SERTOMA HEARING AND RECYCLING PROGRAM (sharp)
Total Source for Hearing Loss and Access (TSHA)
PURPOSE
SHARP is a non-profit program funded by Sertoma and LaSertoma civic clubs. They accept donations of used hearing aids. These hearing aids are then recycled to provide hearing aids to qualified low-income people living in Oklahoma for a one-time $50 fee.
CONTACT
Diana Higgins
SHARP
c/o TSHA
8740 E 11th St., Ste A
Tulsa, OK 74142
(918) 832-8742 (V/TDD)
(888) 311-3523 (V/TDD)
(Oklahoma Only)
FAX: (918) 834-4329
Email: http://www.tsha.cc/sharp.htm
FINANCIAL CRITERIA
• Low Income
ELIGIBILITY
• Be a resident of the state of Oklahoma
• Be a resident of 4 specific counties in Kansas (Montgomery, Labette, Wilson & Chautauqua)
• Have a hearing loss of at least 30 db in the better ear to qualify
• Persons that qualifies as low-income and are 65 years of age or older
AT SERVICES PROVIDED/COVERED
• Advocacy/Other
• Informational and Referral
AT DEVICES PROVIDED/COVERED
Aids for Hearing Impaired
APPLICATION PROCESS
• Complete the application form and be willing to document financial need with tax returns, check stubs, etc.
• If currently residing in a nursing home, complete and return the Nursing Home Questionnaire.
• Attach your $50 processing fee with your application or request a fee waiver, in writing, on application. (Fee will be returned in the event you are determined ineligible)
• Attach a copy of a recent (within 1 year) hearing evaluation by an audiologist.
• Take care of any medical problems indicated by the hearing evaluation.
• Mail your completed application with the audiology test and processing fee to the address provided under Contact Person.
PIECES OF THE PUZZLE
• Make an appointment with an audiologist to receive a thorough hearing evaluation. This will ensure that the applicant is an appropriate candidate for a hearing aid, and will screen for any medical problems that may need to be taken care of before being fit with a hearing aid.
• If the applicant does not already have an audiologist or would prefer to deal with the same audiologist throughout the whole application process, an audiologist may be chosen from the list of participating SHARP audiologists.
• Many audiologists can file with Medicare to cover a portion of the testing cost.
• The one-time $50 processing fee helps stretch the civic club funds as far as possible. However, Sertoma does not want the fee to prevent anyone who needs a hearing aid from applying. If the applicant cannot afford the fee, please note on the application “Please consider me for a fee waiver.” The Board will consider this request.
• Wait for notice of approval by the SHARP Board. Since this is an all-volunteer board, it meets once a month. Currently, the meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month. All applications received during the previous month will be considered at that time.
• There is no set income requirement. Each applicant is considered individually, with income and expenses taken into account. If someone feels they have been wrongly denied, the board invites the applicant to submit additional information to give a clearer picture of financial status. The application will be reconsidered at the next meeting.
• If an applicant is approved, the $50 fee will be deposited, and a notice will be sent with the name and number of a participating SHARP audiologist. The applicant must then call that audiologist and schedule an appointment for an ear mold impression.
• Return to the audiologist for fitting of one behind-the-ear recycled hearing aid. After taking the impression of the ear, the audiologist will contact TSHA for the most appropriate recycled aid available. When that aid is received, the audiologist will call the applicant in for fitting. While SHARP realizes that many people would benefit from being fitted with two hearing aids, the Board feels it cannot justify fitting one person with two aids and letting another go without. In order to stretch limited resources, only one aid per person can be fitted through this program.
• Return to the audiologist for follow-up visits as needed. This is very important for maximum benefit from the hearing aid. The audiologist will work with each client to adjust and fine-tune the aid to be sure it is performing at its best and is as comfortable as possible.
• Return the aid to SHARP if it is no longer being used. The program will be sure that someone else will benefit from the aid. Donate any hearing aid, regardless of condition.
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