There are numerous opportunities available regarding financial assistance for hearing aids listed in this section. Some opportunities for financial assistance come through government agencies, some through nonprofit agencies, and some are provided by private foundations. There are more programs that loan equipment and others give refurbished equipment. Eligibility for assistance differs depending on age, financial need, or other eligibility requirements.
Below is a list of organizations, foundations, and charities that enjoy reaching out to individuals and families needing financial assistance with hearing aids. Donation is also accepted by these same organizations so that they can continue to help even more families.
List of Financial Assistance For Hearing Aids
1. Ear Community
Ear Community is a charitable organization, under the wing of the Broomfield Community Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Ear Community helps children and adults who are born with Microtia and Atresia (when someone is born missing one or both of their ears and without an ear canal(s) resulting in hearing loss). If you need help obtaining a BAHA (bone conduction hearing device) and have been denied by your insurance plan or can not afford to purchase one, please apply at the following link: http://earcommunity.com/donate/application-for-a-bone-conductive-hearing-device/
2. Starkey Hearing Foundation and Hear Now
Starkey Hearing Foundation provides Assistance for low-income individuals permanently residing in the U.S. with no other resources to acquire hearing aids. Starkey Hearing Foundation fit more than 100,000 hearing aids annually to children and adults through Starkey global hearing missions and the daily efforts of Starkey domestic Hear Now program. As a member of the Clinton Global Initiative, Starkey has pledged to fit more than 1 million hearing aids to people in need this decade.
6700 Washington Avenue South
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Ph: 800-328-8602 (voice ask for Hear Now)
(952) 947-4997 Fax
http://www.starkeyhearingfoundation.org/hear-now.php
3. Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing helps families, healthcare providers and education professionals understand childhood hearing loss and the importance of early diagnosis and intervention. Through advocacy, education, research and
financial aid, AG Bell helps to ensure that every child and adult with hearing loss has the opportunity to listen, talk and thrive in mainstream society.
The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The deadline to apply is usually sometime in October of every year.
Contact Information:
3417 Volta Pl, NW
Washington, DC 20007
Phone: 202-337-5220
Fax: 202-337-8314
E-mail: info@agbell.org
4. Ear-to-Ear Foundation
The Ear To Ear Foundation is a wonderful non-profit organization that helps children obtain a BAHA who need one but can not afford one due to insurance denials or no insurance coverage. Especially, those children who were born with Microtia and Atresia and Hemifacial Microsomia, also Treacher Collins and Goldenhar Syndrome.
Ear to Ear Foundation Inc.
PO Box 280327
Brooklyn, NY 11228
eartoearfoundation@gmail.com
5. CCHAT: Cincinnati Children’s Hearing Aid Trust
The Cincinnati Children’s Hearing Aid Trust (CCHAT) strives to provide Ohio children, from birth to age 3, with their first set of hearing aids for free. CCHAT has partnered with the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), the Bureau of Early Intervention Services (BEIS), the Quota International of Massillon, OH program “Sound Beginnings,” the Regional Infant Hearing Programs (RIHP), Phonak, Oticon, Cochlear, Oticon Medical and individual sponsors to make this goal a reality.
Early hearing intervention in children with confirmed hearing loss is critical, yet the financial challenges associated with obtaining hearing aids can be burdensome. CCHAT and its partners are devoted to helping families overcome financial obstacles that might prevent their children from receiving hearing aids.
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 2018
Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039
Phone: 513-636-CHAT (2428)
Contact: Kelly Brockman, Program Coordinator
E-mail: kelly.brockman@cchmc.org
http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/service/o/otolaryngology/cchat/default/
6. The Better Hearing Institue
Founded in 1973, the Better Hearing Institute conducts research and engages in hearing health education with the goal of helping people with hearing loss benefit from proper treatment.
Recognizing the important role that hearing plays in an individual’s whole health, productivity, and quality of life, BHI is working to affect a culture of “hearing wellness” in the United States that fosters early detection and appropriate treatment of hearing loss, but that also maximizes technologies that make it easier for people with hearing loss to stay active and fully engaged at work, at home, and in their communities and social lives.
