EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (August 3, 2026) — Starkey recently welcomed individuals from across the country affected by Usher syndrome to its headquarters for a special Starkey Cares hearing event held in conjunction with the 2026 Usher Syndrome Coalition Conference.
Through Starkey Cares, the company provided comprehensive hearing evaluations and fit 20 qualified individuals with hearing aids, helping improve access to hearing technology for people living with Usher syndrome, a rare genetic condition that causes hearing loss and progressive vision loss.
The hearing event was coordinated in partnership with Shanna Dewsnup, Au.D., Co-Founder of Happy Ears Hearing Center, whose advocacy and collaboration helped connect members of the Usher community with life-changing hearing care.
“Starkey Cares exists to ensure that more people have access to the life-changing benefits of better hearing,” said Jenni Hargraves, Executive Director of Starkey Cares. “Whether we're serving communities across the globe or supporting individuals with rare conditions like Usher syndrome, our mission remains the same: to help people connect, communicate and live life to its fullest. We're proud to partner with Shanna Dewsnup and the Usher Syndrome Coalition to make a meaningful difference for this community.”
Usher Syndrome is the leading genetic cause of combined deafness and blindness. While hearing loss is typically present at birth or develops early in life, individuals also experience progressive vision loss caused by retinitis pigmentosa, making access to advanced hearing technology especially important for maintaining communication, safety and quality of life.
Held during the opening day of the Usher Syndrome Coalition's annual conference in Minneapolis, the Starkey Cares clinic brought together Starkey hearing care professionals and volunteers to provide personalized fittings and support for conference attendees who qualified for assistance through the program.
The initiative reflects Starkey's ongoing commitment to making hearing healthcare more accessible through Starkey Cares, the company's global social responsibility program. By partnering with healthcare professionals, customers and nonprofit organizations, Starkey continues to expand access to hearing technology for underserved populations around the world while helping people stay connected to the moments and people that matter most.
About Starkey
Starkey is a leading global innovator in hearing technology and AI-powered hearing aids, headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Since its founding by Bill Austin in 1967 and led today by Brandon Sawalich, Starkey has driven breakthroughs in unmatched sound clarity and machine learning and intelligent hearing technology. As the only American-owned hearing aid manufacturer, Starkey employs over 5,000 professionals across 29 facilities, delivering advanced hearing solutions to customers in 100+ markets worldwide. Explore our smart hearing devices and connected technologies at www.starkey.com.
