Do you live in New Zealand? You can apply for a hearing aid grant

Do you live in New Zealand and are in need of a new pair of hearing aids? You can apply for a hearing aid grant.

According to SunLive, a New Zealand publication, financial aid for hearing aids will be available for a select few. The National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (NFDHH) in New Zealand, an organization that advocates for services and support for people with hearing loss, has announced a Hearing Aid Fund which will provide grants for 20 people in need. Additionally, each grant recipient gets $500 paid directly to their audiology provider to assist with fees related to devices and fitting.

“Our Hearing Aid fund could mean the difference between not getting hearing aids and finally affording hearing aids and living a fuller life,” Chief Executive of the National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Natasha Gallardo told SunLive.

Giving More People Access to Hearing Technology

With hearing aids costing between $6,000 and $10,000, the NFDHH of New Zealand is hoping to close the gap of the cost of hearing aids for low-income individuals with these grants as part of the Hearing Aid Fund. Along with the grants, the remaining balance can be paid off in monthly installments with the aid of clinics, like Triton Hearing, who offer Pay As You Hear subscriptions.

“We know that people can become very isolated if they cannot hear what is going on around them, or contribute to conversations. There have been harrowing examples of people being targeted in attacks because their hearing loss makes them vulnerable,” says Natasha.

Struggles with hearing loss and mental health are often correlated. A global survey showed 16,080 New Zealanders, 1,316 identified having hearing loss. Of those roughly 1000 individuals, 67 percent do not have hearing aids citing affordability as the main reason. 29 percent of hearing aid wearers believe hearing loss could be linked to depression. Also, 48 percent of hearing aid wearers say the aids give them a greater sense of safety!

Criteria for the New Zealand Hearing Aid Grant

Applications for the grants, totaling $10,000, close on August 31, 2020. Eight of the 20 grants will be given to people 65 years and over, as specified in a bequest to the Foundation.

To be eligible for the grant, you must meet all of the following criteria:

• Be over the age of 18
• Have a hearing loss
• Be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident for a least 3 or more years
• Have a community services card or receive an income of $45,000 or less

Click here for more details and to apply!

Read more: Buying Hearing Aids

• Author Details

Author Details

Ashley Derrington

Ashley is a 29-year-old who loves to travel and try new things. She has bi-lateral, severe hearing loss, and wears a Phonak Naída V-SP hearing aid in one ear and has an Esteem implant in the other. She plays soccer for the USA Women’s National Deaf Team. She’s currently traveling the world in pursuit of adventure and perspective while also learning about the deaf and hard of hearing communities in various countries. Her travels can be followed on instagram @ashley5chanel or on her blog deaftattooedandemployed.com.