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National Program Launched to Help Low-Income Get
Hearing Aids
AUDIENT says it provides greatly discounted prices on
new digital hearing aids
Aug. 20, 2005 A new non-profit organization is
stepping up to assist the nine millions Americans, primarily senior
citizens, who need hearings aids but cannot afford them. The Northwest
Lions Foundation for Sight & Hearing in Seattle, Washington - the
largest cornea transplant center in the U. S. and provider of donated
hearing aids and other services for more than 40 years - launched
AUDIENT earlier this year.
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According to research conducted by the University
of California in San Francisco, hearing aids can sometimes cost well
over $2,000. It is estimated that one in ten Americans, 31.5 million in
total or one in every four households, suffers from some type of hearing
loss. That figure is expected to rise significantly in the near future,
as people of all age groups - particularly baby boomers - are
increasingly exposed to noise and begin to develop symptoms of hearing
loss.
"With hearing loss becoming an increasingly serious
problem, this program will help provide them with access to affordable
hearing care. I hope that it will encourage more people who think they
may have hearing problems to seek care," says Mike Langhout, president
of the AUDIENT program.
The mission of the AUDIENT program is simple: use
Federal tax returns or Social Security benefit statements to give
qualified individuals greatly discounted prices on new digital hearing
aids and refer them to a provider who is part of a nationwide network of
hearing care professionals.
Each person in the AUDIENT program is fitted with
digital, behind-the-ear hearing aids after first receiving an
examination or hearing test to determine the exact nature of the loss.
Routine follow-up visits are also provided.
No other asset test is required and a financing
plan is also available.
Langhout explains that the effort came in
recognition of a growing, unmet need.
"The system was designed to make it as easy as
possible for someone to find the kind of help they need," says Langhout.
"That's why we've kept the qualifying process very simple, with a
financing option as well."
For almost 40 years, the Northwest Lions Foundation
for Sight and Hearing has provided donated, refurbished hearing aids to
the poor, Langhout says.
"But we also began to identify a large number of
people whose income was above the poverty level, yet below the normal
means to afford better hearing," he adds.
An income level of no more than 2.5 times the
national poverty level -- or $23,500 for an individual, plus $7,950 for
each additional family member -- has been established to determine
eligibility for the AUDIENT program.
The AUDIENT program, formally known as the AUDIENT
Alliance for Accessible Hearing Care, is a recognized 501(c)3 non-profit
organization. Proceeds from the AUDIENT program are put back into the
program, so that more can be helped.
Common hearing loss warnings signs include an
inability to understand conversation in noisy places, asking people to
repeat themselves and turning up the TV volume louder than normal.
Breakdown in communication among family members and friends in a common
result when hearing loss is left untreated.
Persons interested in learning more are encouraged
to contact AUDIENT toll-free at 1-877-AUDIENT (1-877-283-4368) or by
e-mail at
info@audientalliance.org.
Links:
AUDIENT -
www.audientalliance.org
Northwest Lions Foundation -
http://www.nleb.org/
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