SHARP
Sertoma Hearing Aid Recycling Program

The Sertoma Hearing Aid Recycling Program helps needy people obtain hearing aids. Clubs collect used hearing aids, have them refurbished and distribute them to people in need. If your club is interested in beginning a hearing aid recycling program click here for the SHARPS brochure (cover) (inside). Please contact Sertoma Headquarters at (800) 593-5646 or infosertoma@sertomahq.org for more information.

• Hearing Aid Purchase Program: In cases where an individual cannot afford to buy a hearing aid, a club can raise the needed funds to purchase the aid. Sometimes a dealer will drastically reduce the price of the aid if he or she knows that it is for a charitable cause. Clubs can also contact local Sertoma Affiliates that may be receiving discounts through the Sertoma Affiliate Purchasing Cooperative.

 Clubs should realize, however, that the dispenser’s cost of fitting a hearing aid includes much more than the instrument itself. It includes the cost of earmolds, fittings, evaluations, follow-up counseling and aural rehabilitation.

• Hearing Aid Repair Program: Hearing aids, like most electrical and mechanical appliances, need to be serviced. Servicing is usually minimal during the first few years with proper care. However, most hearing aids will eventually need to be repaired, and this often necessitates returning them to the factory. Although the cost of repairs is usually not considerable, it can come at a time when a family is financially strapped. Being without a hearing aid can be a hardship.

A club may sponsor a program just for these purposes. Sertomans should contact local hearing and speech resource personnel to determine the best way to organize such a program in the community.

• Hearing Aid Battery Program: Virtually all hearing aids use batteries. Mild and moderate gain hearing aids generally use batteries less quickly than more powerful hearing aids, although wide variations among aids and batteries exist. For a particular aid it is best to use the type of battery prescribed by the manufacturer.

The distribution of reduced price or free batteries should be conducted with a community hearing and speech agency or with other local service personnel. Sertoma Affiliates are an excellent resource, since they can take advantage of battery discounts offered in the Sertoma Affiliate Purchasing Cooperative.

• Ideas for Club Hearing & Speech Projects: More than 1,000 hearing and speech clinics exist in the United States. Some are freestanding, independent agencies; others are in hospital or university settings. Over the years, Sertomans and other volunteers have positively impacted the quality and quantity of service delivered to people who have hearing and speech problems by assisting these local agencies.

Any club interested in helping a community hearing and speech program should first contact the director of the agency to determine the agency’s needs and how volunteers can help. Programs could include equipment purchases, facility renovation or expansion, transportation, operating support or funding a unique program like lip reading courses. 
 

Additional Resources

American Speech Hearing Association. www.asha.org

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association provides services for professionals in audiology, speech-language pathology, and speech and hearing science, and to advocate for people with communication disabilities. The web site explains about insurance and other hearing loss related topics. A great website for anyone seeking information and support.

Starkey Foundation. www.sotheworldmayhear.org

The Starkey Foundation works to promote hearing health awareness while also supporting and conducting research and education on hearing healthcare.

Hearing Loss Association of America. www.hearingloss.org

The Hearing Loss Association of America provides education, advocacy and support for those who are deaf or hard of hearing

Hope For Hearing. www.hope4hearing.org

Southern California residents only.
Hope For Hearing’s primary function is to educate the community about hearing loss through its Community Outreach Program.