Josh Liljenquist Helps Eric Foster Receive Hearing Aids

CBS News Minnesota hearing-aids transcript

Transcript note: This transcript has been lightly edited for readability by removing non-substantive verbal fillers and adding punctuation. The meaning and sequence of the original broadcast have not been intentionally changed. Bracketed passages and uncertain speaker labels must be checked against the audio before publication.

00:00 — CBS News Minnesota introduces the story

CBS NEWS MINNESOTA ANCHOR: You’re watching WCCO News, always streaming on CBS News Minnesota. Random acts of kindness often go viral on social media. Today, he uses his platform to give the gift of hearing.

REG CHAPMAN, REPORTER: It begins with a video of a man down on his luck and hard of hearing, offering up his only sandwich. He never expected what would happen next.

ERIC FOSTER [IN ORIGINAL SOCIAL VIDEO]: When I saw the name, I was like, “Oh.” I was like, “No way, man.”

UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER [LIKELY JERMAINE; VERIFY]: He didn’t know until he pulled up. I did not tell him anything.

00:36 — Jermaine connects Josh Liljenquist with Eric Foster

REG CHAPMAN: Josh’s first meeting with Eric Foster got lots of attention on social media.

JOSH LILJENQUIST [IN ORIGINAL SOCIAL VIDEO; QUESTION NEEDS AUDIO REVIEW]: [How much do hearing aids cost?]

ERIC FOSTER: It depends. They can range from $500 to $3,000.

REG CHAPMAN: After establishing a relationship with his friend Jermaine, Josh met Eric.

JOSH LILJENQUIST: And eventually, I’m like, “What can I do to make your life a little easier?” He’s like, “I don’t need anything. I’m happy. I’m content. But I do know somebody who could use a hand.”

01:02 — Josh reaches out to Starkey

REG CHAPMAN: This led him to learning about Eric’s hearing issues, so he did his best.

JOSH LILJENQUIST: Tried to raise enough money to get him hearing aids. Long story short, we reached out to Starkey, and they said they would help us with that.

REG CHAPMAN: The experts at the hearing-aid company led Eric through the process. First, his hearing was tested.

HEARING PROFESSIONAL: I want you to press this button when you hear those beeps.

REG CHAPMAN: From there, an impression of his inner ears was made. Starkey officials learned of the story by watching Josh’s feed.

01:34 — Starkey Cares helps provide the hearing aids

DAVE FABRY, CHIEF HEARING HEALTH OFFICER, STARKEY: And seeing how he just does these random acts of kindness and figures out a way that he can impact. I know that Josh raised money to pay for hearing aids for Eric. What we wanted to do is give him the opportunity to pay it forward, to bring those monies to someone else, and help Josh bring this gift to Eric.

01:56 — Eric reacts to hearing through the devices

REG CHAPMAN: Starkey Cares and its Neighbor in Need program has helped 3,000 people get much-needed hearing aids. Now Eric Foster can be counted among that number.

HEARING PROFESSIONAL [QUESTION NEEDS AUDIO REVIEW]: How are you?

ERIC FOSTER: All right. That’s loud.

REG CHAPMAN [VERIFY IN AUDIO]: He can now connect back to life’s favorite moments and sounds, thanks to the gift of hearing.

Review note: The closing studio reaction is not present in the supplied transcript and must be checked against the final seconds of the master before publication.