The Foundation will waive application fees and provide free hearing aids for qualified candidates affected by the Maui wildfires.
(Sept. 8, 2023) – As rebuilding efforts continue in Maui, the Miracle-Ear Foundation is helping those who may have lost or damaged their hearing aids.
The Miracle-Ear Foundation, in partnership with Miracle-Ear locations across Maui, will help those affected by the wildfires by waiving the application fee for qualified candidates applying for the Gift of Sound. The Gift of Sound program provides qualified, low-income individuals with free, cutting-edge hearing aids and a lifetime of qualifying services.
“People often don’t think about how everyday essentials like hearing aids are destroyed in natural disasters like the Maui wildfires,” said Jenni Hargraves, vice president of the Miracle-Ear Foundation. “For those who rely on hearing aids to communicate, this can be a devastating loss.”
“There is much stress and uncertainty right now, and for people trying to cope and start to rebuild, not being able to hear only amplifies that stress,” said Deborah Olsen, owner of Hawaii Miracle-Ear stores. “Hopefully getting replacement hearing aids will be one less expense and burden for those struggling with hearing loss while they are dealing with the aftermath of the fires.”
More than 48 million Americans suffer from hearing loss, and more than 7 million people who need hearing aids cannot afford them. In Maui alone, it’s estimated that 3.2% of people struggle with hearing difficulty.
For nearly 30 years, the Miracle-Ear Foundation has been dedicated to helping children and adults with hearing loss. After completing the application process, eligible individuals receive free devices and a lifetime of qualifying services. In addition to distributing the Gift of Sound to 3,139 individuals in 2022, the Miracle-Ear Foundation has provided free replacement hearing aids to those affected by other natural disasters, including Hurricanes Harvey and Irma in 2017 and the 2019 Lee County Tornados of Alabama.
For more information on receiving replacement hearing aids or to learn more about the Miracle-Ear Foundation, call 808-451-3567 or visit the Miracle-Ear store located at 135 S Wakea Ave #111, Kahului, HI 96732.
About the Miracle-Ear Foundation
Since its founding in 1990, Miracle-Ear Foundation has donated more than 40,000 hearing aids to over 21,000 children and adults nationwide who could otherwise not afford them. Through the generous support of Miracle-Ear franchise owners and donors, the Foundation delivers life-changing services, bringing the gift of sound to an increasing number of people in need each year. For more information, visit www.miracle-earfoundation.org.
About Miracle-Ear
For more than 75 years, Miracle-Ear® has been a leader in providing innovative hearing solutions that improve lives, relationships, and communities. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Miracle-Ear has a retail network of more than 1,500 locally franchised and corporate-owned stores in all 50 U.S. states. Every Miracle-Ear store leverages leading-edge technology to customize hearing solutions that will fit each customer's individual needs, lifestyle, and budget. The Miracle-Ear brand is owned by Amplifon – the global leader in hearing care with more than 9,200 points-of-sale in 25 countries. For more information, visit www.miracle-ear.com.
