Face to Face. (Photo: Rasheed Z. Ajamu)
This Friday, residents in Germantown and Philadelphia will have the chance to improve their quality of life, as a free hearing aid clinic hits the neighborhood at Face to Face.
The event, formally known as Gift of Hearing, is an annual community giveback thrown by the Live Better Foundation (LBF), the non-profit arm of Live Better Hearing + Balance (LBHB), a family-owned hearing health practice.
Initially based and still operating in Maryland, LBHB also has locations in New Jersey, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, including on Bala Cynwyd Ave. LBHB co-founder and Audiologist Dr. Jenifer Cushing said the foundation was created by identifying the harsh costs on individuals to afford hearing devices in the communities where LBHB exists.
“We wanted to be able to help more people. All the people who came into the office and said we can’t afford that (hearing aids),” Cushing said, noting that healthcare doesn’t typically cover the full cost of hearing aids.
As only 30% of adults 70+ and about 16% of adults 20-69 actually adopt a hearing aid, about 28.8 million Americans go without the support they could use. An issue often exacerbated by the costs that Cushing references, amongst other things, like stigma and shame.
More than just a measure to help cut costs for individuals and families, LBF hopes to close mental health gaps caused by these lacks of support. This may greatly hinder a person’s ability to live a whole life, Cushing said, whether it’s securing a job or remembering to turn off the faucet.
A 2014 study revealed that the rate of moderate to severe depression was greater among US adults aged 18 and older who reported having hearing impairments (11.4%) compared to those without such impairments (5.9%).
Residents aren’t required to bring anything to Friday’s event, as Cushing said they “want access to be like water… superfluid.” So, what’s the only thing a person needs to do to obtain a hearing aid?
Well, failing a hearing test, of course!
And after receiving the aid, the co-founder said there will be an aftercare appointment, after the one to two-week adjustment period, where participants are recommended where else to go for upkeep of the devices.
The foundation has both new and refurbished devices of different colors and styles, but mostly a universal fit. LBF buys new ones through grant funding, and they are the fastest to go, while the refurbished ones are donated by folks who no longer need them.
Specialists working with guests at last year’s Baltimore event. (Photos provided by Cushing)
Neighbors who are looking to donate hearing aids can also do so at Friday’s event.
Friday’s clinic happens from 10 a.m. til 3 p.m. in the basement of the building at 123 E. Price St., allowing for the daily guests of Face to Face’s dining services to be able to take advantage of the offering, as well.
Cushing said they got the idea to do the giveback at Face to Face because some LBHB staff know the organization’s founder, while some have actually volunteered. She called the location the perfect place, as its guests are not only open to receiving support, but also the staff serves as a tremendous support network that will continue to help when LBHB cannot.
Face to Face Executive Director Mary Kay Meeks-Hank is “delighted” to invite LBF in to provide these services to the community, as they are “committed to holistic service [of their] guests.”
She recognizes that hearing is crucial to overall health, as sentiments above explore. “We want our guests to have access to anything that can improve and empower their lives,” Meeks-Hank told GIH in an email.
This clinic is the first that LBF has done in Philadelphia, with past locations being in Maryland cities: Baltimore, Gaithersburg, and the co-founder’s hometown, which may sound familiar to our neighbors.
“The funny thing is that my hometown is Germantown, Maryland,” the doctor laughed. “I was like, this is definitely meant to be.”
If folks have any questions about Friday, or cannot make it out to Friday’s event but still seek support, email info@livebetterfoundation.org.