Donor Involvement Helps Hearing Aid Project Bring Back the Joy of Hearing

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Jan. 31, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- More than two years ago, Hearing Charities of America (HCOA) launched a program called the Hearing Aid Project with a mission to give low-income individuals across the United States access to hearing aids at no cost. Since that time, donors have hosted personal fundraisers, donated hearing aids no longer in use for refurbishment, and have given cash donations to help address the widespread issue of hearing health that affects one quarter of Americans who live with significant hearing loss.

Between donated hearing aids and cash donations, the Hearing Aid Project is able to fit low-income men, women and children with refurbished hearing aids – devices that would otherwise be financially out of reach for them. The Hearing Aid Project brings together individual donors and hearing health professionals whose involvement brings back the joy of hearing for many who receive the no-cost hearing aids.

Oscar, who worked in a saw mill, and Michael, who worked in manufacturing and also suffered a stroke, are two of approximately 22 million U.S. workers exposed to hazardous levels of noise on the job. Oscar started to cope with his hearing loss by asking others to speak up or write down what they were saying. Michael realized his work-related hearing loss while working with a speech-language pathologist during his stroke recovery. Both are grateful to be able to communicate with others again.

Gail Chaney, a veteran and dedicated nurse, said, "I noticed that I was having difficulty hearing about eight years ago, especially at work. I must have been relying on lip reading without realizing it." For three years, she searched for hearing aid assistance with no luck… until she found the Hearing Aid Project. Gail was recently fitted with hearing aids and is eternally grateful and excited to begin a new chapter in life with new ears.

The Hearing Aid Project helps recipients start new chapters in life, even well into their eighties and nineties.

Eighty-nine-year-old, Lela Joyce Clark's hearing loss was gradual and progressed to where she was having difficulty communicating with her husband. It also kept her from participating in the activities she once did at her nursing home. The expense of hearing aids led her daughter on a frantic search for a solution and found the Hearing Aid Project. After being fitted with no-cost hearing aids, Lela says she is most looking forward to hearing everyday sounds again, especially birds and her cat's meow.

Effie Wilson, 94-years-old, is remaining independent and self-sufficient with the help of the Hearing Aid Project and her loved ones. She began struggling with hearing loss in her seventies and worsened to the point where Effie couldn't interact with people, hear her grandchildren laugh or watch her favorite television shows. Effie said, "I enjoy having my family and friends visit, but it makes me sad when I'm not able to join in the conversation. I may be 94-years-old, but I still have a lot to say." Her son-in-law connected Effie with the Hearing Aid Project and she was fitted with two refurbished, donated hearing aids. "It is a dream come true for me," she said.

The Hearing Aid Project has brought back the joy of hearing to 88 people since 2016 thanks in part to personal fundraisers like 14-year-old, Ayanna's. She raised $3,032 a Hearing Aid Project personal fundraiser record and lifechanging for the six lives changed because of her. Ayanna was diagnosed with severe to profound hearing loss at six months old. After receiving a cochlear implant, she was able to grow, develop and thrive. "I can't imagine living in a world where I can't communicate verbally with my friends and family, or listen to my favorite music," Ayanna said. "Without access to hearing technology, I would have struggled. Through my fundraising efforts, I want to help children and adults benefit from the gift of sound, just like I did!"

The Hearing Aid Project has 67 participating providers spanning 32 states, to help meet the growing demand for hearing aids. The Hearing Aid Project emphasizes three components: Get, Give, Help. One, getting low income individuals who need hearing aids referred to the Project. Two, giving hearing aids and cash donations to the Hearing Aid Project. Three, helping carry out its mission with an online personal fundraiser, recruiting audiologists to participate, and/or hosting a CELEBRATE SOUND Don't Walk in Silence® event to benefit the Project.

"Hearing affects our work, our relationships and our sense of connectedness and the joy those bring. No one should be without that joy in their lives when hearing aids are the solution. It's a matter of cost for many," says Steven Murphy, executive director, Hearing Aid Project. "We are able to return the joy of hearing to those with hearing loss thanks to our network of audiologists, hearing aid donations and donors like Ayanna. We are always actively fundraising for the money it takes to ship, refurbish and fit them to those who need them."

Please visit http://www.hearingaiddonations.org if you are interested in participating, supporting or learning more about the Hearing Aid Project and how it changes lives like it did for Oscar, Michael, Gail, Effie and others.

About Hearing Charities of America
Hearing Charities of America 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.
If you would like to become more familiar with this charitable organization and its programs, please contact HCOA at 816-333-8300 or visit http://www.hearingcharities.org.

SOURCE Hearing Charities of America

Related Links

http://hearingcharities.org