Local agencies sometimes receive donations or private funds to assist with various needs. Speech and hearing centers may provide hearing aids at a reduced rate for clients who have used their services for audiological assessment. The United Way may fund local speech and hearing centers. Check your telephone book for local programs and inquire about funding.
AUDIENT, an alliance for accessible hearing care, is designed to assist income qualified hard of hearing people nationwide to access quality hearing aids and related care at significantly reduced costs. The AUDIENT program was developed by the non-profit Northwest Lions Foundation for Sight & Hearing and made possible through the help of dedicated providers and suppliers.
Easter Seals provides referrals to local programs for financial aid for devices or services and also provides financial aid for assistive technology. State and federal laws determine referral requirements and funding opportunities.
Hear Now is a national non-profit program committed to assisting deaf and hard-of-hearing persons with limited financial resources who permanently reside within the United States. The work of Hear Now is supported through the contributions of many benefactors. Hear Now receives no government funding. All donations - money, time, hearing aids - allow the program to survive and give the gift of hearing domestically.
The Travelers Protective Association of America established the TPA Scholarship Trust for the Deaf and Near Deaf in 1975 to provide financial aid to children and adults who suffer deafness or hearing impairment and who need assistance in obtaining mechanical devices, medical or specialized treatment or specialized education as well as speech classes, note takers, interpreters, etc. and in other areas of need that are directly related to hearing impairment.
The AG Bell Association offers financial grants to foster the rehabilitation, education, and enrichment of children who are deaf and hard-of-hearing. Please note that AG Bell's programs support individuals only and not organizations.
The National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management maintains a webpage of hearing aid loaner bank programs for children. Often, insurance does not cover the purchase and fitting of a hearing aid. Hearing aid loaner banks are a resource that can provide immediate, though temporary, access to appropriate amplification for young children with hearing loss whose parents choose that option.
Hike Fund is to provide hearing devices for children with hearing impairments between the ages of newborn and twenty years whose parents are unable to meet this special need financially. An estimate of 100 children are provided with hearing devices each year. Find out how to apply.
The Let Them Hear Foundation was established in 2003 and is a registered 501(c)(3) corporation in the State of California. This Foundation offers a Cochlear Implant and Pediatric Hearing Aid Program providing services to patients in Northern California and around the world.
Miracle-Ear centers nationally provide new or reconditioned "Miracle-Ear" hearing aids and services free of charge to families with hearing-impaired children (up to 16 years old) and an income level that does not allow them to receive public support. Eligibility for hearing aids and other services requires disclosure of complete financial information for individuals residing in the same household.
The UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation (UHCCF) is a non-profit charity dedicated to enhancing the quality of children's lives. Thanks to the generous contributions of many donors, UHCCF has been able to touch the lives of thousands of children and their families through much needed medical grants. These medical grants help improve access to medical services and items that are not covered, or not fully covered, by a family's current commercial health benefit plan. Since being founded in 1999, UHCCF has granted over $15M to over 5,000 families across the country. Grants have helped pay for necessary medical services and medical equipment such as physical therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, and medical equipment such as orthotics, wheelchairs and hearing aids for children.
The following are "toolkits" prepared by parent groups, state agencies, and other associations that may assist in locating resources.
The Answers 4 Families website contains links to applications for a number of national assistance programs covering the costs associated with hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other needs of children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
This Funding Tool Kit is the collaborative effort of three family support groups: Family Voices, Colorado Families for Hands & Voices, and the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf, Inc. The parents who compiled this information all have children with a hearing loss and wanted to help identify funding sources to pay for hearing aids and/or related expenses.
The AgrAbility Project agricultural and agribusiness workers who have hearing loss. Education and assistance are available to accommodate disabilities, eliminate barriers, and create a favorable climate among rural service providers for people with disabilities (including hearing loss).
Many community service organizations receive charitable donations to purchase hearing aids and other devices for low income deaf and hard-of-hearing people. Clubs often recondition hearing aids and donate them to needy individuals. Below is a listing of the national offices for several service organizations. Start by contacting the national office of the civic organization and ask how to locate the local chapter. Funding resources may not be available at all local chapters. Eligibility requirements and availabity of funds may change without notice.
Auditory equipment is furnished to schools with hearing-impaired students, and scholarships are issued to youngsters with this disability. Lions conduct screening programs for children and adults, support a variety of rehabilitation services, and provide and repair hearing aids for the needy.
Quota International provides funding for infant hearing screening programs.
Local clubs fund needs in their communities. Individuals should work directly with local clubs. Ruritan clubs are only located in the eastern U.S. (Kansas to the Atlantic Ocean, New York State to Florida).