Approximately 150 million people have a serious hearing loss that interferes with basic communication, education and employment. The cost of quality hearing aids (frequently over $2,000) has made hearing improvement out-of-reach for low-income people in countries like the US, but even more so in poorer, developing countries.

Lions Club International Fund (LCIF) teamed with Project Impact to develop and produce a low-cost and high quality hearing aid. The aid, which costs about $100, is assessed to perform at least as well as aids that sell for $2,000. The behind-the-ear, digitally-programmable aid has successfully passed clinical trials and FDA approval, as well as European certification.

The low-cost hearing aid is only available through Lions Clubs in partnership with audiologists. As of October 2004, more than 600 people in Mexico, India, Michigan and Washington have been fitted with the AHAP hearing aid.

For more information, contact your local Lions Club or see the Lions Club International fact sheet at www.lionsclub.org/EN/content/lcif_hearingaidfactsheet.stm

From TownTimes.com