The “Sound Sphere AI Run: Changing Mindsets, Changing Lives” combined the excitement of a race with a meaningful mission—raising awareness of hearing health and its impact on overall well-being.
Manila Hearing Aid (MHA) organized the event on March 16, 2025 at the University of the Philippines Diliman, drawing hundreds of participants eager to support a cause beyond just fitness. The run also served as a celebration of National Hearing Month, observed every March.
Since 1976, MHA has remained at the forefront of hearing care in the Philippines, continuously pushing the boundaries of hearing technology to make hearing care accessible to all. The Sound Sphere AI Run was designed to bring together individuals from all walks of life—doctors, families, professionals, and even MHA patients—to promote inclusivity and awareness.
Runners of all ages gathered early that Sunday morning, preparing for the 5K, 3K, and 1K race categories, which took participants through the scenic UP Diliman campus. Beyond the thrill of the run, participants also had the chance to win prizes such as high-quality hearing buds and finisher’s medals.
More than just a fun run, the event became a celebration of hearing health and community. Families ran together, seniors joined younger participants, and even those without hearing challenges came to show their support. After the race, a series of talks on hearing health reinforced the message that hearing health matters to everyone.
“For many people with hearing loss, it’s not just about missing sounds—it’s about feeling disconnected,” said Dr. Liza Abaño-Robles, president of Manila Hearing Aid, during her opening message. “Today, we are changing that. At Manila Hearing Aid, we want every Filipino to hear life’s special moments.”
The connection between a hearing aid company and a fun run might not seem obvious at first, but the event underscored the crucial link between hearing health and overall wellness. Hearing loss isn’t just about missing sounds—it’s about missing out on life’s important moments. Through the fun run, MHA aimed to spark conversations about hearing health while promoting a sense of community among those affected by hearing challenges.
“Hearing allows us to connect with the people we love, the experiences we cherish, and the world around us. Seeing all of you here being active and participating with us—this is a special moment,” Robles said.
A major highlight of the event was the launch of Phonak’s latest innovation—the Phonak Audéo Sphere™ Infinio hearing aid. Powered by artificial intelligence (AI), Infinio introduces a game-changing experience for individuals with hearing loss.
Its advanced DEEPSONIC™ chip processes sound in real-time, instantly separating speech from noise to ensure clearer conversations even in the loudest environments. The device also features Spheric Speech Clarity, allowing users to hear effortlessly from any direction, while its universal connectivity ensures seamless integration with multiple devices.
“We’ve all struggled to hear someone in a noisy restaurant or a crowded room,” said Jasmine Lip, Phonak’s senior audiologist and brand champion. “Infinio solves that problem using AI to identify and separate speech from noise. This is a game-changer for people with hearing loss.”
Booths were set up at the event where participants could try out the Phonak Audéo Sphere™ Infinio and learn more about hearing health. MHA also offered free hearing tests and advice on protective measures, including high-fidelity earplugs designed to reduce noise without muffling important sounds.
Robles highlighted that hearing loss is more common than people realize. A study by the University of Santo Tomas, she said, revealed that around 15 to 16 percent of Filipinos experience some degree of hearing loss. While age-related hearing loss is inevitable, other types, such as noise-induced hearing loss, are preventable with proper care.
“We don’t realize it, but exposure to loud sounds—like concerts, clubs, or even construction noise—can cause subtle but permanent damage,” Robles said.
Hearing loss can also affect situational awareness, which is critical for an active lifestyle. “If you have hearing loss and you’re running, you might not hear a bike coming from behind or a fellow runner trying to overtake you—which could lead to accidents,” she said.
Through movement, connection, and cutting-edge technology, the Sound Sphere AI Run proved that hearing health is not just a medical issue—it’s a quality-of-life issue. Manila Hearing Aid and Phonak are paving the way for a future where everyone can experience life’s special moments—loud and clear.
