May
20, 2009
Nonprofit looks to collect hearing aids for over-60s
Gina Tenorio
The Desert Sun
Local
radio personality Francoise Rhodes says she was stunned recently to learn that many hearing-impaired people have little to
no medical insurance coverage for hearing aids.
“Millions of people can't afford them,” said Rhodes, host
of “Traveling With Francoise” on Newstalk KPSI-AM. “I was just astounded how many.”
The news
has inspired her to found Helping People Hear Again, a nonprofit organization that will provide hearing aids free to those
age 60 and over who can't afford them.
The new organization will host a launch party Thursday at Jensen's Finest Food
in Palm Desert.
The organization's goal is simple: Solicit and collect unused hearing devices, refurbish them and give
them free to those who cannot afford one.
On Thursday, a ceremonial first donation is scheduled, Rhodes said.
“I'm
excited about all of this,” she said.
The organization has teamed with Desert Samaritans for the Elderly in Palm
Desert that will run the program.
Desert Samaritans will qualify applicants based on need. Those who qualify will be
referred to audiologist Judy Marquess-Lara, owner of Better Hearing Systems in Indian Wells, who will fit the cleaned and
refurbished hearing devices.
“I don't know of anyone else who is doing it,” said Michael Barnard, chief
executive officer at Desert Samaritans. “We have such a high concentration of seniors in the area. This is a good partnership.”
Barnard
said his organization put out the word over the last few days and is already receiving calls of interest.
The need is
out there, he said.
Applicants from all Coachella Valley communities will be accepted, Rhodes said. She hopes that one
day, the organization could go global.
“Right now we're going to take care of the Coachella Valley,” she
said. “We're going to take care of home first.”
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