Imagine a child with a severe hearing loss being told that she can use a hearing aid while in school, but that when she goes home she must leave it in the classroom! For the rest of the day, she will not hear.” Audiologist Batya Jacob, director of Educational Services at Yachad, cringes in frustration at the thought, knowing well that this scenario is often the case.
The problem is that hearing aids can cost from $1,500 – $5,000 each, and many people need two. Because hearing aids and listening devices are classified as “optional prosthetic devices” many insurance companies will not cover the cost. It doesn’t matter if the hearing-impaired individual is a child, adult or senior. If a family cannot afford a device, he or she will go through life not hearing teachers, family, music, religious services, and thousands of other sounds others take for granted.
In some places, a child can receive a hearing aid on loan from the school district. But because it is school property, it cannot leave the premises. The child must muddle through the rest of the day and weekends trapped in a disability that could have been rectified.
And that’s where the Our Way Hearing Aid Gemach (free loan agency) comes in. Batya thought of the idea three years ago and suggested it to Our Way Director Rabbi Eliezer Lederfeind. With his enthusiastic support, she started collecting used hearing aids and contacted a select number of hearing aid dealers nationwide who will work with the organization to fit the aid to the recipient’s ear.
“It’s quite simple really,” she explains. “When someone needs a hearing aid, they send me their audiogram, essentially a copy of their hearing test results. I analyze the need and delve into my drawer full of donated hearing aids to find ones that will match their specifications. I send out two sets at a time for the recipient to try. They can use their own dealer to fit it properly, or one we recommend.”
The recipient keeps what can be used and sends back the rest. So far, the arrangement has worked well. There are twenty-five sets out right now, bringing the precious gift of sound to people of all ages. An infant born with severe hearing loss can develop in a normal auditory environment. A child can achieve success in school, play with friends and participate in family activities. A senior citizen can enjoy the company of friends; attend concerts, recreational activities and classes; and hear the voices of beloved grandchildren.
“Of course, the system is not as perfect as I would like,” Batya acknowledges. “The aids don’t always fit or work just right. But having one is far better than not. It’s doing a lot of good.”
Not content with simply providing free hearing aids, Batya spearheaded a campaign to have the classification of hearing devices legally changed by Congress from “optional” to “essential prosthetic devices.” Her petition was circulated by Our Way and delivered to members of Congress in February.
“If we can get the status of these devices changed, insurance companies will be encouraged to pay for essential audiological testing, hearing aid devices and their maintenance,” she explains. “If that happens, there may no longer be a need for the Our Way Gemach, and that would be wonderful.”
For information on the Our Way Hearing Aid Gemach contact batyaj@ou.org.
To donate a hearing aid, please send it to Batya Jacob at: Our Way, 11 Broadway, 13th floor, New York, NY 10004.
This is an article from Belong Magazine 2014. For more information, or to receive your own copy contact belong@ou.org