Hearing Programs & Services
At the core mission of the Lions of Illinois Foundation, our duty is to provide quality programs for the detection, treatment, and rehabilitation of those with hearing needs. Currently, the following programs and services are in place to reach that goal:
Hearing Aid Bank
A hearing aid is very expensive. Purchased new, the cost can be from $300 to $1500 (and sometimes more), depending on the brand of the hearing aid and the features of the particular unit.
The State of Illinois has programs that purchase new hearing aids for qualifying individuals; however, the Lions of Illinois Foundation has recognized that a gap exists between hearing impaired people who cannot qualify for assistance under current State of Illinois guidelines and the agencies which serve that population.
The Lions of Illinois Hearing Aid Bank (HAB) provides assistance to needy individuals who cannot afford to purchase a hearing aid or do not qualify to receive an aid from the State agencies. HAB does not duplicate services already available.
The hearing aids are collected and received in the same manner as the eyeglasses in the Recycling Program: through public drop boxes, collections by Lion Clubs in your community, or by public donation. Once received, the aids are sorted for usefulness, reconditioned and coded, then returned to the Hearing Aid Bank (HAB). At this point, the hearing aid is ready for distribution by any Lions Club that has requested one for a person they sponsor. The remainder of the unusable aids are sold for salvage to offset the costs of reconditioning.
Once an individual is approved for a hearing aid through their local Club, arrangements are made through the Lions of Illinois Foundation for the necessary information to be forwarded to a participating clinic located throughout Illinois. The Clinic’s Audiologist will test the person and request an aid from the HAB that is suitable for that person.
If an individual is recommended to receive a new hearing aid under another program, efforts will be made to see that the person receives an aid under that program.
HEARING AID BANK REQUESTS ARE MADE BY CLUBS
Local Lions Clubs determine whether or not they will financially support any client who was referred. The Lions of Illinois Foundation forwards all information to a participating clinic regarding the client’s needs and orders the best suited hearing aid for that patient from the Hearing Aid Bank.
The sponsoring Club then is billed by the LIF for the services and equipment received by the applicant.
If you know of an individual in need of a hearing test or hearing aid, please forward them the hearing aid request application.
To fill out an application, click here.
Hearing Screening Unit
A hearing screening is NOT a complete hearing examination. It is a gross hearing measurement to determine only if an individual is hearing within normal limits. To fail a hearing screening is not a sufficient diagnosis of a hearing impairment. However, it is an early warning sign that should encourage persons failing the screening to seek a complete hearing evaluation.
Our mobile unit is on the road from March 1st through October 31st every year. Special Health Fairs are held throughout the year.
To view when the Mobile Screening Unit will be in your area, click here.