According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or EEOC, a hearing impairment is considered a disability under the Americans With Disabilities Act if it substantially limits a major life activity, substantially limited a major life activity in the past, or was regarded by a current or former employer as substantially limiting. However, the EEOC notes that hearing impairment is judged on a case-by-case basis to determine if it is limiting.
Help America Hear Program
Individuals who make less than $25,000 and have hearing aid-treatable moderate to severe hearing loss can receive a hearing aid grant in 30 to 90 days. An audiogram exam and $75 application fee are required. The program provides two hearing aids, custom ear molds, one year limited service, and a one month supply of batteries.
Hear Now Program
Permanent residents of the U.S. who are deaf or hard of hearing and lack other resources to buy hearing aids can get assistance from this national non-profit program. Call 800-328-8602 for more information or apply online. The program offers recycled hearing aids and teams with hearing professionals who volunteer their services to fit and follow up with Hear Now clients.
Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Parent Infant Financial Aid Program
Families of infants diagnosed with moderate to profound hearing loss who wish their child to have a spoken language education can apply for grants from this program. Grants are designed to help ease the expenses associated with hearing support services, speech-language therapy, and tuition. According to the group's website, the child must have a documented bilateral hearing loss and must be 3 years or younger as of December 31, 2010.
Linda Cowden Memorial Scholarship
The League for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing/Ear Foundation offers a $1000 scholarship to an individual in one of the 16 counties in the U.S. state of Tennessee served by the LDHH/EF. The scholarship is open to a deaf or hard of hearing person accepted into a program to pursue post-secondary education academically or vocationally.
Sertoma Hard of Hearing and Deaf Scholarship
This scholarship supports students with significant bilateral hearing loss who are U.S. citizens and who are entering or currently attending college full time to receive a bachelor's degree in any discipline.
