VLHF Programs
COCHLEAR IMPLANT PROGRAM - this program was initiated by support from the
Virginia Lions Hearing Foundation. It is now one of the most active in the United States
and is ranked as one of the top five centers in the country. The Cochlear Implant is a
device which restores sound to profoundly deaf individuals.
IMPLANTABLE HEARING AID PROJECT - the Hearing Foundation provided
"seed" money for this project to help lay the ground work necessary for further
developments. Since its inception in 1986, a patent was awarded on the concept of this
device which will eliminate background noises and feedback which is currently an inherent
problem with conventional hearing aids. This program has also been supported by other
Foundations, including Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) who have given two
$50,000 matching grants. This project has received much publicity and is currently working
on the development of a device suitable for human use.
HAIR CELL REGENERATION - each of us is born with a specific number of "hair
cells", which are the cells located in the cochlea of the ear and are necessary for
us to hear. When they are damaged (exposure to loud noise is one of the greatest causes of
damage) they are damaged for life. This research is working towards finding a way to
regenerate these dead hair cells which may restore hearing to those individuals suffering
from "nerve deafness". Significant breakthroughs have been made recently. The
Hearing Foundation has been a major contributor in this research effort.
NEWBORN HEARING SCREENING - this program as initiated through contributions from
the Hearing Foundation over 15 years ago. The program tests newborns for hearing
impairments, which is vital to healthy development. The General Assembly used our program
as a study center and due to its success, has now implemented a law whereby all high-risk
newborns (pre-mature, hearing loss history in the family, etc.) be tested for hearing
loss. We continue to support this program as new techniques and equipment are continuously
developed to give the best possible testing and results to these young lives.
HEARING AID ASSISTANCE - The University of Virginia, Division of Audiology
provides hearing testing for indigent individuals throughout Virginia. If the individual
is not sponsored or referred by a Lions Club initially, they will submit an application
for financial assistance to the Lions Club nearest to where the individual resides, after
exhausting all other possible assistance. Should the Lions Club sponsor the individual,
the Club would pay $125 per aid which covers the cost of a new behind-the-ear style
hearing aid with a 1 year warranty, the ear mold and the follow-up fitting. Though the
Hearing Foundation does not contribute to this program, it is one that we support.
EDUCATION - we provide educational information and materials to Lions Clubs for
distribution throughout Virginia. We have brochures on the following topics:
• Hearing Loss in Children
• Hearing & Aging
• Hearing Aids
• Noise and You
• The Cochlear Implant
We also provide ear plugs for hearing protection. These items can be ordered through
the Hearing Foundation office.
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