Hearing aid recycling program up and running

Islanders from low-income households who need hearing aids, are now able to apply for hearing aids through the Hear, Hear P.E.I. hearing aid recycling program.

The program was launched in January by Charlottetown couple Rose and Mike Barbour. “Thanks to the hearing aid donations that came in, and to Steve Wong, a board-certified hearing instrument specialist, we are ready to go,” said Rose.

P.E.I. Hearing Consultants, owned by Wong, is the program’s first partner clinic. Wong will refurbish the donated hearing aids, work with clients to have them fitted properly and provide the followup care.

To qualify for the program, Islanders must meet the financial criteria for household income: $20,000 or less for a single person, $30,000 or less for a twoperson family and an additional $10,000 income allowance for each dependent child. They cannot be eligible for hearing aid coverage under any other program, such as P.E.I. Disability Support. Hear, Hear P.E.I. is a last resort for people who cannot get coverage anywhere else.

To apply, a referral for a hearing test is needed from a family physician, nurse practitioner, or public health nurse or speech language pathologist in order for the cost to be covered by the province.

Hear, Hear, does not cover the tests.

Applications will only be available through hearing health-care professionals.

For more information on the Hear, Hear P.E.I. program, email hearhearpei@gmail.com, visit www.hearhearpei.blogspot.com or call 902-940-5175.