Dean Wong

If your hearing has declined and you don't have the money to buy a hearing aid, the Ballard Lions are ready to assist you.

The Ballard Lions Neighborhood Hearing Project can provide hearing aids to anyone living in the 98107 or 98177 zip code areas. Anyone living outside this area can also receive help. "If you are out of the district, we will take care of you or we will find someone to take care of you," said Ballard Lions Club member Bill Damon.

The project is designed for a limited number of very low-income individuals of any age, with a verifiable income of less than $10,000 per year.

Funds for the Ballard Lions program are provided by a grant from the Harry and Clare Calos Wilson Charitable Fund Trust.

Anyone who qualifies for the program would pay $50 to $300 for a hearing aid, which normally costs $3,000 to $5,000.

Many seniors who only survive on Social Security checks would likely meet the criteria for the hearing aids.

"If you qualify, why go without a hearing aid?" said Damon.

Ballard resident Matthew Johnson, 69 years old, did not have the funds for a hearing aid. He volunteers at Harborview Hospital answering phones.

When his ability to hear had gone down to 70 percent. The hospital placed an amplified hearing device on his phone.

Johnson had no medical insurance and found out about the Ballard Lions Neighborhood Hearing Project. Johnson applied for and was approved for a hearing aid which is on order.

Johnson borrowed $100 from his sister to pay for his share of the hearing aid cost.

"I've been really blessed, very appreciative. It's an absolute blessed service. The Ballard Lions are angels in disguise," said Johnson.

People who earn more money can also receive help through Audient a non-profit program that helps people afford better hearing. The program is a division of the Northwest Lions Foundation for Sight and Hearing.

The limit in the Audient program is $23,500 for an individual. Other limits are set for two to three person family units or more.

Abbey Marten, program services manager for Audient, which is also part of An Alliance for Accessible Hearing Care, says different kinds of hearing aids are available.

"Donations (of hearing aids) have allowed us to create a large inventory," said Marten.

The refurbished hearing aids come with new ear molds custom fitted to each recipient.

"The Audient program is for people with fixed incomes, who qualify at 259-percent of the Federal Poverty Level, $23,500 for an individual. It's for people who make enough money to survive, but not enough for a $4,000 to $5,000 hearing aid," said Marten.

Most people who meet the Audient requirements have an average income of $15,000 a year.

Anyone who is accepted by the Audient program only pays $600 to $1,000 for their hearing aid. This pays for one or two hearing aids and a follow-up visit with an audiologist.

This is a nationwide program through Lions Clubs in other cities in 48 states.

"We have providers all over. We are expanding everyday," said Marten.

Audient provides an average of 30 hearing aids a month and that number is growing.

Last month, the Ballard Lions celebrated its 80th anniversary.

"It's a reflection of older members hanging in there who keep rolling. The community benefits from what we do," said Damon.

"I felt like I wanted to be in the service area. I wanted to go for the action. I think I did," said Damon on why he decided to join the Ballard Lions in 1985.

"The Ballard Lions name comes up a lot. They do amazing work, they are very active," said Marten.

"We make a lot of noise," said Damon.

On Friday, October 14 and Saturday, October 15 the Ballard Lions will hold its annual Golden Ears Day fundraiser. Last year they raised $1,031 for the Northwest Lions Foundation for Hearing and Sight.

Lions Club members will be accepting donations at the Ballard and Crown Hill Safeway stores, Fred Meyer and in front of Tully's Coffee and Lombardi's on Market Street.

For more information about the Ballard Lions Neighborhood Hearing Project or Audient, call 1-877-283-4368. The email address is: info@audientalliance.org.