Domingo aids hearing campaign

Superstar tenor Placido Domingo is teaming with the Vienna Philharmonic in a global effort called “Hear the World” to raise awareness about hearing loss and to provide hearing aids and other technological help to children and older people in developing countries.

“Music is my emotional need. I therefore feel sad for anyone who cannot hear music,” Domingo told the Associated Press.

Domingo and members of the Vienna orchestra were expected to announce at a Carnegie Hall news conference today that they would kick off the effort in January with initial capital of $400,000 to focus on education about the social and emotional implications of hearing loss. Hearing aids also will be donated to children in Guatemala and South Africa, and young people in remote parts of the island of Fiji will be hearing-tested for the first time.

“Sound has been the basis of everything which has been important to my life,” Domingo said. “By speaking out, maybe I can steer someone in the right direction.”

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Chris Pasles