Celebrities tour Austin during SXSW to promote hearing foundation

By Yvonne Lim Wilson Thursday, 18 March 2010

SOUTHWEST AUSTIN — Erik Estrada, known for his role as “Ponch” in the TV series CHIPs, and Verne Troyer, the famed “Mini-Me” of Austin Powers, took some time out to read the latest edition of Community Impact at South Austin eatery Hills Café, 4700 S. Congress Ave.

The actors were touring Austin during SXSW to educate people about hearing loss and promote the Starkey Hearing Foundation, which provides more than 50,000 free hearing aids annually to children and adults in need worldwide. The foundation aims to give away 1 million hearing aids in the next 10 years.

“There are 63 million people with hearing loss in the world. In our prison system one of our greatest forms of punishment is isolation. If you can’t hear, you are isolated,” said foundation spokeswoman Heather Sauber.

Exposure to loud music at concerts, cell phones and portable music devices all contribute to hearing loss, Sauber said.

“Kids lose hearing three times faster than we do due to cell phones and i-Pods. They’re taking rock concerts and shoving it into their ears. It’s constant exposure,” she said.

The foundation is co-sponsoring a SXSW event and handing out free earplugs to concert-goers at SXSW, one of the largest live music festivals in the world.

Actor Lou Ferrigno, known for his role as the “Hulk” in the original television series, will be joining the group for more SXSW events. Ferrigno has hearing loss and has worn a hearing aid for many years.

Troyer’s father also has hearing loss, and the actor sought out the foundation after his father started isolating himself.

Estrada got involved when he learned about the organization and wanted to help, Sauber said.

The foundation is funded entirely through private donations. Contributions can be made by texting “HEAR” to 90999.

www.starkeyhearingfoundation.org