Help Emma Get Hearing Aids (To Keep Singing!)

Hi, I'm Emma and I'm 31, which is objectively too young to be eligible for hearing aids, but here we are. I was diagnosed with moderate genetic hearing loss in both ears at age 27, and it's time to make the leap to improve my quality of life.

By day I work for a nonprofit dental organization, but by night (except...also during the day) I am a singer with a group that performs at the Renaissance Festival. You can imagine how intimidating it might be to be a singer with hearing loss, but lengthening my musical career is one reason why it's time to finally get some help in hearing those pesky middle tones.

Hearing aids are, annoyingly, not covered by my husband's union insurance over the age of 18 (right?!?). There is a reimbursement paid by the union trust, but it's not enough to cover the cost of the aids. My insurance also doesn't cover the hearing aid appointments at all, so I have to account for additional expenses.

I don't have much right to ask people for help right now, especially in THIS economy, but I have to ask. There's a certain amount of gumption it takes to finally admit that you need hearing aids, especially as a musician, and to make that decision only to face a hurdle of healthcare costs is not fun. Please consider contributing so I can keep entertaining people at the Festival and, you know, keep hearing.

Photo credit: Banner photo taken by Nicholas J. Narog Photography