FUNDING FOR HEARING AIDS
Southeast Kansas Assistive Technology Access Site

People who are deaf and hard of hearing must often pay out-of-pocket for hearing aids that are not generally covered by insurance. This can create financial difficulties for people who need such aids to help them. As a result, people with hearing loss, their families, and the professionals who work with them must spend considerable time trying to find financial assistance for purchasing hearing aids.

PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS

HeartSpring-Kansas
The goal of the Donor Hearing Aid Program is to place amplification on those individuals who are in need, but are unable to purchase new hearing aids. A full hearing evaluation is provided and if necessary, one or two reconditioned behind the ear hearing aids. The cost to the client is $100, which covers the expense of the ear molds. Candidates for the Donor Hearing Aid Program must:
· Be 60 years of age or older, or have a disability other than hearing loss
· Not have a suitable working hearing aid.
· Not have a Medicaid card that will purchase a new hearing aid
· Have a written referral by a local community service agency or organization
· Be financially unable to purchase a hearing aid. Suggested guideline is 150% above poverty level.
Donor Hearing Aid Program, 8700 East 29th Street North, Wichita, KS 67226. 316-634-8750 or 800-835-1043

The mission of the Goodwill Easter Seals of Kansas, Inc. is to provide education, training, and employment opportunities for personal growth for people with disabilities and those with barriers to employment. Goodwill Industries Easter Seals of Kansas' programs strive to improve the quality of life for people of all ages, regardless of disability. When there is nowhere else to turn, people needing assistance with medical related expenses can turn to Goodwill Industries Easter Seals of Kansas. Aid is available as funding allows.
Contact P.O. Box 8169, Wichita, Kansas 67208.

Starkey Hearing Foundation/Hear Now promotes hearing care awareness through the support of hearing research, education and charitable programs. HEAR NOW maintains the National Hearing Aid Bank, which provides new and reconditioned hearing aids to deaf and hard of hearing people who cannot afford them. These hearing aids are distributed through hearing health care providers in communities nationwide. HEAR NOW also has a Cochlear Implant Program that raises funds to provide cochlear implants and related services to both adults and children. In addition, HEAR NOW has developed the National Hearing Assistance Directory (NHAD), which provides state-by-state listings of financial and social resources offered through government agencies and private organizations. HEAR NOW offers FREE hearing aids to those 125% below the poverty level. Applicant needs provider to waive the fitting costs and the follow-up care fees, but the patient CAN be charged initial fee. Hear Now is an organization of last resort; all other options for service must be used before Hear Now benefit is approved. HEAR NOW does not provide programmable or digital aids. WORLD HEADQUARTERS, STARKEY LABORATORIES, INC. , 6700 Washington Avenue South, Eden Prairie, MN 55344 Phone: 800-328-8602.

State Vocational Rehabilitation Programs - If you need a hearing aid or similar device to help you perform your job or obtain employment, contact your local state Vocational Rehabilitation office.

PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN

Public schools are required to provide needed technology so children with disabilities can benefit from their educational program. Children ages 3 to 21 years with disabilities who are enrolled in a public school program may request technology they need. Schools traditionally resist providing technology that is viewed as "personal use" but the Office of Special Education has ruled that schools need to provide technology that is educationally necessary. The device must be listed on the student's individual education plan (IEP). A recommendation from the child's education team is usually needed. Documentation would include an audiogram from an audiologist (obtained through the schools) and recommendation. Physicians can provide recommendations also.

Infant Toddler Services are required to assist families fund technology that is developmentally necessary. Some networks set aside a small amount of funds to be used for this purpose. All networks have family service coordinators assist families in identifying funding for needed technology. The technology should be listed on the individual family services plan (IFSP). Follow-up and training on use of the devices should be included too.

Some organizations prioritize assisting individuals in obtaining funds for hearing aids. Most organizations require completion of a brief application form, description of what you need funds for and why, and limited information about family's income.

Children’s Miracle Network is an international non-profit organization dedicated to helping children by raising funds and awareness for 170 children's hospitals throughout North America. Each year these non-profit hospitals treat more than 17 million children afflicted with diseases, injuries and birth defects of every kind.
Participating hospitals in Kansas:
University of Kansas Medical Center--Kansas City (913-588-5937)
St. Francis Health Center--Topeka (785-295-8181)
Via Christi Regional Medical Center--Wichita (316-268-5000)

Disabled Children's Relief Fund is a non-profit organization that provides disabled children with assistance to obtain wheelchairs, orthopedic braces, walkers, lifts, hearing aids, eyeglasses, medical equipment, physical therapy, and surgery. DCRF focuses special attention on helping children throughout the U.S. that do not have adequate health insurance, especially the physically challenged. In some cases, DCRF may be the last resort. APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE BETWEEN MARCH AND SEPTEMBER. Disabled Children's Relief Fund, P.O. Box 7420 , Freeport, New York 11520.

