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A parent of a child with hearing loss who struggles with the high cost of hearing aids often must wait up to 18 months to qualify for a set paid for by state and federal programs.
A new set can cost between $2,800 and $6,000. And as they wait, hearing-impaired children often slip further behind in the classroom.
To avoid disruption in speech development, children eligible for MediCal or California Children’s Services benefits can qualify for a free set of gently used hearing aids at the Gold Country Hearing Center in Grass Valley, said audiologist Laura Crookston.
A child with minor hearing loss has difficulty hearing soft speech such as whispering and has extreme difficulty hearing in a classroom with background noise. Even with minor hearing loss, a child can miss half of a teacher’s lesson in the classroom, said Crookston.
“You are losing a huge speech and language window during this period. It’s so important to aid them right away,” Crookston said.
Some children are born with hearing loss. Others develop problems later from complications arising from middle-ear disease or other reasons.
Crookston acquired the digital high-end hearing aids after people upgraded to another pair or donated the devices after a loved one died.
“Their legacy lives on in the kids they’re helping,” Crookston said.
Crookston will offer programming, adjustments, cleaning and maintenance services for free, but asks that parents pay the $170 fee for new ear molds.
A fitting can be completed within a week and a half, she said.
Children can use the hearing aids from Gold Country Hearing as a temporary loaner set while they await permanent hearing aids through assistance programs.
“At least they have top technology to keep them going until then. This bridges the waiting time,” Crookston said.
To learn more or to donate hearing aids, contact Crookston at 477-8114. The Gold Country Hearing Center is at 1097 E. Main St. in the Main Street Professional Center.
To contact staff writer Laura Brown, e-mail lbrown@theunion.com or call 477-4231.
A new set can cost between $2,800 and $6,000. And as they wait, hearing-impaired children often slip further behind in the classroom.
To avoid disruption in speech development, children eligible for MediCal or California Children’s Services benefits can qualify for a free set of gently used hearing aids at the Gold Country Hearing Center in Grass Valley, said audiologist Laura Crookston.
A child with minor hearing loss has difficulty hearing soft speech such as whispering and has extreme difficulty hearing in a classroom with background noise. Even with minor hearing loss, a child can miss half of a teacher’s lesson in the classroom, said Crookston.
“You are losing a huge speech and language window during this period. It’s so important to aid them right away,” Crookston said.
Some children are born with hearing loss. Others develop problems later from complications arising from middle-ear disease or other reasons.
Crookston acquired the digital high-end hearing aids after people upgraded to another pair or donated the devices after a loved one died.
“Their legacy lives on in the kids they’re helping,” Crookston said.
Crookston will offer programming, adjustments, cleaning and maintenance services for free, but asks that parents pay the $170 fee for new ear molds.
A fitting can be completed within a week and a half, she said.
Children can use the hearing aids from Gold Country Hearing as a temporary loaner set while they await permanent hearing aids through assistance programs.
“At least they have top technology to keep them going until then. This bridges the waiting time,” Crookston said.
To learn more or to donate hearing aids, contact Crookston at 477-8114. The Gold Country Hearing Center is at 1097 E. Main St. in the Main Street Professional Center.
To contact staff writer Laura Brown, e-mail lbrown@theunion.com or call 477-4231.
