DeAnza Lions get hearing aids for students

January 10, 2010

Esther Halwani, a counselor at DeAnza College Special Education Division, had a hearing-impaired student that needed new hearing aides. Abit Baral, a 19 year old exchange student from Nepal, had difficulties following his classes because his hearing was severely impaired. Esther Halwani located information on the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) website about the Lions “Affordable Hearing Aid Project” and contacted the organization. LCIF referred her to the Cupertino DeAnza Lions Club.

Lion Ray Lancon, DeAnza Lions Club president, mentioned the case in one of the weekly meetings. Lion Kathy Golkar volunteered to work with Esther and her student. Together they filled out the required application documents in February 2009.

After it was determined that the student met the qualifications, the DeAnza club agreed to purchase two Rexton Targa 3 P digital heating aides, to be worn behind the ears, at a total cost of $ 400.00. Bill Forrest at Sears Hearing Aid Center located in the Cupertino Square Mall provided his services pro- bono, which included making the ear molds and programming the hearing aides.

Abit received his hearing aides beginning of April 2009. Both, Abit and Esther, attended one of our monthly meetings in September 2009 to thank our club for purchasing and donating the hearing aides. Abit said that he is doing well in school and is able to participate in group discussions. Esther stated the transformation in his self-confidence was amazing. She went on to say that prior to getting the hearing aides, he did not smile much or socialize with other students. Abit added: “I had no idea my room mate plays his radio at night when he went to bed”.

Abit continues to do well in school and hopes to transfer to Cal-Poly to study engineering.