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National Program Launched to Help Low-Income Get Hearing Aids
The Senior Journal
August 20, 2005
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.
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