Program Description
The Miracle-Ear® Children’s Foundation serves and supports children who have a hearing
loss. Our purpose is to provide no-cost hearing aids and hearing support services
to children whose families have incomes that are significantly limited and who are
unable to afford the high costs of quality hearing instruments. As each child’s
hearing challenges are unique, every application for service and support are considered
on an individual basis. The recommended hearing aid style will depend on each child’s
specific hearing condition and circumstances.
Eligibility Requirements
- Applicants must be 16 years of age or younger and have a hearing loss that requires
amplification
- Applicants must complete an application form and provide an audiogram and medical
clearance dated within the last 6 months.
- Applicants must have an income level which does not allow the family to receive
public support. $20,000 - $50,000 gross.
- Applicants must possess a family commitment to intervention, rehabilitation, and
necessary follow-up services as the child grows
- Applicant must be live in the U.S. or Puerto Rico.
How the Program Works
After your child has been diagnosed as having a hearing loss and it has been medically
determined that your child needs a hearing instrument, simply fill out an application
form and mail it to the Children’s Foundation for review and consideration. Please
note that a dated physician’s medical clearance and a dated audiogram must accompany
the application. The audiogram and medical clearance must be dated within
the last 6 months.
If it is possible for you to obtain hearing aids for your child through publicly
supported programs such as, but not limited to, Aid to Families and Dependent Children,
the Department of Rehabilitation, Children’s Services, private health insurance
or other means, you are not eligible for this program. Your application may not
be considered unless your child has been rejected, in writing, by such a program.
After your application has been reviewed by the Children’s Foundation, you will
be notified by mail. If your child is accepted into our program, an appointment
will be set up by your local Miracle-Ear® Center–in approximately two or three weeks.
At the first appointment, a hearing aid specialist may re-test your child’s hearing,
and discuss the specifics about the hearing loss. An impression will be taken of
your child’s ear(s) for an earmold which couples the hearing aid to your child’s
ear(s).
When the Miracle-Ear Center receives the hearing aids(s) and earmold(s), an appointment
will be set up with you to learn about the use, insertion, manipulation, and function
of the hearing aid(s). You can then set up the necessary follow-up appointments
with your hearing consultant. At the next appointment, you can talk about any specific
challenges your child may be experiencing with the hearing aid(s).
We recommend that every child with a hearing loss be directed to an audiologist
for evaluation and rehabilitation since hearing loss often challenges children in
the areas of language development, and educational and social growth. Our Miracle-Ear
Center nearest you will be pleased to make recommendations to you and your child
for long-term care and support.
Applications are evaluated on a case by case basis. The name and address of the
child’s parent or guardian are required for application requests. Supplemental contact
information (phone numbers and email addresses) may also be helpful in turning around
information requests.
For downloadable Application click here.
For downloadable Medical Clearance Form click here.
For additional information or to have an application mailed to you, call the Miracle-Ear®
Children’s Foundation at 1-800-234-5422, or complete the following:
* required field