INDUSTRY INSIGHT
BETTER HEARING
SPONSORED CONTENT
Finding
help
to cover
hearing
aids
T
reating a hearing loss can be difficult for those with limited
income. Thankfully there are many programs willing to help. The
best way to find out if a program is right for you is to review the
application documents, guidelines, policies and locations. This
article highlights some of the programs available in the Pittsburgh region.
• HearNow*: This program requires a one-time application fee. HearNow
provides up to two hearing aids at no cost and the participating
local clinic agrees to fit the hearing aid at no cost as well. Clinics
may limit number of recipients seen. (800.328.8602) https://www.
starkeyhearingfoundation.org/hear-now
• Pittsburgh Free/Sliding Scale Clinics: Pittsburgh has a number of
free clinics and sliding scale clinics. This year, 2017, the Birmingham Free
Clinic in the South Side the Squirrel Hill Health Center currently assist with
hearing aids on a sliding scale. Birmingham: (412.481.7900 x 281); Squirrel
Hill: (412.422-7442)
• Lions Club*, Rotary Club and Twilight Wish Foundation: These
organizations may support an applicant on a case-by-case basis. To obtain
details, reach out to the branch in your county.
• Medical Assistance: In Pennsylvania, children under the age of 21,
qualify for hearing aids through Medicaid. Contact your county social
services agency to determine eligibility for Medicaid.
• Office of Vocational Rehab: Prospective and current college students
and other people of working age may qualify for assistance from state
vocational rehabilitation agencies. Contact your county for more details or
the Pittsburgh office. (412.392.4950)
• Veterans Affairs: Veterans of military service may qualify for assistance
with hearing aids. Contact the medical facility for the appropriate branch
of the military.
• Financing: When income is too high to qualify for the above listed
programs, financing is another way to make hearing aids more affordable.
For low-interest financing check into the Pennsylvania Assistive
Technology Foundation: (484.674.0506) https://patf.us/.
With any program that assists with financial aid, it can be a process to
get all the information gathered and there is generally a waiting period for
approval. Since it can take time to apply and be accepted for hearing aids,
plan to make arrangements in the meantime. To help make ends meet,
consider investing in a low-cost amplifier like a pocket talker or loaning
devices from the lending library managed by Temple University, Institute
on Disabilities (800.204-PIAT), http://disabilities.temple.edu/programs/
assistive/atlend/borrow.shtml
*Once approved for Lions Club contact UPMC Center for Audiology
(412.647.2030) to schedule. For HearNow, contact Center for Assistive
Technology, University of Pittsburgh (412.647.1310).
This Industry Insight was written by Dr. Suzanne Yoder, Au.D.
HearWell Center 412.254.8934; [email protected],
www.hearwellcenter.com.
About HearWell Center — HearWell Center is a full-service,
independently owned audiology practice proud to be bringing
better hearing to the people of Pittsburgh since 2007. HearWell
Center, located in Forest Hills, is a hearing care practice that has helped over
1,000 patients with their hearing, tinnitus, and balance disorders — and offers
state-of-the-art diagnostic testing and expert fitting of hearing technology.
Woodland Hills | Winter 2017 | icmags.com 21