INDIANAPOLIS — The Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education at the Indiana State Department of Health is introducing a new program to help children who are deaf or hard of hearing obtain hearing aids. The program will be administered by Hear Indiana.

The Hearing Aid Assistance Program of Indiana will support children who are deaf or hard of hearing by providing hearing aids for those who desire this assistive technology. The program was created because most private insurance carriers do not cover the cost of hearing aids, which can cost as much as $6,000 a pair. Many Hoosier families cannot afford to purchase this technology, let alone update their child’s hearing technology every three to five years, as recommended.

“It is so exciting that this program can eliminate the financial barriers for families of children who can benefit from hearing aids and who desire that technology,” said Christine Moody, executive director of the CDHHE. “The CDHHE is proud to provide this program to families and children around the state, and in keeping with our mission, to promote positive outcomes for all deaf and hard of hearing children.”

Beginning this month, school age children in Indiana who do not have full coverage for hearing aids from another source can apply for support through HAAPI. Audiologists across the state will work with the HAAPI administrator to become registered, and families will apply through their audiologists to receive the hearing aids.

“Indiana is proud to take action through HAAPI to make hearing aids available to these families,” said State Health Commissioner Jerome Adams, M.D., M.P.H. “This is a great opportunity for deaf and hard of hearing children to acquire critical technology that may not be available otherwise.”

The administration of HAAPI was awarded to Hear Indiana, which has established relationships with hearing aid manufacturers and audiologists and has experience in medical billing.

“We are thrilled to be awarded the administration of this much-needed program so that current digital hearing aid technology will now be available to Hoosier children from all walks of life,” Hear Indiana Executive Director Naomi Horton said.

For more information about HAAPI, contact the Indiana State Department of Health CDHHE administrator at (317) 828-0211 or email [email protected]. Follow the Indiana State Department of Health on Twitter at @StateHealthIN and on Facebook.