Better Hearing Institute
1444 I Street, NW
Suite 700
Washington, DC 20005
http://www.betterhearing.org/
7. Hearing Loss Association of America
HLAA provides assistance and resources for people with hearing loss and their families to learn how to adjust to living with hearing loss. HLAA is working to eradicate the stigma associated with hearing loss and raise public awareness about the need for prevention, treatment, and regular hearing screenings throughout life.
7910 Woodmont Ave, Suite 1200
Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: 301.657.2248
http://www.hearingloss.org/content/financial-assistance-programs-foundations
8. Needy Meds
– Go to disease-based assistance, then the name of disease/condition list, then click on the H in the alphabet listing for “hearing loss” and look through state by state, they have excellent programs listed there that can help you obtain a hearing device and grants and financial service help. There are hearing aid banks listed that may be able to help you get a BAHA. The direct link is:
www.needymeds.org
http://www.needymeds.org/copay_diseases.taf_function=summary&disease_id=82&disease
9. John Tracy Clinic and Hope For Hearing Foundation and Hearing Aid Bank
John Tracy Clinic (JTC) provides worldwide, parent-centered services to young children (ages 0-5) with hearing loss offering families hope, guidance, and encouragement.
JTC is the leading diagnostic and education center for young children with hearing loss. JTC is the largest private provider of services to families with young children overcoming hearing loss in the world. Our renowned audiology, education, and support services have garnered international attention and praise. JTC serves more than 25,000 families each year.
806 West Adams Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90007-2505
(213) 748-5481 Voice
(213) 749-1651 Fax
(213) 747-2924 TTY
Toll-free in the U.S: (800) 522-4582
http://www.jtc.org/
10. Audient Alliance
Audient Alliance is an affiliate of the Northwest Lions Foundation for Sight & Hearing. AUDIENT helps low-income people nationwide access quality hearing aids and related care at a significantly lower cost. AUDIENT income qualifies families to be eligible for a discount on brand-name hearing aids available through the AUDIENT Alliance’s national network of dedicated hearing care providers. Brand selection includes Oticon, Phonak, Siemens, Widex, & Unitron hearing aids.
EPIC Hearing Healthcare
17870 Castleton St. Suite #320
City of Industry, CA 91748
626-435-0188 Fax
1-866-956-5400
E-mail: info@audientalliance.org
http://www.audientalliance.org
11. Help Kids Hear
Help Kids Hear was founded by parents of hard-of-hearing kids and is dedicated to helping other parents find the information and resources they need in dealing with a deaf / hard-of-hearing (DHH) child.
E-mail: info@helpkidshear.org
http://www.helpkidshear.org/index.html
12. Travelers Protective Association Scholarship Trust for the Deaf and Near-Deaf
Provides assistance for mechanical devices, medical care, and/or specialized education or treatment, to those who demonstrate financial need. U.S. citizens only. Grants may be used to purchase hearing aids, and assistive listening equipment, or may help with the cost of a cochlear implant.
3755 Lindell Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63108
(314) 371-0533 Voice
(314) 371-0537 Fax
http://www.tpahq.org (click on the “Scholarship Trust” link under Community)
13. University of Maryland Hearing and Speech Clinic
Provides speech-language therapy, hearing evaluations, and aural rehabilitation services to the community at reasonable fees. NOTE: This is one example of a university that offers these services. Check universities in your area with hearing and speech clinics, they may offer similar services.
0110 LeFrak Hall
College Park, MD 20742
(301) 405-4218 Voice
(301) 314-2023 Fax
E-mail: clinic@hesp.umd.edu
http://www.bsos.umd.edu
14. Educational Audiology Association
The Educational Audiology Association is an international organization of audiologists and related professionals who deliver a full spectrum of hearing services to all children, particularly those in educational settings.
The mission of the Educational Audiology Association is to act as the primary resource and as an active advocate for its members through its publications and products, continuing educational activities, networking opportunities, and other professional endeavors.
3030 West 81st Avenue
Westminster, Colorado 80031
Ph: 800-460-7322
http://www.edaud.org/
There are still many other chances for financial assistance for hearing aids. Don’t give up and keep up the hope!
Reference:
- Hearing Aid Financial Assistance (http://earcommunity.com/helpful-resources/financial/hearing-aid-financial-assistance/)
- Image: connecthearing.ca
