Hearing Aid for Phoebe Gifford
Donation protected
Being able to see and hear is vital to a person's quality of life. Thank goodness health insurance companies will pay for your glasses or contacts. But did you know that health insurance companies will not pay for hearing aids for someone over 18 years old? Did you know that insurance will pay for your Viagra though? Most insurance companies do not cover hearing aids simply because they consider them an "elective" or choice. However, being deaf or hard of hearing is not a choice and I believe anyone who is struggling with being deaf or hard of hearing should have access to hearing aids.
My best friend Phoebe has overcome many health issues in her life; such as being Type 1 Diabetic and having a cyst in her brain at age 17, but this is not one that someone is able to just "get past." Phoebe has been hard of hearing for about 10 years. She lost 100% of her hearing in her left ear before she turned five, and has about 33% hearing in her right ear now. Being able to hear is essential for her--let alone anyone-- to live a full life socially, and professionally. Most of us do not understand what it might be like to not be able to hear a friend when they tell you something meaningful, or hear a customer at work while taking an order at the restaurant we work at. Most of us definitely do not know the embarrassment of not being able to hear a conversation with friends and getting made fun of for it. These are all situations that Phoebe has had to deal with on a daily basis over the past ten years due to her hearing loss.
Technological advances in hearing accommodations and hearing aids have made it possible for the deaf and hard of hearing to receive help, such as hearing aids with Bluetooth to answer phone calls and adjust frequencies and volume levels based on different environments. Hearing aids typically cost anywhere between $2,000-$3,000. With Phoebe being a college student, it makes it extremely difficult for her to afford hearing accommodations that will help her communicate. I am hoping that through this page we, as a community, are able to help our best friend, sister, and daughter, Phoebe, get back to the life she deserves. We appreciate any penny and anything you are able to give helps.
My best friend Phoebe has overcome many health issues in her life; such as being Type 1 Diabetic and having a cyst in her brain at age 17, but this is not one that someone is able to just "get past." Phoebe has been hard of hearing for about 10 years. She lost 100% of her hearing in her left ear before she turned five, and has about 33% hearing in her right ear now. Being able to hear is essential for her--let alone anyone-- to live a full life socially, and professionally. Most of us do not understand what it might be like to not be able to hear a friend when they tell you something meaningful, or hear a customer at work while taking an order at the restaurant we work at. Most of us definitely do not know the embarrassment of not being able to hear a conversation with friends and getting made fun of for it. These are all situations that Phoebe has had to deal with on a daily basis over the past ten years due to her hearing loss.
Technological advances in hearing accommodations and hearing aids have made it possible for the deaf and hard of hearing to receive help, such as hearing aids with Bluetooth to answer phone calls and adjust frequencies and volume levels based on different environments. Hearing aids typically cost anywhere between $2,000-$3,000. With Phoebe being a college student, it makes it extremely difficult for her to afford hearing accommodations that will help her communicate. I am hoping that through this page we, as a community, are able to help our best friend, sister, and daughter, Phoebe, get back to the life she deserves. We appreciate any penny and anything you are able to give helps.
Organizer
Hanna Marie Flor
Organizer
Madison, WI
