Resources:

Application Form
Qualification Form
Program Guidelines
Order Form
Provider Fact Sheet
AHAP Overview Fact Sheet
Hearing Aid Description-Targa 3HP
Hearing Aid Description-Targa 3P

Frequently Asked Questions:

Lions AHAP
How does the program work?
A Lions club decides the eligibility of a person and the person is tested by a hearing aid dispenser. The Lions club sends the order to Lions AHAP, who notifies the manufacturer. The order is shipped to the hearing aid dispenser listed on the order form. The dispenser fits the hearing aid for the person.

What is the criteria for eligibility?
The criteria for eligibility is income-based. This includes using the federal poverty guidelines and adjusting it to the local economy. The hearing aids are for the segment of the population who would never be able to purchase hearing aids.

I understand the hearing aid dispenser needs cables and a software program to fit the aid. Where do I get the cables and software?
If the dispenser doesn’t have Rexton or Siemens cables, make a request on the Lions AHAP hearing aid order form. Also, order the software on the Lions AHAP form.

Why isn’t Lions AHAP offering in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids?
The costs of these aids are significantly more than BTEs and there are often repairs, which adds to the expense. Costs increase significantly for the custom made case and the assembly of the aid. The hearing aids are custom made to fit each individual’s ear. Twenty percent of the aid is assembled before it goes into the custom made case. The labor intensive part is assembling the remaining 80% of the aid in the case. The ITE hearing aids are also repaired more often because earwax blocks the speaker and moisture from the ear or sweating corrodes the internal components of the aid.

Hearing Aids
What are the parts of behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids?
BTE hearing aids have a small plastic case enclosing the hearing aid. It fits behind the ear and conducts sound through a clear plastic tube and the earmold into the ear.

These Rexton hearing aids have t-coils. What is a t-coil?
This is a small coil of wire in the hearing aid, which allows the hearing aid to pick up signals directly. A t-coil is the most effective way to communicate on a telephone and with assistive listening devices. Though hearing aids are effective, many hearing aid users still experience difficulty hearing in various situations. For these individuals, assistive listening devices prove invaluable in helping to alleviate the difficulties.

How does the hearing aid dispenser “ program” or  "fit” the hearing aid?
A programmable hearing aid contains a tiny computer. Software on a desk computer sends information to the Hi-Pro box, which forwards the information to the aid..

What is a Hi-Pro? 
A box with the mechanics to interface with a desk computer. The Hi-Pro translates the computer’s data and sends it through cables to the hearing aids. Most hearing aid dispensers use Hi-Pros.

How do I clean a hearing aid?
If a little brush and a stick with a thin wire at one end don’t accompany the aid, ask the hearing aid dispenser where one can be purchased. The brush cleans the hearing aid case. The stick cleans earwax and dirt off the earmold. For sweating or moisture use a “dry aid pack”. The dispenser usually sells dry aid packs.  

Adjusting to Wearing Hearing Aids
What is “adjusting” to wearing hearing aids?
Hearing aids help you hear better but do not cure hearing loss. Additionally, first time users think the aids are like eyeglasses; put them on and the world is clear. This doesn’t happen so first time users need to be aware of that. Your brain needs time to relearn how to hear, process the new sounds and become familiar with sounds it hasn't heard in years. The user needs to allow 30 to 90 days, or even longer, to become familiar with the aid.

Hearing loss
When someone loses hearing, the sounds are not only softer but speech sounds fuzzy. Noise and distance exaggerate the loss. Hearing loss is due to damage to the hair cells in the inner ear, and the sensory deprivation causes the brain to lose the ability to process sound.

What are the types of hearing loss?
Hearing loss is measured by the degree of loudness a sound must attain before being detected by an individual. It is common for a person to have more than one degree of hearing loss. The levels of hearing loss are identified as mild, moderate, severe and profound.  

• Normal hearing: 0-25 decibels (dB)
• Mild: for adults it is between 25 and 40 dB
• For children, mild loss is between 15 and 40 dB
• Moderate: this loss is between 41 and 65 dB
• Severe: the loss is between 66 and 90 dB
• Profound: this loss is 90 dB or greater

Why does a hearing impaired person know I am speaking but doesn't seem to understand?
Another aspect of hearing involves the quality of a sound instead of amplification. It is measured by tests for "speech discrimination". The tests require the sound to be heard and understood.

What is an audiogram?
An audiogram is a graph showing the results of a person’s hearing test, which is how well the person can perceive different sound frequencies. Hearing aid dispensers use the audiogram to program hearing aids.

What is a hearing aid dispenser?
A person licensed to prescribe and dispense hearing aids. A hearing aid dispenser is either an audiologist or a board certified hearing instrument specialist.

What is an audiologist?
A university educated specialist who diagnoses and treats hearing problems for individuals of all ages. Starting in 2007 audiologists are required to have a doctoral degree in audiology from an accredited university. Audiologists may also carry national board certification. All states require licensing.

What is a board certified hearing instrument specialist (BC-HIS)?
A board certified hearing instrument specialist is a hearing aid dispenser who has passed the National Competency Examine. The dispensing trainees must work under the supervision of licensed hearing aid dispensers for two years before being eligible to take the exam.

Why go back to the dispenser a few weeks after getting the aids?
The hearing aid is adjusted to fit the person’s life style. After wearing the aids for a while, the user identifies areas where there is difficulty hearing. The dispenser adjusts the hearing aid accordingly. This often takes more than one follow-up visit (usually no charge).

Why should I see an ENT?
Some individual’s hearing loss can be medically corrected. Hearing aid dispensers are not qualified to decide what is medically treatable. The decision is made by an ENT, a medical doctor specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of ear, nose and throat disorders. Many states require people to see a medical doctor before purchasing hearing aids. 

Why do I need annual hearing check-ups?
The check-ups identify any changes in a person’s hearing loss. Programmable hearing aids are adjusted to the new loss. Non-programmable hearing aids may need to be replaced. The check-ups also allow for maintenance of the hearing aid. Brittle and yellow tubes are replaced and sometimes the earmolds are replaced. The hearing aid dispenser also gives the hearing aid a thorough cleaning to extend its life.

Additional information:
Lions AHAP Program
How to Get Involved
Hearing Aid Product Overview