Nonprofit Group Providing Free Hearing Aids

PALM DESERT – Hearing aids are expensive, but a new, local non-profit group is providing residents with free ones.

Helping People Hear Again is doing just that –helping people hear again without breaking the bank.

When Paul Desert resident Jean Hopper found out she was getting a pair of hearing aids for free, it was music to her ears.

“Now I can hear Father Lincoln at church again?,” she asks her audiology doctor.

Dr. Judy Marquess-Lara, responds, “Yes, that is the idea.”

Local radio personality Francois Rhodes founded the organization.

“I heard [hearing aids] were expensive, but I had no idea how expensive. A lot of them start at $1500 and up.”

Dr. Marquess-Lara joined the effort because she says most health insurance companies do not cover hearing aids. The devices are not considered medical necessities, she says, despite the fact hearing loss is the third most prevalent health condition among senior citizens.

“It even surpasses cancer,” she adds.

Recipients have to apply for this benefit and only as a last resort. Once their application is approved, they have an earmold fitting and receive a refurbished hearing device within weeks.

Some clients will be luckier than others. Dr. Marquess-Lara showed us a hearing device that is worth $7000 to $8000 and it is less than one year old.

Jean Hopper says her doctor told her Helping People Hear Again was a scam. But the group is legitimate.

She is grateful she will be “all ears” again soon.

Residents who have a hearing aid—and no longer need it—may help this cause. They may donate the devices at any of the five Jensen’s grocery stores in the desert. A drop box is located in each store’s customer service desk.

Hearing aids in any condition are accepted.

For more information on how to apply for a free hearing aid, or how to donate your old hearing devices, go to www.helpingpeoplehearagain.com.