HearAid Foundation
helps baby twins hear!

As seen on
ABC News.

In this technologically advanced age,

no one should have to live his or her life without hearing



HearAid Foundation gives the gift of hearing to financially disadvantaged infants, children and adults,
by compassionately providing quality hearing devices, services and care.

WHO WE ARE

HearAid Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to helping people hear as well and as quickly as possible. Established in 2009 in Orange County, California, HearAid serves children and adults who are in need of immediate hearing intervention, with a high standard of care to ensure that each patient doesn’t get just any hearing devices, but gets the right hearing devices and solutions under the care of a doctor.

HOW WE WORK

Quality and immediacy are top priority for HearAid. We partner with hearing professionals and accept referrals from doctors, schools, social workers, hospitals, assisted living centers and even individuals to identify underfunded people with hearing loss who need hearing aids or services. The potential beneficiary (or their parent), often with the help of a hearing professional, fills out a straightforward application for assistance and submits it to HearAid. Qualified recipients can receive assistance immediately or within days of application approval. No delay of many critical months. No red tape.

WHY WE DO IT

Extraordinarily, the vast majority of insurance providers do not cover hearing devices and services, deeming them not medically necessary. Most families are left to bear the financial burden of hearing devices and services themselves. Some qualify for government assistance, but such help often takes months to materialize, which is unacceptable in the case of a small child when every day of hearing is critical to development. Many adults who need help hearing do not qualify for government assistance but cannot afford the price of devices or services.

3–5

THOUSAND DOLLARS

The retail cost of a pair of low- to mid-range hearing aids.

6

MONTHS

The first six months of life is the most critical time for forming the pathways in the brain necessary to hear

>$1

MILLION DOLLARS

Estimated cost of special education and loss of productivity when a single child does not receive early intervention for hearing loss.*

30,557

PEOPLE

The number of people with hearing loss living under the poverty level in Orange County, California, one of the most affluent counties in America.**

* Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hearing Loss in Children
** US Census Bureau in 2011

How It Works

We think it’s important to keep it simple.

Recipients

For consideration, HearAid Foundation recipients must provide income information and fill out a simple application. A tax return or other proof of income level will be required at the time you submit your application.

Providers

We gladly accept your referrals of potential HearAid beneficiaries. Referring providers who are also hearing professionals must be willing to fit hearing devices for their referred patients on a pro bono basis. Please consult your tax professional to determine if your waived professional fees are tax deductible.

Device Donors

In addition to cash and in-kind donations, we accept hearing aids and other assistive devices that are new or in good repair. All donations are tax deductible. Devices can be mailed to us, if preferred. We will provide a letter of receipt for your records.

Why Hearing Matters

Hearing loss is detrimental at any age.

CHILDREN

Children with hearing loss experience shame, guilt, anger, embarrassment, poor concentration, sadness, depression, worry, frustration, anxiety, suspicion, low self-respect and low confidence. If left untreated, hearing loss can possibly lead to exhaustion, headaches, vertigo, stress, inability to reach potential in sports, and eating, sleeping and stomach disorders.

Even mild hearing loss can greatly impact a child’s ability to learn. Losses can be observed academically as early as kindergarten and first grade and reach a peak by third grade. This is due in part to changes in language complexity, less visual cues, more verbalization, and the need to “build on” academically with each consecutive grade.

Children whose hearing loss is treated have a dramatically different experience. Their self- esteem is higher. They experience stronger and closer relationships with people. They have a greater sense of independence and perform better in school.

ADULTS

Adults with hearing loss experience anxiety, depression and social isolation. Depending on their condition, they may also suffer from balance problems or vertigo.

When adults get their hearing loss treated, they reconnect with loved ones, come out of their “shell” and find that their employment opportunities open up. Hearing can restore an adult’s access to intimacy and independence.

Who We Serve

Children, adults and elderly – wherever there is need.

It may be your child’s classmate whose parents are unable to help their child due to persisting financial hardship; it may be your neighbor who works long hours but is unable to afford the extra expense; it may be the lonely senior living on a low fixed income and without family support.

At $3,000 to $5,000 per pair, hearing aids can be financially unattainable to many families and individuals; not to mention the cost of quality care by knowledgeable doctors and hearing experts. HearAid has stepped in to help many people who cannot afford hearing aids, but who are not being helped by government safety nets, either due to financial factors or simply a backlogged, slow moving system.

Here are some of their stories.

We give the gift of hearing. You can, too.

  • The media loved these cutie pies! August 27, 2015 Darling 6-month-old twins Kayla and Kiara Hernandez have had their story broadcasted across the nation over the last day, after a couple of local news crews showed up to witness the fitting of their new hearing......

  • A follow-up on HearAid schoolchildren recipients in Addis Ababa In February 2014 Rebecca Gebremichael traveled to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on a medical mission with Healing the Children. We supported Rebecca’s mission by contributing 18 hearing aids to provide to students at the Makenissa School for......

  • Leadership connects with HearAid recipients in new ways The HearAid Foundation Board of Directors is made up of individuals and professionals who are all connected to the issue of hearing loss in some way – some are doctors; some are family members of those with......

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