The Issues about Grants for Hearing Aids
Hearing aids can cost anywhere between 700 to 6,000 per pair, depending on the type and quality of the hearing aid. This is a lot of money for average earning citizens, and given the financial times these days, they sometimes opt to just not use hearing aids in order to save money. There is a lack of private and government support and grants for hearing aids to assist the majority of hearing loss sufferers. A lot of peripheral issues can occur when people choose not to wear hearing aids. These issues may be detrimental to relationships, work and learning. When grants for hearing aids are lacking and people decide against spending on hearing aids, rifts in relationships between hearing and hearing impaired persons may occur. The strain of not being able to easily understand each other can become too much of a burden for the concerned parties. Work or advancement in ones career also becomes harder to achieve. Hearing loss can impose limitations in ones effective function in the workplace. In children and teenagers, an unfixed hearing impairment can lead to behavioral problems and even dropping out of school. It is harder for the youth to mix in with their peers, given their impairment. They may suffer from social discrimination and learning problems, especially if the teachers and students are not sensitive to hearing loss impaired people. In general, the quality of life is affected when grants for hearing aids are not made available, and individuals decide to live without hearing aids. Some hearing impaired people may opt for the services of an interpreter but just the same, they cannot enjoy the simple joys of music and sound. And all this because they cannot afford to buy hearing aids on their own. Where To Look for Grants for Hearing Aids At present, there are limited resources of grants for hearing aids. Given the limited resource and the number of people that require help, the chances of getting financial help for hearing aids are sometimes not good. It takes a while to qualify for grants, even when the need for hearing aids is immediate. There are a few government and private entities that can give financial help for those needing hearing aids: 1. Some health insurance companies cover hearing impairment. Check your coverage first. There are some health insurance companies that allot funds for this need. However, the majority still do not cover hearing aids. This policy is being questioned by activists who question the availability of funds for birth control products, prosthetic limbs and hair replacement solutions when a clear disability like hearing impairment is not provided for. 2. Some states provide hearing aid financial assistance to low income families through Medicaid. You can even qualify for temporary financial help even when you are earning higher. Check with your local government to see if you can qualify for Medicaid. Available assistance should be listed under the County Social Services section of the phone book. 3. Children with hearing impairment can receive hearing aids at no cost if it is specified in the Individualized Education Program of their school. This is often under assistive technology help for enabling free and appropriate public education (FAPE). 4. College level individuals can qualify for grants for hearing aids through state vocational rehabilitation agencies. To qualify for this grant, you need to prove that your impairment deters your full functioning within your work or school setting. 5. Military veterans can qualify for financial help in getting hearing aids through the medical facility of their military branch. 6. Local hearing impaired organizations would likewise have a database of possible grant sources. Often, the grants given by these organizations are ladderized, according to family income and state loan programs. 7. Some employers (depending on industry) are required by law to provide auxiliary support and services to aid in communication. Employees can try to apply for financial grants under this provision. Some of the industries under this are health care, hotels and residential facilities. 8. Your state can also provide temporary loans under the state assistive technology program. These loans are not specific for hearing aids but can be utilized for this need. There are legislative moves to institute the granting of financial aid to the hearing impaired. Hearing impairment is a real disabling condition suffered by many. A number of these sufferers choose to not address their situation because of the lack of funds. Not only do the insurance companies need to expand coverage to include hearing aids, the government should likewise step up and provide grants for hearing aids.
