Our sense of hearing is fundamental to participating fully in life, it is what keeps us connected to those we love. Untreated hearing loss can lead to social isolation, depression and poor health. Recent research has shown that well fit hearing aids improve quality of life and may help prevent memory and cognitive decline by keeping people engaged and stimulating the hearing and language areas of the brain.
Hearing aids are a medical necessity but are not covered by most insurance. The mission of the North Shore Hearing Foundation is to increase access to quality hearing care and devices for people of very low income, up to 250% of the federal poverty level who do not have insurance for hearing aids. There is a small co-pay for the aids and a volunteer requirement which we call the circle of giving. The circle of giving is a hand up, not a hand-out. We ask people and their families to volunteer within their community as a way of giving back to all the volunteer organizations who support us and other non-profits in our community. It is not enough just to fit a hearing aid and show someone how to use it. We reconnect people to the relationships and community connections so necessary for participating fully in life.
The first step is to have a hearing evaluation. We will have you meet with the program coordinator to review eligibility and the volunteer requirement. Atlantic Hearing Care donates professional time and expertise. Several of the hearing aid manufacturers donate or discount their hearing aids and accessories for the foundation. The hearing aids are generally brand new. We hold periodic fundraisers in the community, accept direct donations of any amount and also collect gently used aids to be reconditioned or reused for parts.
