Local Resources Regarding Hearing Loss

I.Check out this website (www.hearinglosskentucky.org and www.hearinglosskyhome.org ) for specific information about hearing loss, Financing Hearing Aids in Kentucky, Glossary for People New to Hearing Loss, Making the Best of a Visit to an Audiologist and many more articles on hearing loss issues.

II.Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) www.hearingloss.org is a prime source about hearing loss issues.

III.Hearing Loss Association Kentuckiana, Bardstown, Lexington and Resources in Bowling Green. Information on this website.

IV. The Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (KCDHH) www.kcdhh.ky.gov (502)573-2604 and (800)372-2907.

KCDHH is an advisory element of KY gov. for us. It is a resource of Information and provides specialized phones and alerting devices its TAP program (Telecommunication Assistance Program).

V.Kentucky's Statewide Hearing Aid Assistance And Reuse Program (SHARP) If you would like to know more about how SHARP can benefit you, please contact the KATS Network at (800)327-5287 or email us at sharp@katsnet.org. (SHARP) – a program of the KATS Network. The goal of this program is to make it easier for Kentuckians with hearing loss to acquire hearing aids. To achieve this goal, we are providing the following services to residents of Kentucky with hearing loss:

VI

Heuser Hearing Institute https://thehearinginstitute.org/about-

 

heuser/news/listenupproject/

 

Every year countless Kentuckians deal with the problems associated with

 

hearing loss and are unable to financially afford the proper care needed to

 

live a normal life. To help fill this void, The Listen Up! Project is creating an

 

opportunity for you or a loved one to volunteer at one of the Heuser

 

Hearing Institute’s charitable foundations partners around Louisville in

 

exchange for credit towards hearing aids. This pilot program has been

 

made possible by a generous donation from Delta Dental of Kentucky’s

 

Making Smiles Happen program.

VII. Your Rights And The Law - A Guide Produced By The KCDHH

Federal and state laws are in place to protect individuals with disabilities from discrimination. These laws were designed to give equal access and opportunities to all persons with disabilities, including individuals with hearing loss.

For an individual with a hearing loss, equal access typically means effective communication. Effective communication usually requires some form of accommodation and due to the diverse needs of deaf and hard of hearing individuals, the specific accommodation will depend on the individual.

VIII. Check out Other Useful Links on our homepage.

IX.

Michelle Niehaus, LCSW with the Kentucky Department for Behavioral

 

Health has teamed with the Kentuckiana Chapter to offer a Support Group

 

held in Louisville. Find dates and times in the Kentuckiana Chapter

 

newsletter, or contact us. The Support Group is free and open to the

 

public.

X.Search for licensed audiologists in your area by zip code, or in a metro area within a limited number of miles at the following sites:

www.HowsYourHearing.org Sponsored by the American Academy of Audiology

www.HearingTracker.com A searchable Hearing Healthcare Directory in partnership with the Hearing Loss Association of America

Hearing Aid Funding Resources

Hear Now

Hear Now is an application-based program of the Starkey Hearing Foundation that provides new hearing aids to low-income Americans. For information about eligibility, contact the Starkey Hearing Foundation at: (800)328-8602 and ask to speak with a Hear Now representative. Applications must be received by December 15th of each year to be considered.

Please understand that Audiologists/HHPs working with Hear Now donate their time and may have limited openings. SHARP and/or Hear Now are not able to make referrals or verify that an audiologist has current openings for Hear Now applicants.

Once the application has been completed by both the applicant and the Audiologist/HHP, please mail directly to Hear Now at: Hear Now Program, 6700 Washington Ave South, Eden Prairie, MN, 55344.

The applicant will need to enclose a cashier’s check or money order for the balance of the Hear Now application fee (along with any other requested documentation).

Audient – Epic Hearing Healthcare

Phone: (866) 956-5400 x. 2 (ask for Audient low-income program)

Website: audientalliance.org

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.

Gift of Hearing Foundation

Phone: (617)661-HEAR (4327)

Website: http://www.giftofhearingfoundation.org

Overview

Working closely with the medical community, the Gift of Hearing Foundation will provide financial support to help a select number of economically disadvantaged patients receive cochlear implants. We will use these selected cases to highlight the gaps in reimbursement for cochlear implants and advocate for change. We can provide financial assistance to those whose insurance coverage will not provide for the cost of CI Implants. We do not assist with hearing aids.

Eligibility Requirements and Application Process

Applications for assistance must be submitted through the cochlear implant center that has determined that the individual qualifies as a CI candidate. GOHF does not accept applications from individuals. A qualified CI candidate should have their CI audiologist or surgeon’s office contact GOHF directly for an application.

Help America Hear

Phone: (888)580-8866

Website: Fssny.org

The Foundation for Sight and Sound through its Help America Hear Program (HAH) provides hearing aids for men, women and children with limited financial resources.