LOANER HEARING AID PROGRAM
Let’s be honest, children with hearing aids present unique challenges! The devices get dropped, or lost, or become a chew toy for the family pet. As parents we have all been there at one point or another so as a foundation, FHSR steps in to fund loaner hearing aid banks at pediatric clinics in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. We feel it is crucial for children with hearing loss not to miss a sound or a beat in the ordinary rhythm of their lives due to broken or lost hearing aids.
Loaner Hearing Aid Banks: Broken or Lost – We help to get you covered
Pediatric loaner hearing aid banks provide a bridge for the time between a broken or lost hearing aid and repair or replacement. Depending on each families’ financial health, health insurance and the manufacturers’ warranty requirements, time can be of the essence, so we help fund loaner hearing aid banks to make sure that a child does not have to go without hearing while their aid is being repaired or replaced. Â
With the support of FHSR, Lurie Children’s was able to provide loaner hearing aids to patients who needed them. Hearing aids that are loaned out are important for patients to bridge the gap between evaluation and actual cochlear implantation and while children have their hearing aids repaired or replaced. Over 200 hearing aids were lent out to 150 patients in 2021. All who received them were grateful for this opportunity to have a device temporarily.
FHSR is committed to making sure that no child has to miss out on hearing while the original aid is being repaired or replaced no matter if this is a few days, months or a year. Â
Cochlear Implant Candidate Process – We help to get you covered
For children who are deaf and going through the cochlear implant candidacy process, there is a requirement for a waiting period from identification to implantation during which the child is to wear hearing aids. The children who are enrolled in the cochlear implant program are able to utilize loaner hearing aids from the hearing aid banks during this period so the families do not have to incur the expense of purchasing hearing aids that will only be used for a short period of time.Â
The Chicagoland loaner hearing aid banks are there for our families in their time of need while they travel a path of implantation or are in the process of repair / replacement, helping to relieve the stress of their child not being able to hear and fully participate in life’s activities. Â
A single hearing aid can be loaned out many times meeting a child’s hearing needs seamlessly!Â
FHSR is proud to support these banks through-out Chicago and the suburbs. Â
A Huge THANK YOU to the Little Owl Social Pub in Brookfield for hosting another great Cheers and Beers for Ears Fundraiser. Â
We exceeded all expectations and have already raised over $14,000.00 for Pediatric Loaner Hearing Aid Banks throughout Chicagoland.
HEARING TECHNOLOGY
Hearing Technology is changing rapidly from captioning to cochlear implants, loops to language software. Follow our blog to learn more and donate to the Loaner Hearing Aid program to help keep the technology available for all children with hearing loss.
