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burbank noon lions bring the sound of
laughter to the hearing impaired
By Marva Murphy
2M Communications
Statistics show that 24 million in the US have a significant hearing loss, 2 million are under 18 and one-third of older Americans has hearing problems. Hearing loss is the third leading chronic disability following arthritis and hypertension in older Americans. Many in the Burbank community, young and old, live in isolation due to hearing loss because of the prohibitive cost of purchasing hearing aids.
"Ear of the Lion" is a Lions Club International non-profit program designed to meet the hearing needs of low-income individuals. Its purpose is to insure that no one walk around isolated from family and friends due to a correctable hearing loss because of a lack of funds.
The
program begins with the collection of used hearing aids in the community by
Burbank Noon Lion members. Local audiologists are recruited to participate in
the Ear of the Lion's Network of Cooperation, providing licensed care for
patient.
Potential recipients complete an application to determine eligibility. Those qualifying are then given tests by an audiologist to determine their specific needs. Used hearing aids are cleaned, reconditioned and reshelled by a competent repair service to meet the client's prescription. Fittings and adjustments are provided by the audiologist and the Ear of the Lion recipient is once again able to hear - provided at no cost by the Burbank Noon Lions, except for an $150 per hearing aid loan fee.
When the Ear of the Lion Foundation was begun in 1995…197 hearing aids were issued through the Foundation, at a value of $295,000.00 to Northern California residents. In 1999…1,030 hearing aids were issued to residents in both Northern and Southern California for a retail value of $1,545,000.00. From January of 2000 through December of 2003, there were 3,189 free hearing aids distributed via Lions Clubs equaling a retail value of $4,783,500.00. The Ear of the Lion project can only be offered in cities where a local Lions club has joined the Foundation to participate.
Those interested in completing an eligibility application, know someone who may qualify or have one or more used hearing aids to donate for recycling, please contact Marva Murphy, at 818.955-8018 or email to: mm@2m4pr.com, or pick up an application at any of the three public sites around the city: Joslyn Adult Center; Burbank Central Library and Burbank Recycle Center.
USED HEARING AIDS CAN BE DROPPED OFF AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS IN THE SAME LIONS COLLECTION BOXES USED TO COLLECT USED EYEGLASSES:
Burbank Central Library
110 No. Glenoaks
Buena Vista Library
300 N. Buena Vista
Burbank Recycle Center
500 South Flower Street
Burbank Temporary Aid Center
1304 W. Burbank Blvd.
First United Methodist Church
700 N. Glenoaks Blvd.
YMCA
321 W. Magnolia Blvd
First State Bank
333 N. Glenoaks Blvd.
Joslyn Adult Center
1301 W. Olive
King, King, Alleman & Jensen
303 N. Glenoaks Blvd., # 750
laughter to the hearing impaired
By Marva Murphy
2M Communications
Statistics show that 24 million in the US have a significant hearing loss, 2 million are under 18 and one-third of older Americans has hearing problems. Hearing loss is the third leading chronic disability following arthritis and hypertension in older Americans. Many in the Burbank community, young and old, live in isolation due to hearing loss because of the prohibitive cost of purchasing hearing aids.
"Ear of the Lion" is a Lions Club International non-profit program designed to meet the hearing needs of low-income individuals. Its purpose is to insure that no one walk around isolated from family and friends due to a correctable hearing loss because of a lack of funds.
The
program begins with the collection of used hearing aids in the community by
Burbank Noon Lion members. Local audiologists are recruited to participate in
the Ear of the Lion's Network of Cooperation, providing licensed care for
patient.Potential recipients complete an application to determine eligibility. Those qualifying are then given tests by an audiologist to determine their specific needs. Used hearing aids are cleaned, reconditioned and reshelled by a competent repair service to meet the client's prescription. Fittings and adjustments are provided by the audiologist and the Ear of the Lion recipient is once again able to hear - provided at no cost by the Burbank Noon Lions, except for an $150 per hearing aid loan fee.
When the Ear of the Lion Foundation was begun in 1995…197 hearing aids were issued through the Foundation, at a value of $295,000.00 to Northern California residents. In 1999…1,030 hearing aids were issued to residents in both Northern and Southern California for a retail value of $1,545,000.00. From January of 2000 through December of 2003, there were 3,189 free hearing aids distributed via Lions Clubs equaling a retail value of $4,783,500.00. The Ear of the Lion project can only be offered in cities where a local Lions club has joined the Foundation to participate.
Those interested in completing an eligibility application, know someone who may qualify or have one or more used hearing aids to donate for recycling, please contact Marva Murphy, at 818.955-8018 or email to: mm@2m4pr.com, or pick up an application at any of the three public sites around the city: Joslyn Adult Center; Burbank Central Library and Burbank Recycle Center.
USED HEARING AIDS CAN BE DROPPED OFF AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS IN THE SAME LIONS COLLECTION BOXES USED TO COLLECT USED EYEGLASSES:
Burbank Central Library
110 No. Glenoaks
Buena Vista Library
300 N. Buena Vista
Burbank Recycle Center
500 South Flower Street
Burbank Temporary Aid Center
1304 W. Burbank Blvd.
First United Methodist Church
700 N. Glenoaks Blvd.
YMCA
321 W. Magnolia Blvd
First State Bank
333 N. Glenoaks Blvd.
Joslyn Adult Center
1301 W. Olive
King, King, Alleman & Jensen
303 N. Glenoaks Blvd., # 750
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CONTACTS:
- Lions - Marva Murphy 818-955-8018 mm@2m4pr.com
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