FORT WAYNE – A group of Fort Wayne Community Schools students had cause to celebrate in Indianapolis on Friday – and it wasn’t because they were heading to the Super Bowl.

Forty-three FWCS students with hearing loss traveled to the Indianapolis SportZone to receive new hearing aids from the Starkey Hearing Foundation, an organization devoted to providing hearing aids to those in need.

The new hearing aids, coupled with hearing tests, ear molds and follow-up services, could cost up to $2,500. But thanks to the Foundation, parents didn’t have to pay a dime.

“From a parent perspective, it’s like ‘Oh my gosh,’ said Linda Isenbarger, whose son Grant received new aids. “They’re not covered by most insurance. It’s hard for families to pay that money for the hearing aid, but the kids have to have them. It’s truly a great opportunity.”

As students waited to have their aids fitted at the SportZone, they also had the chance to mingle with NFL athletes and celebrities, including country musician Garth Brooks, retired Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon, and Heather Whitestone, the first Deaf Miss America title holder.

“It builds excitement for the kids by giving them something to look forward to and the chance to meet players and heroes,” said Taylor Joseph, marketing associate with the Starkey Foundation. “And it help us build awareness.”

The Starkey Foundation is a non-profit that gives out more than 100,000 hearing aids each year in the United States and other countries.

FWCS’ involvement with the group started this school year, after a Starkey sales representative contacted district audiologist Nancy Lewis, who also works at Byron Health Center. At the time, Lewis said, the foundation was considering holding its third annual Super Bowl Week Hearing Mission in Indianapolis.

After the plan was given the go-ahead, the FWCS students became some of the 235 hearing-impaired children and adults in Indiana invited to receive digital aids from the foundation.

“I feel happy that they’re giving me this opportunity to get new hearing aids,” said Holly Firestine, a sophomore at Northrop High School. “They’re better than the ones I had before.”

The Starkey Foundation partnered with Fort Wayne’s Carter Hearing Clinics to perform hearing tests and make impressions for the students’ new ear molds, according to an FWCS statement. Most of the students, who come from all school levels, will be fitted with hearing aids on both ears.

The FWCS students were able to make the trip to Indianapolis with the help of Excursions Trailways motorcoach company, Allen County Deaf Children Association, Kiwanis Club and the Breakfast Sertoma Club, which has provided hearing aid batteries for students for more than 20 years.

“I felt pretty excited. It’s a big financial relief on my parents,” said Grant Isenbarger, a senior at Snider High School. “I’m also excited to see all the athletes. I’m a big sports fan.”

dhaynie@jg.net