Oak Brook, Illinois, USA, October 29, 2007 -Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) and Rexton, Inc. today announces the launch of the Affordable Hearing Aid Project (Lions AHAP) to answer the need for affordable hearing aids for low-income individuals. Ninety-five percent of individuals with hearing loss can be successfully treated with hearing aids yet 30 percent of those individuals are unable to afford hearing aids.
Thanks to a new partnership with Rexton, Inc. of Plymouth, Minnesota, Lions AHAP is now offering two digital hearing aids for low-income individuals through Lions hearing programs and Lions clubs. The program is currently a pilot program available only in the United States. The project enables Lions to provide high-quality, low-cost hearing aids for distribution to individuals who would otherwise never be able to afford hearing aids.
"We are very excited to partner with Lions AHAP for such a great cause," said Dave Oberg, Director of Marketing and Sales for Rexton.
Early reviews from hearing care professionals have been very positive thanks to the price, durability and quality.
"Making two aids available gives a great choice in range of sound and quality. You could not buy a comparable aid if buying personally, so this is a very valuable program for people who can't afford aids," said Walt Schleutermann, a Board Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist in Maryland.
Lions are closely collaborating with audiologists and hearing aid dispensers. The audiologist or dispenser tests individuals selected by the Lions club. The Lions club orders hearing aids from LCIF, which are shipped to the hearing care professional.
Eligibility for aids through the program is determined by income and asset criteria documented on application and income forms. The federal government's poverty guidelines assist in determining the financial cut-off point, depending on the economy locally.
Through Lions AHAP, hearing impaired individuals who would otherwise not be able to purchase hearing aids can now have an increased quality of life.
Lions Clubs International Foundation provides grant funding to Lions districts for large-scale humanitarian projects too extensive for Lions to finance on their own. LCIF is the charitable arm of Lions Clubs International, the largest service club organization in the world with 1.3 million members in 200 geographic areas and countries. The Foundation aids Lions in making a greater impact in their local communities, as well as around the world. LCIF was recently ranked the number one NGO in a Financial Times study. Through LCIF, Lions ease pain and suffering and bring healing and hope to people worldwide. For more information, visit www.lcif.org.
For over 50 years, Rexton has provided hearing health professionals with innovative and intelligent solutions for improved hearing. As a leading force in the industry, Rexton provides a full line of hearing instrument products to fit almost all types of hearing losses. Rexton is committed to helping the hearing impaired enjoy a better quality of life through the development of comfortable, easy-to-wear and affordable hearing solutions. For more information, visit www.rexton.com.
