Access to hearing support can change how people participate in daily life, education and work. Lucy Tzaj, Centro Maya Project ‘s hearing aid technician, works with a nurse in Clinica San Juanerita. She provides audiological evaluations, makes earmold impressions, dispenses batteries, repairs old hearing aids and refers patients for medical exams when needed. After the evaluation, Lucy matches the patient with a hearing aid. In a typical year, about 45 patients receive new or used hearing aids. Patients have shared how hearing children’s voices, birds singing or participating in conversations feels like a miracle.

Communication facilitates employment opportunities and brings joy to individuals and their families. Two deaf teenagers, Sonia and Marta, visited the clinic for assessments and hearing aids several years ago. The hearing aids have changed their lives. Alma de Colores, an Italian funded non-profit, employs Sonia and Marta in a small store making jewelry and sewing blouses and purses. Marta also works in their bakery and serves coffee to tourists.