Leading up to Better Hearing Month in May, Hear Well Be Well hearing aid clinics, in partnership with Beltone Canada, are accepting nominations for people who need hearing aids but are unable to get them because of financial constraints or other barriers.
Through the Gift of Hearing program at Hear Well Be Well, five people in Ontario will be accepted into the program to receive a free hearing test as well as their hearing aids, after care and service all at no cost.
“As a family owned and operated business, we recognize and live the value of supporting people in our community who may need a lift-up,” said Kathleen Tiede, Hear Well Be Well’s Co-CEO with her husband, John Tiede. “We have a long history of giving back to our communities locally and abroad, and the Gift of Hearing program is part of that.”
In 2013, John and Kathleen Tiede established the Gift of Hearing Program to help those in need of better hearing. Since inception, numerous families throughout Southwestern and Central Ontario have benefitted from their generosity. The latest in hearing aid technology, all related services, and professional time are all donated.
Nominations are accepted through GiftofHearing.ca or in-person at all 13 clinic locations in Ontario. Both individuals and organizations can nominate someone experiencing hearing loss. Nominees must be at least 19 years of age and able to attend one of the clinic locations in-person for testing, fitting and care.
“Hearing loss can put a real strain on the person experiencing it and it also impacts their relationships with others. It can even affect employment or the chance of advancement at work,” Tiede explained. “Not being able to hear conversations can be very isolating. Constantly asking people to repeat themselves or having the TV up so loud others in the room flinch affects everyone.”
Hearing loss has many causes. Working in an environment with loud noises is a common culprit. Even less frequent exposure can damage the eardrum or nerve endings. Illness and aging, even earwax, can change how well a person hears.
Nominations for the Gift of Hearing program will be accepted through April 30. Selected finalists will be contacted in May to arrange a hearing test.
