Not all people with hearing loss can benefit from a hearing aid. It depends on the type of hearing loss they have. According to the website Deafness and Hearing Aids, however, only about one in five people that could benefit from a hearing aid actually wear one. There are many reasons a person might not wear a hearing aid even though he could benefit from one, and one factor is cost. The Better Hearing Institute reports that the average hearing aid costs about $1,800, including the cost of fitting and follow up.
Need for Financial Assistance
Many insurance plans do not cover hearing aids, although some do. Medicare does not cover hearing aids. Hearing aids are life-changing for some users, though. People may manage to work if they have a hearing aid but have difficulty working without one (although many deaf people do work even if they cannot hear at all). A hearing aid can help a hard of hearing child succeed in school. Hearing aids allow people with hearing impairments to interact with people around them.
Finding Financial Assistance
Numerous programs exist that provide assistance for people that need hearing aids, but it can take some work to find a program that you qualify for. Begin by contacting your health insurance company, to see if they cover hearing aids. Unfortunately, many health insurance companies do not. Look into any government programs that might assist you. Finally, look into other organizations and programs as a last resort.
Government-Sponsored Assistance
Medicaid pays for hearing tests and hearing aids in some states. Not all people with low incomes qualify for Medicaid, though. Contact the Medicaid office in the county in which you live to find out if you might qualify and if Medicaid covers hearing aids in your state. The Veterans Administration covers hearing aids for qualified veterans, as well. If you need a hearing aid in order to obtain employment, your state's Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation might help.
Organizations for the Deaf
Many organizations for the deaf and hard of hearing provide financial assistance to people that need hearing aids, including the Starkey Hearing Foundation, the Dr. Ann Stadelmaier Hearing Aid Fund, Let Them Hear Now and Audient. These organizations provide a variety of services in addition to helping people get the hearing aids they need, and they all have different eligibility criteria for people needing assistance, so contact the individual organizations for more information.
Service Organizations
A number of service organizations have programs to help fund hearing aids or provide hearing aids to those in need, including Lions Club International, Quota International and Kiwanis Clubs. Contact these organizations for information about the services they offer and request assistance.
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