MANILA, Philippines — In a major move to improve pediatric healthcare in the country, Manila Hearing Aid (MHA) has announced a strategic partnership with global technology leader Phonak and international humanitarian organization World Vision. This collaboration, launched on April 25, 2026, aims to provide Filipino children and their families with increased access to essential hearing care, diagnostics, and life-changing technology.
As Manila Hearing Aid nears its 50th anniversary (founded in 1976), this initiative highlights the company’s shift toward community-based care, bringing medical expertise directly to underserved areas through a multi-phase humanitarian program.
The partnership combines the technological innovation of Phonak with the community-outreach expertise of World Vision to create a comprehensive support system:
- Phase 1: Awareness and Advocacy – Strengthening public knowledge regarding the critical link between early hearing detection and a child’s educational development and confidence.
- Phase 2: Mobile Screening Support – MHA will deploy specialized mobile hearing assessment vans to provide on-site screenings for World Vision beneficiaries, ensuring that hearing challenges are identified as early as possible.
- Phase 3: Learning and Development Support – World Vision will lead literacy and development initiatives, while Phonak and MHA will provide hearing aid support to qualified beneficiaries, helping children participate more actively in school.
Experts from the partner organizations emphasized that hearing is foundational to how children process information and build relationships.
- Educational Impact: Hearing challenges identified late can lead to significant delays in literacy and social integration.
- Quality of Life: Dr. Liza Abaño-Robles, President of Manila Hearing Aid, stated: “Hearing care is synonymous with quality of life. Through this partnership, we are able to bring support beyond traditional clinical settings and into the communities where it can create a lasting impact on our future—our children.”
The partnership also leverages Phonak’s global expertise in hearing innovation. Modern hearing solutions are increasingly smarter and more adaptive, allowing children to hear clearly in various environments—from noisy classrooms to outdoor playgrounds. By providing these advanced tools to those who otherwise could not afford them, the initiative seeks to level the playing field for children with hearing impairments.
Since its inception in 1976, Manila Hearing Aid has been a pioneer in Philippine hearing healthcare. This latest partnership with World Vision and Phonak serves as a cornerstone of its 50th-anniversary advocacy, reinforcing its mission to reconnect Filipinos with life’s special moments through better hearing.