it?

-anonymoose's college economics professor who you could tell got a haircut by looking at his ears. he seemd to grow sideburns on them.

[Stem $ell @ May 6th 2008 11:13PM]

I like the way you think!

[Ally @ May 6th 2008 6:29PM]

@ the pic - Gordan Freeman in 20 years time? :P

[andy @ May 6th 2008 6:35PM]

Why must it always be other parts of the world?

I've done vision clinics in the Texas border area, Appalachia (Eastern KY hills), and the inner city in Union, TN. These kids were all just as grateful for being able to see as African kids. All kids are worthy, but really, we need to recognize the circumstances of our fellow citizens occasionally too and give back to the country (we the people) that gives us such a great place to live.

Again, I'm not knocking this guy's work; he's to be commended. I just wonder why we're so focused on spending our time and energy on people of other countries rather than our fellow citizens.

[phanbouy @ May 6th 2008 6:37PM]

cuz he hates amurika obviously

[Fred @ May 6th 2008 6:39PM]

Well, kudos to you for contacting the guy and finding out what it would take to make it happen here...oh wait...you didn't....

[Predator.Z6 @ May 6th 2008 8:11PM]

BTW, I saw this in Newsweek, and it said he's from Canada. And he's like uber rich. Apparently he used to have a huge plumbing business that he made a crapload of cash on when it was sold to a Fortune 500 company. What are the chances of all that happening in the US?

[andy @ May 7th 2008 11:44AM]

Then he should definitely be in Canada. They have less fortunate people that can't hear either, and they're the ones that gave him the opportunity to be who he is.

[GETYOID @ May 14th 2008 4:39PM]

Finally. Someone with some common sense. Like we have no poor children in this country.

[Mutant @ May 7th 2008 12:50PM]

As a Canadian I say he's doing more good over in Africa than he would here. Here the government subsidizes stuff like hearing aids. Sure there are unfortunate poor people here too but not like the deathly poor in much of Africa.

Also would solar power work during those long dark winters. And anybody wearing a toque to keep from getting frostbite on there ears would cover the solar cells.

[Howard @ May 11th 2008 7:17PM]

Hi,
I am that guy. Why developing countries and not USA. Well for afew reasons.
1) The big for profit companies could have developed a low cost one for USA but chose to go after consumers who could afford a flat screen TV.
2) 88% of hearing aids are sold in developed countries where 66% of the need is in developing countries
3) I am helping an NGO in Arizona start a similiar program . They will be hiring empowering deaf young adults Native Americans and thsi program will be run by Native Americans and sold throughout USA.
cheers
Howard

[josh @ May 12th 2008 2:52PM]

There is the Starkey Hearinf Foundation Here in America that Helps people all over the world. Also Solar powered hearing aids are patiened in Syracuse Ny to a 72 yr old man.

[BongDestroyer @ May 6th 2008 6:59PM]

When I saw the pic I though the article was about a super realistic 3D game..

[phanbouy @ May 6th 2008 7:02PM]

did you know the musical group Ween would've called their song "Poopship Destroyer" "BongDestroyer" had they met you? true story.

[Podaman @ May 6th 2008 7:57PM]

Welcome to the Lambda Complex, Dr. Freeman!

[Podaman @ May 6th 2008 7:02PM]

They can hear the lions sneaking up on them

[Robert Varner @ May 6th 2008 7:11PM]

Other countries!?
I've needed hearing aids for years and can't and probably will never be able
to afford them. I ask my kids , "WHAT? " after almost everything they say . I now have to live with the response, "Never mind." What about making them affordable for Americas working poor?

[Jenny @ May 6th 2008 11:09PM]

Somehow, I suspect that you'd have to spend a bit of time outside to charge the thing. This place I refer to, 'outside', is seen more by people living in a hut than those Stateside.

[SOOPERGOOMAN @ May 6th 2008 7:30PM]

BRAVO!

[Wonderkid @ May 6th 2008 7:38PM]

Watt was that honey?

[velocitystrike @ May 6th 2008 7:52PM]

I was seriously considering posting a comment saying "Pardon?", but you quasi-beat me to it.
Kudos.

Also, this blokes got quite a clever idea - something I'd never have even considering existential, anyhow.

[velocitystrike @ May 6th 2008 8:15PM]

Oh dear, my English is somewhat broken in that reply.

[spacegravity4me @ May 6th 2008 7:56PM]

All these new tech ideas that are going to be so cheap are always in other parts of the world! Yea, I know they don't have any money... but neither do we cause WE have to pay far out the rear to get stuff! WE need 300 laptops in classrooms! WE need solar powered hearing aids! Heck, even in new orleans when people were dying the rest of the country didn't send hardly a thing to em. I guess in America it's just "deal with it" or "every man for himself". If that's the case then why do I even need a stupid country! There are many days when I'd do much better without a lot of people around. So while helping the rest of the world is great, there are poor and homeless people outside, regardless or there being a lot of over stuffed homeless shelters. Where I live we don't have any for 30 miles or so. Just saying that charity begins at home. And yes I know his circumstances and reasons for doing it were different from other entrepreneurs, i'm just saying for future reference. Oh yea, and I live in Louisiana too so don't give me any crap about that. I gotta go study for a final. Later.

[steve @ May 6th 2008 8:08PM]

I CAN'T HEAR YOU! NOT ENOUGH SUN!!!!!

[Larry @ May 6th 2008 8:53PM]

Or you can use the Peltier effect, if you don' have sun all the time:
When the body temperature is higher than the weather (or vice versa).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peltier-Seebeck_effect

[JohnQ @ May 7th 2008 3:23AM]

That looks like Gordon Freeman holding a bullet.

[carlos @ May 7th 2008 7:56AM]

why so serious suddenly T_T

[lienly @ May 8th 2008 6:41PM]

how to contact maker?

[tom farkas @ May 20th 2008 7:56PM]

After reading the Newsweek article on this gentleman and his invention, I find it absolutely appalling that an American foundation is backing this project and it's not even available to the poorest of hearing impaired Americans.I want to buy a pair for a friend who lives in an assisted living center,who only gets $25.00 a month to spend on personal care items, the rest goes to the centerThat is what I call poor and needy! MAYBE SOMEBODY AT THE LEMELSON FOUNDATION WILL GET SOME SYMPAYTHY FOR AMERICANS,.After all,without American dollars they wouldn't exist.How can I obtain the hearing aids without going to Africa or Brazil?

[Aurora @ Jun 13th 2008 5:22PM]

Hi Howard,

When is your program in Arizona going to start up? My good friend is losing his hearing. He works for the Washington State Dept of Veteran Affairs, and their benefits are terrible. They will only pay $400 towards the $6800 cost of the hearing aid he needs (turns out he's audiologist used to work for the state 18 years ago and she said they paid that same amount then). He simply can't afford it and hearing is vital to his work. He's a social worker/public servant helping incarcerated vets and homeless vets.

Any suggestions on where he might get one of your hearing aids NOW???

Thanks much!

[lienly @ Jun 23rd 2008 2:48AM]

hi, Howard.
I have interest to be your solar hearing aid agent here.
please contact me, thanks.
[e-mail]