Frequently Asked Questions from candidates interested in the AUDIENT program.

1) Who qualifies for this program? Do I need to be a Lion member?

Whether you are a Lion or not, if your income is at or below $26,000 as single wage earner, then you can participate in the AUDIENT program. AUDIENT is a national program, offered to those individuals with a hearing loss who lack adequate financial resources, and whose income level qualifies for the program.

Click here to download the AUDIENT Income Qualification Chart
in PDF form.

The Northwest Lions Foundation for Sight & Hearing also operates a hearing aid bank for people with no resources within our Multiple District 19, located in the Pacific Northwest.

2) Does the income qualifying level vary according to the number of people in the household?

Yes, the income qualifying level is scaled according to both the number of dependants in the household and even according to area. Our target of 250% or less of the federal poverty guideline, which equates to $26,000 annual income or below, is for one single wage earner in the continental 48 states.

3) What about Medicaid, or those who have health insurance?

As a third party administrator, we are assigned the responsibility of administration of payments on behalf of the provider. We invoice you on behalf of the provider, who is providing the products and services. If you have insurance coverage, ask your provider if your insurance will be accepted.

4) Does my provider participate in the AUDIENT program?

We are currently offering the AUDIENT program to providers across the country who want to participate. If your provider is not currently participating all they need to do is call 1-877-AUDIENT to enroll in the program at no cost to them. We will work to bring your provider into the Alliance.

5) What if I do not have a provider?

If you are not working with a licensed audiologist or dispenser, we will locate one for you that participates in the AUDIENT program. You may contact us by calling 1-877-AUDIENT.

6) Is Northwest Hearing Care non-profit or for profit?

The organization is a not for profit subsidiary of Northwest Lions Foundation for Sight & Hearing. The sole purpose of Northwest Hearing Care is to manage the AUDIENT program, managing branding, marketing channels, income qualification, and performing the functions of third party administration. Revenues in excess of expenses will go back into the Foundation to help achieve the charitable social mission and vision.

7) What is the difference between the Hearing Aid Bank and the AUDIENT program?

A person with no ability to pay may find service through the Lions Hearing Aid Bank, available to those within the Lions multiple district 19, located in the Pacific Northwest. The hearing aid bank provides the hearing aids as a loaned instrument, due to the fact that they have been donated. The cost of refurbishment and the process of testing and fitting are shared on an equal basis by the individual’s local Lions Club and the NLFSH. All candidates for the Lions Hearing Aid Bank must be income qualified by the sponsoring Lions Club.

The AUDIENT program is available for those candidates who desire to participate financially in the process of their hearing health care. Candidates must income qualify, and the program is not offered as a Lions member benefit.

8) How much does my hearing care cost?

The AUDIENT fee* for one hearing aid and related care is in the range of $760 to $1,400, for two hearing aids and related care - at the same time - the fee is in the range of $1,290 to $2,400. These fees are based on the hearing aid(s) required and other changing factors. The AUDIENT program fees include the following: (1) a fitting, (2) three adjustments, (3) ear mold(s) and (4) fully digital hearing aid(s) (5) a one year manufacturer's warranty**. This does not include the cost of the hearing evaluation. Your AUDIENT Hearing Care Provider will work with you to help you understand which of the hearing aids available through AUDIENT will best suit your hearing needs.

* Price and costs subject to change without advanced notice.

**The manufacturer's limited warranty period covers damage and one time loss. The payment of a $200 processing fee for each replacement hearing aid will be the AUDIENT participants responsibility. Additionally, AUDIENT participant is responsible to pay for any provider related expenses pertaining to dispensing the replacement hearing aids. Those expenses, if any, will be billed directly to the AUDIENT participant by the the AUDIENT provider.

9) Can I purchase a Lions Affordable Hearing Aid (LAHA) as a Lions member benefit to me or my family?

At this time all LAHA’s are sold through Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF). Their program is known as LionEar, which is different than the AUDIENT program. Please contact LCIF for information about LionEar if you are a Lions member.

10) What kind of audience are we reaching?

We are receiving inquiries both from candidates who have seen or been referred by hearing care providers, and those just beginning to realize or admit that they have a need for care, and are investigating options for themselves.

11) Why are we not offering a Lion member benefit?

Being a member of Lions is all about serving others, and not serving ourselves. NLFSH created the AUDIENT program to help low income populations in this country gain access to hearing care, so that they can begin to improve their lives through improved hearing. We will redirect operating reserves into areas that can be used to reach out to developing countries to bring improvements in the lives of people all over the world who could not otherwise afford access to this type of care.

Our suppliers have agreed to supply hearing aids to patients in the program on that basis, and we cannot offer this program to anyone who is not income qualified to participate in the program.

Lions around the country who are income qualified, (i.e. earning $24,500 for a family of one or less per year), are welcome to participate in the AUDIENT program. Lions that have income greater than this amount should see their provider for a hearing test, and receive hearing care through that normal process. They may also call LCIF for information on the LionEar program.

12) Can local Lions clubs put ads or articles in their local community newspapers for low-income hearing impaired to call the Northwest Lions Foundation for Sight & Hearing?

Yes, and we can determine the patients income qualification, in many cases right over the phone. Written proof of income will also be required. We also will continue operating the hearing aid bank, which requires the support of the local Lions Club within the Multiple District 19.

13) When can Lions expect new brochures to distribute to local providers?

We have brochures available for distribution. Please contact us for information, or email us at info@audientalliance.org.

14) Can Hearing Aids Fitter/Dispensers participate in the AUDIENT Program, or just audiologists?

The AUDIENT program is available for hearing health care professionals (providers) who have a license to dispense hearing aids, and who understand and agree with our social mission, and who are able to perform the hearing care services required by the AUDIENT program.

15) Are hearing aids sold directly to patients through the AUDIENT program?

No. All hearing aids and services are sold and dispensed by the providers in the AUDIENT program. The AUDIENT program is a third party administration program that collects funds from the patient on behalf of the provider, based on a signed provider agreement. All hearing aids are ordered by and shipped to the dispensing location.

16) How can someone be involved right now?

Anyone can call us at 1-877-AUDIENT (1-877-283-4368), or email us at info@audientalliance.org. If you know of a patient that might qualify in our income qualification process, which is at or below $24,500 in annual income, then have them call us at 1-877-AUDIENT (1-877-283-4368).

If you are a hearing care professional, and wish to participate in our network, the same number can be used to contact us.

If you are a Lion, and want to recommend someone who has very limited or no income, then we have the Lions Hearing Aid Bank within our Lions Multiple District 19 that has been available for many years. Please call us at 1-877-AUDIENT so that we can refer you to your local Lions Club for participation in the Lions Hearing Aid Bank.

updated May 2, 2008