The gift of hearing for Islanders

My name is Rose and I am married to a wonderful man named Mike who has suffered from hearing loss his entire life. Because of this, we are well aware of how expensive hearing aids are (they range from $2,500 a pair up to $6,500) and how this cost makes them out of reach for many Islanders. We’d like to change that.

We are starting the Hear, Hear PEI program because we know that most hearing loss can be corrected if you can afford hearing aids. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford them so this actually makes hearing loss a financial disability, not a physical one. This is a positive thing, though, because we can come together to do something about it.  

Hearing loss is an isolating condition for so many Islanders who, like Mike, have felt the awkwardness of not being able to hear in social situations, the embarrassment of saying the wrong thing because you heard something incorrectly, and the uncomfortable feeling of having to ask people to repeat themselves again and again. It is easier to say nothing at all and just withdraw from the conversation so that’s what many people do.

Hearing loss can affect relationships, jobs, self-esteem and quality of life. This is why the Hear, Hear PEI initiative – which will help to get hearing aids into the ears of Islanders who need them – is so important, but we need your help.

We are starting this program with the full knowledge that we can’t do it alone, no matter how much we care about and want to help people with hearing loss. We need MANY Islanders to join us if the program is to be successful. Together, we can help make hearing a reality again for many Islanders.

The first phase of this new program is to collect as many hearing aids as possible. The more hearing aids that we collect, the more Islanders we can help! The hearing aids can be new or used; working or not working (as long as they are in good shape). They will be refurbished so they can be used again by someone who needs them. Without hearing aids, this project can’t get off the ground so please donate, if you can.

  

In addition to collecting hearing aid donations, Mike and I will be trying to find businesses, community organizations and other partners with the expertise, experience and/or compassion to help with this program.

The most important and absolutely necessary partnership of all will be with hearing healthcare professionals across PEI. If you are a hearing healthcare professional who can devote/donate some of your time (like one Friday afternoon a month, for example) to doing hearing tests, hearing aid fittings, and follow-ups, we would love to talk to you.

If you are a business or community organization that would like to serve as a drop off centre for hearing aid donations, please contact us. It would be great to have locations across the Island.

To donate a hearing aid or discuss a partnership with Hear, Hear PEI, please send an email to hearhearpei@gmail.com. If you prefer to speak by phone or to meet in person, we will gladly arrange a time to call or meet.

Finally, please share this blog post with others so that we can reach as many people as possible. Together, we can give the beautiful and life-changing gift of hearing to Islanders!

Thank you!

Rose and Mike Barbour