Rewarding experience

For Dr. Stephen Teadoro, a doctor of audiology, foreign borders are no barriers when it comes to caring for those with hearing loss.

In March, Teadoro, a West Valley-based audiologist at Metro Hearing & Balance, returned from Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he, in conjunction with a Buenos Aires-based nonprofit organization, worked with other U.S. volunteers to provide audiology care and hearing aids to more than 100 children from a local school for the deaf.

Although this was Teadoro's first visit to help Argentine children, it's not the first time he's gone abroad to bring the gift of hearing. For the last 15 years, Teadoro and a group of audiologists have traveled to the Sonora region of Mexico, fitting many men, women and children with hearing aids and providing audiology care.

"It's so rewarding," he said. "These kids are severely hearing impaired, and without the means of ever affording hearing care. It's a fantastic opportunity, and I feel blessed to have had the experiences."

Teadoro and the other volunteers worked with Mutualidad Argentina de Hipoacusicos, a nonprofit agency caring for Argentina's most needy population.

"We saw firsthand the joy of the children as they experienced the world through their new hearing instruments for the first time," Teadoro said. "Their happiness and the gratitude of the parents made the entire experience a joyous one for us as well."

Metro Hearing Services has offices in Glendale, Sun City, Surprise, north Phoenix and Goodyear.

For information, call 623-583-9983, 602-866-0147, or visit www.metrohearing.com.