Over half a billion people have mild or worse hearing impairment and developing nations have a hearing impairment rate more than double that of developed countries. A hearing impairment in an already challenging economic and social environment can be particularly debilitating, making it nearly impossible for those suffering hearing loss from gaining employment.
In 1992 the SolarAid Workshop (not to be confused with Solar Aid, another organisation bringing solar power to developing countries) in collaboration with the Botswana Technology Centre developed the SolarAid, a hearing aid for use in developing countries that is powered by the free energy of the sun.
The workshop, now registered as Godisa Technologies, then developed a smaller behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid and accompanying weather-proof solar-powered battery charger.
The internationally award-winning design recharges the hearing aid in 2 – 5 hours. A single charge is enough to power the hearing aid for 4 – 5 days and the battery can be recharged up to 400 times. Over 7000 units are in use around the world and Godiva remains the only maker of hearing aids in Africa. The organisation utilises hearing impaired people in the manufacturing of the SolarAid.
The SolarAid sells for less than $100, which includes the charger and an extra set of batteries.
