From toucans to howler monkeys, from the bustling jungle town of Iquitos to the quieter life of remote communities. The acoustical environment of the Peruvian Amazon is a complex symphony exploding with life – where one’s ability to listen is increasingly magnified. For that reason, it is the perfect setting to educate students about the importance of hearing and the consequences of hearing loss.

Earlier this year, Hear the World joined forces with Global Explorers, a not-for-profit educational travel organization, to offer the first-ever Hear the World Expedition. The expedition integrates students of mixed hearing abilities to raise awareness about hearing as a fundamental part of life that many take for granted. Hear the World’s goal is to raise awareness about the importance of hearing and the consequences of hearing loss and therefore enables this unique expedition from 8th to 17th July 2010.

The Hear the World Expedition is a unique platform where students explore science, culture, leadership and service, while at the same time raising awareness about the importance of hearing and the essential role it plays in your daily life.

From July 8-17, 2010, nine students from across the United States and Canada will embark on the experience of a lifetime in the Amazon of Iquitos, Peru – working together to break the unnecessary stigma around hearing loss while learning to use adversity to their advantage. The expedition team will be accompanied by Bill Barkeley, a world-class mountain climber and one of the 15,000 people in the United States with Type 2 Usher’s Syndrome – the leading cause of deaf-blindness in the world. Bill’s 2007 summit of Mount Kilimanjaro shattered expectations and confirmed his role as an advocate and inspiration for the hearing loss community.

The expedition team will be updating us live throughout their adventure via photos, videos and blog posts. Check back later to hear all about our brave Hear the World expedition team and their Amazon adventures and in the meantime, get to know our explorers.
» Meet the Explorers

You can also follow the group on the Hear the World Facebook page.
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