Funding Resources through Local Agencies/Programs
Audiology Services and Hearing Aids
Back to Funding Resources main page
Local agencies sometimes receive donations or private funds to assist with various needs. Speech and hearing centers may provide hearing aids at a reduced rate for clients who have used their services for audiological assessment. The United Way may fund local speech and hearing centers. Check your telephone book for local programs and inquire about funding.
- Child health centers
- Speech and hearing centers
- Organizations for older adults
- Deaf community centers
- Organizations for deaf and hard-of-hearing people
- Religious organizations/institutions
- Hearing aid banks
Private Resources for Children & Adults | Private Resources for Children | Funding Toolkits | Private Resources for Adults | Civic/Service Organizations
Private Resources for Children and Adults
AUDIENT Program
EPIC Hearing Healthcare
3191 West Temple Ave, Suite 200
Pomona, CA 91768
1-866-956-5400 x2
E-mail: hear@epichearing.com
AUDIENT, an alliance for accessible hearing care, is designed to assist income qualified hard of hearing people nationwide to access quality hearing aids and related care at significantly reduced costs. The AUDIENT program was developed by the non-profit Northwest Lions Foundation for Sight & Hearing and made possible through the help of dedicated providers and suppliers.
Easter Seals
141 W Jackson Blvd., 1400A
Chicago, IL 60604
312-726-6200 (voice)
800-221-6827 (toll-free)
E-mail: info@easter-seals.org
Easter Seals provides referrals to local programs for financial aid for devices or services and also provides financial aid for assistive technology. State and federal laws determine referral requirements and funding opportunities.
Hear Now
The Domestic Program of Starkey Hearing Foundation
The Starkey Hearing Foundation
6700 Washington Ave. South
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Phone: 800-481-5512
E-mail: joanita@sotheworldmayhear.org
Hear Now is a national non-profit program committed to assisting deaf and hard-of-hearing persons with limited financial resources who permanently reside within the United States. The work of Hear Now is supported through the contributions of many benefactors. Hear Now receives no government funding. All donations - money, time, hearing aids - allow the program to survive and give the gift of hearing domestically.
Travelers Protective Association Scholarship Trust for the Deaf and Near-Deaf (TPA)
2041 Exchange Dr.
St. Charles, MO 63303
636-724-2227
877-872-2638
E-mail: support@tpahq.org
Contact Us form
The Travelers Protective Association of America established the TPA Scholarship Trust for the Deaf and Near Deaf in 1975 to provide financial aid to children and adults who suffer deafness or hearing impairment and who need assistance in obtaining mechanical devices, medical or specialized treatment or specialized education as well as speech classes, note takers, interpreters, etc. and in other areas of need that are directly related to hearing impairment.
Private Resources for Children
Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf, Inc.
3417 Volta Place, NW
Washington, DC 20007
Voice/TTY: 202-337-5220
TTY: 202-337-5221
Fax: 202-337-8314
E-mail: info@agbell.org
The AG Bell Association offers financial grants to foster the rehabilitation, education, and enrichment of children who are deaf and hard-of-hearing. Please note that AG Bell's programs support individuals only and not organizations.
Hearing Aid Loaner Bank Programs
The National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management maintains a webpage of hearing aid loaner bank programs for children. Often, insurance does not cover the purchase and fitting of a hearing aid. Hearing aid loaner banks are a resource that can provide immediate, though temporary, access to appropriate amplification for young children with hearing loss whose parents choose that option.
The Hike Fund, Inc.
c/o Claudia Hauser
530 Elliott St.
Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0202
Phone: 712-325-0812
E-mail: cbclaud@aol.com
Hike 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. Find out how to apply.
Let Them Hear Foundation
1900 University Ave., Suite 101
East Palo Alto, CA 94303
Phone: 650-462-3143
Fax: 650-462-3144
The Let Them Hear Foundation was established in 2003 and is a registered 501(c)(3) corporation in the State of California. This Foundation offers a Cochlear Implant and Pediatric Hearing Aid Program providing services to patients in Northern California and around the world.
Miracle Ear Children's Foundation
P.O. Box 59261
Minneapolis, MN 55459-0261
Voice: 800-234-5422
E-mail: feedback@miracle-ear.com
Miracle-Ear centers nationally provide new or reconditioned "Miracle-Ear" hearing aids and services free of charge to families with hearing-impaired children (up to 16 years old) and an income level that does not allow them to receive public support. Eligibility for hearing aids and other services requires disclosure of complete financial information for individuals residing in the same household.
UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation
MN017-W400
P.O. Box 41
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0041
1-855-MY-UHCCF (1-855-698-4223)
The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) is a non-profit charity dedicated to enhancing the quality of children’s lives. Thanks to the generous contributions of many donors, UHCCF has been able to touch the lives of thousands of children and their families through much needed medical grants. These medical grants help improve access to medical services and items that are not covered, or not fully covered, by a family’s current commercial health benefit plan. Since being founded in 1999, UHCCF has granted over $15M to over 5,000 families across the country. Grants have helped pay for necessary medical services and medical equipment such as physical therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, and medical equipment such as orthotics, wheelchairs and hearing aids for children.
Funding Toolkits for Parents
The following are "toolkits" prepared by parent groups, state agencies, and other associations that may assist in locating resources.
Answers 4 Families: Supporting Families in Nebraska
The Answers 4 Families website contains links to applications for a number of national assistance programs covering the costs associated with hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other needs of children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
The Parent Funding Toolkit for Families of Children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Colorado
This Funding Tool Kit is the collaborative effort of three family support groups: Family Voices, Colorado Families for Hands & Voices, and the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf, Inc. The parents who compiled this information all have children with a hearing loss and wanted to help identify funding sources to pay for hearing aids and/or related expenses.
Private Resources for Adults
National AgrAbility Project
225 S. University St.
West Lafayette, IN 47907
Voice/TTY: 800-825-4264
The AgrAbility Project agricultural and agribusiness workers who have hearing loss. Education and assistance are available to accommodate disabilities, eliminate barriers, and create a favorable climate among rural service providers for people with disabilities (including hearing loss).
Civic/Service Organizations
Many community service organizations receive charitable donations to purchase hearing aids and other devices for low income deaf and hard-of-hearing people. Clubs often recondition hearing aids and donate them to needy individuals. Below is a listing of the national offices for several service organizations. Start by contacting the national office of the civic organization and ask how to locate the local chapter. Funding resources may not be available at all local chapters. Eligibility requirements and availabity of funds may change without notice.
BPO Elks of the USA
2750 N. Lakeview Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614-1889
Phone: 773-755-4700
Civitan International
P.O. Box 130744
Birmingham, AL 35213-0744
Phone: 205-591-8910
Toll Free: 1-800-CIVITAN
E-mail: civitan@civitan.org
Contact Us form
Hearing Charities of America
1912 East Meyer Blvd.
Kansas City, MO 64132
Phone: 816-333-8300
Fax: 816-333-4320
Kiwanis, International
3636 Woodview Trace
Indianapolis, IN 46268-3196
Phone: 317-875-8755
Toll Free: 800-549-2647
E-mail: MemberServices@kiwanis.org
Knights of Columbus
Headquarters
1 Columbus Plaza
New Haven, CT 06510
Phone: 203-752-4000
E-mail: info@kofc.org
Lions Clubs International
300 22nd St.
Oak Brook, IL 60523-8842
Phone: 630-571-5466
Auditory equipment is furnished to schools with hearing-impaired students, and scholarships are issued to youngsters with this disability. Lions conduct screening programs for children and adults, support a variety of rehabilitation services, and provide and repair hearing aids for the needy.
Quota International
1420 21st St., NW
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-331-9694
E-mail: staff@quota.org
Quota International provides funding for infant hearing screening programs.
Rotary International
1 Rotary Center
1560 Sherman Ave.
Evanston, IL 60201
Phone: 708-866-3000
Toll Free: 866-976-8279
Ruritan National, Inc.
P.O. Box 487
Dublin, VA 24084
Toll Free: 877-787-8727, call to locate a local club
E-mail: office@ruritan.org
Local clubs fund needs in their communities. Individuals should work directly with local clubs. Ruritan clubs are only located in the eastern U.S. (Kansas to the Atlantic Ocean, New York State to Florida).
Sertoma & Hearing Charities of America
720 Main St., Floor 1
Kansas City, MO 64105
Phone: 816-333-8300
Fax: 816-333-4320
Contact Us form
