Give a hearing aid to someone in need Hearing Charities of America (HCOA), based in Kansas City, Mo, launched a national program on August 1, 2016 titled the Hearing Aid Project. Since its release, the project has been providing low-income individuals of all ages with no-cost hearing aids across the United States.

According to its website, the Hearing Aid Project mission is to provide hearing aids and other assistive devices for those who require them, and economics shouldn’t be a barrier to hearing health. Driven by the missions of organizations like Sertoma and Hearing Charities of America, and through the generosity of many others, hearing aids are now available to those who might otherwise go without.

Hearing Aid Project HCOA reports that 25% of Americans suffer from significant hearing loss, making it one of the country’s most widespread health issues. Many Americans can’t afford the hearing aids that would restore their quality of life. Meanwhile, countless hearing aids are sitting in drawers unused or are discarded once new hearing aids are purchased.

The goal of the Hearing Aid Project is to address these problems, and ensure that those who want to hear better have an equal opportunity to do so, regardless of income.

Hearing Charities of America (HCOA) To reach out to hearing care professionals and others to join the effort in meeting the growing need for no-cost hearing aids, the Hearing Aid Project emphasizes three components: getting, giving and helping.

  • Get – refer low income individuals in your area who are in need of hearing aids to the project;
  • Give – donate hearing aids or establish hearing aid collection centers in your community;
  • Help – carry out an online personal fundraiser, make a cash donation, recruit other audiologists to participate, and/or host a CELEBRATE SOUND event to benefit the project.

Sertoma How does it work? There are some Sertoma Clubs around the United States who have set up hearing aid collection centers within their community to collect hearing aids for the project.

The Hearing Aid Project Manager, Meredith See, oversees the program, working with participating audiologists as well as the applicants. Any hearing care professionals interested in participating, supporting or learning more about this program can visit the Hearing Aid Project website for more information.

Learn how the Hearing Aid Project has been a life-changer for two people with hearing loss who, without the aids and support provided by the project, would not have otherwise been able to get the hearing care they needed.

Brittany’s Story: http://www.hearingaiddonations.org/national-hearing-aid-project-initiates-new-beginning/

Anna’s Story: http://www.hearingaiddonations.org/hearing-aid-projects-second-recipient-finds-hope-and-clarity/

Hearing Charities of America (HCOA) is a nonprofit organization that supports those who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. The organization connects those who need information, education, hearing health services, and assistive devices with the resources they need to live a healthier hearing life. For more information about HCOA, visit the website.

Source: Hearing Charities of America (HCOA); Hearing Aid Project

Image credits: HCOA; Sertoma; Hearing Aid Project