Hearing Aids for the Financially Needy

Introduction: The Fairfax Host Lions Club (FHLC) does not have a special program to provide hearing aids for the needy in our service area.  Those services are available through other means in Fairfax County, Virginia – including the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church.  Our club conducts hearing screenings of K-12 students at religious or private schools in our service area and refers them to a professional audiologist for testing if they are unable to pass the screening. Further, our club collects used hearing aids, along with used eyeglasses, at numerous locations in and around Fairfax and delivers them to the Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center of Northern Virginia (LERC NOVA).  LERC NOVA provides the used hearing aids to The Virginia Lions Hearing Aid Bank Foundation (HABF) to help needy people with hearing loss (see more below).

Insurance: The Medical Assistance Handbook covering MEDICAID in Virginia and dated 1/1/2024 (www.dmas.virginia.gov) does not directly address hearing for adults but other sources indicate that MEDICAID may cover hearing examinations for adults, but specific eligibility criteria apply.  Coverage for adults often requires a referral from a primary care physician to be considered medically necessary.  Although MEDICAID may support qualifying adults who need hearing aids, it is essential to check with your local MEDICAID office for specific information.  MEDICAID eligible individuals who are enrolled in a Managed Care Organization (MCO) may have differing services and benefits through the MCO.  Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) is Medicaid’s comprehensive and preventive child health benefit in MEDICAID and FAMIS Plus up to age 21.  EPSDT detects and treats health care problems through regular hearing check-ups, diagnosis of problems, and treatment of hearing problems discovered during check-ups.  

Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) Support for Children: FCHD is set up to assist qualifying children in Fairfax County with hearing screenings, diagnostics, consultations, and referrals.  Three FCHD clinics in Fairfax County have experienced audiologists. They are the Joseph Willard Health Center (Fairfax), the Herndon-Reston District Office (Reston), and the Mount Vernon District Office (Alexandria).  The audiologists screen pre-school children with emphasis on Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) programs since those children are at higher risk.  Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) screen their K-12 students for hearing issues and refer them to FCHD if they do not pass the school screenings. A number of Lions Clubs, including Fairfax Host Lions Club, screen K-12 students at religious or private schools in our service area for hearing loss and refer them to any professional audiologist.  The audiologists at the three FCHD clinics fit hearing aids on children under age 21 with MEDICAID.  They also fit hearing aids on children without any health insurance through MOAs with INOVA Care Connection for Children and Infant and Toddler Connection.

Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) Hearing Examinations:   The three FCHD clinics with audiologists will do hearing examinations for individuals of any age.  There is a sliding scale for fees if the individual does not have MEDICAID insurance that covers the examination.  It is necessary to meet with a Family Assistance Worker (FAW) to determine eligibility and the required fee.

Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD Support for Adults:

1. Getting started: If you need assistance with obtaining a hearing test and hearing aids, you can call the FCHD audiology/speech central appointment line, 703-246-7120, to make an appointment at one of three FCHD clinics that have audiologists on staff.  They are the Joseph Willard Health Center (Fairfax), the Herndon-Reston District Office (Reston), and the Mount Vernon District Office (Alexandria).  The audiology/speech clinic will first direct you to a Family Assistance Worker (FAW), who will make an eligibility determination before scheduling a professional hearing test with an audiologist.  There is a hearing test sliding scale fee, but the % of your payment must first be determined by a FAW unless you have Medicaid that covers the exam or choose to pay in full.  If hearing loss is confirmed, the audiologist will provide you with hearing loss/hearing aid resources, including lists of places where you can purchase hearing aids. If you cannot afford hearing aids, you will be advised to call FCHD’s Coordinated Services Planning (CSP).  A CSP social worker will assist you with connecting to The Virginia Lions Hearing Aid Bank Foundation (HABF) to be fitted with appropriate hearing aids.  Requests for financial assistance may be sent directly to the HABF Chair when you are processed by the CSP social worker.

2. Getting Fitted with Hearing Aids: The Virginia Lions Hearing Aid Bank Foundation (HABF) receives donated hearing aids through Lions club eyeglass collection boxes throughout the County (including those maintained by the Fairfax Host Lions Club).  HABF keeps the better ones — usually the newer behind-the-ear models.  They are distributed to cooperating hearing aid centers (nearest one to Fairfax is in Annandale) to be reconditioned and used as an affordable alternative for adults needing financial help.  In addition, HABF was one of the first organizations to take advantage of the new OTC affordable hearing aids, which are state-of-the-art, digitally programable behind-the-ear models.  Where appropriate they will use the new OTC hearing aids for needy individuals rather than reconditioned hearing aids.  The HABF Chair will contact you by letter and authorize you to contact the appropriate hearing center to make an appointment.  The HABF will contact the Lions Club whose service area matches the zip code where you live to determine if the club can assist with the cost.  If there are any questions or problems, contact HABF at 703-222-0880.

Special Note: The Joseph Willard Health Center, 3750 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax has closed and will be replaced by a new facility at the same location sometime in the future.  The audiologists are believed to have temporarily located to the FCHD clinic in Springfield.