Aids HIV FAQ

hearing aids for child

Question:

Hi, I have a friend who is a single mom of two children (boy 5 1/2 and girl 21 mos.)  Her son is hyperactive, with speech difficulties. His hearing was recently tested and she was told he needs hearing aids.   She asked me to look on the internet for how she can get hearing aids. I told her to 1) ask the school district for information, or 2) ask welfare for information.  (Yes, I know we hate welfare and feel it gives people excuses to get rich off other people’s backs and I hear a lot about people collecting welfare and then buying fancy cars, designer clothes,etc.., but my friend is not bright enough to "work" the welfare system this way and uses what she gets on food and rent(she can’t even get a grant or section and I’ve been helping by getting "yard sale" clothing for the kids.)  However, I’m not sure if she knows who to ask and how to ask(as I said she’s not too bright), so if anyone can give any advice or information of how a poor(she and the children were homeless for two months) single mother can get hearing aids for her son, I’d appreciate it.  Thanks.  And please, no advertisements for costly products, she can’t afford it, and it would only be a waste of your time. Thanks.                                              Eileen

Response:

I’m deaf and have worked for an organization that served Deaf and hard of hearing individuals.  Many of those individuals were low-functioning and low-income. If your friend is getting food stamps through Public Aid she should be eligible to get hearing tests and hearing aids through them also.  She needs to call the Public Aid office and discuss the situation with them. She should also call an audiologist.  Many audiologists are also hearing aid dispensers and should be able to tell her which offices to contact. Contact the nearest Center for Independent Living  in your area.  Something like that should be listed in your phone book. Most of them have someone who assists Deaf and hard of hearing individuals (and parents of children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing)  If it isn’t there call one of the city information phone numbers. If her income is low enough, she should have options. As for costly products, that usually happens when you go straight through the hearing aid dealer.  Sad to say, but sometimes shopping for a hearing aid through a dealer is like shopping for a car.  Your friend will have better luck going through and audiologist or an agency serving Deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Nadene snipped most of this. .Her son is hyperactive, with speech difficulties. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> His hearing was recently tested and she was told he needs hearing aids….  

Response:

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