There are several options available regarding financial assistance for hearing aids listed in this section. Some options for financial assistance come through government agencies, some through non-profit agencies, and some are offered by private foundations. There are also programs that loan equipment and others provide refurbished equipment. Eligibility for assistance varies depending on financial need, age, and / or other eligibility requirements. Please contact each individual agency for the details of that specific program.
Note: If you have Medicaid coverage, costs for hearing aids will be covered. Medicare, however, will not cover the expense for hearing aids. If you have private health insurance coverage, check with your insurer to see if they will cover the expense before exploring other options for financial assistance.
Title VII Part B
In Massachusetts, you can apply for federal money from Title VII Part B funding which is made available to all of the Independent Living Centers in Massachusetts (see listing in section by that title) for the purchase of equipment and services to assist people to maintain or achieve independence. Unfortunately, there is a long waiting list to receive this financial assistance.
To receive financial assistance through Title VII Part B certain eligibility guidelines must be followed. First, Title VII Part B is only for those who are not eligible for services under the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC). Second, Title VII Part B must be the last choice for funding. This program is intended as a last resort only for those not eligible elsewhere; all other possible sources of funding should be explored, and evidence of such search should be kept, before applying for this service.
The program can provide funding for assistive technology, assistive listening devices and other disability-related equipment. It can also pay for one-time or very limited provision of other services such as the cost of an appointment with an audiologist. If you are working, on Social Security Disability (SSDI), or receive retirement benefits, you will need to complete a Financial Eligibility Verification form. If your income exceeds the limit, you may need to pay for a portion of your services. If you are on Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) or Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), you will not need to complete this form.
Additional resources
American Medical Resources Foundation
(recycles hearing aids)
P.O. Box 3609
36 Station Avenue
Brockton, MA 02404
401 789-4527 Voice
401 789-1849 Fax
www.amrf.com/
Assistive Technology Exchange in New England
Karen A. Langley, Director,
Independent Living & Assistive Technology Services
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
27 Wormwood Street
Boston, MA 02210-1616
617 204-3851 x3623 Voice
www.getatstuff.org/
Audient Program
Northwest Hearing Care
901 Boren Avenue, Suite 810
Seattle, WA 98104
206 838-7194 Voice
206 838-7195 Fax
www.audientalliance.org
Boston Guild for Hard of Hearing
Northeastern University
Hearing Outreach Program
Behrakis Health Sciences Center
30 Leon Street, 503
617 373-8927 TTY
617 373-2492 Voice
617 373-8756 Fax
www.northeastern.edu/bouve/slpa/index.html
Disabled Children's Relief Fund
P.O. Box 89
402 Pennsylvania Avenue
Freeport, NY 11520
516 377-1605 Voice
The Hearing Impaired Kids Endowment Fund
The HIKE Fund, Inc.
10115 Cherryhill Place
Spring Hill, FL 34608
352 688-2579 Voice/Fax
www.thehikefund.org/
Knights of Columbus
P.O. Box 194
470 Washington Street
Norwood, MA 02062
781 551-0628 Voice
781 551-0490 Fax
http://massachusettsstatekofc.org/
Mass. Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Assistive Technology Fund
600 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02111
617 740-1700 TTY
617 740-1600 Voice
617 740-1850 FAX
Contact: Mary Macone
Mass. Department of Public Health
Diagnosis and Support
250 Washington St., 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
Contact: Community Support Line
1 800 882-1435
617-624-5992 TTY
MassHealth
Customer Service Center
800-841-2900
800-497-4646 TTY
Massachusetts Lions Club
District 33-S, Hearing Foundation
Richard Pessin, President
RBP360@aol.com
Gretchen Olney, Advocate
gretchen1398@hotmail.com
Please contact your local Lions Club for additional sources.
MassMATCH
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
600 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02111
1-866-682-9955 (Toll Free)
617-204-3851 (V)
617-204-3815 (TTY)
617-204-3877 (F)
info@massmatch.org
Miracle Ear Children's Foundation
P.O. Box 59261
Minneapolis, MN 55459
800 234-5422 Toll Free Voice
763 268-4295 Fax
www.miracle-ear.com/miracle-ear-foundation
NUsed Pilot Program
A collaboration of the MCDHH and NU's Dept. of Speech, Language Pathology and Audiology for recycling hearing aids; Contact:
Sandra Cleveland, Director, Audiology
617-373-2496 Voice
sa.cleveland@neu.edu
Behrakis Health Sciences Center
30 Leon Street, 503
Boston, MA 02115
The Starkey Hearing Foundation
Hear Now
6700 Washington Avenue South
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
866 354-3254 Voice
800 648-4327 Toll Free Voice
952 828-6946 Fax
www.sotheworldmayhear.org
(funding and recycling)
Travelers Protective Association of America
Scholarship Trust for the Hearing Impaired
3755 Lindell Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63108-3476
314 371-0533 Voice
314 371-0537 Fax
www.tpahq.org/sample-post-09
United Cerebral Palsy of Berkshire County
208 West Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
413 442-1562 TTY/ Voice
413 499-4077 Fax
www.ucpberkshire.org
US Veterans Administration
VA Outpatient Clinic
Audiology Department
150 South Huntington Avenue
Jamaica Plains, MA
617 232-9500 x4730 Voice
617 264-6703 Fax
Contact: Anne Hogan