Starkey Korea donates hearing aids to war veterans

Starkey Korea CEO Shim Sang-don, second from right, gives Choi In-ha, a Korean War veteran who lost an arm during the war, the company’s latest wireless hearing aid, Series 3, at Choi’s house in Wonju, Gangwon Province, Monday. / Courtesy of Starkey Korea

By Park Jin-hai

Starkey Korea, the nation's leading hearing aid producer, has been donating hearing aids to war veterans who fought in the Korean War.

The company, headquartered in the United States, has been involved in the charity campaign since 2013 with the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs.

Starkey Korea CEO Shim Sang-don gave Choi In-ha the firm's newest wireless hearing aid 3 series at Choi’s house in Wonju, Gangwon Province, Monday.

The product offers high performance and is easy to use.

Choi caught enemy soldiers in the mountains in Gangwon Province during the war but lost an arm. He was recently found to be suffering from hearing as well as economic difficulties.

Chun In-bum, deputy commanding general of the First ROK Army, who has been working for the welfare of retired soldiers, referred Choi’s case to Starkey Korea.

“I’m extremely happy to offer our products as a way to pay tribute to their patriotism and devotion to the nation,” said Starkey Korea CEO Shim.

“We will also provide him with a life-long voucher so he can have batteries for free.”

In July last year, the firm donated 100 million won worth of its devices to 16 United Nations (UN) Korean War veterans who visited Korea to commemorate the 61st anniversary of the Korean War ceasefire agreement.

Since its establishment in 1998, the company also has conducted a campaign called “Sharing love for sound,” whereby it finds individuals in need and gives them its latest hearing aids.

In April, Starkey Korea donated a hearing aid worth 6 million won ($5,600) to British Korean War veteran William Speakman, 88, who visited Korea.