Easterseals is a valuable resource in the community for persons and families facing physical or intellectual disabilities. Hearing loss is a prevalent and often overlooked disability, and The Easterseals Center for Better Hearing provides expert hearing care with the goal of improving a person’s quality of life so that they can engage with and enjoy the world around them. Successful treatment for hearing loss may include assistive devices and/or hearing aids, however, some may put off receiving care due to financial barriers.

According to the World Health Organization, around 466 million persons around the world have disabling hearing loss. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders estimates that over 28.8 million adults in the US could benefit from hearing aids, yet less than 30% have ever used hearing aids.

We are very excited to partner with the Connecticut Community Foundation to provide assistance to help residents of Naugatuck with the cost of their hearing care.

Easterseals’ Center for Better Hearing has recently been awarded a grant from the Saunders Fund for the Sick and Infirm of Naugatuck from the Connecticut Community Foundation to support Naugatuck residents who face a financial need and require access to high-quality hearing care.

Historically, access to hearing aids and hearing assistive technology has been problematic due to the lack of medical insurance coverage.  “While more insurance plans are beginning to provide some coverage towards hearing aids, the patient’s insurance cost-share (deductibles and co-pays), continues to put hearing aids out of reach for many patients or their families” says Dr. Annette A. Burton, audiologist and director of the Easterseals Center for Better Hearing.Assistance for this grant is limited to residents of Naugatuck with some financial need. Qualified recipients will receive an evaluation for hearing aids and funding towards a percentage of the cost of hearing technology and/or hearing aids.

All services will be provided by a licensed and board-certified audiologist at one of the 3 Easterseals Center for Better Hearing locations in Connecticut.

Applications to apply for assistance can be obtained by contacting Easterseals Center for Better Hearing:

website –  /hearing-aid-grant-opportunities-and-assistance/

email – [email protected]

phone – 203 754-5141 ext. 225