A group of five hearing aid manufacturers has come together to contribute $1.5 million towards MacEwan's Hearing Aid Practitioner program - by providing critical tools for students.
Donations of annual gifts-in-kind over five years include hearing aids and equipment from hearing aid manufacturers Demant, ReSound Canada, Unitron Canada, Starkey Labs and WS Audiology Canada.
"Hearing aids are no exception to the rapid pace of technological changes in our digital world," says Dr. Tara Winsor, associate professor in the Faculty of Health and Community Studies. "Hearing aids are, after all, mini computers that sit behind your ear. In the same way that the most up-to-date phones improve our lives day-to-day, having the most current hearing aid product can dramatically improve the experience of a person with hearing loss."
For many of these companies, their current donation builds on previous contributions to the Hearing Aid Practitioner program - a testament to the quality of MacEwan's program, and the value its graduates bring to industry.
"When students have access to a variety of the most up-to-date technology available, they can develop a solid foundation of knowledge to take with them when they start their careers," says Dr. Winsor.
MacEwan's Hearing Aid Practitioner diploma program is the only one of its kind in Alberta - offering a two-year, full-time study program in a mainly online format. Graduates complete a required amount of hours in field placement and leave the program industry-ready.