The HIKE Fund, Inc. is a not for profit philanthropic project of the International Order of Job’s Daughters. The purpose of the 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. Children are eligible to receive a grant providing the need is verified by a prescription from an audiologist or physician. Many of the recipients are children of working parents. The Fund has awarded many types of devices including, but not limited to, hearing aids, FM systems, closed caption converters, tactile units, alerting systems, and specialized sports equipment, to aid hearing impaired children in communication. The International Center for Job’s Daughters, 233 West 6th Street, Papillion, NE 68046 402-592-7987 Website: www.iojd.org.

Miracle-Ear® Children's Foundation provides new or reconditioned "Miracle-Ear" hearing aids and services free of charge to families who have hearing impaired children ages 16 years or younger, with an income level that does not allow them to receive public support. Dahlberg, Inc. is a corporate sponsor which donates hearing aids for needy children and underwrites the Foundation's administrative costs. Eligibility for hearing aids and other services requires disclosure of complete financial information for individuals residing in the same household. To receive assistance through the Children's Foundation, the child must be:
· A resident of the United States.
· 16 years old or younger.
· In a family with an income level that does not allow the family to receive public support.
· In a family committed to intervention, rehabilitation, and necessary follow-up services as the child grows.
Applications will be sent to U.S. addresses only. The name and address of the child's parent or guardian are required for application requests. Supplemental contact information (phone numbers and email addresses) may also be helpful in turning around information requests. You may also request information by calling the Miracle-Ear® Children's Foundation directly at 1-800-234-5422. For further information about the services that MIRACLE-EAR CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION offers, contact: MIRACLE-EAR CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION , P.O. Box 59261, Minneapolis, MN 55459-0261.

Kansas Society for Crippled Children aims to improve the health, welfare, education, rehabilitation and the opportunity for disabled child of low income families in the state of Kansas. This organization provides funds available for hearing aids and other assistive listening devices needed for children under the ages of 21 years.
Wally Balzerick at 106 West Douglas Suite 900, Wichita, KS 67202, 800-624-4530.

United Cerebral Palsy provides financial assistance to help people with disabilities obtain services and equipment to become more independent. United Cerebral Palsy of Kansas receives money from many organizations, including allocations from several chapters of United Way across the state. Funds are made available to children living in counties that contributed to UCP through the United Way. United Cerebral Palsy uses United Way money to pay only a portion of the cost for a piece of equipment. Contact Dave Jones, P.O. Box 8217 , Wichita, KS 67208-0217, 316-688-1888.

Special Bequest Fund provides funds to children who qualify for Special Health Care Needs and other children with disabilities whose families are income eligible. Funds may support hearing aids, assistive listening devices, and other equipment needed by children with disabilities. The Bequest Fund Board meets quarterly to approve requests. Contact Jamey Kendall, Landon State Office Building, Room 1005N, 900 SW Jackson, Topeka, KS 66612-1290, 785-296-1313.

Hartley Family Center at the KUMC Audiology Clinic works with families of hearing impaired children in the Kansas City area. Speech-language and early childhood professionals work in the homes to provide support to families with infants diagnosed with hearing loss. The program also provides support to parents who are deaf or hard of hearing and their infants. Limited funds available for hearing aids and fitting. Contact Dawn O'Brien at 913-588-5750

Zallers Trust provides funds to children with disabilities living in Southeast Kansas. Income and cost of the devices are taken into consideration. Contact Bruce Borders, P.O. Box 908, Independence, KS 67301, 620-331-8600.

Local religious and civic organizations (Knights of Columbus, Masons, Ministerial Alliance, Lions Club, Kiwanis, Sertoma, Elks, Eagles, Rotary). These organizations often provide some funds toward purchase of needed technology for children. Contact your local chamber of commerce for contact names and numbers.

Kansas Assistive Technology Cooperative (KATCO)
After public and private funds have been tapped, there still may be a shortfall in the funds available for hearing aids and other assistive listening devices. An individual or parents may choose to seek a reduced interest loan for needed assistive technology. The Kansas AT Cooperative (KATCO) lends funds to individuals who are sometimes perceived as poor credit risks by traditional lenders. Loans are available in amounts from $500 and $50,000. Contact Basil Kessler at 866-465-2826.