[Nfbk] FW: New program gives the gift of hearing

[Gatton, Tonia (OFB-LV)]

FYI


Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
NEWS RELEASE
Contact:  Jason Jones, (859) 552-3012
New program gives the gift of hearing
SHARP to collect, refurbish and distribute used hearing aids for those in need

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 8, 2014) - A new state program is collecting used hearing aids to refurbish and distribute to Kentuckians who have hearing impairments and need assistance.
The Kentucky Assistive Technology Service (KATS) Network's Statewide Hearing Aid Assistance and Reuse Program (SHARP) is accepting hearing aids of any age or condition. Donors can call the KATS Network at 1-800-327-5287 to request a self-addressed stamped envelope or drop hearing aids off at a participating collection center.
"We are excited about this new program and the potential impact it can have for people who are hard of hearing. There's no way to gauge the importance of being able to communicate with those around you and simply put, these devices are not affordable to everyone. This program, hopefully, will make these devices more accessible to Kentuckians who otherwise may not have the resources necessary to obtain them," said Jimmy Brown, KATS Network director.
Medicare and most health insurance plans do cover hearing aids. The average cost of one new hearing aid is about $3,000, said Brown.
"By the end of last year, the number of Kentuckians who were deaf or hard of hearing was nearly 695,000, or close to 20 percent of the population. Not all of those people would need a hearing aid, but a large percentage would," said Brown.

Donated hearing aids will be evaluated and either refurbished to like-new condition with a one-year warranty, or used for parts. Refurbished hearing aids will be provided to individuals who qualify through a statewide network of participating hearing health professionals. Recipients will be responsible for covering the cost of the audiologist fees such as exams, fittings and follow-up visits.

The KATS Network, which is in the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), is working with hearing health professionals and Starkey Hearing Technologies, a hearing aid manufacturer, to establish the new program.

Kentuckians who need assistance getting hearing aids can contact the KATS Network for a list of available hearing aids and/or participating hearing health professionals. For more information about the program, contact the KATS Network at 1-800-327-5287.

Hearing aid donations can be dropped off at any OVR local office or the following Independent Living Centers or KATS Network Regional Assistive Technology (AT) Resource Center. To contact the OVR office nearest you, call 1-800-372-7172 (V/TTY) or go to http://ovr.ky.gov/.


The Center for Accessible Living - Louisville
501 S. 2nd St, Suite 200
Louisville, Kentucky 40202-1864


Bluegrass Technology Center
409 Southland Drive
Lexington, Kentucky 40503


The Center for Accessible Living - Murray
1051 N. 16th St., Suite C
Murray, Kentucky 42071



Carl D. Perkins Vocational Training Center
5659 Main St.
Thelma, Kentucky 41260


Disability Resource Initiative
624 Eastwood St.
Bowling Green, Kentucky 42103


Enabling Technologies of Kentuckiana (enTECH) at Spalding University
901 S. Third St.
Louisville, Kentucky 40203


Independence Place, Inc.
1093 S. Broadway, Suite 1218
Lexington, Kentucky 40504


Redwood Assistive Technology Center
71 Orphanage Road
Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky 41017


Independence  Place of the Cumberlands
60 Mackey Ave.
Williamsburg, Kentucky 40769


Western Kentucky Assistive Technology Center (WKATC) at Wendell Foster's Campus
815 Triplett St.
Owensboro, Kentucky 42302

Independence  Place of Ashland
2932 Winchester Ave.
Ashland, Kentucky 41101





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The Kentucky OVR assists Kentuckians with disabilities to achieve suitable employment and independence. The office employs approximately 140 rehabilitation counselors in more than 50 offices covering all 120 counties in Kentucky.




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