hearing aid funding

[Charles Michel]

I am a new CFY audiologist in Indiana, and I have recently met 
quite an interesting patient.  He is a 2 1/2 year old child with the 
maximum conductive hearing loss due to atresia.  He was wearing a bone 
conduction hearing aid until it was lost by the baby sitter 1 month ago. 
 

	Money is tight for mom (single parent w/ 3 children and two 
jobs).  Currently, I am looking for some funding possibilities for the 
family.  This is something that I have never had the opportunity to do 
for a patient, and I want to give it my all.  I have already contacted 
Hear Now in Denver for an application, but I really don't know where to 
go from here.  Surely there are some organizations that would be willing 
to sponsor this child who is without a doubt in need.  
	
	Where have you had success in the past looking for funding for 
"special" patients?  What organizations would you recommend contacting?  
Any information passed on would be greatly appreciated.

	I also have some hearing aids in my office that I would like to 
donate to a worthy charity.  I have some BTE's and ITE's in pretty darn 
good shape, others are D.O.A.--but worth repairing.  I sent some to Hear 
Now.  What are some other organizations that accept recycled hearing aid 
donations? Should I keep the working ITE's for a "rainy day" and perhaps 
recase them for an adult in need? 

Please post responses as others may be needing the same information.  

Thanks in advance,

Diana Sowers
Positive Results Therapy